This article and the facts provided are absolutely time-sensitive, so readers are requested to check / validate the relevance of the contents whenever they wish to exercise the options explained below. If at all it's relevant, this is relevant and may be useful only for those who currently reside in Canada.
The final and conclusive step in the process of "Applying Canadian Permanent Residence" is the one by which the applicants and their dependents enter Canada and do the "Landing". This is a required step even if the applicant resides in Canada as a temporary resident or visitor. Such applicants who reside within Canada, can choose to drive/travel up to their nearest border with United States and cross the borders and re-enter back in Canada without a valid US Visa. The informal provision that allows this type of border crossing solely for the purposes of re-entering Canada for landing is called "Flagpole"
- Applicants along with their dependents(who are also landing) should drive to the border and tell the border security that they are there for a "flagpole". All the members should possess valid passports(stamped with PR immigration visa) and the documents that confirm their approval for Permanent Residenceship
- US Border security officer will either issue a "rejection of entry" slip at the border or will request you to visit the Border Security office to get one
- After the issuance of the "rejection of entry", border security officials will escort the incumbents to the Canadian border or re-entry gates to Canada
- Primary applicant along with his co-applicants/dependents can enter back to into Canada after getting their landing papers in the Canadian border security/customs/immigration office in the border. The landing formalities will be done here.
Please note :
- I checked with the US Border security folks on why there is no accessible and authentic info about flagpole published anywhere. He replied in a "am not sure" tone that they always encourage entrants with a valid US Visa, but as Canada and US share a "free border type trade relationship" they allow flagpole with the consent from both the border security agencies.
- The US Border security official confirmed that "flagpole" won't be seen as a illegal entry or denial of entry to us and will not in anyway impact our re-entry or Visa applications to the US.
- Important : For the residents of Canada, it's no longer necessary to cross the borders of Canada to do the landing. There is a process by which you can do the landing the become Permanent Residents and Canadian Immigration office will provide an appointment through which the applicants can go through this process. The Confirmation for PR letter will have details of this process.
- I was asked for my Driver's license at the Canadian Port of Entry confirming my address. But I found it no where being asked for or reminded about.
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