I completed my landing today at Sault Ste. Marie. It took around 35-45 mins.
I entered Canada;
IO: Where are you from?
Me: WI
IO: How long are you staying for?
Me: Just long enough to complete my landing process.
IO: (fills out yellow slip) Take this slip and park under the canopy.
Under canopy:
IO takes my paper and passport and hands it back saying, take everything you'll need inside to the desk.
Inside:
I wait in the only line there is and the only person at the desk.
they ask: How can I help you?
Me: I am landing today and having my goods to follow.
She asks: Why are you landing today if you aren't moving?
Me: My visa expires on Wednesday and our home has not sold.
she replies: They aren't going to let you do that, I don't think, you have to do it when you actually move, but you need to go see the Immigration officer - turns out she was just a 'cashier' or something.
At Immigration counter:
IO: How can I help you?
Me: I'm here to do my landing, but have only goods to follow.
IO: Ok, let me see your papers. Take a seat.
Me: Ok, thanks.
a few minutes pass and he comes out again
IO: You have no goods for today? What about vehicles, things in your car?
Me: I mean I do have my vehicle today, and there are goods in there but I didn't bring paperwork to import/export them today since I am not moving I would be driving illegally in the US then.
IO: Ok, that's fine.
He goes back for a while. I think he was training someone as he called someone else into the room. I sit back down and wait, and he comes back
IO: When do you plan to move? IO: Why aren't you moving today?
Me: Our house has not sold and we need those funds, to purchase a new home in Canada. However, as I understand it if I don't land before my visa expires I lose it.
IO: Ok, good, just wanted to make sure I understood it. No worries, it's OK. (I think he could tell I was worried)
The the other IO comes out and asks if I have an address of where I will live when we move or a family member for my PR card to goto. I say yes, my mother-in-law/sister-in-law's house. He asks for the address and I said I don't know the postal code off hand but it is in my paperwork in the folder the other IO took. He gets it and verifies it and goes back to hsi room.
IO comes out after a bit more time and asks me some questions, if I am still married - yes - initial next to that line. Do I still have no convictions - yes, none. He said, are you sure, you reflected that on your paper when you filed? Yup, nothing even to a parking ticket. Ok, initial here. How much money do you have with you today? Count it up. It's just a question they want put on here. So I did, and told him. Then he had me sign 2x my name, and ensuring that I stayed in the white area on the one. He was funny about it and if I don't - it's no good. The way he said it was funny, not the idea that it's not good - as it really isn't.
He writes some info in my passport, staples the COPR in and hands back my papers. Then he extends his hand and says "WELCOME TO Canada!"
I then asked if my goods were setup to go as well and he said, no, we'll do that now let me find someone to help you.
The man who had helped me originally ended up doing it.
I remarked that I had everything filled out but I as I was driving there forgot to include the GPS and my kids carseats!? He said, do not worry about those, they will not be an issue. He filled out some stuff and moved my vehicles from the goods to follow list area to somewhere on the main page and verified my total. He logged things in the computer and I was on my way.
While there a couple ( I assume) had just tried to up and move to Canada that day I think, they were giving them a flag that if they entered again they would have to have proof of like 8 things (rent, mortgage, paystub, financial ties, sufficient money to enter, ect) Or be retained up to 3weeks. It sounded like they had no identification at all, and as I was leaving (they were there when I arrived and still talking to them when I left) they were discussing some detaining that the man had in Tallahassee.
I turned around without leaving the immigration hub and headed back over International Bridge. MAN, that bridge is scary!
My kids & Hubby were back at the St. Marie's Fall Park (?) and had spent the time watching boats go in and out of the locks and just exploring the park. I think I was gone about an hour total. I'm glad we ended up doing that. I can't imagine that it'd have been useful to have them waiting whilst I did this portion- although they are cute
At the US border, They asked where I was from, what I did in Canada and when I replied I was there an hour only and just at the immigration office and came straight back to do my landing, he asked so your moving to Canada? You marry a Canadian? I said yes. Where is your husband? In Saulte St Marie at the park with the kids. So he lives in the uS with you? How long? Yes, 14 years (though I guess I 'lied' as its' been 14 in December- oops) He said, oh, so he has a green card then? Yes, he does. Why the move now then? I said that my family has spread out or are gone and by moving there we have a hub of family for our kids to grow up around. He nodded in agreement and said Ok, I understand. handed back my passport and said "have a good day"
