Hi Friends,
I would like to share my landing experience with you. We are a family of four (myself, my wife and two sons). We are under AINP-H1B visa holder category. We flew from USA to Calgary on March 10th. The very first flight itself got cancelled...however we were provided with the alternate flights. This was the only thing where we faced a little problems as we had to take care of two small kids while changing the gates at airport. Other than this our landing was extremely good.
We reached Calgary airport around 2:20 pm. Reached to the declaration area directly. We had to wait for a couple min as somebody was there in front of us. The officer asked how many days you are going to stay in Canada. I said, we are moving to Canada permanently as permanent residents. She said ok fine. Meanwhile I have given her all our passports and COPR documents and the declaration card which I had filled in the air
plane. She just took a couple min to check everything and gave me the passports, COPR docs and signed declaration card. Then she asked me to go the immigration department showing the directions. Then we went to the immigration department. There was one person in front of us and we waited for just a couple min. Then we were called by the immigration officer. We went to the counter and wished her and told her that we are moving to Canada permanently. Then I gave her all documents. She took a few min to enter all our information in to her computer. Then she said your Permanent Residence cards will be shipped to the address you provided in 4-6 weeks. Then she gave me the signed COPR docs and said these docs are very very important and have to keep them forever with us. Then she finally said, "WELCOME TO CANADA". That was the wonderful moment in our lives...felt soooo Happy. We thanked her and left from there. Then we have collected our bags from baggage area. After that we went to the customs area. I have filled the B4 form online and took prints each two copies including the photos of jewelry. The officer was happy to see all my documents were handy. He just did some paper work and given the signed papers back to me. It took about 45 min for everything to get done.
That was all, we just reached to the arrivals area. Just got relaxed for few min and had some food there. Then we went to the hotel where I already had a reservation. We had a 10 hours very good sleep...
Next day morning around 8:45 am we went to service Canada located in Marlboro mall to apply for our Social Insurance Numbers. The officer was very very friendly. I had already filled application forms online and handed those along with our passports and COPR docs. She was very pleased to have them ready. Then she took few min to enter everything in her computer and gave us the passports and COPR docs. Then she said it takes about 10-15 business days to receive the SIN cards. She also said to go to the nearest registry to apply for our health insurance cards. We went to the registry from there. There also the officer was very helpful. I have given her the application form which I had filled online already and printed. Then she did some paper work for both the health insurance cards and Alberta state ID cards. Then she took our signatures and fees. Then took our photos for the ID cards. After that I realized that why can't I exchange my USA drivers license. Then I asked the officer that, I have a valid USA drivers license and can I exchange it now? She said yes. It was double work for her as she has to cancel my state ID card request first and then process for my Alberta drivers license. But still she was very helpful. Then finally she gave us the temporary Alberta drivers license and state ID card for my wife. Then we left from there and reached hotel. Just got relaxed and took our flight to India.
So friends, just be patient and for sure your day will come. We were waiting for this day to come in our lives for the past 4.7 years. So, just keep faith in God.
Wish you all the very best. Please let me know if I can be of any help in any way. I will try to help you with pleasure.
Finally, I am extremely thankful to everybody who has given me valuable suggestions and supported me morally when my federal application came back to me two times. I can never forget that help throughout my life.
Thanks again to all of you and Thanks to God...
Best Wishes,
Sarayu