Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Canada	sriniv how was the wedding?	Went excellently. Minor (travel) glitch: the vehicle I rented could play CD's but NOT MP-3's--especially as I had only taken two MP-3 CD-R's to cover any entertainment for the driving; both my car and the rental SUV (yes, I'd reserved Premium car, but these happened to be out of stock at the counter so the clerk offered an SUV; I took it--the extra boot space proved fortuitous for carrying back Pras' luggage and the wedding gits) happen to sport Chevy nameplate--but my car (basic Aveo) has an MP-3 capable player and the SUV (loaded, with power seats) plays (I have use of it till wednesday) only CD's. Pras was considerably nervous due to the wedding itself, compounded by not having any family/relatives present (I got a letter back from Cardin that they had arranged a visa appointment for her mum on 4/12, but the letter didn't even arrive till at least that date--I found it when I checked the mailbox while leaving for work this morning to do some tasks including filling of the I-485 forms), but quite calm after the event was done.	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-04-17 14:55:00
Canada	Passport Needed	Perhaps it makes a difference where your stuff is being processed. When we had our AOS interview in San Antonio, one of the documents required was his (USC) passport. Also despite not REQUIRING it at previous levels, they always asked for it. passport for USC was on our AOS interview checklist, but it was an either/or with birth certificate. I couldn't find his birth certificate, so we took his passport. I guess it does depend on the district office. Considering the US will soon require USCs to show a passport to Get Back Into the country if they travel abroad, its just basically a good idea to get one asap anyhow. It already DOES require passport for entry from countries other than Canada or Mexico (and, for multicitizens such as myself, IT MUST BE the US passport that is shown for the purpose of entry/re-entry into US).	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-04-21 12:55:00
Canada	Canadians getting Driver Licence	How long does your Canadian licence have till expiry? One approach (admittedly, runs afoul of the state's 30 day rule) is to simply retain the Canadian licence till it expires. Many states DO allow a temp visa holder to do so, restrictively.	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-04-18 13:17:00
Canada	Live in Vancouver but interview in Montreal. Why?	CR1/IR1 visa interviews are always done in Montreal, no ifs, ands or buts I lived close to Vancouver so it really sucked that I had to fly out to Montreal for my interview.... True of all Consular Process GC's (of which CR-1/IR-1 is in VJ's glister; mine, issued Dec 1999 was employment-based). I remember asking if I could have it done in Calgary, which would have been IDEAL, as I would have had a travel cost of less than $30 (I had enough "mileage" for a free trip inside North America--but crossing the border, the $6 I-94 fee IS NOT waived; rest would have been for bus/C-train fare), as I could have stayed in (what had been till 1994) my own home. Actual travel cost was around $500 ($400 of that for a week at a B&B). K1 and K3 visa interviews are done in Montreal or Vancouver depending on where you live but I have heard of people getting thier cases transeferred. Of course, this leaves those in the middle of Canada (Calgary to Winnipeg) S.O.L. on the matter of travel cost.	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-05-09 12:08:00
Canada	Montreal consulate	According to the K-1 timelines, nobody has received a Packet 4 from Montreal in over two weeks. There's lots of us waiting for them. I've sent a few emails to them over the past ten days or so asking for status updates; they've all been ignored. Previously, emails were usually answered the same day, or at worst, the next morning. I've been trying to call them for over an hour, all I get is a fast busy signal when I dial their number. Montreal IS still open, right? Yes, it's open--at least for all Consular Process Immigrant (including CR-1/IR-1) applications.	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-05-09 11:44:00
Canada	Anyone applied for a new Canadian Passport from the USA?	Sharon, you can make plans to travel to Canada with no issue--as you already indicated they are "tentative".	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-04-20 12:06:00
Canada	A-number will be SSN number??	'twould be nice if they did use A# for SSN (or in the case of Canucks, port over the SIN maybe--of course, I guess that might cause lots of issues as there is high chance of porting a duplicate).	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-07-27 16:00:00
Canada	Canadian airports that are pre-clearance for U.S. Immigration?	When I went to visit hubby in UK I had a pre clearance in Toronto on the way back to the states. I thought it was funny that I had to clear Canadian customs and then US immigration in Canadian soil. I thought I would clear immigration in Houston but that was not the case. Canadian was a cinch but the US officials tried to rough me up and I’m a USC! I almost thought I would miss my connecting flight because they flagged me when they asked where I had traveled to, and I said I was on holiday in Portugal Spain and UK( this was evident as they were looking at the stamps on my passport) then and they though it was weird that I was not declaring nothing of value because I had gone on holiday and not brought nothing back. I honestly had nothing to declare but my old clothes. They searched all my baggage and were sad to find nothing as I had told them. They asked me again after looking, your not bringing back nothing new that you did not take ba with you and I said well just 3 shot glasses and a Kamasutra book my hubby gave me as gift LOL. When the IO saw that he closed my suite case and said ok you’re good to go LOL. After all that drama just barely made my connection but thank God that I did. Basically, neither Canada nor USA is geared for transit passengers--though the US has had thousands go through (mostly JFK from Atlantic route, but some SFO or LAX from Pacific route) enroute to Canada between 1970 and 1980. The addition of more flights to Canadian airports (YVR, YEG and YYC) to service London and Frankfurt (both servicing through Atlantic route only, despite of Vancouver's location on Pacific coast) has greatly reduced (but not zeroed) this traffic. The use of Canadian airports as transit went up a bit after the Free Trade Pact/NAFTA, as pact-specific-visa (originally TC, now TN-1 and attendant dependent TD) holders oft used this approach to ensure that NAFTA-cognisant officers will examine them for their return trips--at the costs of having to clear Canadian customs AND usually a higher airfare. Generally, the only ones for whom this approach was good were: those planning a combined trip (where these would no longer be issues) those whose Canadian home was in Toronto or Vancouver (the two most common connecting airports to outside North America--Vancouver being the only connexion point for Pacific routes). For the one trip I made outside North America as a TN-1 (Mar 1999, to London), neither of the above applied--and going through Pearson would also have put me at the risk of being stranded (remember that the immigration officers can refuse non-USC's); so, I took the straight-shot (ATL-LGW) approach, and was asked by the examining officer (who obviously was NOT NAFTA-cognisant; and this was even after six years the pact had been in effect) "where's the visa?".	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-08-19 06:45:00
Canada	Canadian airports that are pre-clearance for U.S. Immigration?	MSP was an awesome immigrant POE for us (15 mins in and out)---you might find that they welcome new immigrants more better than regular grubby tourists? I can't feature flying to Calgary to go around MSP. Now, how did bypassing MSP become an issue? I thought it was bypassing Pearson. I have no problem making ONE change at MSP or DFW to avoid YYZ (admittedly, I'm usually TRYING to get to YYC in the first place). But, in general, I don't like going through another airport in the country I'm entering if my destination airport has customs/immigration (eg. when visiting India, I generally avoid flights going to Mumbai or Delhi as I normally want to enter at Chennai in the first place).	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-08-18 04:42:00
Canada	Canadian airports that are pre-clearance for U.S. Immigration?	Confusing? I can see that. First you need to know which terminal 1, 2, 3 or whatever they are up to now. Then you need to know arival or departure deck. Then you need to know your carrier. Then walking up to the desk.. one foot in front of the other now. Actually, the confusion is due to the fact that (at YYZ) you clear through PFI, then go through security--and then go downstairs and take a bus to some other point--an absolute chopf#ck design! At all other PFI-equipped airports, you just go past the PFI, then through security, then straight to the gate. (and yes, I have had ONE recent--in November 2000--experience at the PFI at YYZ; as I also had to take some other domestic flights in that same week through there, it confirmed that YYZ is a "hell's gate" airport as a whole!) Edited by CherryXS, 17 August 2006 - 04:18 PM.	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-08-17 16:16:00
Canada	Canadian airports that are pre-clearance for U.S. Immigration?	Don't rule out Toronto, I went through there on March 30 and it was pretty simple. Just make sure he leaves lots of extra time for all the line ups, I think I gave myself 3 hours. Everyone is much more friendly when you're moving to get married, they actually smile But the PFI is designed in a very confoozling manner--so the G&M rating of Pearson stays well-earned!	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-08-16 16:16:00
Canada	Canadian airports that are pre-clearance for U.S. Immigration?	It would be ideal if bebop could fly via Calgary (for the same 17 years running, rated Canada's best--as I was raised there, I could not resist such a gloat opp )--but from the info supplied, it looks like that would necessitate a connexion elsewhere (probably Winnipeg, since it's the only one of the three that's IN-BETWEEN). Winnipeg is not as nice as Calgary (lots fewer flights, especially to US), but is somewhere between "twin ottter" (two stars) and "737" (three--which rating is given to Vancouver). (Pearson's rating by G&M is actually ZERO--"crashing semi"! Calgary, has four or "concorde") Edited by CherryXS, 15 August 2006 - 08:03 PM.	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-08-15 20:02:00
Canada	Canadian airports that are pre-clearance for U.S. Immigration?	bebop, it would be much better to go to W'peg than Pearson for the PFI--Pearson is Canada's "gate of hell" airport as a whole (as rated by Globe and Mail magazine for the last 17 years running).	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-08-15 16:21:00
Canada	Direct Consular Filing- Available in Montreal?	Only Montreal does the DCF option, and it is available for couples where the US citizen in the relationship is considered a permanent resident of Canada. Since your fiance does not currently live in Canada, DCF is not an option for you, I am sorry. More information about DCF is available in the Canadian regional forum. Dang. (Actually, I used other 'blue words', but we'll go with that one) Thank you for the reply. I was afraid to get my hopes up, with good cause. I'm now wondering if our fastest option is to marry and then file for a K-3 or a I-130, rather than going the K-1 route? As Cassie stated, only Montreal does DCF (due to the fact that ALL Consular Immigrant Visas have been issued at Montreal for at least 10 years--why that perverse logic, I dunno, but it cost me an extra C$500 in lodging to do my employment-based GC against if it had been done in Calgary).	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-08-23 13:52:00
Canada	TIM Hortons	I'd just like to be back in Calgary again. I quite enjoyed it. Actually, it was Airdrie where I spent most of my time. Could see Banff far off from where I was working. Was nice. If Pras' AP (or better yet conditional GC) come through by November, I can do a substitute visit home (Calgary--I was raised there from ages 8-30) for you.	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-08-24 16:18:00
Canada	TIM Hortons	I didn't notice much of a difference in the coffee taste when I stopped once in Ohio, but it was only once, and I was jonesing really bad, so I wouldn't have noticed anyway A cousin of mine once noted however that when he stopped in Ohio once on his way home from Florida, he said the coffee was horrible, and had obviously been sitting in the pot for quite some time. That could be the difference, I know that Tim's in Canada always had a policy of no pot over 20 minutes old (that was years and years ago before Wendy's bought them). I don't think the US stores have the same policy. *sigh* I miss donuts. Now, that's an even worse explanation; if they're following Wendys' policy on coffee (do chains like McD's and Wendys' actually have policies other than "sell any that's leftover even from last night"?).	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-08-23 17:43:00
Canada	TIM Hortons	Maybe one tastes the coffee more in Calgary due to the absence of contaminants (in the water)?	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-08-23 13:48:00
Canada	Medical ??	...The waiting room magazines sucked. Isn't that generally par-for-the-course with doctors' offices?	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-08-30 17:24:00
Canada	Renewing My Passport	the problem for me is that by the time my passport needs to be renewed I won't have known anybody in any of those professions for 2 years For Canucks in US, no such (the 2 years) need (I did so before, applying from Dallas using bank notary public's stamp/signature--and I only spent a total of 6 months in Dallas).	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-06 04:49:00
Canada	Renewing My Passport	If you cannot find a guarantor, you can get Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor signed. "Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form must be sworn to or declared before, and signed by, a person authorized by law to administer an oath or a solemn declaration. If completed outside Canada, a qualified official includes a Canadian or British diplomatic or consular representative, or a qualified local official." http://www.ppt.gc.ca...tor.aspx?lang=e I was just going to post that exact thing... I have a question though who would a "qualified local offical" be? Reiterate--a notary public will do just dandy.	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-05 13:10:00
Canada	Renewing My Passport	For guarantor, a notary public--available at most bank branches--will suffice.	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-04 05:56:00
Canada	Renewing My Passport	Hi all, I really appreciate this VisaJourney website. It helps to know others are having similar experiences and that we can share our stories. weeks ago. :-) I have my Green Card (conditional Permanent Resident) and am holding a part-time job. I have successfully moved to the United States from Canada. Our one year wedding anniversary was two I apologize if my question is simple. This is posted to Regional Discussion: Canada, and also Your New Life in America. I am sorry if I am posting to an incorrect forum. But I've done a few internet searches and am not sure where to turn. Here is the situation: I am concerned about my Canadian passport. It expires in April 2008. This is my first passport, so I've never had to go through the process of renewing it before. -How do I renew my Canadian passport since I am now living in California? Is there an application I need to fill out? -Should I be anxious about sending my passport through the mail? (When I was originally issued a passport, I chose to do everything in person.) -I now use my married name, and my passport was issued in my maiden name. I would like to change it to my married name. -When applying for my initial passport, I had to show proof of citizenship with my ORIGINAL birth certificate. Is this required again? Does the passport office accept copies, or is it originals only? I am loathe to send my original long-form birth certificate, particularly because USCIS has asked for it on a number of occasions. I don't ever want to let that baby out of my sight! :-) I have a shorter birth certificate (in laminated card form). Would that work? -Also, when applying for my initial passport, it required the signature of a "guarantor" -- someone in professional standing who has known me for a minimum of two years. (At the time, I used my doctor.) Is this again required? I haven't had opportunity to form professional contacts -- I haven't even BEEN here for two years yet! This worries me. -Since my passport expires in April 2008, what timeframe is needed for processing? Should I renew it right away? Thank you to all of those who read this. Suggestions and advice are welcome. I am grateful for any assistance. Sincerely, Lisa (and Brian) :-) Download PPT 140 form, downloadable and mail it in (with fee, required docs) to Ottawa (or courier to Gatineau).	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-08-31 22:18:00
Canada	Calgary Medical	Some consulates will allow visa interview WITHOUT medical report; on successful interview, the result will be "decision to issue visa after submission and examination of medical report". This was the case with Chennai (for Pras' interview)--of course, she was staying in Chennai (where the medical was anyway) so she could physically take the envelope to the consulate. If you're able to do interview WITHOUT report, you may have to recourier the report afterwards to the Vancouver consulate (the Vancouver-Golden distance looked to be about 750 km, a full-day's drive).	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-14 08:32:00
Canada	Montreal Hotels/Bed and Breakfasts	I used one on Laval Av. Fairly close to subways and walking distance (ok, 2 km but I DID walk it) to the consulate.	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-18 17:45:00
Canada	Any canadian residence gone through interview for US residency?	k_hudda is from India.	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-20 07:51:00
Canada	Moving	No, this sounds like a reasonable deal. You may get a slightly cheaper deal on a 30-day inflexible-return flight than on a one-way though.	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-22 10:13:00
Canada	Travelling with/without AP	Actually, with the speed of AOS processing after K-1 marriage (including RFE, ours will have taken 5 months and 12 days from initial AOS filing to conditional-GC interview), it may be well worth simply waiting-it-out till GC interview.	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-19 11:35:00
Canada	Travelling with/without AP	If you leave the US without AP before you get your GC (only exception is K3), you won't get back into the US... period... and you'll have to start from scratch with an I-130. Friends don't let friends leave the US without AP... One correction needed. If the non-USC spouse is a H1-B holder, then it is OK to leave US without AP (so long as employed with same company). (admittedly, the original visa/status is not marriage-related in that case)	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-19 09:59:00
Canada	I miss Shreddies	[quote name='Reba' date='Sep 14 2006, 06:09 PM' post='446619']The announcement was posted on Canuck Abroad a while ago. But I don't like Coffee Crisp *sigh*[/quote] Though I answered your comment on that board--they actually IMPORT from Canada, not make it with the "marmite" (analogy only, as Cursey's uses bottom-of-the-barrel cocoa) chocolate typically used in US. Here's a message from a Canuck friend of mine, who is currently living in London, England [quote]Had a Hershey bar the other week for the first time in two years after eating Cadbury's and Nestle. It was ######. Tasted like cardboard. Puke[/quote] *snarf* He's lucky tho, there's a Canada store in London. He can just go there on the bus and doesn't have to order stuff on-line.[/quote] But no incentive to visit it, as UK chocolate already available. (No incentive for me to wait for some Canuck products such as Aero or Smarties, either--as I can get imported-from-UK version of many of these in desi stores)	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-16 08:50:00
Canada	I miss Shreddies	There may be some good news on the horizon. This morning, I bought a Coffee Crisp bar (checked on side, it was Canada-made) at a 7-11 slightly north of MD-32 between US-1 and BW Parkway (geography info for expanded-DC-area residents)! So maybe we'll soon be able to buy Jersey Milk, Rosebuds and Cherry Blossoms individually-on-demand (rather than ordering by case, or making a run to Canada).	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-14 08:12:00
Canada	I miss Shreddies	You can get a case of them (not individually) as stated twice earlier.	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-06 20:44:00
Canada	I miss Shreddies	All this talk of chocolate and no one has mentioned a deep fried Mars bar!! Carla I thought it was only popular in Scotland (and not even in mainland NS nor Cape Breton).	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-06 12:01:00
Canada	I miss Shreddies	NC borders on VA which has IKEA branches. Any idea how big the state of North Carolina is? I'd need to schedule vacation time in order to go to the IKEA in Virginia Total Est. Time: 6 hours, 38 minutes Total Est. Distance: 406.53 miles Not unaware of NC's size; but didn't know that the only IKEA in VA is in Springfield (when MD has TWO--WFT?)	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-06 10:42:00
Canada	I miss Shreddies	Laura Secord is a good (albeit somewhat lower level than the Belgian Lindt or the Swiss Tobler) brand produced in Canada--and available at CanadianFavourites, though at a higher price than at a store (of course, the LS stores are "only in Canada"). If you FIND a good US recommendation (Godiva actually DOES NOT measure up to Laura Secord), please tell me.	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-06 04:52:00
Canada	I miss Shreddies	http://www.canadianf...re/cereals.html mmmmm... pricey, but less than plane fare!!! oooh... that site has all the PC stuff I miss too yummy!!!! Eh? I already mentioned the site on the first page. http://www.visajourn...h...st&p=422298	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-05 19:52:00
Canada	I miss Shreddies	Oh Brother. A Mars Bar in Canada IS NOT THE SAME AS A MILKY FRIGGIN WAY. They are similar but different. A Milky Way in the US is the same as a Milky Way in Canada. A Mars Bar, is smaller in length, thicker and is more dense. The taste is in the same family but it is not as light and fluffy. Exaclty. Thank you. The taste is totally different. I am a chocolate snob lol. Yeah, I get where you're coming from. Kit Kats in the UK and the US are visually identical, but sadly US Kit Kats taste like #######. Its just my opinion that Mars Bars/Milky Ways and Snickers are some of the few US candy bars that don't taste that different from their European cousins. I guess the European ones aren't like the Canadian ones. As soon as I get my GC I'm going up to Canada to find out! Reson for Kit Kat difference is all-too-simple. UK and Canuck Kit Kat are made by Nestle (Swiss), while US Kit Kat is made by (as you may have surmised) Cursey's. There is also a Canuck brand Nielsen which produces reasonable candies--such as Jersey Milk and Rosebuds (closest counterpart is UK Dairy Milk bar, no US equivalent). I just found out that we have a GC appointment on 2006-10-13--so our planned trip to Calgary (where we can stock up Laura Secords) is that much closer.	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-05 17:15:00
Canada	I miss Shreddies	Also, ceriserose your attitude of "it's a chocolate bar" is rather inapt--as the quality of the chocolate makes a massive difference (certainly you can't say that a Tobler bittersweet is the same as a Cursey's "Special Dark" ) Apples and oranges. I was commenting (and really, just teasing ) on the level of frustration (including all caps "yelling") of cmartyn's post over a chocolate bar. Now if the "yelling" had been over the difference in quality of the chocolate I could totally see it. I've never eaten either of the ones you describe in your post, so can't say anything about either. You're right there! I prefer unsweetened dark chocolate best myself, so most of my chocolate woes are finding quality dark chocolate in this great land of milk chocolate. I have a hard time believing you haven't seen Tobler. "Cursey's" -- official name is "Hershey", but it is CURSE of Chocolate world, so I combined the terms.	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-05 13:11:00
Canada	I miss Shreddies	well that's just fine as long as you live somewhere there's an IKEA There's not even one in my entire state. hmph. If it makes you feel better, my nearest is almost 200 miles away! I stocked up. Can't resist gloating--there are THREE IKEA's within 161 km of my home (Beltsville and Towson in MD; Springfield in VA). Also, ceriserose your attitude of "it's a chocolate bar" is rather inapt--as the quality of the chocolate makes a massive difference (certainly you can't say that a Tobler bittersweet is the same as a Cursey's "Special Dark" )	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-05 12:04:00
Canada	I miss Shreddies	NC borders on VA which has IKEA branches.	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-05 07:52:00
Canada	I miss Shreddies	Nanaimo bar mix??!? Never heard of it! I saw Nanaimo bars in a bakery in the Minneapolis / St Paul airport a couple of weeks ago and they were labeled "Vancouver Island bars". It made me wonder if people couldn't pronounce Nanaimo. You remember an old comic strip "Sgt. Renfrew". In one case, Renfrew has to inform his GF that her citizenship interview is in Prince Rupert--because the judge couldn't SPELL "Nanaimo".	Saddle Bronc	Male	0	2006-09-04 20:25:00