Hi All,
Although there are similar posts on the topic but i wanted to share my experience on my First Landing by Windsor Tunnel.
Purely from cost saving perspective, i had planned the first landing trip via Detroit to Windsor by road.
1. I (Along with my dependents) rented a car from Detroit Airport and drove early morning at around 9am towards the tunnel. There was not even a single vehicle crossing to CN at that time (My good Luck).
2. I drove directly to the duty officer. Initially i did not realize that she is a CBSA official. I was under the impression that the first check post would be for US officials. Anyways, she asked me few questions like my visa status in US and from where i am coming. Then she asked the purpose of my trip. I told her that i have come for first landing and intend to drive back same evening. She tried to explain me that the PR clock will start the day i enter first & I still have a choice to go back (Dont know why she told me that) Anyways, she filled in a yellow colored form, wrote few details like what i intend to bring later on etc., handed that form to me. Then she ushered me to the Immigration and Customs building.
3. I parked my car and went in. I walked to the lady officer who again asked similar questions. When i told her the purpose of my trip, she asked me for the inventory list i had brought or intend to bring. I had an excel spreadsheet for the list of items with approx. CN value. Out of the list, I had listed my CAR but i had not brought the CAR TITLE. She offered me to return back and come at a later date with all the details. I was not able to get the details online as my cell data gave up. I told her that i need to land today itself and i will not bring my car if i am not able to list it today. I asked her if they can provide me WIFI access, which she politely declined. But somehow i managed to pull out the VIN & License plate number from my CAR insurance policy. She accepted those details and listed my car in B4 form as well (I was lucky as she had all the right to refuse it). I gave the CN address details and told her that this in my friend's address, to which she was fine. Then she asked me some std. questions like any other dependents apart from the ones listed etc. She also asked few questions to my spouse.She took about 20 minutes to fill out few forms, handed me B4 form and asked me to bring this form when i come back with the articles.
She also told me that if i bring any brand new expensive item, it may attract a duty and also the items have to be more than 6 months old. My Advice - Plan to carry receipts for high value items if you have recently purchased them. And then she wished me luck and handed us our passports.
4. I then went to Service Canada office where i applied for my & my dependents SIN number.
5. After that i went to a bank to open a bank account but was denied as i did not have proof of residence.
6. I also went to Service Ontario office to check if i can apply for health card or photo id. I was denied again due to lack of address proof in my name.
I returned back the same evening around 4 PM and now awaiting my PR cards.
Hope this helps others.
