My Story - CoPR Landing at Osoyoos, BC

[fireal.jon]

Congrats!
I'm living in K, 2 hrs from osoyoos. and want to go through the exact same process as you did.. but I don't have a US visa. is US visa necessary in this case?
BTW, you first go the ports that cars pass from Canada to US, then flagpoled, and then go to ports that cars pass from US to Canada? is mu understanding right?

Thanks

Thank you!

I'm in West K. You don't need a US visa to flagpole. Technically what is happening during this process is that you are legally leaving Canada, then getting an administrative refusal from the US and are being returned back to Canada. So you legally leave Canada, but you don't legally enter the states. No US visa needed.

Your understanding is correct. You walk up to the vehicle lanes entering the states and there is a pedestrian crossing that runs in front of the booths. I waited at the crossing until a US agent stepped out of his booth and called me over. Then you end up going into their office for a few minutes while they check your passport and ask a few questions.. like where do you live.. several times.. After that you will be walked across the back of the US booths and directed to the Canadian vehicle intake lanes. It feels a bit strange, but just follow directions of the US agents and you will be fine. Its a normal practice.

Good luck!

 

[fireal.jon]

You got your PR card in January?

Yes. Landed December 2nd and card arrived at my place on January 25th.

 

[dap87]

Yes. Landed December 2nd and card arrived at my place on January 25th.

Oh, the timeline is shorter than stated on their website.

 

[fireal.jon]

Oh, the timeline is shorter than stated on their website.

Yeah I think the processing timeline varies depending their workload.

 

[potato123]

Thank you!

I'm in West K. You don't need a US visa to flagpole. Technically what is happening during this process is that you are legally leaving Canada, then getting an administrative refusal from the US and are being returned back to Canada. So you legally leave Canada, but you don't legally enter the states. No US visa needed.

Your understanding is correct. You walk up to the vehicle lanes entering the states and there is a pedestrian crossing that runs in front of the booths. I waited at the crossing until a US agent stepped out of his booth and called me over. Then you end up going into their office for a few minutes while they check your passport and ask a few questions.. like where do you live.. several times.. After that you will be walked across the back of the US booths and directed to the Canadian vehicle intake lanes. It feels a bit strange, but just follow directions of the US agents and you will be fine. Its a normal practice.

Good luck!

Great, thanks for your kind answer!
BTW, what's the office hours for this immigration flagpoling process. I notice that the border's open 24/7, but not sure about the immigration service time period on the border.

 

[fireal.jon]

Great, thanks for your kind answer!
BTW, what's the office hours for this immigration flagpoling process. I notice that the border's open 24/7, but not sure about the immigration service time period on the border.

No problems. I couldn't find the immigration hours online when I was researching either, so I don't know. I just did it during business hours to be safe. I think I was there around lunchtime on a Saturday from memory.

 

[potato123]

No problems. I couldn't find the immigration hours online when I was researching either, so I don't know. I just did it during business hours to be safe. I think I was there around lunchtime on a Saturday from memory.

Thanks jon.
I will have a trial tomorrow.

 

[fireal.jon]

Thanks jon.
I will have a trial tomorrow.

Good luck! No need to worry, you'll be fine.

 

[potato123]

Good luck! No need to worry, you'll be fine.

Hope so, THANKS!!

 

[potato123]

Good luck! No need to worry, you'll be fine.

I think I've made it！！ Exactly the same as your experiences... It's wise to park the car not at the duty free shop.. in that case I have to pass the border again and then return to Canada.....

 

[fireal.jon]

I think I've made it！！ Exactly the same as your experiences... It's wise to park the car not at the duty free shop.. in that case I have to pass the border again and then return to Canada.....

Congrats! Now you just have to wait for the card. Also don't forget to visit Service Canada and get a new permanent SIN number.

 

[potato123]

Congrats! Now you just have to wait for the card. Also don't forget to visit Service Canada and get a new permanent SIN number.

Sure, Thank you very much for the help!

 

[Sarapgw]

Can we change the SIN after copr or have to do it only after the landing if you are inside Canada?