Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Canada	how to ship items - Ontario to Florida	Thanks.  Yes, I went through all the threads, and couldn't find my exact situation.   No, my Honda doesn't have a trailer hitch, and installing one will cost $300 plus (assuming I drive an hour to find a U-haul (other quotes I had were closer to $500)), then another $300 to rent the smallest trailer.  I figure that I could ship almost a dozen boxes by UPS for the same price, and I have fewer than that.   As you say, the challenge for me is the fact that you must POE prior to the boxes hitting the border, and this is what I do not know how to do.  How have others managed to ship their boxes if they haven't POE'd?  How are they getting their boxes through customs? (just FYI, I did try sending 3 boxes a number of months ago, even with a nil value (it was clothing), and customs refused them entry without the form...they came back to me 2 weeks later much the worse for wear).	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-07-30 19:58:00
Canada	how to ship items - Ontario to Florida	I have more to move than will fit in my car to drive to the US.  some questions if anyone has advice:   1. is there a cheaper method than UPS/courier?  I have probably half a dozen boxes, up to 30 pounds each.  I don't live in a large city, so can't seem to find many options...I've seen posts about train (out west) but little around here. 2. how do I ship items...the form (3299?) requires entry information, and I need to arrange the shipment before leaving, so can't complete the form?  Will UPS hold the items until i can send the form to them?  I can't ask anyone else to deliver to UPS for me, as they wouldn't be able to cover the cost.   My car is a Civic, and since there has to be enough room for 2 people in it, that doesn't leave a lot of room for bigger items (I have some artwork that I don't want to risk shipping, etc.).	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-07-29 18:11:00
Canada	Wish me luck...	Hit the Bridge just at noon (supposedly between 10 and 2 is good)...well, today was insane.  Lined up to outside, so it was about an hour and a half before my name was called.  Once up, it took about 15 minutes for the paperwork.  Quite painless.   My car was inspected while i was inside, and it looks like nothing at all was moved around.  When I parked, the fellow asked if my car had "everything" and he seemed pleased when I said most was shipped.  No issues at all.   Only complaint is that US interstates are in dreadful repair, and construction is worse than Toronto!  Who would have thought!	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-08-28 19:32:00
Canada	Wish me luck...	Crossing tomorrow to activate K1 at Ambassador Bridge Detroit.  I don't see any recent reviews (all the Detroit POE reviews are from flying in, not driving), but I am hopeful that they won't try to empty my car (it's packed tighter than sardines).   Fingers crossed...this has been a long and tortuous journey.	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-08-27 19:32:00
Canada	shipping	And finally, my update on my shipped items.   I had a great deal of argument with the lady at the UPS office, as she wanted the fully itemized list (each individual item, where it was made and what it cost).  I simply told her she wasn't getting that.   I shipped 8 boxes, and my "itemized list" stated "clothing", with a little more specific for the larger pieces (shoes, purses, etc.) but not much.  I itemized each box separately. I dropped them off the day before I left Canada.   She made sure I realized that if Customs wanted more, it was on me, and I was fine with that...really, bureaucracy is just too much.   Shipping costs -  Boxes are weighed and measured - they have a chart with "standard" weights for specific box sizes.  You are charged the higher of the chart value or actual (so if the chart says a 17 x 17 x 17 box is 25 lbs, and your box actually weighs 10 lbs, you are still ticketed for 25). The more boxes you ship to the same address the more they are discounted.  Shipping 2 or 3 boxes would have cost me $50 per box...as it was, my 8 boxes only cost me $242 (tax included).   She took a copy of my passport with the visa stamp, and they were held and sent the same day I departed.   The day after I left, she called me - Customs needed a copy of my passport - This is important!  If you ship in advance, they will not release the goods until they have received a copy of the passport stamp showing your admission to the US (the I-94).  I had to scan the passport stamp and email it to them.  Customs released the boxes the same day as they received the stamp.   My boxes arrived on Friday (8 days after departure) which is not bad considering the Labour Day weekend - I provided the scan on Tuesday.  A couple definitely look like they were dropped, but only box #1 was opened by customs (slit on the side, not the top or bottom).  This box had a few items of clothing, some clothing storage boxes, some kitchen things (aprons, and such) and a couple of purses, which is what was on the form.  Nothing else was opened that I can see.   Now I know that, if the boxes had been lost, or if the items damaged, without the fully itemized list at the start, it would be tough to get compensation, but the reality is that I had no receipts for any of the items, and as none of the items were new, no way to show how much they cost.  I was willing to take that chance.  I don't think I would have, if the items were irreplaceable or breakable though.  Those items went with me in my car.	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-09-07 17:17:00
Canada	shipping	Dropped off boxes today...they were not happy that i did not have a fully itemized list for the contents (i.e. complete with country of origin and value), but I'm risk managing, and crossing my fingers.   On a positive note, the cost was way less than expected - sending one or two boxes costs about $50 per box, but the more you send to one address, they discount.  8 boxes weighing around 20 pounds each came to only $256 (without insurance - which would be $3/$100 of value.  A note of warning - the insurance for both loss and damage requires you to be able to prove the value of the items (i.e. receipts)).   We will see how Customs takes it...	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-08-27 19:29:00
Canada	shipping	Thanks.  I suspect that, since i'm in a smaller town, they just have never had to deal with this type of shipment before...I'm going to leave it as is, but since I've not found a significant difference in shipping rates, i may try Purolator, UPS and Canada Post (I've enough boxes to spread it out).   UPS is convenient (around the corner) but maybe this store just is clueless (or that one clerk is).   I will update with findings.  Move date is Thursday (i think I have bats rather than butterflies).	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-08-26 15:50:00
Canada	shipping	I swear, this process will be the death of me.   I have been packing up my items, boxing them, and listing the contents on the 3299...but rather generally.  If the box is full of nothing but clothing, it simply says "clothing".  If it has shoes as well, it might say "2 pairs of shoes".   I called UPS to arrange for the actual shipping (I'm leaving on Thursday), and they tell me I also need "detailed" commercial customs forms that itemize each and every garment, where it was made and how much it cost.  This seems really bizarre to me...I have shipped boxes before that simply said "ornaments" without detailing (these were gifts though).   Please tell me this is not the case...I mean really, am I the only one that removes tags from the items I wear?  I do not know how many panties are in the box for example...Do I need to open them all up and re-pack?  Does it make a difference as to how it is sent?   I am going to Canada Post to start shipping things tomorrow, but do not want to start lugging boxes around if I need more paperwork than what I have...	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-08-25 16:29:00
Canada	How Long After the Interview Will He Receive His Passport w/ Visa?	Mine was delivered in 4 days.   BTW, I believe DHL = Loomis, for those that don't know.	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-09-08 12:25:00
Canada	Montreal Packet 3 Questions	Hi. Proof of domicile means proving that the petitioner lives in the US generally.  Recent tax returns can do this as well as the proof of ownership.  Remember, owning a house doesn't mean you live there, so they want something reasonably recent (preferably government type) that shows he is living in that home.  I only used the tax returns (same ones I used for the support) - they did not actually "ask" for this separately in my case, so the returns must have been sufficient.   The photographs are of you...these are 2" x 2" pictures, like passport photos - one gets attached to the medical when you have it, and the other is used for your visa itself.  You can get these anywhere passport photos are taken - the visa ones are just a shade bigger.	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-09-07 17:02:00
Canada	Waiting for Packet 4	You could, but when I emailed them for another purpose, the automatic reply basically said it could take up to 2 weeks to reply. "Due to the unusually high volume of messages we are receiving every day, inquirers can usually expect a response within 14 days. We apologize for any inconvenience, and we will respond to all inquiries in the order that we receive them."   I do not believe you book the interview without the confirmation, but not sure what would happen if you try.   Now, that said, I had tremendous luck calling them...the lady on the phone was able to answer my general questions pretty quickly.	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-09-16 19:55:00
Canada	Canada Immigration & K1 Guide for Montreal	Hi, the main post needs updating please.  The forms need to reflect the new online process, and I just followed the link for the medical in Toronto, and the doctor is no longer accepting panel clients (as of October 1, 2013).   Thanks for this, although it is depressing to hear that the consulate is so slow with mail and documents.	dburnt	Male	Canada	2013-10-21 17:55:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Canada trip with expired green card and I-797	If the OP uses his Trinidadian passport, he will require a visa.  As a permanent resident of the US, he would not need a visa provided he can prove residential ties.   From the CIC site: Country: United States citizens and permanent residents You do not need a visa to visit or transit in Canada if you are a United States citizen or a person lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence who is in possession of their alien registration card (Green card) or can provide other evidence of permanent residence.   based on this, I believe that the GC with the letter would be sufficient for entry purposes (I would ensure I had other ID that shows your US ties (US drivers licence, etc.))...other older VJ posts indicate the same	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-07-16 20:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Approved shockingly quick? what does it mean	Hi and sorry for asking, I'm not there yet but would like to know if it is mandatory to call NVC for get the case number. They don't send a letter or an email sending that information? I'm just curious. Thanks I did not call them...our NOA2 date was May 1, sent to NVC on May 6 and we had the letter from NVC dated May 16.   good luck!	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-06-09 19:35:00
Philippines	Is fiance letter of intent needed on the K-1 Interview?	it is a requirement for the packet 4 - an updated (i.e. signed within 30 days of interview) letter of intent to ensure that the USC still intends to marry the applicant.  I had to submit at my interview	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-10-19 11:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	How do we get a Call-back?	We applied for K1 in September 2013.  We tried calling for a status (since it has been in process since November) in January, and my fiance (the petitioner) was told to wait until the normal processing period had passed to call again.  That passed February 23.  Since then, he has called 3 times, and each time is told that an email will be sent, and someone will return his call.  Of course, no one has called.   What do we do to get a call-back?  I admit that I am at a loss...our government services here have strict call-back standards, and I am not used to just seeming to be ignored.	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-03-11 08:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NOA2/TimeLine	218 days here...NOA1 September 26, NOA2 May 1... no rhyme nor reason.	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-05-11 20:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Coming up on 5 months and still under initial review...	we were 218 days for NOA2 (filed September 23 and NOA2 on May 1).  If it helps at all, the process since our NOA2 has been flying.  I'd heard lots of bad stories about NVC and Montreal, and here I am with an interview already booked.   Hang tough...the first delays should be the worst of it, and suddenly, you'll be there.	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-06-12 20:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Do K1 visas take about 1 year? how long did yours take?	We filed September 11, and my interview is July 15.  Assuming an approval, and no AP, I expect the visa by the end of July, almost 11 full months from filing.  While we had an RFE, it was after 6 1/2 months of no movement.   As with any type of application, it is always a #######-shoot which desk your file lands on...some are quick, some are not.  I know I had fully expected to be moved by March (7 months) and am still sitting waiting.    What I learned is to have no expectations and to take it as it comes - there is nothing you can do to speed it up.    Good luck	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-06-20 18:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	AGE DIFFERENCE ACCUSATION	out of curiosity, what is considered an abnormal age gap?	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-05-20 18:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Passport renewal during K1	Passport renewals are usually three to six weeks, although I can get it expedited to within five days for a fee. I'm hearing nothing in Montreal moves quickly (interviews are about four months wait) but don't want to make that even worse. Thanks	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-01-02 10:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Passport renewal during K1	Hi all We started the k1 process several months ago, foolishly believing the "average four to six months" propaganda. Knowing now that that only covers the NOA1 to 2 process, I will need to renew my current passport as it will likely expire mid-process (normal renewal being advised three to six months before expiration means June for me) My question is...what will getting a new passport number in the middle of the process do? Will it cause any delays? So far, we are still waiting for an NOA2 (3+ months so far). Assuming approval within the next month, that would have me doing packets and interviews in April to July... Should I renew before I do my packets or can I do while I wait for interview? Thanks.	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-01-02 10:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Proof of having met in the past 2 years	Honest to goodness, I honestly don't know how you all manage to have these kinds of documents.  I have to say that I have very little - I have no boarding passes or hotel receipts...what reason would I have had to keep them?  It wasn't like I was planning to apply for a K1 visa when we first met.  If anything, that seems very calculating.   We have almost no photos either...I mean I took many of him, and he of me...but selfies are so not my thing.  I think we have maybe 5 pictures of us together that could have been taken anywhere (several different beaches, but indistinguishable).  Without the actual digital file though, there is no way to know when the pictures were taken - there is no timestamp on them.   Perhaps in my youth, i would have kept these things as keepsakes, but I outgrew that many years ago...What I have is itineraries (because they happened to be in my email) and corresponding passport stamps.  Huge Skype logs and a handful of emails.  That about covers it...7 years in a very small pile of paper.   Strangely, I am not overly worried about it.  It is what it is.	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-04-03 20:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	DS-160...HELP!!	I would say yes...a tourist visa is a specific class of US visa (B1 I believe)	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-08-01 20:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	A reality tv series on k-1 visa on tlc (90 day fiance)	Not sure what using a Canadian production company has to do with anything.  A significant number of US TV shows and movies are shot in Canada, or use Canadian production companies...they are simply contractors.	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-10-08 13:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	A reality tv series on k-1 visa on tlc (90 day fiance)	I just out of curiosity looked at TLC site...they have a special "where are they now" of season 1 coming up, and only 3 of the 4 couples are in it...that says a lot to me.  They also have a preview of next season...another Colombian fiance, and one from Tunisia...that last one will be lambasted in all the forums...the USC is 41, the male fiance 26...   I think it is one of the shows you may watch purely out of curiosity, rather than true interest.	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-10-06 11:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	A reality tv series on k-1 visa on tlc (90 day fiance)	I don't think they could include actual footage of the process...they wouldn't want to invest in a couple that didn't make it through, or that took excessively long to process...but it sure would have been helpful/useful for them to at least describe the process (like remembering how hard it was to get to that point, what they had to do, etc.).   I also watched the season, and the discussion forum for the show had a lot of very uninformed nastiness in it.	dburnt	Male	Canada	2014-10-05 15:37:00