geedee

Well, at last, after all the stress (not to mention cost) we had the letter saying we'd got PR. Our passports have been sent to Los Angeles for the visas to be put in, and we'll have up until December (I think) to "activate" them.

Does anyone know if we have to actually cross the US border, turn around and come back in, or can we just go to a border crossing, stay on the Canadian side and just activate them that way?

The problem is that a family member needs a visa to enter the US... and given the processing times, we could end up having to go back to the UK or somewhere instead!

AmyDavid

Call the call centre and have them contact your local CIC office to activate your PR inland. You can only call them once you have your Visa's as they need information from them.

Good luck

geedee

Thanks Ann... I think we'd prefer the border option (provided we don't have to cross it!). It will add a sense of occasion...

PMM

Hi

1. You will go to the Border crossing to "flagpole". What happens is you approach the US side (but don't cross) tell them you intention is to activate your PR visa. They will give you an administrative rejection letter (which has no effect on future entries, JAJ will probably state differently) and you then return to the Canadian side to "land"

geedee

Thanks for the reply.... I'm a bit wary of that. Wouldn't it mean I'd have to tick "Yes" to that question about being refused entry on the waiver forms / esta thing??

PMM

Hi


No, you weren't refused, so you can say No, but you might want to put an explanation. If you aren't sure, then make an appointment through the call centre for "landing" at the local CIC.

geedee

Thanks PMM, sounds like a good plan. Our landing will be complicated enough as we have Federal PR, but live in Quebec... best to get it right!