Today I landed at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing in Niagara Falls. When I came to the US border I was sent up, along with my girlfriend/sponsor, to the customs office building to do paperwork. I was told that I either could get a 90 day visiting slip for the US or just be turned around. I had no inclination to go to the States, so I asked to be turned around. My g/f and I were escorted by a guard out of the customs building and the guard asked for my g/f to stay behind as collateral (to make sure that she and I wouldn't get in the car together and escape into the States without papers :
) while I got the car. I got the car, picked her up and we were sent on our way back across the bridge. The Americans were very friendly and talkative - not at all as cold and to-the-point as I had anticipated.
At the Canadian side I was, again, asked for my papers and was, again, sent into the customs building. Once inside I handed over my passport and the COPR and I told them I had goods to follow. I was asked two quick questions and signed the COPR, saying that I had not been involved in crime, etc. When the papers were done I was sent to another counter where I handed in my goods forms. I soon got my papers back and sent on my way. The Canadian border officials came across as being pretty disinterested, and being sent off without a "Welcome to Canada" somewhat cheapened an otherwise auspicious and happy occasion.
Once landed we went to St. Catharines to get a SIN-number and register for OHIP. Service Canada was closed (Dufferin Mall here I come... ), but Service Ontario was very easy to deal with and I barely had to wait in line at all.
All in all it went very smoothly and it feels so good to have the whole ordeal taken care of! Also, I'd definitely recommend for anyone GTA resident landing with a car at Niagara to go to St. Catharines to deal with the SIN- and OHIP-business.
) while I got the car. I got the car, picked her up and we were sent on our way back across the bridge. The Americans were very friendly and talkative - not at all as cold and to-the-point as I had anticipated.At the Canadian side I was, again, asked for my papers and was, again, sent into the customs building. Once inside I handed over my passport and the COPR and I told them I had goods to follow. I was asked two quick questions and signed the COPR, saying that I had not been involved in crime, etc. When the papers were done I was sent to another counter where I handed in my goods forms. I soon got my papers back and sent on my way. The Canadian border officials came across as being pretty disinterested, and being sent off without a "Welcome to Canada" somewhat cheapened an otherwise auspicious and happy occasion.
Once landed we went to St. Catharines to get a SIN-number and register for OHIP. Service Canada was closed (Dufferin Mall here I come...
), but Service Ontario was very easy to deal with and I barely had to wait in line at all.All in all it went very smoothly and it feels so good to have the whole ordeal taken care of! Also, I'd definitely recommend for anyone GTA resident landing with a car at Niagara to go to St. Catharines to deal with the SIN- and OHIP-business.
