I got my passport request on 11/1/11 i decided to go get my immigrant visa in person at the Canadian CONSULATE in Buffalo and do my landing process immediately.
I left Toronto via Megabus at 8.00am on the 18th and we got to the US border by 9.50am then bus was not very full we were about 9 people so we quickly cleared the US CUSTOMS and by 10.10am we were back on our way to the greyhound bus stop.
As soon as the bus stopped i got down and i walked to the Consulate which is about 10 minutes walk from the bus stop at the lobby of the building the security guard for the consulate asked to see my passport, gives me a visitors pass to paste on my coat and then directs me on how to get to the consulate on the 30th floor.
At the consulate i was asked if i had my cell phone so i had to leave it with another guard and he gave me a tag to claim it back. I told him my mission and he directed me to a booth i waited for about two mins and then i was seen by a lady who asked for my passport , the PRP letter , my passport photos, and my height and eye color.She then gave me a number and told me to wait for the visa.
I think i waited for about 40 to 50 mins then my number was called i was given an envelope i was told to look over the COPR to see if there were any errors on it then she gave me my passport and COPR then told me congratulations and that i had enough time to land but i should do it before the expiry date on the visa she was a very cheerful lady.
I took a bus to WALDEN GALLERIA to shop and they had the best deals ever,after that i left Buffalo at 6.30 pm i told the bus driver i was landing and he was so helpful he allowed me to get off the bus first it felt good i saw the Customs officer, gave him my passport, he asked me a few questions ie how long i had been in Canada ? what i was bringing into Canada? asked if i had any alcohol or cigarettes or fire arms and criminal conviction? He then took me inside to immigration where they really took their time to attend to me he asked for proof of funds i gave him my bank statements ,which he scrutinized he took my address, asked me for my occupation there was no need to fill any PR application forms ,no need for passport photos at the landing, he asked me for goods to follow i had none . It was quite detailed i think the agent was very meticulous he then welcomed me and congratulated me then told me my rights and information about applying for SIN card and also to expect my PR CARD in 6 weeks that i was also eligible for coverage under OHIP, also info on if i had to travel and things like that .
Today i went to the Service Canada and applied for a SIN quite straight forward got the number immediately i was told to expect the SIN card in three weeks.
I also went to register for a health card also easy breezy i was told it takes 3months for the health insurance to start and to expect my card then too.
So thats my landing experience i had the US Visa that influenced my decision to go get it in person it was pretty straight forward, get your documents in order and be time conscious
All the best
I left Toronto via Megabus at 8.00am on the 18th and we got to the US border by 9.50am then bus was not very full we were about 9 people so we quickly cleared the US CUSTOMS and by 10.10am we were back on our way to the greyhound bus stop.
As soon as the bus stopped i got down and i walked to the Consulate which is about 10 minutes walk from the bus stop at the lobby of the building the security guard for the consulate asked to see my passport, gives me a visitors pass to paste on my coat and then directs me on how to get to the consulate on the 30th floor.
At the consulate i was asked if i had my cell phone so i had to leave it with another guard and he gave me a tag to claim it back. I told him my mission and he directed me to a booth i waited for about two mins and then i was seen by a lady who asked for my passport , the PRP letter , my passport photos, and my height and eye color.She then gave me a number and told me to wait for the visa.
I think i waited for about 40 to 50 mins then my number was called i was given an envelope i was told to look over the COPR to see if there were any errors on it then she gave me my passport and COPR then told me congratulations and that i had enough time to land but i should do it before the expiry date on the visa she was a very cheerful lady.
I took a bus to WALDEN GALLERIA to shop and they had the best deals ever,after that i left Buffalo at 6.30 pm i told the bus driver i was landing and he was so helpful he allowed me to get off the bus first it felt good i saw the Customs officer, gave him my passport, he asked me a few questions ie how long i had been in Canada ? what i was bringing into Canada? asked if i had any alcohol or cigarettes or fire arms and criminal conviction? He then took me inside to immigration where they really took their time to attend to me he asked for proof of funds i gave him my bank statements ,which he scrutinized he took my address, asked me for my occupation there was no need to fill any PR application forms ,no need for passport photos at the landing, he asked me for goods to follow i had none . It was quite detailed i think the agent was very meticulous he then welcomed me and congratulated me then told me my rights and information about applying for SIN card and also to expect my PR CARD in 6 weeks that i was also eligible for coverage under OHIP, also info on if i had to travel and things like that .
Today i went to the Service Canada and applied for a SIN quite straight forward got the number immediately i was told to expect the SIN card in three weeks.
I also went to register for a health card also easy breezy i was told it takes 3months for the health insurance to start and to expect my card then too.
So thats my landing experience i had the US Visa that influenced my decision to go get it in person it was pretty straight forward, get your documents in order and be time conscious
All the best
