ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Canadai-134 evidence
at the interview they specifically asked me for tax info with the following verbiage " tax transcripts or 1040 with w2's", the transcript by itself is fine as its directly from the IRS, but the 1040 is useless without the corresponding w2's that go with it. bring either or. and make sure you bring the correct years. iirc they wanted the last 2 years? or was it 3? better to be overprepared and safe then underprepared. and it only takes about a week or so to get the transcripts from the IRS.

your official return includes teh 1040, w2's and any and all recipts that are sent in or used for it if you file electronically. be it medical receipts, school receipts property tax slips etc. anything that has an amount that you write on the 1040 is part of the "return package".

Edited by Kimbear, 06 March 2012 - 08:02 AM.

KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-06 08:00:00
CanadaK1 interview fees/visa fees..? kids
those prices make me glad i got mine a couple months before the changes..Ouch!
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-06 14:22:00
CanadaApproved!

Congratulations! - hehehe, I POEd through Sarnia/ Port Huron on May 7 - eight years ago! It's a decent POE.



Congrats! As for that poe being nice for processing the k1 package mebbie lol but i hate it..its the first poe that kicked me out of the states before we started our filing, and its the same one the little ahem..snot nosed kid interogated me and treated me like a criminal for 4 hours...at midnight.. so i'll respectfully disagree on its niceness :P :)
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-06 08:11:00
CanadaAnd You thought the Canada//USA border was crazy!!
Holy ####### thats nuts...definitely not my cup of tea thats for sure!


KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-08 12:59:00
CanadaUS Re-entry

Kimbear,

From what I understand if you leave before your AP is issued, you not only will not be allowed to enter the US, but your AOS application will be canceled and you will have to start your Visa process all over.

For instance, my fiancee has applied for AP. I could not send her to Canada and then send her AP document to come back in. The instant she leaves America, all the immigration processes are stopped.



edit: If a mod wants to go ahead and most parts of this thread as we are just clouding up the original ops question please do. I should have moved it myself but had a derp moment :P


Technically your suposed to file the aos, the ap, the ead, get your noa since that is proof your under authorized stay in the usa from the attorney general, and your ap and then leave. If you do it leave before you have done all of that then your in trouble yes.

However it clearly states on those instructions that :


You must be physically present in the United States when you file the application.

However, a Reentry Permit may be sent to a U.S. Embassy or consulate or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) office abroad for you to pick up, if you request it when you file your application.

Departure from the United States before a decision is made on an application for a Reentry Permit usually does not affect the application. However, if biometric collection is required and the applicant departs the United States before the biometrics are collected, the application may be denied.

With the exception of having to obtain a returning resident visa abroad, a Reentry Permit does not relieve you of any of the requirements of U.S. immigration laws.


Now that is from the most recent copy of the 1-131 insructions that i also linked previously. Its been a while since i applied and i had no reason to even use the AP but it was free if filed with the aos and ead so i did. So yes..you can apply and then leave but you must tell them to send the ap once approved to a consulate etc for you. Of course that is the other issue, approval. Will you get it? I have yet to see anyone get refused. Also, will you get it in a couple months in 6? Quite a few people have received their green card before the EAD or AP was even approved.

You can also get an emergency ap same day if you do an info pass appointment, but you have to have proof that the reason your leaving is an emergency in order to get it same day and bypass the wait for the a approval.

Edited by Kimbear, 08 March 2012 - 05:20 PM.

KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-08 17:15:00
CanadaUS Re-entry

I cross into the US almost every other week to spend 2-3 days at a time with my wife and daughter (I am from Toronto, she is from North East PA). I just bring proof that I will leave the country when I say I will, and never have a problem. I always make a note to mention that I have a petition in the process. The customs agent put that in the computer, and they are generally pleased I am doing things the legal way.



You can leave..you just cannot get BACK IN unless you have advance parole. Its a multi entry permission bascially. Its usually filed at the same time as your aos and ead.

http://www.uscis.gov.../i-131instr.pdf

Edited by Kimbear, 07 March 2012 - 08:52 PM.

KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-07 20:46:00
CanadaUS Re-entry
Always tell the truth , dont lie. As inky said bring any papers you have regarding your K1 being processed such as your initial receipt notice, otherwise called and NOA1 here. Make sure you still bring ties to Canada, proof of job lease etc. as well. Keep the conversation with the cbp short and simple. Don't offer more answers then they ask, and remember its completely up to them to let you in or not. Most of the time its not an issue. Just dont show up with a carful of clothes and belongings or they will think you are moving now rather than later.
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-06 07:55:00
Canadafrusturated & confused
Doesn't anyone read any of the GUIDES anymore? :blink:
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-08 11:04:00
CanadaCanada GST Cheque
because they are not used to people refusing money? lol or sending it back? i dunno i had the same issue as sapphire..soemtimes they really are dumb over there.
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-09 09:15:00
CanadaCan i bring the petioner to montreal,canada at the interview date?
the only people not allowed in montreal are your lawyers. there is a notice about this on the consulate website with all the info you need to know.
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-07 10:40:00
CanadaIs my I-751 Package Complete?
Good Luck Spoom!
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-12 11:44:00
CanadaIs my I-751 Package Complete?
from what i know pictures are ok but they are like 2ndary evidence. there is a pinned topic i thin in roc forum from Gary$Alla, regarding an aquantence from USCIS some director who says what they really want and look for. Its a good read. Has some usefull stuff in it.
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-08 13:43:00
CanadaIs my I-751 Package Complete?
Since the package is suposed to cover the entire time you have been married i would send in 2 or 3 diff bills/ bank statements etc, say from january then maybe june or december. They dont need the whole statements just the first / cover page with your names and addies on it.
do you have any renters insurance or anything else like that?

I dont think you / the immigrant actually needs to show anything regarding employment or has that changed? I mean you just have to show status of your marriage and relationship. the life insurance/ health, 401k items are the some of the best evidence. Since you have not closed on your house the copy of the purchase contract is a very good idea.

and dont for get the blasted cheque! lol.
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-08 12:57:00
CanadaRenewing Canadian Passports in the US.
best thing to do..makes friend with vj people in real life :)

My passport expires in january, and i've been speaking with Menphys for a while now we are facebook friends etc, and she just so happens to be from montreal same as me!. And we are buying a home not to far from her and her hubby. i was talking about how its a pain to get a new passport in my married name and shes like " why dont you just use me"..and i was like o.O i can do that? i thought the person has to be living IN canada..and a canadian citizen.

So when i go to renew / apply for it in the summer i have my bases covered..yay! now if only i can get my damn house and live near her i'll have friends lol.

Edited by Kimbear, 12 March 2012 - 03:37 PM.

KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-12 15:32:00
CanadaMedical in Toronto and interview letter from consulate
Your p3 letter should suffice as long as it has the MTL number on it.
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-13 11:36:00
CanadaMedical Review in Toronto
I was just goign to say the same thing as the others lol. when had mine done it was on the ground floor and kinda messy like they were doing renovations and everthing was in the same place!.

Glad it all went ok.

edit: wait..they gave you the envelop on the spot there? no waiting no courrier fees nothing??? DAMN...and i had to drive hours and wait a week for mine!

Edited by Kimbear, 14 March 2012 - 08:13 AM.

KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-14 08:12:00
CanadaAOS - Did you file for AP?

Yes, they do a EAD/AP combo card now.



oh thats awesome..no more annoying papers anymore? i'd say get it as well you just never know if youll need it !

Apply for it and consider it like a type of insurance. You may not ever need it but if you have a family emergency back home and have to travel quickly you will be glad you have it. Trying to get an emergency AP while time is of the essence is nerve-wracking and in some cases heart-breaking. We never expect emergencies but that doesn't mean we don't plan to address them when they arise. That is why we have car insurance, house insurance and life insurance. Consider this a type of emergency travel insurance - and this one is free.


My AOS took 22 months to process. I applied for AP and had to re-apply for the second AP - and this is when it did cost extra. I didn't use either but it gave me great peace of mind knowing I could quickly get home if something happened to my family. You'll appreciate the peace of mind whether you use it or not just knowing you have the option available.



22 Months??? OMG..you must have gone insane almost. Poor you.
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-15 09:45:00
CanadaAOS status
usually youll get a biometrics notice about a month after the first noa..give or take. sometimes it can be longer if your local ASC is backlogged or in a busy part of town. in my case i had moved so they screwed up on teh change off address but i got congress involved and it took 7 or 8 months for my GC to show up.
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-07 10:38:00
Canadamarriage liscence?

Since we are on such a time crunch..A marriage liscence in PA is good for 90 days I believe..They ahve a 3 day wait period..Can we get the liscence now before i do POE? since we wont get married when we get the liscence?

thoughts?



depends where you live.

In Chicago, we got ours in february 2010, marriage was in april 2010 so was my POE. I did not require an SSN, just my passport. and they just used the address i'll be living at when i moved for the licence. it wont mess anything up..they will just see it as planning in advance. same with some of my wedding arrangements. which is why i stayed in Chicago the entire MONTH of February. lol :)

Edited by Kimbear, 19 March 2012 - 04:09 PM.

KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-19 16:07:00
CanadaRed Flagged once?!

Our K-1 visa was approved, however she had tried to come visit me before and was red flagged once. Will this cause any problems when she is passing through security with her K-1 approval packet? Also after going through is there a secondary section she will have to go to, if so will I be able to go there with her? or will I have to wait?



I was red flagged twice if you want to call it that..bascially they turned me around for not having suffience proof of ties. It wont cause any issues..somwhere in the paperwork they will ask that question though and you will have to answer it honestly. As forgoing through POE you have to go through secondary to be photographed and fingerprinted. You can go with her, my then fiance from Chicago came with me.
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-26 08:21:00
CanadaTD cards not useable in certain countries
Not that i'm going to any of these places anytime soon, but TD just sent me a notice that i cannot use my cards in quite a few countreis due to trade and economic sanctions.

anyone else get this? Also says us td dollar cards are affected as well.
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-27 13:37:00
CanadaButter Cups
I remeber those!..hmm i'm wondering if its only on the east side of the country? seem from some of the posts thats where they areknown to grow. but i do remember holding them up to my chin...:) and i hear on ya on trying to figure out whats normal or not here lol.
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-28 17:16:00
CanadaMoving Company recommendations (MOVING PODS)
now i remember the names of the ones pople have used and liked.

ABF and Upack.

you can find more info in these threads:

http://www.visajourn..._1#entry3757518

http://www.visajourn..._1#entry4681753
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-29 13:08:00
CanadaTotal Cost for K1 and K2 Visas Canada

Thank you Pocheros - your reply was very detailed..and now I understand the need for the I-94.

You are right Eli, my costs have also gone up since posting this.. :blink: but it is good to know everything.
This is going to help me tremendously with getting organized as well..

If it wasn't for toocool's post I may have over-looked the certified copy of the marriage certificates. Ordered yesterday. :)

I think I will go out and get an acordian file today to keep all of my papers in (with photocopies) so I can check off the list as I gather up everything.. (thanks for that tip CA Dreamer) :thumbs:



Tehj accordian file is a god send. i picked up one at walmart and its about 3 inches when closed trust me..that thing is alot mroe than that now! lol. ohh and a tip i learend from Kathryn41, after poe and you move, get a box, and through everytying in there you can to prove relationship and co mingling of finances life etc. all the stuff bascially you will need eventually for aos roc etc etc.
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-30 09:20:00
CanadaTotal Cost for K1 and K2 Visas Canada
no you dont pay for it at the interview. the i-94 you will only get at the POE if you drive. they will stamp it with the expiration date of your visa. you only have to pay the interview fees at the interview. Also if your importing your van you will need a certificate of some kind from the dealer..i can't remember what its callled. and I"m not sure if it costs anything for it or what you have to pay at poe to import it.

OHH thats it..certificate of compliance i think? If i'm wrong someone will pipe in here with the correct verbiage.
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-29 17:34:00
CanadaTotal Cost for K1 and K2 Visas Canada
Don't forget at POE you need the i-94 for each of you in the passports as well. Very important that little piece of paper. Those iirc are like 6$ each. Then you're going to need the marriage licence, certificates ( youll need a few) i think i got like 5. more pictures for each bio appointment and forms.


...wow...holy moly that adds up to a lot of money!.


KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-29 13:05:00
CanadaProving Domicile when not living in USA

I've started getting things together for our interview which I'm hoping will be in May. I was reading through the domicile thread, but it's really long and a lot of it is just folks chatting about getting an interview and such. I haven't really been able to find much in it. So I was hoping to get suggestions on what I have, or could get to prove domicile. I'm a stay at home mom, so I don't work and our child is only 8 months old, so too young to actually register for school. I do maintain my license as a radiologic technologist in the US so I was planning on putting that in. So the things I have are

Radiologic Tech license
US Cell phone bill
US banking records
US student loan records(I'm still paying on them, but I don't know if they help or not??)
Letter from my parents saying that we will live with them in the US when we move.
A library card(should I even bother with this?)
I'm trying to vote in the primary election in my state and show a record of that

Are there other things I should get? Since I don't plan on working it's hard to actually line up a job or have a job offer or anything. I would obviously rather not move down without him especially since we have a young baby, so I'd like to be as prepared as I can be!

Thanks!



I'd suggest readint the domicile thread. Montreal seems to be very picky on this issue and quite a few have had to move back in advance of the interview.

Do you have any children who will be going to school there? if so you can show registration maybe? OOps nvm..the baby is only 8 months old..what about a pediatrican or a doctor letter etc? saying they will be the primary family physician? i have no idea if that works or if anyone has done that.

Edited by Kimbear, 04 April 2012 - 07:36 AM.

KimbearFemaleCanada2012-04-04 07:34:00
CanadaMedical Deferral

You wont win an argument its up to the DR and they have final say. If they don't release the medical until they have confirmation from another doctor about a problem then you don't get the visa.

Iv seen this happen a few times for Canadians for a few different issues. One person they found a lump during the exam and told her they cant issue the medical until she sees her GP and finds out what the lump is.



That would be me. i ended up having to go for a bunch of tests...turned out it was nothing..but it did delay the medical. good thing that was done in january and my appt was in april. it also sucked cuz i had just moved to Ontario from Quebec, so i had no OHIP card..it was mega stress and stupidity.

Don't beat yourself up about this. You can't book a medical until you have an interview and there isn't a huge time frame between notification and interview in which to get the medical done and if you don't live in or near Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal you have to decide the best way to deal with travelling to the medical and interview.



maybe things have changed but i was able to book my medical with just my p3 letter which had my mtl number on it. no way i'd want to wait til p4..with the way montreal is..would have taken another year back then.
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-04-04 09:45:00
CanadaWe have a house!! but ?s when to notify..
For a K1 its alot easier now to do the change of address. it used to be you had to do it by phone and by paper to two different addresses. now you just do it online. Remember its not just your change of adress taht has to show this new place its also your sponsor that has to do a change of addy as well. you can update the address at your interview more than likely. they always ask if the info they have is current on the ds 160 156 etc. and they will ask again at poe.
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-04-07 21:51:00
CanadaEAD approved online can I work now?
As a k1 who did AOS you DON'T NEED a gc and a work permit, the EAD is your DHS authorization to work while you wait for your GC. Even though you were approved according to uscis online case status, You should wait for the card. Mine only took about a week once i got the email that it was approved.

Edited by Kimbear, 07 April 2012 - 10:56 PM.

KimbearFemaleCanada2012-04-07 22:56:00
CanadaWhite Cheddar Mac & Cheese

I do that sometimes :unsure:



I do that all the time :)
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-04-11 18:40:00
CanadaWhite Cheddar Mac & Cheese
i always used mayo on my fries..sometimes on my eggs..then again i grew up with fish and chips and a mayo tarter sauce..so maybe thats why i do it. or its a french thing like Krikit says..since i grew up in Montreal.

Funny thing is..husband hates ketchup but he likes mayo on fries now! lol.

Edited by Kimbear, 07 April 2012 - 09:28 AM.

KimbearFemaleCanada2012-04-07 09:28:00
CanadaWhite Cheddar Mac & Cheese

Yes to all of that! I almost forgot about alphagettis...

Man you guys sure know how to make a pregnant lady hungry :hehe:



O.o!!! YOU ARE??? !!! Congratulations!!!! Sooo happy for you!!
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-27 06:33:00
CanadaWhite Cheddar Mac & Cheese
PIllsbury pizza pops..Oh how i miss you..and i agree on the rest of the items. So far the only good halfway decent sharp ( i had to get used to that word!) cheese i've found is from Dutch Farms. Its halfway decent has some bite in it. but i do miss the Extra old bricks i used to get up north. I also miss No Name products that i used to get at loblaws etc. and bulk items..why oh why can i not find any down here? Like bulk chicken boullion. or roast beef gravy, the best ever i found was at Super C in Quebec.

And the walmart candy aisles ...they had like 3 or 4 with alot of plastic round bins for gummi bears etc..their brand and they were like 2-3$ a bucket. Nope just these little tiny bags that are a ripoff in price here.

I can't wait to go visit my uncle at some point and buy the stuff i miss..
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-03-26 08:17:00
CanadaFBI cannot read fingerprints
From what i understand as everythign is on hold until they can get good fingerprints. Like Pocheros they had to do mine a couple times i have really dry hands, and the Purell gell stuff worked great. it took a few trys but they eventually came out ok.
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-04-12 07:17:00
CanadaAOS processing- what to expect?

Just as a side note, don't be afraid of an AOS interview. They are generally fairly routine and simple (with some exceptions of course) and processing can be a little faster when you have one. In a lot of cases, is seems to depend on how busy your local office is.

Waiting sucks, but if i could go back in time I would have enjoyed those few months with an excuse not to work... :lol:



IT also depends on if they forget to even put you into the appointment sytsem for your biometrics like they did with me. all of a sudden i get a notice saying aos is on hold since i have yet to do my bio, well DUH, i never got the appointment. They forgot to put me in the system for it. Needless to say we applied for it in May and i eventually got my bio for October and green card in January. No interview and my local office was in Chicago.
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-04-12 07:14:00
CanadaAOS processing- what to expect?
Inky is correct Minu. And yes its for other types of visa's.



If you read the instructions on the USCIS site for filing I-765 here http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD you will see the following:



Special Instructions :

If you filed a Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, on July 30, 2007, or after, and you paid the I-485 application fee required, then no fee is required to file a request for employment authorization on Form I-765. You may file the I-765 together with your I-485, or you may submit the I-765 at a later date. If you file Form I-765 separately, you must also submit a copy of your Form I-797C, Notice of Action, receipt as evidence of the filing of a Form I-485.


KimbearFemaleCanada2012-04-11 18:36:00
CanadaUrgent Interview Question
we just brought his passport d/l and i think some brought a voter registration card. Although since its for a K1 you dont really need much. You can bring his BC if you want as well for added umph. but if he was not a us citizen residing in the us in the first place he could not petition for you. Which makes me wonder why they bother asking this of k1. usually they need it to prove domicile for cr/ir 1, they need to make the bloody checklists separate. not use an all in one list.
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-04-19 05:46:00
CanadaI have a surprise!
Wish us luck tomorrow. WE close on the house at 10am!!!!! :dance:



The only thing worrying me is they did not get final numbers from the sellers for the HUD 1, so they coudl not tell me exactly how much to bring certified check for the closing, so we just got what our loan officer said. I just hope we have no issues. And i hope they cancel the pending auction in June on the house. Thats all i need is the Sherriff to show up and say your house is forclosed on lol.

Edited by Kimbear, 22 April 2012 - 06:00 PM.

KimbearFemaleCanada2012-04-22 18:00:00
CanadaI have a surprise!
ok we have some bad and good news lol



First off, our home inspector found Mold in the attic..Blech!!! Considering i'm allergic to that and Penicillin its kinda a big thing for me. Not to mention the furnace returns runs through attic and is busted open so its drawing spore filled air into the rest of the houe..joy :( Good news is we asked for a closing cost credit to help pay for it since it was their fault. They redid the roof half assed and covered up all the vent holes and let all the exhausts go right into the attic. Well, i was expecting them to say no but they said yes to the funds. WOOT. So now i know..even if its a short sale etc you CAN still ask for stuff and get it. :)



Our bank asked Me to get a paper notarized saying i have no 2009 usa tax return since duh i moved here in 2010. The letter i wrote of explanation wasn't good enough sigh...they wanted it on THEIR paper notarized. Soooo we were suposed to close tomorrow..now will close monday or tuesday. Parents are going to florida this week, so we should be moved out by the time they get back..and then we have a week off to unpack and unwind.



This is a great anniversary gift :) Especally since our 2 year anniversary was yesterday!!...Oh and hubby took me out for Lobster etc which i have not had in years....it was soo good..cost a fortune but well worth it..:) I cannot wait to move!!!! lol. so exited!
KimbearFemaleCanada2012-04-12 07:26:00