Hi, another update from me and my husband. We drove to Buffalo today to obtain my husband's PR. It was uneventful until we actually got to the 30th floor. However, the weather was miserable!!!! Lots of rain. We were there first (or maybe second) but decided to hang out at Timmy's--not a good idea because when we went back at the bottom of the escalator (we were told to wait there), there was a number of people waiting. So my advice is get your coffee stand at the bottom of the escalator to form a line (hopefully you are first). The website said they open at 8am-wrong. We were told that the office will open at 7:30 am and just needed to wait, again, at the bottom of the escalator. Anyway, when we came back we were 5th in line, not so bad I guess. The security came and got us to go to the security desk. We we asked for our passport-even the ones that were there to accompany the applicant. We were given a visitors pass (sticker with info) told to go to the elevators, press the button with the Canadian Flag (30th). When we got there, another security. He asked if we were there for PR, we said yes, he told us to form a line on the right to go to booth# 5 and to turn off our cell phones. We were second in line for PR-the first 3 people were there for visitor/worker/student permit. When it was our turn to go to booth, we gave them everything that was asked plus an additional information they were asking from the email--a copy of our marriage certificate. The lady also said that my husband is visitor number 9, as per the sticker and it will take about 1 hour, 2 the latest and we can have a sit, they will call his number. We did not submit the marriage cert with the application because we recently got married and we were told to wait 12 weeks to request. I just put a note on the application explaining exactly that with a copy of Record of Solemnization of Marriage. We got the marriage certificate 12 weeks after our wedding but since they never asked for it, not until the PPR via e-mail, I never really sent it (I should've!). Moving along, after about 1 hour or so the person before us was called and given her PR. We were excited because we knew we were next. However, they called 5 more people--people after us! We got worried at this point as we did not know what had happened but we did not fuss about it or even asked the lady what happened or why the other people were processed first before us. We figured, it must have been the marriage cert was missing and has to go through its own process and that's why I said I should've sent it as soon as a received it. We waited another hour listening to more people after us being called for their PR. There were a lot of people in that room because it was not only for PR but for all sort of immigration status I supposed. All seats have been taken and some were standing waiting while people are standing in line (2 lines, 1 PR, 1 other). When they were giving out visitors number, we heard more than 100 (119?) but not sure if that was the number of people that was inside of that room but it was full, filled and hot. Around 10:15, the lady in booth 5 finally finished the line up for that booth. She then left, and took some "processed" PR back with her (they were in a green folder). And as soon as she sat down she called #9 and we just jumped up off our sit. We were given directions, told to make sure that name, date of birth, etc is correct on the landing papers. Make sure you read the letter, though for instructions.
We went shopping after since we know the area quiet well
. We had lunch at Walden Galleria and went to the outlet mall near Lewiston Bridge/Border. We drove to the border at 2 pm-no wait/line up and the IO asked us a bunch of question. We were given a yellow paper and were told to go to the Immigration Office. There were a few people waiting in line, including a family who was trying to land as well. We were there for maybe 15 minutes including wait time. It is true, the women did the paperwork, while the guys stand around waiting for more people with yellow slip to show up and I think they were hoping they would have to search those people to keep them busy. LOL. My husband was given a bunch of information ie. how to apply for SIN, etc. was asked a few confirming question about his dual citizenship but nothing major. The IO congratulated him and actually said "Welcome to Canada".
Let me know if you have any additional question or clarification. If I know the answer, I will share.
