ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaMontreal Interview CR-1 this Friday
The ExpressPost envelope does not match their description exactly but is very close. Good luck on Friday!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-03-13 19:18:00
CanadaFresh Eyes Requested!
You forgot one thing: a corkscrew for the celebratory bottle of wine afterwards!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-03-13 19:08:00
CanadaWe have an interview!!!!!!!!
Very good news to hear! The time will go fast!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-03-18 17:32:00
CanadaPacket 3: divorce decree *and* marriage certificate?
Why chance it? If a marriage cert is on the list of requirements, get it. You may not need it for the K interview but AOS seems to be a lot more serious.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-02-09 09:38:00
CanadaFinally the Greencard !!
Glad you finally got the greencard. (You have to write a book ... a comedy).

Taxes are a headache and even expensive cross-border experts disagree. I was audited by Rev Can and got it sorted out by cross border tax. Wish I could say something nice about Serbinski but he disappeared when I had to respond to Rev Can about the return they prepared.

Software may not capture all our issues, so be prepared for questions. Good luck and don't drink any green beer.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-03-18 17:47:00
CanadaWish me luck on Monday
A seriously loud cheer is rising from the swamplands of New Jersey for misa and emily! Enjoy every cathartic moment of being approved!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-03-18 18:00:00
CanadaGot the visa!
Your news made my day! Congratulations, misa!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-03-19 20:34:00
CanadaDr. Seiden's in Toronto
I'm curious. Why did they open the medical at the interview? Isn't it supposed to be handed over at the POE sealed?

On another note, TB has become a big problem ... there was an article in today's New York Times about its spread in Africa. I remember having to have a TB test before entering York University in 1993.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-03-20 19:20:00
CanadaBest place to stay in Montreal?
I too used hotwire.com and got a good deal on the Hyatt, which is tres tres comfortable. It's also central to the Consulate, shopping, museums, restaurants of all kinds. If you take a cab to the airport, it's a flat rate of $35.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-02-10 21:24:00
Canadamedical exam
Sounds wrong. Find another doctor. My husband went to Dr. Seiden in Toronto and was not asked for a letter from the family doctor about his history. Nor was he asked about his period! :lol:
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-03-18 17:56:00
CanadaHave a safe trip Misa!
Hope your trip is a happy one!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-03-24 15:18:00
CanadaWedding day today!
Congratulations!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-03-03 16:34:00
CanadaWish me Luck on my BIG Move Saturday!
Good luck to all you movers and shakers!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-04-01 07:30:00
CanadaMontreal Interview on March 20th
Congratulations, you made it!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-03-20 19:25:00
CanadaInterview in....
A surprise party? You're so lucky. And your Mom is so thoughtful. The good luck has already begun and the interview will be like a dream state. Everything will be fine and you'll be so happy to hear you're approved that you won't know whether to laugh, cry, fall down on the floor, or like me, open a bottle of wine!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-04-01 07:28:00
CanadaTaxes.
I'm not an expert but would have your husband do an amended return and take you off. He'd be "married filing separate." He would not claim you as a dependent or deduction. That's because you've already gotten a personal exemption in Canada and can't "double dip" according to the U.S. Canada Tax Treaty. (I think, but could be wrong.)

If you had not yet filed in Canada, there's an exemption for what he's trying to do, that is, claim a spouse who was resident in Canada in 2006. You need a good cross-border accountant.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-04-01 16:09:00
CanadaPlanning your life around Montreal

........and Jersey.......I have a sneaking suspicion that you could find the romance in city bus.

That's not a bad idea and I'll tell you why. If we spend our time obsessing about Montreal and government bureaucracy, we'll have wasted time in our lives that we'll never get back.

Montreal is just one hurdle. There are plenty more to come. So if we don't learn to go with the flow and find the good, we'll be miserable. I agree, none of this is fair or makes sense. And you're right, we jump through hoops and give them exactly what they ask for and still get screwed.

But time is non renewable resource. We only get a certain number of days. So decide: how do I want to spend my days? Now, go invent a good time for yourself and be happy no matter what!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-04-01 16:20:00
CanadaPlanning your life around Montreal
Yes, Montreal means an interminably long wait and all kinds of trials. But once you're there, it's a magical, romantic place, so plan to enjoy the shopping, museums, smoked meat, and wine!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-04-01 07:38:00
CanadaThey mailed my visa yesterday at 16h38
Happy for all of you! Congratulations!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-04-06 06:07:00
CanadaHow long...
Don't count days. Your experience will be somewhat different. Instead, plan what you'll do in the lead time up to the interview, because, fasten your seat belt, it could take 2 months from the letter to the interview (!). So plan a giant celebration for afterwards
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-04-12 21:15:00
Canadawhat a day!
Godspeed on your adventure!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-04-12 21:08:00
CanadaTime for flames9 to be UN_Canadian!!
Uh, excuse me, Scott, now that you're almost a medical professional ... I have a pain, in my rear to be exact, it started when we applied for I-130 a year ago and it's been chronic ever since. What do you think it could be?
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-04-10 19:57:00
CanadaAPPROVED IN MONTREAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very good news. Hope all the changes prove to be good ones!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-04-18 20:35:00
CanadaCulture shock for Canadians in the US
You forgot cheese. There's cheese on everything here, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you don't want cheese on your bacon and egg sandwich, they don't know how to ring it up because the cash register is only programmed for cheese.

Then there are medical conditions. Everyone here can tell you their cholestrol count, blood pressure, and a host of other things, including the prescription drugs they take. Guess they never realized that if they cut out the cheese, they could stop paying for Lipitor!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-01-07 18:18:00
CanadaCulture shock for Canadians in the US
I'm a dual, born and raised in New Jersey, who went to Canada at 18 and stayed many years. I'd often hear Canadians say Americans are: greedy, vulgar, trigger-happy, aggressive, rude, fat, self-centered, war mongering, etc. I poo poo'ed this as an over reaction. I also heard Canadians quick to describe themselves as "not American!"

However, after coming back to Jersey and living here a year, I can understand why Americans have such a bad reputation in Canada.

Don't worry about handling your own credit card; it's for your security. Instead, worry about people who can be overly competitive, nasty, manipulative, untrustworthy, sleep deprived, quick to sue, fanatical, and materialistic.

Watch out for false faces, that is, people who hide their true intentions. The corporate world here is based on showing one's "nice face" to everyone and concealing one's real opinions and plans.

These are generalizations, I know, and can be construed as stereotypes, which is another big no-no in a culture that's highly sensitive about "rights." So be careful that you never touch anyone innocently when you talk, or you'll risk sexual harrassment charges (!)

Be careful that you never identitfy anyone based on their personal characterisics (Oh, it's the bald guy over there.) because that can be grounds for dismissal at work.

Don't be surpised that everyone knows about something illegal but will never report it, since "no good deed goes unpunished." Most whistle blowers suffer dire consequences even though there are laws to protect them.

In many ways, I miss the Canadian culture because people are more polite, honest, helpful, straightforward, easy-going, welcoming and respectful. So pack up your Shreddies, Tim Horton's, and 222s because you can't buy them here. And be prepared for a bigger shock, because you'll be living with Americans, and they can be very different than Canadians, depending on which area of the country you live in.

(Okay, you can start stringing me up now.)
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-01-07 09:08:00
CanadaAnother Montreal Interview!

And what hotel or hotels are you looking at for Montreal?

Everyone mentions the La Tour Centre Ville as being reasonable and closeby the Embassy. I'm also looking at two Delta Hotels because I can use points. The Delta Centre Ville is 1 km away and the Delta Montreal is .5 km. We're months away from the interview, but I'd like it to be a romantic event in a nice place with room service.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-06-08 10:13:00
CanadaK1 Interview in Montreal - completed!
Congratulations on a quick and smooth journey! Will they mail the visa?
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-06-19 08:24:00
CanadaHow busy is Toronto-Pearson preclearance?
Cass, when you come up for air, let us know what happened at Pearson! Hope all's well.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-02-21 19:59:00
CanadaHow busy is Toronto-Pearson preclearance?
All's well that ends well. Will Shakespeare said that. So enjoy having him here, because you worked hard for this, Cass! But do tell what happened because this sounds like an unusal experience compared to the rest of us.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-02-13 07:52:00
CanadaLease Busters Canada
I don't know where you are in the process, but if you have months to go before you enter the States and marry, might there be some wiggle room?
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-12-18 18:08:00
CanadaI feel completely hopeless
Lyric, I've been reading your story and it breaks my heart. I wish I had some concrete information that would point you in the directions you're asking. I don't. So I'm going to sidestep the marriage/visa/medical expense issues and take another tack.

If you have any faith in God, now is the time to surrender yourself to his mercy. Ask for guidance and strength. There are rare times in our lives when absolutely everything seems beyond our control. The rug has been pulled out from under us. We are panicked and helpless. These are exactly the times when God can work within us.

I know you're going nuts trying to figure out a plan ... what to do next. All I can offer is that you spend some time, everyday, in prayer, if this is possible, given your personal beliefs.

Right now, we don't understand why certain things are happening. Maybe someday, we'll see how it all worked for the best. In the meantime, ask God for the big miracles only he can do. Ask for peace for both of you. Ask for a clear path that is his will. Ask for the wisdom to help your fiance through this trial. What's happening may not be about a visa. It may be bigger than that. You are in my prayers. (big hug)

Edited by Jersey Girl, 03 November 2006 - 07:36 PM.

Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-11-03 19:34:00
CanadaBringing Money (Savings) to USA/Paying USA tax
Here's another method: go to your Canadian bank, get a good exchange rate, and have them wire U.S. money to your fiancee's account in the U.S. (Please don't walk around with your savings in cash!)
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2007-01-04 19:21:00
CanadaInterviewing at Montreal Consulate
Thank you for the valuable, practical tips!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-05-17 15:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresReplacing Sponsor after CR-1 is approved?
Here's a scenario that may be something to consider. I'm the USC (unemployed for now), who took a sabbatical year, putting me below the poverty line on the last tax return. This doesn't look good on the I-134, even though I have assets. At this point in the process, only one tax return is required, even though I'd like to show more. So, to play it safe, I'll have my brother as a co-sponsor.

After the K-3 spouse visa is approved, and my husband enters the U.S., we'll apply for an Adustment of Status. Now it's form I-864. By that time, I should have a full-time job. This is where they ask for 3 years of tax returns, so I'll start to look more stable. At that time, a joint sponsor will probably not be necessary, and we can relieve my brother of any financial burden. As a co-sponsor, he will only have been on the hook from the K3 interview stage to the AOS, hopefully, less than a year.

I don't know what your tax issues might be, Looking4Wife, but I wouldn't want both USCIS and the IRS in my life at the same time. We also can't tell which type of Visa you're considering, but since you mentioned "bringing a Colombian wife here in the near future," you must have a basic plan in mind.

I'm not sure what more knowledgable people would say about my Support strategy, but in essence, it's to have a co-sponsor for the I-134 and drop him for the I-864.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-05-25 08:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures1.5 years more to wait?!
meauxna, you are so wise! :star:
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-06-11 12:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Finally Approved!!!!
Excellent! Hope the rest is smooth sailing, too.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-06-15 07:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurescriminal backgrounds from Canada and India
For the K3 interview, he'll need a nationwide, Canadian name check. Details come in Package 3, I believe. Many get theirs from the RCMP or Commissionaires. Others get it from a local police force. I believe that's all he'll need (nothing from India), since he has lived in Ontario since he was 16.

If you're asking about the interview for CR-1 (I-130), and you only applied 3 months ago, you have quite a ways to go. Check the statistics.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-07-04 09:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresStarting All Over Again in California?
newhampshire, my I-130 went to Vermont 3-1/5 months ago and there has been nothing. Nor do I expect anything. It'll happen when it happens, and no one (not even a politician or shocked phone rep) can predict how long it will take. But if you work yoursef into a state, expecting the government to perform according to your timelines, you'll only add unnescessary stress. Let's see if anyone else is having their case transferred. Meanwhile, be kind to yourself.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-07-12 16:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNeed some insight on both processes: IR1/CR1 and K3
Some people petition for CR-1, an immigrant visa for a spouse. It's generally a longer route but the spouse enters as a legal permanent resident and is eligible to work.

Others petition for K3, the non-immigrant visa for a spouse. It used to be the shorter route but that's a question mark now that there's an IMBRA backlog. The idea is for the spouse to enter on a non-immigrant visa (similar to a tourist) and complete the immigration process while in the States. The pre-requisite for K3 (form I-129f) is a petition for CR-1 (form I-130).
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-07-17 13:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresemail from USCIS...
Roughly 2 out of 3 people reporting have been transferred from Vermont to California. The rest of us are waiting for the news.
transfers

Edited by Jersey Girl, 18 July 2006 - 07:57 AM.

Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-07-18 07:57:00