Landing Experience:
Hey all, did my landing at Buffalo via car yesterday. Overall a very smooth process, just had to wait a while for my turn due to long-weekend traffic both ways (Civic holiday in Canada this coming Monday).
I forgot my US visa in my old passport, so on arriving at the US border station, I was asked to go in to the office and wait until they issued me a "refusal of admission" notice. I then took this paper along with my passport (with IMM visa and COPR) to the Canadian Border. On arriving at the Canadian border station, I was asked to go in to the office. Didn't have to wait too long until I spoke to an officer. She was very nice and proceeded to process my landing. She filled out the COPR with my details (address in Canada, dependent info etc) and asked me to sign. After that she congratulated me on becoming a Permanent Resident of Canada with a beautiful smile. I will remember that smile forever probably.
She proceeded to explain to me the rights and obligations of permanent residency and procedure to get my SIN and health card updated (I have temporary versions of these due to work permit). She said that the PR card would be mailed to my current address.
Also, some interesting information about the COPR which I didn't know. She said that as long as I travel via car/bus into Canada, I can always enter the country with the COPR document. It is only while using airplanes that the airlines companies require a PR card because of the lack of security features on the COPR document. So i was glad to know that I can travel back and forth from the US in a car at least. She said to put the COPR in a safe place once I receive the PR card.
Glad that the first step of this journey has reached completion. This forum is great, thank God for such a helpful technology. If you have any questions don't hesitate to PM me.