Hi there !
First comment as a Permanent Resident of Canada =) =) I'm so happy now !
Here's how it went:
my appointment was at 2pm. I got there at 1.15 (yes I know, it's very early, I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't be late =))
When I arrived, there was a huge line up (probably 50 people), but it turned out that these people were there for the citizenship ceremony. The agent took my letter and told me "you're too early, please comme back at 1.45".
I came back at 1.45 and she opened the doors for me. There were only 2 other couples and one lady on her own.
I was asked to go to the counter to pay. I had already paid 2.5 months ago but somehow it wasn't in their system. So I decided to pay again and I will claim my money back. I'd rather wait for money than for my PR =)
I then had to sit for a little bit and they started calling people. I was asked to go to a counter where a lady asked me to give her my passport and my husband's ID. We gave both our passport's and she realized that I was French and my husband was born in Romania. She was originally from Romania and spoke both French and Romanian, so we actually didn't even have the landing interview in English. She asked me questions in French and she asked my husband questions in Romanian. We both speak English but it was lovely =) =) She asked us both if we have committed any crime, been deported and if we have children outside Canada. We answered "no" to everything. We then had to sit and wait for a little bit again (probably 5 min). We were then called again. The woman asked me to give my picture. She took only one, she said she doesn't need 2 (not sure why they ask for 2 then). She then asked me to confirm the information that is on the COPR. She said that all that matters is that my names, date of birth and address are right. My husband's address (sponsor's address) was wrong. We had updated it online but they didn't change it. She said that it doesn't matter, all that matters is my address.
She made me sign the document (my copy + her document), she stamped my passport and the COPR and signed them and then congratulated me on becoming a permanent resident. She then explained my obligations as a PR and explained what I have to do to apply for citizenship.
It took 25 min in total and it was great =)
After that, I went to Service Canada, where I was able to get my permanent SIN.
If you are from a visa exempt country, you *CAN* get your permanent SIN the same day. The people at CIC do not always know this.
SO now I am a permanent resident and my SIN starts with a 6 =) =)
I'm super happy !!!
