Next Step-Confirmation of PR

[CanaSask]

Hello,

My wife just received our confirmation of permanent residency IMM5688 in the mail yesterday, so we are really happy.

We applied outland, but are living in Canada so we are unsure what to do next since we are already in Canada.
Do we have to leave the country and then enter to get the forms filled out or can we just go to the border and have them do it?
I think this must be fairly common, so hopefully someone who has done it could share some advice.

Thanks again

 

[kettle]

You can go to the border and do what is called flagpole-ing.

I believe you can go up to the Canadian side and let them know your intent. You don't physically need to cross if I remember correctly.

We decided to make a quick trip of it into the US on a long weekend, but since you're in Saskatchewan I don't know if there is much of great interest directly south of you (teasing all)

 

[CanaSask]

Thanks for the reply. We might make a short trip out of it and your right, North Dakota is just kind of an extension of Saskatchewan, but I can get into vacation mode once I cross the border.

So basically, we could just stop at the Canada side and get all our paperwork done, that way when we come back we already have our permanent residency stuff done? Also, my wife's tourist visa expires on August 5th. Not sure if this is a problem to leave to the USA or not.

 

[Aquakitty]

If your spouse as status in Canada, you can phone for an appointment at a CIC office within Canada to activate the COPR. I've heard of wait times from a week to two months for this depending where you are. If this seems like a good option give them a call and find out how long it would take.

The fast way is generally to "flagpole" at the border, IF she doesn't need a visa to enter the US (or has one) you can go through the US border then go round to the Canada side. I'm sure I've read that some people just go directly to the building on the Canadian side somehow but in the COPR instructions it tell you to leave and re-enter Canada to activate it.

Either way, not all border crossings have immigration services and sometimes the immigration services have different hours than the actual crossing, so check out this interactive map to make sure about where you are going to cross: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/do-rb/services/imm-eng.html

You should have received a little leaflet with your COPR that has all these instructions on it, some good info on it.

Edit: Is her tourist visa for the US or Canada? If it's for Canada they will take it and destroy it when you land by flagpoling. But, if she lands inside Canada (by appointment) remember she needs to be in-status to land inside Canada so it would have to be before Aug 5th afaik.

If the visa is for the US then yes it would be a problem if you try to flagpole after Aug. 5.

 

[CanaSask]

Just to update you on our info. My wife came to Canada on a tourist visa that expires Aug 5, we applied for an extension but haven't heard anything yet. I would like to get everything done by August 5th anyways just to make things easier. She is from South Korea, so I think she can just enter usa on a tourist visa. No need for a different visa, I think. Also, the border crossing near us has an immigration office that is open daily.
Ideally, if we could just do it all from the Canadian side it would be best. But, if we can't then I wouldn't mind turning it into a short vacation for a few days.

 

[keesio]

Just to update you on our info. My wife came to Canada on a tourist visa that expires Aug 5, we applied for an extension but haven't heard anything yet. I would like to get everything done by August 5th anyways just to make things easier. She is from South Korea, so I think she can just enter usa on a tourist visa. No need for a different visa, I think. Also, the border crossing near us has an immigration office that is open daily.
Ideally, if we could just do it all from the Canadian side it would be best. But, if we can't then I wouldn't mind turning it into a short vacation for a few days.

You are correct, South Koreans do not need a visa to either Canada or USA.

 

[Aquakitty]

Just to update you on our info. My wife came to Canada on a tourist visa that expires Aug 5, we applied for an extension but haven't heard anything yet. I would like to get everything done by August 5th anyways just to make things easier. She is from South Korea, so I think she can just enter usa on a tourist visa. No need for a different visa, I think. Also, the border crossing near us has an immigration office that is open daily.
Ideally, if we could just do it all from the Canadian side it would be best. But, if we can't then I wouldn't mind turning it into a short vacation for a few days.

It doesn't have to be a few days. Just go through the US line, say you only want to visit Canada immigration on the other side (not actually enter the US), then enter the other line into Canada.

When you get to the Canadian border guard say your wife is landing as a permanent resident and they will send you inside.

That's always the way we've done it.

Like I said, on the COPR paper, it says you must leave and re-enter Canada to do it that way, I don't know if you are allowed to go directly to the Canadian side office.

Regardless, depending on lines it can take just a few minutes to "flagpole" you don't have to sit around in North Dakota.

 

[CanaSask]

Perfect. Thanks a lot. Appreciate your help.

 

[Rob_TO]

Like I said, on the COPR paper, it says you must leave and re-enter Canada to do it that way, I don't know if you are allowed to go directly to the Canadian side office.

Correct, you can't just go directly to the Canadian side. You must travel to USA side first and tell a US border officer you want to return right back to Canada to flagpole, and/or enter the US office first to get paperwork in order. They will stamp passport and/or give you a paper that shows your entry (or administrative refusal) to USA. This must then be shown to the Canadian side when you do your landing.

 

[CanaSask]

Planning on returning on Monday August 3rd. Will the immigration office be closed on a national holiday or are they open everyday?

 

[kettle]

Check the link provided to you

It will show hours. I believe the larger crossings are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.