I landed this morning as PR! The experience was pretty seamless. We decided to make a weekend of it and stayed overnight in Buffalo to check out the shopping and eat Buffalo wings at the Anchor Bar, apparently where they were conceived.
So on arrival at the Lewiston/Queenston US border they sent us into the waiting room so that I could get my I-94 waiver form. Only had to wait about 30 minutes, and the lady processing me was really nice and friendly. She asked why we were visiting Buffalo, and then queried my status in Canada. Up to that point I hadn't admitted that the purpose of the trip was to land on the return journey, but I felt from her questions that she wasn't satisfied that it was 'just a shopping trip' and seemed concerned about me being a visitor. Anyway, so I said my intention was to land on the return journey the following day, and she said 'oh, I just need to go and speak to my supervisor, because we really shouldn't let you in. We should send you back to complete your landing, and then you can come back in to the US'. I was really hoping to avoid this, and thankfully her supervisor said it was fine, she would allow us in, and kind of jokingly said, 'your Canadian papers better be in order, cos if they don't let you in, then we have to deal with you'.
Return journey was really seamless. We arrived at the border around 10am in the hopes of beating the rush. No queue at all, we just drove straight up. The initial border guard was very friendly, asked the purpose of our trip, whether we had anything to declare and then directed us to the border agency offices. Again, no queue at all - we were the only ones there. It was all processed in about 10-15 minutes and in pretty much silence. I handed the form and passport over, she confirmed my address/phone number, asked if all the details on the COPR were correct, and asked me to sign or initial the relevant spots. She asked if I had goods to follow, which I didn't. I had prepared a list of goods accompanying me - even though it was just what I had brought with me from T.O. for our overnight stay in Buffalo, but she said it wasn't necessary. I kind of thought that would be the case, but had a list prepared in any case. And that was it. She gave me a few forms with details on how to apply for health, SIN etc, and we were on our way. It was efficient and as I said very seamless.
Now tomorrow morning I am off to register for OHIP & SIN.
