ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaI want to get out of here so badly

Sorry to hear that! I don't know many people with the same view but I apologize that our country hasn't treated ya well! Hope you find better luck in the US.

A typically Canadian response. :P

I'm sorry to hear about it too. Like most Canadians here, I love my country and am moving to the US only to be with my SO. But no country is perfect for everyone, and I hope you're happier after you move. :)
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-08-11 11:09:00
CanadaThe 3 VJ stooges!....
Congrats in triplicate. :)
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-08-08 23:21:00
CanadaVancouver consulate review
Thanks for the detailed review. :)

Being apart from your fiance won't be fun, but at least you have the stress of the K-1 behind you now.
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-08-13 11:55:00
CanadaUS Customs at Toronto airport
I went through secondary questioning when I visited my fiance in March, and data about me was entered in the computer. After that, I was nervous about my visit in July, so I had 4 thick envelopes of documentation with my K-1 files, ties to Canada, etc. When the border guard asked who I'd be visiting, I responded, "My fiance." He reacted a bit but didn't say anything about it. I got through without needing the documentation I'd spent hours putting together, but I was glad I had it just in case.

IOW, you won't necessarily go through secondary just because you did before. Or because you have a fiance.

Good luck!
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-08-15 02:59:00
CanadaThe only Dr in Sask quit!!
It sounds like you've already decided. But to add more information, when I had my medical in Vancouver, a K-1 woman was there who'd had her interview the day before. Her K-1 was approved pending the medical results, which she brought to the consulate the day after the interview.

Even if you have both on the same day, the K-1 couldn't be approved on the spot because of the timing (using the current Vancouver consulate appointment time):
  • Medical: from about 6:30 to 10:30 AM
  • Interview: starting at 1 PM
  • Medical results: pick up at 2 PM or later
But you could take the medical results to the consulate on the same day, after the interview.
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-08-18 11:12:00
CanadaWhere to go dress shopping in Vancouver
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm looking forward to going to those shops. smile.gif
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-08-20 01:20:00
CanadaWhere to go dress shopping in Vancouver
We're going to have a very small wedding, and I want to wear a dress that's simple yet somewhat elegant, maybe a bit funky, and that suits me and isn't a wedding dress or white. I want a dress that I can wear on other dress-up occasions without it looking like a wedding dress.

Can people who know Vancouver suggest where to shop for such a dress? I mostly wear casual clothing, so I don't know where to look. The last time I needed a dress for a special occasion, I found one at the Bay, but I didn't see anything there this time that I wanted to get. I've been to a few bridal shops, but their non-wedding dresses look very much like bridesmaid dresses and not like dresses that most people would want to wear on other occasions. Or maybe I need to find the right bridal shops?

I've looked online for ideas, but I'm not going to buy a dress that I can't try on first. The size I wear varies, and some styles just don't look right on me. I'll know the right dress when I try it on. smile.gif

Thanks for any help.
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-08-19 13:14:00
CanadaUS Dollar Accounts at Canadian Banks

I use RBC Centura. I have a Royal bank account and as I still get paid in Canada my cheques go into the Royal bank as I need too I can transfer money online from the Royal to my US Centura account right from my Royal online banking. I do not have a physical branch anywhere near me as I'm in ND and my RBC branch is in SC but I can still get cash from my bank card when needed and have a chequing account and visa. It works great for me as the exchanging of money is going to be an ongoing thing for me. If you are just doing a one time thing of a large amount of money the customs house may be the better option with the better rates. This is a great time to do a lump amount exchange of your money as the CND exhange rate is great.

I'll add my vote for RBC Centura if you have ongoing CAD/USD transactions. I set up a Centura account several years ago because I earn money in both currencies. I can access both my RBC and RBC Centura accounts online via the same login and transfer funds between accounts easily.

Since I've been spending a lot of time in the US (not living there yet) and there are no Centura branches in my area in the US, I also have a USD account with another bank. That way, I can do business in person too. :) But the Centura account lets me handle money in both transactions easily, and I can access money from it via an ATM or by writing a cheque from that account and depositing the money in my other USD account.
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-06-17 11:21:00
CanadaCross your fingers for me my Canadian friends!
You'll probably wow them with your organization and presentation.

Good luck! (Not that you'll need it.)
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-08-22 09:57:00
CanadaVancouver interview timeline
QUOTE (misa @ Aug 30 2007, 06:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
And from the looks of it, it's still about 1 month from receiving packet 3. There were 2 people who sent back packet 3 this month and their interview is in September.

To add to that, both of us sent in our checklists around Aug. 9, asked for an interview date in the last week of August, and got Sept. 12 for our interview date = just over a month.

QUOTE (liz_legend @ Aug 30 2007, 07:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
you vancouvers make me SICK!

kidding!

But I know how you feel. When our I-129F was going through Nebraska -> California, people who sent theirs to Vermont well after we sent ours in were approved while we were still waiting. You win some, you lose some. But in the end, we all get our life partner. heart.gif
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-08-31 09:13:00
CanadaNeed some hugs
QUOTE (trailmix @ Aug 30 2007, 09:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Time for a realitttttty check. Instead of focusing on how devastating it would be to be denied at the interview try to focus on what they could deny you for (sounds kooky I know).

That's good advice. smile.gif

I also have my interview next month. I'm not thinking about the possibility of being denied -- there's no reason for them to deny me, and I doubt there is for you either. But it's possible that either of us will have our visas delayed because they want more documentation. And if they want more, we'll get more. What's a couple more weeks in this long process? We'll get there. kicking.gif
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-08-30 11:26:00
CanadaNeed some hugs
We're with you.
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-08-30 11:13:00
CanadaI can't believe this...
Congratulations. smile.gif VJ types on either side of the border can truly understand what you're both feeling now.
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-08-31 09:03:00
CanadaU.S.-Canada Cancer Patient Dating Service
This woman was on the local news tonight. From her blog:

QUOTE
Assertive, adventurous 52-year-old woman, living with incurable cancer, would like to meet a marriage-minded Canadian gent who is a cancer survivor or living with the disease.

More to the point:

QUOTE
If I lived about 150 miles north, in Vancouver, B.C., I would still be financially solvent, instead of having the stress of always teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. I also wouldn’t pay out almost $800 a month for health insurance that is slightly better than a barebones policy (and $15,000 to $20,000 annually in out-of-pocket medical costs).


I can see both sides of the issue. If my to-be-husband had health problems that needed more treatment than his insurance covered, I'd want to return to Canada with him to get him the treatment he needed. But in that woman's situation or my hypothetical one, would Canada even allow the ill spouse into Canada? And if the couple were a VJ couple applying for a K-1 or K-3 visa, would the non-USC be allowed into the US with a non-contagious but expensive-to-treat illness?

I wish this woman well, but I don't know if a Canadian husband is the answer for her.

Let's keep this thread in the Canada forum please. smile.gif

Edited by vanee, 08 September 2007 - 08:48 PM.

vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-08 20:47:00
CanadaInterview Date Set

Honestly, you're lucky to get September considering how long people on the east side of the country are waiting about 6 months for an interview date through Montreal. ;)

Related to that, I see that the thread starter is doing a K-3. I'd thought that only Montreal did K-3s in Canada, but at my medical on August 1, I met a woman doing a K-3 who will also have her interview in Vancouver. Apparently some K-3s are now going through Vancouver. That's good for K-3s, but it may also be the reason that we have to wait until September 12 for our interviews. :blink:

So, mamalovesdada, we're going to share the interview experience with another VJer. :)
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-08-13 23:54:00
CanadaInterview Date Set
Hey, my interview is on Sept. 12 too. :)

I faxed in my checklist last week and asked for an interview date of August 27 or that week if possible. Since both of us asked for the last week of August and both of us got Sept. 12, I think we can say that Sept. 12 is the earliest they can schedule us.
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-08-13 23:48:00
CanadaWe have a POE date!
QUOTE (Nini & Bee @ Sep 3 2007, 12:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
what do I need to do?!

U-pack has a detailed moving checklist and other resources. Not everything on it applies to everyone, but it has some things I hadn't thought of. The site also has a "Do not ship" list.
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-03 13:20:00
CanadaWe have a POE date!
QUOTE (sutton @ Sep 3 2007, 05:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am on my way there tomorrow for interview on wed. We are staying at travelodge by airport because chris gets in later than me. Is there shuttles or public transportation going dpwntown from airport.

See the Airporter (also the airport site) for transportation from the airport. One-way trips are $13.50, and round trips are $21. I don't know if it goes from hotel to hotel, though.

From the airport to downtown, you'd have to transfer between buses if you take local buses. I'm not sure what buses go near the hotel. Check out the trip planning page.

A taxi ride would probably cost around $25 one-way.

Good luck with your interview. smile.gif

Edited by vanee, 03 September 2007 - 01:02 PM.

vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-03 13:01:00
CanadaWe have a POE date!
QUOTE (Nini & Bee @ Sep 3 2007, 01:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Since then, we've discussed our options and have decided that I'll be moving over in November, which is WAAAAAAAAY earlier than we thought. (And I am so thrilled because I miss Bee like mad biggrin.gif and leaving my increasingly unbearable living situation early is fantastic.)

Yippee! kicking.gif

I've just started packing too. Here are a few more tasks for the list:
  • Give your landlord/landlady notice.
  • Arrange for movers (I'm going to use Upack).
  • Get added to your fiance's health insurance effective the day you arrive in the US, if possible. If that isn't possible, get temporary health insurance in the US to cover you until you can get coverage through your fiance.
  • Get a copy of your medical file from your doctor. If you take any prescription medication, stock up on it.

vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-03 12:50:00
CanadaVJ lunch meetup in Vancouver on Sept. 12
Mamalovesdada and I still have our interview tomorrow, but the 3 of us have decided to reschedule the lunch meetup. We'll post about the new lunch date when we have one. smile.gif
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-11 18:01:00
CanadaVJ lunch meetup in Vancouver on Sept. 12
QUOTE (Stacey33 @ Aug 20 2007, 06:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If you all like Thai food- SalaThai was hands down the best meal I had in Vancouver and it was in that area

Thanks for the suggestion. smile.gif

Mamalovesdada, we couldn't reach you by PM or email, so Nini and I went ahead and made plans. We hope you can still come. We decided on meeting at Thai House on Robson near Thurlow (1116 Robson). The US consulate is on Pender near Thurlow (1075 W. Pender), so we'll have just a few blocks to walk there. We're meeting at 11:15 for an early lunch to allow time to get to the consulate by 12:45.

Stacy, I thought Thai House was the Thai restaurant you recommended until I re-read your post. Oh well. This one's a bit closer, and you gave us the idea for Thai food. smile.gif

If anyone else who can come doesn't like Thai food, Nini and I have a couple of Plan B restaurants in mind.

Please post in this thread if you can come so that we know who and how many people will be there. It'll probably be just the 2 or 3 of us, but more people are welcome. good.gif
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-10 13:07:00
CanadaVJ lunch meetup in Vancouver on Sept. 12
Both mamalovesdada and I have our interviews on Sept. 12 in Vancouver, and Nini of Nini & Bee and I had already planned to meet sometime while we're still both in Vancouver. So, the three of us are now meeting for lunch on Sept. 12, and if you're going to be in Vancouver then, you're invited. smile.gif

Place: to be decided but downtown, within walking distance of the Vancouver US consulate
Time: before our 1:00 interviews

RSVP in this thread. blink.gif
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-08-20 01:30:00
CanadaHave a good one tomorrow Tinker!!!
Congratulations. smile.gif
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-12 23:20:00
CanadaI know you've probably seen this question a million times....
QUOTE (Kathryn41 @ Sep 11 2007, 09:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yes, definitely apply for your SSN before you get married - it just makes a lot of things easier in setting up your new life in the US to have a SSN. If you haven't been here yet for 2 weeks you may not be in the SAVE system - the database kept by immigration of people legally in the US - but if that is the case, it will just be a short delay until your information is entered into the system. SSN needs to verify you are legally in the country before you are issued a number.

Is it that important to have an SSN before getting married? A lot of VJers get married within a couple of weeks of arriving in the US, so an SSN before getting married isn't an option for them.
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-12 23:04:00
CanadaABF upack terminal to terminal
QUOTE (Nini & Bee @ Sep 12 2007, 11:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
No, I asked this question today at the UPS store, and unfortunately your goods will not be allowed to cross the border until US customs has received notice that you personally have entered the US. The visa has to be activated and usually a copy of the I-94 is used as proof that you've crossed into the country.

When I talked to U-Pack today, they said that all they needed from me was a photocopy of my passport, an itemized list of what's being shipped, and a customs form. I specifically asked if they needed a copy of my activated visa, and they said no. Hmmm.
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-13 14:49:00
CanadaLast day @ work
Or think of one or two good things about where you work and talk only about them if you have to. A few more hours, and you'll be outta there. smile.gif
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-13 11:16:00
CanadaVancouver airport POE time needed to activate visa
It looks like my POE will be Vancouver. The usual advice for people who need to change planes in the US is to allow 3 hours for the visa to be processed. But how long do you need at the Vancouver airport when it's your POE? Will 2 hours before the flight leaves be enough time, or should I be at the airport earlier?

Thanks for your help. smile.gif
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-13 14:38:00
CanadaIssues with RBC
Sorry to hear about the problem. I use RBC and have always found them to be very helpful. They made a mistake, but they should be able to fix it too.

I got my first credit card with RBC when I was a student and never thought to change the card after I graduated. They contacted me about 8-10 years after I graduated and told me that they were changing my card to a non-student one because I wasn't a student any more. They're a little faster with you. cool.gif
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-07 11:50:00
CanadaDidn't get my letter in time, missed my interview date!
QUOTE (samaci @ Sep 15 2007, 11:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Just an update: I got an email from Montreal, on Tues, Sept 11, asking me if I could make an interview on Oct 5th @ 9am.

That's great news. smile.gif

QUOTE
I'm patiently waiting for something from them, so I can book my flight from Vancouver. Funny, on tues, when I got the email, I went to look at flights right away, and they were approx $550. Today, the flights are now $750. UGH!!!

If you were looking at Air Canada, they had a seat sale that ended on Sept. 13.
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-16 01:58:00
CanadaWelcome to our world....
I first read "40 books" and thought, "That's all?" tongue.gif Then I reread it and saw "40 boxes." Wow.

I'm also packing, but I have more time to finish. It's a lot of work, all right. I'm finding U-Pack's packing and loading tips to be useful. Another good packing tip I read somewhere is to fill boxes in the corners and in any gaps with crumpled-up newsprint so that they'll support the weight of boxes stacked on top of them.

I'm giving away some of my books on Craigslist. I might try to sell some others, such as the ones about the local area.

You'll get there. smile.gif
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-17 12:01:00
CanadaMontreal Interview
If you stay at the HI Montreal hostel, you'll be able to sleep the night before, and you'll probably be able to leave your bags there during the interview. It isn't really close to the consulate, but it's in the same city.

The non-member rate is $30/night in a shared room.

That was just the first hostel I found. See this page for more Montreal hostels. Some may be closer and/or cost less.
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-17 11:21:00
CanadaCompletely Off Topic
QUOTE (Krikit @ Sep 18 2007, 08:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I agree with Michelle. It's probably flown into your window and scrambled its brains. Give it some time to come to its senses. As soon as it realizes where it is it will fly out of there as fast as it can.

I agree too. And if it doesn't leave, you could call a local animal rescue organization. Maybe they have someone who will come and rescue it for you.
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-18 11:16:00
CanadaK1 Help - Time BETWEEN Interview & Visa Receipt??
QUOTE (Doug n Amanda @ Sep 18 2007, 08:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Really...can someone clarify this? I am pretty sure he HAS to use the Visa to cross when he does physically receive it?? wacko.gif

When I received my visa, part of the explanation I was given with it is that I can enter the US without activating it. I would need to explain at the POE that I wasn't activating it on that trip. But once I activate it, I have to stay in the US until the next step is approved. I didn't ask about that; it's just part of what was told to me.
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-18 11:10:00
CanadaAnyone thinking of remaining a resident somehow?
QUOTE (raymaga @ Sep 16 2007, 11:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
...my husband (USC) and I intend to move back to Canada and for him to become a Canadian citizen when we retire. That way, we can choose to live in either Canada or the U.S. anytime we want.


QUOTE (Cassie @ Sep 16 2007, 02:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
for you to be covered by a provincial healthcare program, you have to be a resident of Canada.


QUOTE (trailmix @ Sep 16 2007, 03:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
...he would have still maintained his PR status as the fact that he is living with the Canadian citizen - even in another country - it's still considered 'residency'.

Now this does not equate to health care coverage, as already mentioned, as you must be physically living in the province for x number of months to be eligible.


Trying to put all this together...for those of us who aren't planning to have both of us have dual citizenship, is there a way for the USC to have permanent PR status in Canada? For example, if after the Canadian got US citizenship, the Can/Am couple moved to Canada for X months and then returned to the US, would the USC continue to have Canadian PR status? And then be able to return to Canada and get health care after X months even if s/he had a pre-existing health condition? And if so, how many months are X?

Just "what if" thinking.
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-18 11:36:00
CanadaNow a car thing thrown at me, HELP


I don't have any advice for you, but I wanted to send you a hug. You'll get through this.
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-22 11:32:00
CanadaGreat news!
I'm happy for you. smile.gif
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-25 10:31:00
CanadaVanee,nini and mamalovesdada.....GOOD LUCK!!
QUOTE (mamalovesdada @ Sep 24 2007, 04:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
AN UPDATE!!!

I received the documents!!! And I'll have my second interview on OCTOBER 1ST. I hope everything will work out fine.

Wish me GOOD LUCK everyone! good.gif

Wonderful! kicking.gif

You should do fine this time now that you have everything they want.

I'm really happy for you.
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-24 18:40:00
CanadaVanee,nini and mamalovesdada.....GOOD LUCK!!
QUOTE (mamalovesdada @ Sep 13 2007, 10:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just talked to my sister and she's working on getting those papers for me. It will take two weeks and another week for the mail but as soon as she sends them to me via DHL, i will schedule for an appointment.

It sounds like the delay may be just a short one after all. good.gif
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-13 12:34:00
CanadaVanee,nini and mamalovesdada.....GOOD LUCK!!
QUOTE (mamalovesdada @ Sep 12 2007, 08:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Now, i have to wait for a month to process the papers that they needed and another month to get another interview date.

I wonder if you'll have to wait a month for the second interview. Since you've already submitted your papers in the first part and had your fingerprints taken, maybe they'll schedule an interview for you at a different time of day that isn't with the 4 visa applicants they interview every day. You might have less of a wait. I hope so. rose.gif
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-13 11:03:00
CanadaVanee,nini and mamalovesdada.....GOOD LUCK!!
QUOTE (mamalovesdada @ Sep 12 2007, 11:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
i feel so sad because they gave me the other requirements during my interview. That really sucks. They could have added that when they sent me the packet 3. It is Soooooo unfair. Now, i have to wait for a month to process the papers that they needed and another month to get another interview date.



A delay is far better than a denial, but it still hurts.

QUOTE
by the way, the last k1 applicant was approved. good.gif

That's good to know. Thanks for the update. good.gif

QUOTE (Misty1979 @ Sep 12 2007, 09:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Are you sure you have to go to a second interview? From other people's experiences, they seem to just take whatever missing paper work you have then issue the visa after they have what they need, since they've already interviewed you once before.

That's what I was thinking. If you can send in the documents they need, maybe they'll just ask you to come in and pick up the visa package. I really hope so. Or did they tell you that you need to set up another interview?
vaneeFemaleCanada2007-09-12 23:12:00