ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaAmerican Banking
I opened an account at Wells fargo with no problem, without an SSN, you should have no problems...just bring ID, passport and drivers license.
biglosMaleCanada2010-03-09 14:31:00
CanadaGot my Green Card today!
Don't worry LGG, you'll get it soon! I know how it is, you feel like you are in limbo without those things!

I also received two Welcome letters, don't know why but I did.

Thanks Ant! I can't wait to get in the groove of my new life here, I'm still settling in.

Good luck and congratulations to everyone too! hang in there!
biglosMaleCanada2010-03-22 20:41:00
CanadaGot my Green Card today!
LGG! I haven't checked in for awhile....hope you get all your cards this week...it should be the week considering the time frame so far, right?
biglosMaleCanada2010-03-22 11:59:00
CanadaGot my Green Card today!
Yea, I received my SSN and Green Card with no problems, I wish the same for everyone. I didn't have to call the social security office or anything, they both showed up with no effort. Thanks everyone! Many blessings to you all! The green card is pretty...its like a drivers license with some weird negative film like thing on the back.
biglosMaleCanada2010-03-09 14:33:00
CanadaGot my Green Card today!
Got my Green Card today!

POE was in Blaine Washington, Pacific Highway crossing on Feb 7th and received SSN Feb 22, about 12 days(minus holiday and sundays) after my POE

Green Card March 8th, one month from POE.

CR1 countdown to PR adjustment 2012

Good luck to all those waiting and still going through their journey!!!
biglosMaleCanada2010-03-08 17:19:00
CanadaAuto Insurance in the U.S.
Yes, insurance and tabs(the exp. sticker for your license plate) for your car are separate....I would call an insurance company ahead of time to get a good grasp of how it works.
biglosMaleCanada2010-02-02 21:55:00
CanadaAuto Insurance in the U.S.
I'm dealing with the same thing, I'm coming from Burnaby. What I'm going to do is keep my ICBC, drive over to my POE register my car, then head to Farmers Insurance (My wife's insurance company) in Everett, Washington and get insurance for my car, then when Im back in Burnaby for a visit or maybe by phone (you just have to mail back the plates, call ICBC if see its that's okay, I haven't asked yet), maybe months end, I'll go pay my $30 dollar cancellation fee for my Autoplan 12 and I should be good. So the insurances will over lap and you are covered. That's my plan. I hope it makes sense.
biglosMaleCanada2010-02-02 21:42:00
CanadaPre-Existing Condition covered Inbound Immigrant Health Insurance
I've been in the US almost three months now and still looking for inbound immigrant health coverage that covers pre-existing conditions...anyone know of any?

Seven Corners doesn't cover pre-existing conditions.

Anyone have any advice?
biglosMaleCanada2010-04-19 11:28:00
CanadaGoing to get Washington State Drivers License
Okay! Went to attempt to get my Washington State Drivers License, gave them my SSN, showed my passport with my Visa in it, but didn't have any utility bill (my OOPS) to show proof that it my permanent address....so she processed the DL application (good for 90 days) and I have to go back with proof of my residence....guess I gotta put my name on the garbage bill.
biglosMaleCanada2010-03-05 15:31:00
CanadaGoing to get Washington State Drivers License
I'd like to keep it for sentimental reasons...after all we are the 2010 VANCOUVER OLYMPIC GOLD HOCKEY WINNERS!! Proud to be from Canada AND Vancouver!!!
biglosMaleCanada2010-03-01 13:00:00
CanadaGoing to get Washington State Drivers License
Going to get Washington State Drivers License, Will I have to give up my British Columbia DL??? Anyone?
biglosMaleCanada2010-02-28 23:00:00
CanadaEase up on phone bills to your loved one
Sorry to hear about some of your bad experiences, but I've been using to Magicjack for 3 years and only have had an issue when I'm connected poor internet connections or computers that have not been maintained properly. But ALL opinions are valuable to the VJers.

Here's another link if anyone wants to do more reading on it: http://www.squidoo.c...-long-distance-


Blessings and good luck to all!
biglosMaleCanada2010-06-14 19:07:00
CanadaEase up on phone bills to your loved one
Hey Guys,

Wishing everyone many love and blessings on their journey, it's not easy. I've settled into the US for about 4 months now after a year of processing a CR-1 visa, if you have any questions, shoot them my way, I can only hope I can be of help to anyone who needs it. I surely was VERY appreciative and relieved that Visa Journey exists for us struggling to be with our loved ones.

Anyway, I just want to leave a tip for those who don't know about calling back and forth your loved ones. TO keep your long distance relationships alive you must make sure to save some money with your phone bills and the Magicjack saved my wife and I a TON of money. Anyway, here's an article I found to help explain it. Happy journey everyone! Hope it helps!

http://www.squidoo.c...and-canada-free

Regards and blessings,
Carlos

USCIS
NOA #2: Approval June 15th, 2009

Case Completed - August 28th 2009

Interview Assigned - December 3, 2009 97 DAYS OF WAITING

Medical - Wednesday January 20, 2010 - Passed

Embassy/Interview - January 27, 2010 Montreal, Quebec Canada

POE was in Blaine Washington, Pacific Highway crossing on Feb 7th and received SSN Feb 22,

about 12 days(minus holiday and sundays) after my POE

Green Card March 8th, one month from POE
biglosMaleCanada2010-06-14 11:41:00
CanadaVancouver Medical-
Pretty easy, I went through it about a year ago.

1. Get there before it opens!
2. Make sure you have ALL your Documents.
3. You will go through the process and be asked to come back later in the day, so it a whole day thing.
4. It a regular physical exam, with an xray.
5.You get your xray at the end of the day and the paper work which you DO NOT OPEN and you drag all that stuff to your interview.

Thats pretty much it!

Good luck! It's worth all that you're gone through!
biglosMaleCanada2011-02-05 02:06:00
CanadaSSN arrival after POE inquiry
Got my SSN today! POE was in Blaine Washington, Pacific Highway crossing on Feb 7th and received it today Feb 22, about 12 days(minus holiday and sundays) after my POE. Just have to wait for My green card now.

Good Luck everyone!
biglosMaleCanada2010-02-23 00:34:00
CanadaSSN arrival after POE inquiry
Yea, Im not too concerned about the Green card as much as the SSN. SSN = Money, Im a freelancer so I need it to get going, mind you I still can accept payments through Paypal and Direct banking transfers but I still want it for maybe a Part time side job if I need one. But I will wait patiently for my GC.
biglosMaleCanada2010-02-10 20:33:00
CanadaSSN arrival after POE inquiry
Wow! Thanks a ton! Good info! I need to start making money so I really want an ETA on my SSN.
biglosMaleCanada2010-02-10 19:37:00
CanadaSSN arrival after POE inquiry
Anyone have any stories of how long they waited for their SSN to arrive after they had made the POE, maybe even their Green card story as well? It would greatly be appreciated =)

Continued blessings and good luck to all those processing their paper work, waiting, interviewing, crossing their POE and living in the USA!
biglosMaleCanada2010-02-10 19:06:00
CanadaPlanning my POE on Sunday in Blaine WA
I've always used the Truck crossing, they don't seem too nice at the Peace Arch, so I'll probably go through the Truck Crossing.
biglosMaleCanada2010-02-06 03:47:00
CanadaPlanning my POE on Sunday in Blaine WA
Just curious, Im going to cross in the early evening 6pm-ish. Shouldn't have issues right? They are open 24hrs, right?

Edited by biglos, 06 February 2010 - 12:52 AM.

biglosMaleCanada2010-02-06 00:51:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionPlanning to have a second wedding in Philippines
My wife and I got married in 2008, we are getting married again in Boracay, Philippines this October 2010, it will be before my Removing of Condition also I have a CR1 Visa, I don't think it matters at this point to report anything, other than that you are just taking a vacation to the P.I., I'm assuming you have the same situation of course.

Hope this helps =)
biglosMaleCanada2010-02-06 03:51:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion6 months???
Got my NOA 1/25/2012...Biometrics done on March 2nd 2012, so are we gonna have to wait the FULL 6 Months to get our Permanent Residence card???

Anyone receive there's yet??
biglosMaleCanada2012-05-19 21:06:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-797E RFE Info - Advice?
How do I draft up the affidavit? Is it as simple as them write a letter in the affidavit format and signing it? Does it have to be notorized?
biglosMaleCanada2012-09-05 16:47:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-797E RFE Info - Advice?
Oooook,

So couple months ago we received our I-797E NOA, claiming they want more evidence.

We've been trying to get everything together although its not mush so here's the story!

Here's what we submitted first as evidence:

A cover letter including the list of our evidence with our facebook pages( I know the gov looks at this )

Documents:
Our Upcoming Travel Itinerary to from Manila, Philippines
Our Upcoming Travel Itinerary to from Manila to Boracay, Philippines.
Our Car Joint Insurance statement and cards to date
Our Bank of America joint account statement to date
A past Travel itinerary to Last Vegas in May 2009
Scans of our Driver License
Scans of our Washington state Concealed weapons permit
Scan of a Wedding gift check sent to us for our upcoming Renewal of our wedding vows this February
Scan of a collage of past and recent pics of our relationship

So the situation was this, we were actually married in 2008 and kept it to ourselves to get our paper work going and also
plan an extravagant Destination wedding in 2012 for our family.

I work for myself and have had a hell of a time trying to establish myself and even finding a job.
With this being said, this explains why I have chose to file taxes separately as I took a business
loss and we have not filed taxes jointly until this last year.

Also, we currently are residing on my wifes fathers property and just sharing utilities (except for Garbage and Cable which don't bill both names on statements, just one name ) So this explains not too many utilities in both our names.

We have no mortgages, no credit cards or real financially joint finances other than bank accounts, car insurance, Cell Phone, Costco membership.

We did re-new our vows this last February and have a TON of photos, paper work, flight itineraries, boarding passes, not to mention photo albums, guest book and videos.

Can anyone give us some advice what we should submit since we have very little?

Thanks,
biglosMaleCanada2012-08-30 19:43:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionExtension letter gonna expire soon!
Thanks Guys, I made an INFOPASS appointment for next week...I'll let everyone know how it goes!
biglosMaleCanada2013-01-03 21:38:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionExtension letter gonna expire soon!
So we sent our RFE just before Oct 2012, and we are still waiting for an answer, my extension letter expires February 2013 in a month...what to do??

I called the USCIS 18003755283, but just end up pushing buttons listening to the automated dude....anyone chime in please?

Thanks!
biglosMaleCanada2013-01-03 19:15:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 January 2012 Filers
Hey Everyone,

Got my NOA 1/25/2012...Biometrics done on March 2nd, so are we gonna have to wait the FULL 6 Months to get our Permanent Residence card???

Anyone receive there's yet??
biglosMaleCanada2012-05-19 20:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAugust Approval - no interview date yet? Anyone else?
QUOTE (homefry @ Nov 25 2009, 11:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (biglos @ Nov 11 2009, 10:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My CR1 case has been completed August 28th 2009 (California NVC), but we havent gotten an Interview date (Montreal Embassy). Does anyone else have the same issue? Getting crazy impatient! Help!


Our case was completed in mid July 2009 and we finally got our appointment letter on Nov 2 for a Dec 21 interview.... So probably yours should be coming soon. I agree its so frustrating, and the NVC gives you no information- they didn't even mention the backlog at Montreal so we had no idea what the hold up was.




Yea, we are hoping that will get our date in December, my wife is starting to go crazy and so am I.

Thanks so much wacko.gif
biglosMaleCanada2009-11-26 18:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAugust Approval - no interview date yet? Anyone else?
Here's our journey so far for anyone's entertainment

11-21-08 : Sent in I-130
11-24-08 : NVC Stamped and sent
12-03-08 : NOA1
03-02-09 : NOA2
03-10-09 : Sent missing info for I-130 (original marriage docs)
03-19-09 : NVC received missing info(original marriage docs)
03-30-09 : NOA2
04-23-09 : Request Choice of Address and Agent and AOS bill invoice
05-08-09 : Made online payment for AOS
05-11-09 : NVC received choice of address and agent
05-15-09 : received email for request of Visa Application Fee
06-12-09 : Sent out AOS I-864
06-15-09 : NVC received AOS
06-30-09 : Received email missing docs for AOS
07-03-09 : Sent out missing docs for AOS
07-08-09 : NVC received email missing docs for AOS
07-16-09 : Paid online payment for Visa Application Fee
07-22-09: Request for completed Visa Application
07-24-09: Sent Visa Application and DS-230
07-27-09: NVC received Visa Application
08-05-09: NVC Request for Additional Info, Birth Cert, Police Rec and Photos
08-17-09: Sent Additional Info, Birth Cert, Police Rec and Photos
08-20-09: NVC Received Docs
08-28-09: Current message Case Completed
Waiting for Interview: ???? %$#@!
biglosMaleCanada2009-11-18 15:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAugust Approval - no interview date yet? Anyone else?
Thanks guys... mad.gif
biglosMaleCanada2009-11-18 14:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAugust Approval - no interview date yet? Anyone else?
Called NVC today again, no interview date yet! Aggravated!
biglosMaleCanada2009-11-18 14:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAugust Approval - no interview date yet? Anyone else?
QUOTE (sachinky @ Nov 12 2009, 05:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Montreal is backlogged a good 4-5 months. I'm sorry.



Thanks everyone...this sucks!
biglosMaleCanada2009-11-12 11:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAugust Approval - no interview date yet? Anyone else?
My CR1 case has been completed August 28th 2009 (California NVC), but we havent gotten an Interview date (Montreal Embassy). Does anyone else have the same issue? Getting crazy impatient! Help!
biglosMaleCanada2009-11-12 01:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMontreal Interview Documents to Bring
There should be a letter beside corresponding to whether you have submitted that form to the NVC. You should made have copies of everything you have sent to the NVC to bring to the interview, so bring copies of the forms and originals of whatever you can. At least that is my understanding of everything so far. That what I am doing.

I hope this helps...anyone else for input?


QUOTE (helvetica_bold @ Dec 5 2009, 09:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm really confused by my interview letter - on the document list of docs to bring, it includes a line for "IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION". Can anyone tell me which document that specifically refers to? blink.gif


biglosMaleCanada2009-12-06 04:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMontreal Interview Documents to Bring
Thanks so much!

QUOTE (trailmix @ Dec 4 2009, 09:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (biglos @ Dec 4 2009, 10:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wow..thats helps, especially with the Police Cert. Where you interviewed Montreal?

Thanks for the tip!


Hi,

She has to have interviewed in Montreal, it is the only consulate in Canada that processes IR1/CR1 visas good.gif

congrats on your interview biglos, i'm adding you to the Montreal timeline to interview thread!

http://www.visajourn...h...&start=1770


biglosMaleCanada2009-12-04 12:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMontreal Interview Documents to Bring
Wow..thats helps, especially with the Police Cert. Where you interviewed Montreal?

Thanks for the tip!
biglosMaleCanada2009-12-04 12:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMontreal Interview Documents to Bring
Some of us have succeeded in getting our January Interview in Montreal for our CR1.

Does anyone know if you REALLY need to bring all the ORIGINAL documents to the interview, even if you have already sent everything to the NVC during the paper work process?

Example:

Police Certificate (do I have to go and get finger printed AGAIN?)
Birth Certificate (in long form with BOTH parents names)
Original Marriage Certificate (we sent this in already, we have to get ANOTHER ONE!)

Any been interviewed already for a CR1 in Montreal US Embassy? Care to share experience?

Thanks!

To the rest of you waiting..hang in there! We'll keep you updated with our experience!

Our NVC Case completed: August 28th 2009
Finally received our Interview date: TODAY! December 3, 2009 97 DAYS OF WAITING
biglosMaleCanada2009-12-03 23:50:00