Well, we've done it, PR as of 13/07/2010.
No matter how many landing stories we read on here it was still nerve racking and we still didn't think it would be as easy as we have heard but now, having landed last night, I can honestly say it was that easy.
I can only thank all who have posted their landing tales on here for their advice as to having all your docs prepared and organised.

We missed out on our earlier flight yesterday so we arrived at Calgary at 7:30 pm, really pretty tired. At the immigration desk we just stated our desire to activate our PR visa, the girl at the booth asked if we had our COPR and other docs and we said we did. She then pointed us in the direction of the immigration section directly behind the booths. Once there the IO wanted to know how much money we were bringing but when we offered to show her our bank statements as proof, she wasn't interested, "No need sir" she stated then stamped our forms, gave us our COPR to sign and officially welcomed us to Canada along with our PR leaflet with useful information.

We then collected our baggage which was just coming onto the baggage claim belts, it was that quick a process we were all stamped before most of the passengers off the plane were joining us in baggage claim

Another quick visit to the customs areas where we presented our Goods to Follow and Accompanying list and we were on our way to our hotel. The whole thing took less than half an hour and was totally painless.
Its a great feeling now we are officially PR and we are well excited now its all sinking in, looking forward to now sorting our house and everything else out over the next 12 months before our permanent move in May 2011.
But first we have a small matter of the Calgary Stampede and the Bon Jovi concert tonight to enjoy, yee haa!!

Again thanks to everyone who has advised us over the last 2 years and just to sat......we did it!!!!!

CBSA is pretty laid back at YYC, I'm sure I could have had a ton of coke in my personal belongings and they wouldn't have noticed. But I came in through Pearson, first of all they thought I was Russian because I had a red passport so that caused confusion, then after my visa was processed they sent me to do my B4 and B4A and the woman at the counter was fast asleep and dribbling on herself.

Couple of tips on Lethbridge if you don't already know - it's pretty windy because the slot through the Rockies that is the Crowsnest Pass funnels the air down into the city, so make sure you don't leave things lying around. Also, been a lot of floods the last few years, most of the new houses are outside of the flood plain but if it were me I'd make sure I lived well outside it.

That I would love to see!

It is the Fohn effect rather than wind being funneled through the pass. Happens all the way along the mountains.

Congrats, what a great feeling


am now off to google fohn effect

Fantastic news. Congratulations and here's to many happy years ahead....welcome to Calgary guys.

Thanks for posting ... and congrats on finally getting there!! I am not sure if I'm more jealous of you landing or the Bon Jovi concert

Enjoy!!

Yup I still love reading the landing stories, and the whole sense of excitement that the posts contain.

Many congrats and enjoy Bov Jovi

Congratulations - glad it all went well. Hope you enjoyed the Stampede and the concert!

Hi Mags1972

I'm so pleased your landing experience was painless, ours was in December. We move permanently on Sunday, looking forward now. Enjoy your holiday.

Poppit

congrats and welcome to calgary!

Good luck we are 2 weeks after you.

Goodluck to you too, lolly4, hope your move goes smoothly and you're looking forward.

Poppit

It's the Chinook eh?!

Pronounced chin-ook right?