So I landed today officially in Calgary! (my info is already on the chart)
It was more or less what everyone said here. The interview was mostly a formality.
Our interview was scheduled for 9:45 am, so we showed up at 9:30. They led us to a line to pay the $490, and here's where my biggest warning of all comes: try to bring two ways of paying that bill! The machine there wasn't working well and nearly didn't read our visa card! It took about four tries to make it work... so if you can, have a backup plan to pay that money.
After we paid, we sat and waiting for about another 15 minutes. A lady eventually called my name and we went into an interview room. She explained that it was just a few questions and that most everything was resolved. She asked: are you currently separated/have there been any separations? Do either of you have any dependents, here in Canada or abroad? Have you (the sponsor) been on social support at any time or declared bankrupcy? Have either of you committed a crime here in Canada or abroad?
She was very friendly and sweet. Once we got the questions out of the way, we signed a few documents, confirmed the information they had on us, and got my landing paper. I asked about how long it'd take to get the card (8-9 weeks) and when I could get my permanent sin number (once I got my PR card in the mail). She then stamped my passport and that was that. "Congratulations, you are now a permanent resident of Canada," she said.
The only other warning I'd say is: IF YOU HAVE A WORK VISA, BRING IT TO THE INTERVIEW. The letter giving us our landing date told us to bring other documents (passport, two photos, and payment) but not the work visa! Fortunately I'd read this forum and someone advised bringing it.... luckily, I did! She took it.
I'm kinda nervous about waiting for the pr card-- I want it now!-- but I'm also just so, so, sooooooo happy 8) Everyone, thank you for all the support and information from this forum. You've been so amazing! Good luck to everyone still waiting for their news: it's tough, no denying that, but people do get to the other end, eventually.
It was more or less what everyone said here. The interview was mostly a formality.
Our interview was scheduled for 9:45 am, so we showed up at 9:30. They led us to a line to pay the $490, and here's where my biggest warning of all comes: try to bring two ways of paying that bill! The machine there wasn't working well and nearly didn't read our visa card! It took about four tries to make it work... so if you can, have a backup plan to pay that money.
After we paid, we sat and waiting for about another 15 minutes. A lady eventually called my name and we went into an interview room. She explained that it was just a few questions and that most everything was resolved. She asked: are you currently separated/have there been any separations? Do either of you have any dependents, here in Canada or abroad? Have you (the sponsor) been on social support at any time or declared bankrupcy? Have either of you committed a crime here in Canada or abroad?
She was very friendly and sweet. Once we got the questions out of the way, we signed a few documents, confirmed the information they had on us, and got my landing paper. I asked about how long it'd take to get the card (8-9 weeks) and when I could get my permanent sin number (once I got my PR card in the mail). She then stamped my passport and that was that. "Congratulations, you are now a permanent resident of Canada," she said.
The only other warning I'd say is: IF YOU HAVE A WORK VISA, BRING IT TO THE INTERVIEW. The letter giving us our landing date told us to bring other documents (passport, two photos, and payment) but not the work visa! Fortunately I'd read this forum and someone advised bringing it.... luckily, I did! She took it.
I'm kinda nervous about waiting for the pr card-- I want it now!-- but I'm also just so, so, sooooooo happy 8) Everyone, thank you for all the support and information from this forum. You've been so amazing!
Good luck to everyone still waiting for their news: it's tough, no denying that, but people do get to the other end, eventually.
