ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaSchool Shooting discussion gets my son in trouble??

As a father, I would get my butt down to that school now and give them a piece of my mind.


Ha ha. Good one. The US is a fascist state. Period. Free speech? Any open, constructive debate? Forget it. Particularly in public schools. Case in point- the murder of an 11 year old by police in Texas. And this kind of criminal misconduct by school and law enforcement can only get worse given their immunity from prosecution.

They won't give someone's piece of mind any attention whatsoever.
A properly filed lawsuit by a finely tuned attorney would, however, get their attention.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the only recourse in the end is to move outside the country to live under cooler, more rational heads. You won't find it in the US.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-01-10 14:51:00
CanadaHow Much Notice For CR1 Interview

You want the whole process to move quickly, except this part when it would be nice to get plenty of notice to arrange flights etc.


We were just given 4 1/2 weeks notice last week for the early February and booked an air ticket to Montreal for a fairly low price. Certainly much lower than the ticket prices were over December holidays :)

I think you'll get an interview date 4-5 weeks ahead which should give you enough time to book the air ticket enough in advance that you'll get the best price possible (assuming you like playing the air ticket stock market as well).

Good luck!
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-01-11 22:45:00
CanadaI-864 - Tax returns for the last 3 years

Please take into account the poster is NOT interviewing in Canada she is applying for adjustment of status in the USA. Your advice is incorrect for her situation.



Interesting. So is another I-864 filed when applying for AOS after the two years has passed?

Thanks.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-01-11 16:44:00
CanadaI-864 - Tax returns for the last 3 years
Yes. We submitted only last year's return on our I-864 (mine) to NVC. We're bringing the previous two years before that to the interview, just in case.

(She's from Taiwan but we both reside, filing and interviewing in Canada).

Edited by BBCC, 10 January 2012 - 01:55 PM.

BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-01-10 13:49:00
CanadaWaybill needed? Where??
I was wondering the same thing. Thank you for posting the instructions here.

We would like the fastest delivery product DHL/Loomis offers. On their web site, that would be Next Day 9am service.
Is it available by the email request instructions above?

Thanks!
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-01-16 23:43:00
CanadaImporting US Vehicle to Canada
I recently did an import FROM US TO Canada. Since my import was TEMPORARY, Canada CBSA customs waived all of the documentation and modification requirements (entirely RIV exempt). I was able to bring the vehicle into Canada for up to 36 months duty free. I just basically brought it in and registered it locally in Canada.

One strategy with this approach was if, by some chance, I'm in Canada beyond the 36 months then I will need to complete the permanent import process per RIV requirements. Hopefully, by that time the duties due will be less since the vehicle has depreciated in that time.

So is this possible going the other direction for a Canadian vehicle that has never previously owned in the US? Just idle curiosity.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-01-20 14:49:00
CanadaTheraflu
Thank you.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-01-25 11:08:00
CanadaTheraflu
Does anyone know why Theraflu isn't available in Canada? I've tried all the drug and grocery stores. Nothin'.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-01-24 23:41:00
CanadaPaying Canadian bills from the U.S.
The cheapest way I'm paying Canadian bills here with a US account is to go to a local Canadian bank (RBC is my favourite as they don't charge me any fee) and ask for a cash advance with my US debit card. Exchange rate is good. Then I take the cash and walk into a payment centre for the bill and just pay cash. An option?

Sorry if I'm missing something obvious here but I quickly learned here that money orders are too expensive so I try to avoid them.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-01-22 21:01:00
CanadaDHL Signup Sheet
I just noticed on the latest CR-1 interview report for Montreal, that the first document asked for is the DHL signup sheet.
Not sure what this means. Can someone clarify more on how to get one?

We have already registered on the Visa Information Service web site, registered for Loomis/DHL service and selected the preferred local delivery office for delivery. All of this is confirmed when logging into our site. Do we need to print out any proof of this registration? Where and what do we print out for our interview?

Won't be long now.

Thanks!
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-01-27 23:35:00
Canadainterview date was assigned..preparing for the financial documents..need help from Saylin and other canadian immigrants.. thanx...

Oh, also: I don't know your situation, but if the beneficiary was born in Taiwan and not Canada, then the resident card (for Canada) should be brought as well as that's probably required.


We're bringing the Canadian work permit that was submitted electronically to the NVC to qualify for the Montreal interview. It's attached to her passport. Assuming this is all that is needed.

Thanks again.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-01 13:21:00
Canadainterview date was assigned..preparing for the financial documents..need help from Saylin and other canadian immigrants.. thanx...
Thanks!
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-01 13:00:00
Canadainterview date was assigned..preparing for the financial documents..need help from Saylin and other canadian immigrants.. thanx...

As long as you have the tax transcripts, you're good to go. They don't need W2s or 1040s.

When I brought my AOS package, they actually returned everything (pay stubs, employment letter, cover letter) and just kept the I-864 and 2010 tax transcript (that I just brought to the interview, we didn't send it to NVC as we didn't have 2010 at that time).


Our letter from Montreal with the list of documents indicate we only need to bring financial docs that we submitted for our I-864.
This means my last year's 1040 (2010). I didn't submit anything else. No paystubs or previous year returns. But you mention the need to bring more than this which leads me to wonder if there are other documents not on our list that we need to bring.

Our letters states to bring the following:

CORRESPONDENCE INSTRUCTIONS C
1 - IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION PART 1 R
1 - IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION PART 2 R
2 - PASSPORT Y
3 - BIRTH CERTIFICATE (Original of the copy already submitted by email)
4 - ADOPTION (No)
5 - MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE (Original of the copy already submitted by email)
6 - MARRIAGE TERMINATION (No)
7 - COURT RECORDS (No)
F - FINANCIAL EVIDENCE (Original of the copy already submitted by email)
9 - MILITARY RECORDS (no)
10 - CANADA POLICE CERTIFICATE (Req'd doc has been received)
10 - CHINA - TAIWAN POLICE CERTIFICATE (Req'd doc has been received)
FEE PAYMENT (Paid)
PHOTOGRAPH (Req'd doc has been received)
F - PETITIONER MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE (No)
F - PETITIONER BIRTH CERTIFICATE (No)

We were only asked to provide my last year's IRS return for the I-864. May we assume this is all we need for the interview?
There is no mention as to proof of domicile above. So why would this be necessary?

Comments appreciated.

Thanks.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-01 12:27:00
CanadaWife is Canadian but she's working in Korea

Also I'm looking into filing for a green-card for her what process should i follow? i was thinking of getting her a k3 visa for the time so she can come back and live with me while the green-card process is going through, is this not a good way to go or should i just file for the green card only?I'm really lost and trying to do all of this by myself any help would greatly be appreciated.
-Noa


The way the K-3 works is you can't petition for it with I-129F until you have already filed a I-130 for the CR-1 (green card).

So what we did was as soon as we received our NOA1 for the I-130, file for the I-129F for K-3 immediately. This route costs more but if they take a long time to process your I-130, you then can proceed to the US with the K-3 sooner while they finish with your I-130 petition. The alien spouse merely waits in US without a green card (if they REALLY drag on with the I-130, you can apply for temporary work authorization while waiting in the US).
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-01-17 22:46:00
Canadacan anybody recommend some hotels near consulate?
We stayed at the Phillips Square hotel, 1193 Place Phillips.
A little over $100 for the night on travelocity.
HUGE suite. Included hot breakfast. 200m walk to the consulate.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-06 16:46:00
CanadaWho do I contact for false issues in border crossing?

So my question is, is there a place I can call or contact regarding issues like this? I don't see how it's fair for them to screw up and I have to pay for it.


Been there. I am a US citizen and was denied entry driving into Canada in 2007. Albeit I was going in the other direction, I wonder if my solution might also work in the other direction.

Find out exactly what incident they are referring to, date and especially the jurisdiction. The border officer needs to tell you that.

In my case, they flagged a false indication of an arrest 8 years prior. I can only assume it was someone else with the same first/last name. They gave me the date and jurisdiction of the arrest.
I had to physically go to the jurisdiction that the CBSA claimed was the arresting jurisdiction. For $10, I got a letter that stated I had not been arrested over a time period that included the incident in question.
The next time I went to Canada, in 2010, I presented the letter at secondary inspection. The letter was entered into my file on the CBSA records. I was told that this resolved the matter and I have been admitted in Canada ever since. The CBSA officer entering this new letter into their system told me that I wouldn't need to use the letter again but just to be safe, keep it with me just in case whenever I enter Canada.

One other interesting point- For months, every subsequent time I entered Canada even with a NEXUS card, I was asked if I had ever been denied entry into Canada and then sent inside for secondary inspection where they asked to see the letter yet again. Eventually, the initial entry officer suggested that I when I go inside to show the letter again, ask that the flag be removed. So I asked the secondary inspection officer to remove the flag. They forwarded an email off to Ottawa requesting this. I was told it would take about six months. The next entry, however, about a week later already showed the flag removed and I haven't been asked about the denial of entry since nor asked to produce the letter.

Hope this helps.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-05 14:33:00
CanadaDHL Pick up
Picked up our package from local DHL office this afternoon.
Looks like we'll POE early Saturday morning and soon bask in the warm southern sun!

Thanks for all the help and info.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-07 23:01:00
CanadaDHL Pick up

yeah mine is there now too. i guess they do them in batches. congrats.


Thanks. And congrats as well.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-07 12:02:00
CanadaDHL Pick up

I believe so but best to read the instructions for home delivery on the site - they are quite thorough.


I'm shocked. Our waybill just appeared on visa-info and it is sitting at the local DHL facility this morning. Next day.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-07 11:44:00
CanadaDHL Pick up

Loomis will send an email to whatever address is set on the csc site (click edit next to your name on the applicant summary page). To get home delivery you click the link further down. There is no expedited delivery - loomis/dhl already sends it overnight from montreal to your local branch.


So could we potentially get the package faster by just going into the DHL office the next day rather than opting for home delivery?
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-07 11:29:00
CanadaDHL Pick up

It still hasn't appeared on there. Standard practice these days from what others have said.


So we should be watching for an email then? Do they send it to both emails or just the beneficiary?
We want to up grade to home delivery. Also wondering if we can also upgrade to an expedited delivery service.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-07 11:16:00
CanadaDHL Pick up

I received my email notification from loomis(dhl) this am. looks like the visa was processed and handed over to Loomis last thursday. So that was 5 business days to process as per what they say. It would appear that its been at the local loomis branch since last friday so not sure why I just got the email and why it says its not ready for pickup yet. Oh well, all good.


when did your waybill number appear on http://usvisa-info.com ?

Thanks.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-07 11:08:00
CanadaDHL Pick up

Hi,

Did you have your interview in Montreal? I got my IR-1 visa approved in Montreal on the 26th as well and I too have not heard anything back. What was your ticket number/position in line that day? (I was C-2 and second in line). I am going to give it one more day before emailing them.


I wonder if the cause of any delay in this process has to do with who's desk your paperwork ended up on. If they get sick, run over by a train, go on holiday for a week or two or off to a training seminar in Washington DC for a week or two.. if for any reason, they don't go in to work then your paperwork just sits there until they finally get back from wherever/whatever they were doing.

It could happen....
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-06 18:00:00
CanadaPolice Certificate

I just did mine this week. I went to my local police headquarters and said I needed the Canada-wide background check for immigration purposes. I filled out the form and paid the fee ($30). She handed me a blue copy of the form and my receipt, and I asked if I should wait or would it be mailed to me... She laughed at me and said the blue sheet is it! I was in and out in about 5 minutes.

It might depend on where in Canada you are located. I'm in Ontario, and it was easy-peasy.

Hope that helps.


Our record in BC was clean and took 5 minutes here as well.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-01-22 21:10:00
CanadaB2 VISA MONTREAL HELP!
We just went through this with our CR-1. I realize this is a different visa category but there are people on this forum who had their interviews 2-3 weeks ago. Our interview was on Monday and everyone's passports arrived on the same day (Tuesday this week). So it seems they process and ship passports in batches. It seems they pile up and then suddenly they will ship them all out the same day every 2-3 weeks.

If they haven't shipped it by Friday, I'd send an email to Montreal on Friday afternoon and ask when they expect to process it.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-09 12:02:00
CanadaI-94, Canada but from somewhere else
So we now have our CR-1 in her passport. We will proceed POE by car on early Saturday morning. Presumably, when they finish activating her CR-1 and stamping it (I-551 stamp?), she will complete an I-94 as she is a Taiwan national.

I have heard that when subsequently traveling between US and Canada, that she will never relinquish her I-94... it will remain attached to her passport. That this is an exception for travel to/from Canada as they take it when you're traveling to other locations.

True?
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-09 11:59:00
CanadaHow to get joint documents
The only thing we provided with our I-130 petition to establish a bona fide relationship was an apartment lease in both names.
They never asked for anything else. It seems the standard of proof for this is as low as it could possibly be for applications adjudicated in Canada. It is other locales with a history of improper visa use that require more. Your "mileage may vary" but that is how it worked for us.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-09 12:34:00
Canadaapproved visa, when will i receive it from DHL?
I know I'm in a different visa classification (CR-1, Montreal), but can't imagine it is any different for K-1. The DHL arrival seems to vary from a day to a few weeks. It seems they pile up on someone's desk and then then ship them off in batches.

Shouldn't be long though.

Congratulations!
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-14 13:53:00
CanadaFinally in the USA
Welcome! We made our POE on Saturday.
Wonderful feeling going in the first time together.
It was like waiting for christmas day once the passport arrived by DHL.
Best regards!
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-14 15:59:00
CanadaCANADIAN from Vancouver BC
Burnaby!
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-02 22:20:00
CanadaPOE Success - Blaine WA
Congrats! We went through the same POE. No problems. 30 minutes done (CR-1).

Glad the entry was successful.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-03-04 15:48:00
CanadaWhat are my options?
I could answer your original questions but they would be identical to Ryan H.
There is not way to predict how long any of this will take. It is random.
I wouldn't book anything until the interview. Even then, you could be put into AP and get screwed.

The only alternative I can possibly think of is to work directly with the venue.
Explain your circumstances and see if can help you out at all.
You can be assured that the US immigration authorities are far more rigid.

Edited by BBCC, 14 February 2012 - 03:53 PM.

BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-14 15:52:00
CanadaTravel Insurance? (POE->SSN)
These policies sound like for major events like accidents or near-death experiences.
If you want solid MSP-like coverage like coverage for normal office visits and prescriptions, you're going to need to go with an independent policy. Unfortunately, they are not cheap (welcome to amerikah!). I use them for my kids as I do not work permanently and direct for a company. I am an independent contractor in my employment, which does not provide any benefits.

The HMO-type plans are the most expensive but I can no longer find them.
That leaves PPO plans that offer benefits on a 80%/20% basis (they pay 80%, you pay 20%).
The rates vary a lot according to age and gender but will run around $400/month. Cheaper options are available with higher deductibles and co-pays and maybe on a 70%/30% basis. It all depends on how much you intend to use the coverage.

I tend to avoid the independent brokers who claim to work with a list of major providers.
This works for auto insurance but I have found this does not for health insurance.
Best to work directly with the health plan providers themselves (e.g. Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Kaiser-Permanente, Humana, United).

I know these are expensive options but the plans you initially suggest are probably a waste of money as they only pay out in very specific circumstances.

Hope this helps.

Edited by BBCC, 14 February 2012 - 01:16 PM.

BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-14 13:15:00
CanadaVehicle
You are allowed to bring it into the state on a temporary basis and keep your Canadian plates and insurance.

I am a USC and had my vehicles in Canada for a few years and never a problem. I even tried to import my vehicle. After going through the US export procedure, I proceeded to the Canadian side only to be told by the CBSA officer that I "don't need to import my vehicle into Canada. Americans bring their vehicles temporarily into Canada all the time...." So I never did. I suspect this is the same going the other direction. I know retired Canadians who are spending winters in the US who never change their plates and then go home at the end of winter.

Depending on what state you're headed to, you generally are expected to transfer the plate and title into the new state within 30 days of MOVING there. My experience, this is not strictly enforced. As long as the auto insurance back home covers it, you should probably be OK. But there is the expectation that you will transfer the vehicle registration into the state.

In order to transfer the registration into the state, you will need to import the vehicle. There are lots of web sites that explain how to do this. You can do it all and the paperwork ourself and save $.

As for when you head for your initial entry to the border with your stuff, you are OK just driving the car in with your Canadian insurance and plates.

Saving $ on import duties, on the other hand, is an entirely different matter. If you want to import the vehicle using any new-arrival exemptions available, you may have to import the vehicle on the day you are driving in or within 30 days. In that case, you'd need to get your documents together. If that is the case, then I'd start gathering now.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-07-04 11:55:00
CanadaNEXUS for non-North American citizen?

Thanks for the update on the NEXUS application! It's good to know you were approved - I would also like to get Nexus to visit my family somewhat regularly (or at least easier without lineups) since they aren't that far away from where I will be living. Once the K1 goes through, I'll apply for AOS and I'm guessing I probably can't apply for Nexus itself until I have the conditional green card. Hopefully that won't be too long :)


That might be the next criteria to test. I think all they want is a right to remain in either country for the duration of the card yet her two year conditional green card with now less than 2 years on it was enough to obtain a five year NEXUS card.

Now I wonder if a non-permanent right to remain is enough to obtain one?
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-07-16 09:18:00
CanadaNEXUS for non-North American citizen?
So just wanted to update this.

Note that the 3-year residency requirement for NEXUS was eliminated this month. This is no longer necessary.

We were told earlier in the year by telephone with an application center that she would not qualify for NEXUS but this may have merely been due to the residency requirement or misinformation.

She received conditional approval seven weeks after submitting her application, then proceeded to an interview this week. The 2-year term on her conditional green card status (CR-1), cited in her application, was not brought up by the interviewing officers. Her application was approved.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-07-14 11:58:00
CanadaNEXUS for non-North American citizen?
We applied for NEXUS and Global entry on 21 May. Our status on GOES is still "Pending Review."

Our circumstances are a little different than most as her passport is not US or Canadian. She has been a resident of Canada for four years prior to entering the US in February with a conditional green card. We are curious whether her four years of residence in Canada will qualify the three year residency requirement. Nowhere on the CBP or CBSA web sites concerning NEXUS clarify this. But not matter. Since her US Green Card expires in February 2014, we suspect she may be denied since her permanent residence permit is not valid for the full five years of the NEXUS. So we are wondering if they might grant a NEXUS card for the current term of her green card.

NEXUS does not require Canadian or US Citizenship... just the right to remain in either country for the term of the card and a three year residency.

If we lose out on the NEXUS, it does not appear that Global Entry has the past residency and right to remain requirements of NEXUS. So we are also curious whether she might still qualify for Global Entry should she be denied NEXUS.

We shall see....
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-06-05 08:44:00
CanadaNEXUS for non-North American citizen?
Her temp I-551 in her passport expires in six months so I'm thinking we'll wait until the card arrives in a few weeks and try then.
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-14 13:01:00
CanadaNEXUS for non-North American citizen?
My wife (Taiwan passport), sporting a brand newly activated CR-1, is now curious whether she might qualify at some point in the future for a NEXUS card and when. According to the NEXUS CBP web site, permanent residents are also allowed into the program given they meet all necessary prerequisites.

She has resided continuously in Canada for four years with temporary study/work permits. Will this satisfy the three year residency requirement?

The NEXUS web site states:
"However, individuals may not qualify if they...
Will not lawfully reside in either Canada or the United States for the term of their NEXUS membership;"

Does this mean that a CR-1, presumably with an initial term of two years, would disqualify her from obtaining a NEXUS card since the NEXUS card is valid for five years? She would certainly qualify once conditions are removed (I-751) but is they any way for her to qualify prior to that time?
BBCCMaleTaiwan2012-02-13 20:03:00
USCIS Service CentersWhat is the reason processing times are behind?
That sux!!
MattandRoseNot TellingCanada2013-03-21 22:18:00