iam_toby said:
How'd that go? Maybe you can let us know a couple details about the process?
Absolutely Toby!
So about my landing process in a local CIC office:
I called CIC call centre as soon as I got my passport back and CPR. The agent said she'd contact the local CIC office, and the office would send me the appointment letter in mail.
About 1 week later (Jun 4 I think) I got a phone call from the CIC office in Kitchener, ON, saying the next available appointment time is June 13th. She didn't have time to send me the mail so she just told me on the phone that I need to bring the following documents:
- Passport
- CoPR
- 2 photos identical to the photo on CPR
- Proof of payment (I didn't know if it was for $490 or $550 so I brought both)
- SIN card (because they have Service Canada officer on sight to renew my SIN #)
(I also brought pre-filled forms: Application for PR card; Application to renew SIN#. Didn't really use them though)
My appointment is at 10:40. I got there 20 min early, the door wouldn't just open, I had to ring the bell. At the window they took my passport and CPR and told me to wait. 25 min later an officer told me to go into a room, he signed on my CPRs, told me to sign on it too, and informed that the PR card would arrive in 5-6 weeks. He took the CPR with my photo and gave me back the other CPR. It was pretty short, and they actually didn't need my extra photos. He also told me it's a good idea to phone Service Ontario to see whether I needed to renew my health card. He said, "You are now a permanent resident of Canada!" Then he gave my name to the Service Canada lady and told me to wait.
Another 30 or 40 min later...Service Canada lady called my name. I gave her the pre-filled form, she took a look and put it aside. She asked me a few questions like whether I'm a twin or triplet, what is my mom's last name, address etc. She took my old SIN card, gave me a printed new PIN# confirmation letter. I asked whether the card would arrive later, and she said Service Canada stopped issuing SIN cards this year and it's now all on paper only.
Following the CIC officer's advice, I phoned Service Ontario. They said it's up to me whether to renew the health card now or when it's about the expire. So I went to the nearest Service Ontario office. It's Friday afternoon and there was no other client there... I got it renewed within 10 minutes, they gave me a printed confirmation, and said the plastic card should arrive in a couple of weeks.
So that's it...overall a pretty nice experience. I guess the bonus is that you can get your SIN# renewed right away when doing landing.
Very excited! Good luck all!!!
13th june 2014
