Where to validate CoPR within Canada?

[cowboy_bebop]

hi everyone and Happy New Year 2014!

As Canadian Experience Worker Class applicant, I finally received both my passport with PR visa and the confirmation of permanent residence letter (CoPR) to validate by "landing" in Canada. I'm currently living in Canada close to Toronto as temporary worker (with work permit) and I would like to validate my CoPR ASAP. I know that the best way will be crossing the US/CA Border at Niagara/Buffalo but due to this extreme cold winter conditions for driving, I was wondering if there are alternative like going to an Aiport of Entry such Pearson Airport or any international one. Does anyone experience this recently (within the year 2013)? Would like your advice or comment if you experienced with similar situation.

Thanks in advance for your reply, advice and assistance.

Best

 

[lpc19800]

you can go to the airport but only if you fly out of Canada and then fly in again - unless you actually have a trip you need to take, this can be kind of expensive.

the other option, which it should say on your CoPR letter, is that you can call the number on the letter to get an appointment at your nearest CIC office. This however can lead to long delays - I heard the St Clair location in GTA has a waiting time of 4 months.

Given you're relatively close to the border and given the weather is set to improve at the weekend, going to Niagara (or closeby) is going to be the best option.

 

[iam_toby]

you can go to the airport but only if you fly out of Canada and then fly in again - unless you actually have a trip you need to take, this can be kind of expensive.

the other option, which it should say on your CoPR letter, is that you can call the number on the letter to get an appointment at your nearest CIC office. This however can lead to long delays - I heard the St Clair location in GTA has a waiting time of 4 months.

Given you're relatively close to the border and given the weather is set to improve at the weekend, going to Niagara (or closeby) is going to be the best option.

Second that. CIC office or wait for the weather to change. You can also look into crossing the line by bus.

 

[cowboy_bebop]

Thank you gentlemen for your prompt answers, I do believe that crossing the border at Niagara will be my best option and I will be waiting for the weather to smooth little more.

On that note and by your experience, what type of documents should be carried with me including the passport, CoPR letter and work permit? Should I bring with me other type of documents? extra-photos?

Thanks again for your helpful advices.

Best.

 

[chesterbr]

I'm also on the same boat: just got my CoPR and will likely go to Niagara this weekend.

Question: once I get there (will go by bus), can I cross the border walking, or do I need to take a bus/cab? Has anyone here done that in Niagara? Any tips/advice? Thank you!

 

[kaytea]

I'm also on the same boat: just got my CoPR and will likely go to Niagara this weekend.

Question: once I get there (will go by bus), can I cross the border walking, or do I need to take a bus/cab? Has anyone here done that in Niagara? Any tips/advice? Thank you!

I just landed this weekend at rainbow bridge. there is a pedestrian side right next to the cars lane. walking to the us border takes about 7 minutes. i had no issues - just the strong wind

 

[chesterbr]

Thanks kaytea and everyone. Just to register here, I've successfully crossed the bridge to land (and spent a great time in Niagra - cold, but no crowds, being able to go anywhere without lines beats good weather for me ).

One thing worth mentioning: Even though I had an Arranged Employment Offer, the immigration officer needed either a proof of my current employment or a proof of funds - which I thought would only not be needed for an FSW with AEO, and did not have with me.

The (very polite and kind) officer gave me all the time I needed to figure out, and would accept pretty much anything from the company or the bank, even in digital form, so I used my phone to get to my company's payroll system and download a payment slip, which was deemed proof enough, so for all effects, I'm a permanent resident now! Cheers.

 

[Camq]

do you needed a USA visa to Validate CoPR?

 

[chesterbr]

Technically yes - we crossed the bridge, went to the US (needing US visas at this point), then crossed back to Canada. *In theory*, you could leave and re-enter without doing the cross (as we went forth and back through the same side of the bridge), but I'm not sure if the frontier officer would allow you to land/re-enter that way (he asked whether we had returned from the USA, and only gave us the yellow slip and forwarded us to immigration after that question).

 

[canuck_in_uk]

do you needed a USA visa to Validate CoPR?

No, you don't need a US visa. When you get to US immigration, you can tell them that you are flagpoling to land as a PR in Canada. They will give you a slip of paper called an "adminstrative refusal" that you give to Canadian immigration.

 

[wdnsdy]

Thanks kaytea and everyone. Just to register here, I've successfully crossed the bridge to land (and spent a great time in Niagra - cold, but no crowds, being able to go anywhere without lines beats good weather for me ).

One thing worth mentioning: Even though I had an Arranged Employment Offer, the immigration officer needed either a proof of my current employment or a proof of funds - which I thought would only not be needed for an FSW with AEO, and did not have with me.

The (very polite and kind) officer gave me all the time I needed to figure out, and would accept pretty much anything from the company or the bank, even in digital form, so I used my phone to get to my company's payroll system and download a payment slip, which was deemed proof enough, so for all effects, I'm a permanent resident now! Cheers.

I am in a similar position as well. I'm in Canada so I'd have to cross the border and come back.

Although my application process isn't completely finished (just submitted my medical exam), I'm starting to prepare myself for these procedures.

Any document you need/should have for the landing?

I'm assuming...;

- CoPR
- passport

and good to be prepared, so...

- current VISA
- confirmation of employment

 

[CECFEB2013]

When I landed at Peace Bridge, they asked me Passports, COPR, current status documents (Work Permits - They wrote cancelled on work permits as I became PR and I don't need this any longer) and proof of address (I showed my driving licence).

They asked me if I'm still employed or not, I said yes, they did not ask for any proof of employment.

Looks like every one has a different experience, so it is better to carry all the documents to be on a safer side.

 

[kaytea]

- passport
- COPR
- 50 cents (2 quarters) for the toll for crossing the bridge
- latest work permit
- proof of address (drivers license, bill, etc) -
- proof of employment - i wasnt asked for this, but apparently they asked others
- proof of funds - i wasnt asked for this, but apparently they asked others

 

[wdnsdy]

When I landed at Peace Bridge, they asked me Passports, COPR, current status documents (Work Permits - They wrote cancelled on work permits as I became PR and I don't need this any longer) and proof of address (I showed my driving licence).

They asked me if I'm still employed or not, I said yes, they did not ask for any proof of employment.

Looks like every one has a different experience, so it is better to carry all the documents to be on a safer side.

That's true. I think it's safe to carry all the documents. They're a bunch of paper anyways, it's not like it will be a burden!

Thank you for the information!

 

[wdnsdy]

- passport
- COPR
- 50 cents (2 quarters) for the toll for crossing the bridge
- latest work permit
- proof of address (drivers license, bill, etc) -
- proof of employment - i wasnt asked for this, but apparently they asked others
- proof of funds - i wasnt asked for this, but apparently they asked others

Thank you so much! This is great. Always good to be on the safe side.