POE at Toronto Pearson Airport?

[CanadatoUS 0]

Hi,

For those who have POE'd at the Pearson Airport, do you go through the regular customs area (where all the other travellers go through) and then get called into a second area for further processing? I am asking because I'll be POEing (IR1 visa) with my husband and baby. They both have US passports, so I'm wondering how it'll work. What kinds of questions should I expect?

Besides bringing the big brown envelope and my chest X ray, is there anything else I need to bring?

Thanks!

[Rhiannercakes 14]

It's a piece of cake.

You take the brown envelope (no need for the xray) and your passport with the visa in it and get in line. They'll scan your passport and stuff then send you to secondary.

They'll open the package there and activate your visa. They may also take biometrics.

I'm not sure if your husband can come in secondary with you, but you can ask.

I wasnt asked any questions, but they were really really busy, so I think they just wanted to process me.

Good luck with your POE!

[coraliesolms 47]

I was wondering the SAME thing, I will be going through TO with our 3 yr old (she is an american by birth). Im worried about how that is going to work, if they will let me take her to the secondary with me. She will have a panic attack if she is seperated from me (and I will too!!). Advice please!!

[canadian_wife 1,829]

They will NOT separate a mother from her 3 year old. Your child will go through secondary with you, even if she doesn't need to go through the procedures.

It's SO easy, they are polite and considerate. Try, if you can, to go through a non peak time, Pearson can get busy and also make sure you get their early.

Good luck.

[CanadatoUS 0]

Thank you everyone! One more silly question. There are 2 lines when crossing the customs at the Pearson airport: one for Cdn passport holders, and the other for US passport holders. My husband and baby have US passport, but I have the Cdn passport...so which line should we go to?

Thanks again!

[mikey78 6]

As far as I recall there is only one line for everyone...however even if there were 2 lines, it probably doesn't matter since processing happens in the secondary, so once you come up to the booth, they will put your docs in a folder, call in an officer that will take you to the secondary.

Thank you everyone! One more silly question. There are 2 lines when crossing the customs at the Pearson airport: one for Cdn passport holders, and the other for US passport holders. My husband and baby have US passport, but I have the Cdn passport...so which line should we go to?

Thanks again!