ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
USCIS Service CentersHow do we know about 'touches'?
I have not received any "touches" either. I am being processed at the National Benefits Center, too. I have just gotten my EAD - received a notice that the card was ordered about a week and a half before I got it. It sound slike it takes about 6 weeks from your biometrics almost always these days. Also, I heard that the National Center porcesses things more quickly than the local centers. I know that makes me feel better. Hopefully it is true!

QUOTE (WifeOHunkyJohn @ Aug 29 2007, 11:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I think it is purely random whether anyone gets a "touch" or not. We've had it where we got touched when there was nothing whatsoever different about our case - no appointments, no extra forms sent, no queries by us, nothing. I think it fell off their desk or something (joke).

If you noticed on some of the other forums, USCIS are unpredictable, but very backed up. Sometimes updates are done over the weekend and these updates include date changes to online profiles; people report getting touches on federal holidays as a result, and other such oddness. I think, for me personally, I don't worry about touches and getting them or not. All I care about is the paperwork being received and all the relevant letters and receipts making their way to me.

Put it this way - we have our online status for our AP as pending, but we received it in time for our Christmas vacation, used it and have since applied for EAD and received it (with the site being updated to reflect it). Yet all this time, our AP is still listed as "pending".

So you can see why I don't put much stock in the "touches" versus non-touches.


Hope that helps

Annie

borealgirlFemaleCanada2007-09-06 07:47:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresBirth Certificate for K3
Yep, if you read through carefully (I highly advise you, however, not to take our word for it until you have read it youself in the USCIS documents - I have been thwarted by bad advice), you will see that copies (not certified) are ok, and that at interview time, originals will be needed.

QUOTE (sly_wolf @ Sep 15 2007, 04:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi. Can anyone tell me if a copy of a certified copy of birth certificateis ok to submit with an application?

Thanks
Steve

borealgirlFemaleCanada2007-09-17 09:20:00
CanadaCBC in the US
eThermophile, what a great thing to do. I am a cbc radio buff myself. My husband bought me satlitte radio and it was the nicest thing ever (although I don;t know how to tell him that it is free on the web).

I may look into this myself, as I know that my hub will love so many of the programs. And I am falling out of touch with my canadian and quabecois roots after five years here. Thanks for the idea. Will follow up with anything if I come across it.

BG


ok I'm running some calibrations that I can't leave but don't require much effort, so my brain has wandered. The hubby (and me too) is a CBC fan. I'd like to surprise him with access to CBC once he moves. Radio isn't very hard, we can stream that. But what about TV? I'm getting cable before he gets down here but Comcast and DirectTV seem to be our only options and as far as I can tell neither carry any type of CBC. Mostly, I'm thinking about news-the Hour and Peter Mansbridge would be tough for him to loose.

thanks
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borealgirlFemaleCanada2007-09-06 06:00:00
CanadaTN to Greencard
Totally. It is amazing how much time and effort I spent on the TN, and in a job that I was less than satisfied with. Even though I was a professional, you are right. I may just go and gt a job at an outdoor equipment store or something just to change pace while I am in school.

Anyway, I will let you know fi something comes up. Good luck with your Citizenship, Warlord. (Love the name).

Boreal girl.
QUOTE (warlord @ Sep 7 2007, 09:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yeah getting the EAD means all that crappy paper work is done with at least. And now it's nice finally having some freedom and being able to work at the local pet store for part time or getting a new job in a new field that isn't a TN job or doing whatever you want. And most of all, no more having to return to the border to get the stupid next TN or doing the mail-in and waiting and waiting.

If your time line is like mine you shouldn't have long then for the Green Card to come in...



Actually, I am not a TN anymore. I think there are provisions for people who are in the quasi-immigrate state. But of course, when they talk about this, they make no mention of Tn-to-Green Card...only the other types of visas.

QUOTE (zyggy @ Sep 7 2007, 01:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Federal Student loans are only available for PR's and Citizens. TN's need not apply...

As an international student (that's what TN's are considered), you are expected to pay your own way in full... with international tuition costs.

borealgirlFemaleCanada2007-09-11 12:19:00
CanadaTN to Greencard
Thanks Warlord! I am not sure about any questions right now. Just seeing your timeline is helpful enough. I am hoping to get an interview pre-January so that I can at least get student loans next semester. Now that I have an EAD, I at least beathing easier in that I can have more flexibility with who I work for.

QUOTE (warlord @ Sep 6 2007, 08:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Don't know anything about student loans or schooling at all, but I did TN-Citizenship (through Green Card) myself when I got married so I might be able to answer some questions if I can remember the process...

borealgirlFemaleCanada2007-09-07 07:15:00
CanadaTN to Greencard
Thanks for your advice. I did exactly that: filed the FAFSA and spoke with the FA office. They are going to get back to me about wether or not I am now eligible (i.e. an eligible non-citizen). Actually, I was planning on going half-time (totally legal on a TN and you don't have to apply as a foreign student). However, I just got laid off (my TN was in fact a temporarily funded job, but did not expect it to run out this early). So I am jobless with a heavy tuition bill.

As though someone is looking out for me, though, my EAD was approved more than a month earlier than I was expecting it! So I am now in some quasi-adjusted status, and no longer on a TN. However I am also out of a job. Fortunately, I will be ok for a few months.

I did find out that once you have your conditional green card, you can apply for Stafford Loans and get workstudy. However, they are looking into wether or not I am eligible for federal aid as I am. I think that, because I am married and clearly aiming to be here for the long haul, it makes sense to offer loans to me. I do not think, however, that I qualify for any grants, though.

QUOTE (thermophile @ Aug 29 2007, 11:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I don't think that you can get federal student loans or workstudy till you are a PR maybe not till you're a citizen. When you fill out your FASFA it should say somewhere what types of non-citizens can apply for federal aid. Your best bet it to contact your school's financial aid office and talk to someone who deals with foreign studetns.

an aside, how are you keeping your TN if you're going back to school?

borealgirlFemaleCanada2007-09-06 05:55:00
CanadaTN to Greencard
Hi all,

Two things I would like to post about:

1) I am here on a TN and am applying for my green card through marriage, AOS and EAD. I just noted on USCIS' website that my EAD card is being processed. I am starting school part time and am hoping someone may have experience that coupld help me know if there is a way I can get ccess to US student loans - which are substantially heftier than the Candian counterpart, and also open up work-study opportunities to me that could themselves knock down my tuition substatially. Any advice s to my eligibility, timeframes, etc...would be greatly appreciated.

2) Also, if there are other TNers out there, I am hoping we can connect and maybe even form our own little sub group??? I am curious if things go more quickly, or slowly, and what to do once I start working on a work auth #, as opposed to the TN.


Cheers,

Borealgirl
borealgirlFemaleCanada2007-08-29 21:21:00
Canada485 process and procedure?
Hey Bradcanuck. I am on a very similar timelaine as you, so I thought I'd respond. I think that your 765 does not HAVE to be approved for your 485 to go forward, but I am curious if you have gotten a biometrics appointment yet. I received one about 2 weeks following the NOA1 date. If no, I would make an appointment for exactly 90 days following your NOA1 date (no earlier, as I have heard they will turn you away). I think that there you may be able to request your EAD on the spot. Most poeple around our timeline have been getting them, but I think it needs to be preceeded by a biometrics appointment.

Good luck!
QUOTE (bradcanuck @ Sep 12 2007, 06:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have a question, I searched for the answer but couldn't find it.

I sent in a 765 with my 485. In order for my 485 to get approved does my 765 need to get approved? If the 765 is denied is my 485 auto denied?
If my 765 is approved, when does the 485 go into processing?

I am confused I guess on what paths the 485 goes on and what it depends on in order to get approved. IE if my 130 is gold, is the 485 a shoe in? Sorry getting neurotic as every hour passes.

Cheers. kicking.gif

borealgirlFemaleCanada2007-09-13 07:02:00
Canadaclaiming foreign family members on federal US taxes
I always tell people to get an acocuntant. Ours gets us thousands more back a year that than when we do it ourselves.
QUOTE (WAITING_FOR_FAM @ Sep 16 2007, 10:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We're still a long way from tax season, but does anyone know if I can claim my wife and son (both in Canada still and, at this point, CDN citizens only) on my taxes next year. I think I'll be able to do it for my son quite easily as soon as we apply for his dual citizenship and get his SS number, but I'm thinking it will be harder to claim my wife...anyone have any ideas or experience with this?

borealgirlFemaleCanada2007-09-17 09:07:00
CanadaSaw a Poll on TV last night
Well, having grown up in Quebec, language and all the politics related to it is part of my psyche for good or for bad. But I went down to San Antonio once, and the local Spanish speaking population have very similar ties to the area and the history as do French Canadians. They see Texas as really part of Mexico, or at least the people I spoke with did, for it wasn;t too long ago that it really was! The parallels are similar, but thankfully, Canada has grown out of being too afraid of differences and embraced more than one official language. Hoefully more languages will come intot he fold. I am so glad for my bilingual upbringing and feel that it has opened me up to so much experience in the world.

Another point: If we regulate languages, languages will have a hard time changing and evolving.
borealgirlFemaleCanada2007-10-02 23:26:00
CanadaFall COlours have started!
I used to live along Lake Superior, and am a forester. Thanks for the view!!!

BG

QUOTE (jasman0717 @ Oct 2 2007, 08:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My sister told me the aspens are turning color in Colorado, very beautiful good.gif

borealgirlFemaleCanada2007-10-02 23:19:00
CanadaP-H-E-W!
Thanks everyone for the congrats! I have been too busy to think about immigration with the wedding, but am now eager for this to be over. I try talking to non-immigres and they just don;t seem to understand the process. I end up feeling like I am a green card digging foreigner sometimes when I get too excited and start talking about it. Peopel end up saying, "You ARE marrying for love...aren;t you?" Of curse I am, but I am still wanting to live a normal life, too.

Needless to say, the support here is really great. Thank yoU!!
borealgirlFemaleCanada2007-10-10 00:21:00
CanadaP-H-E-W!
QUOTE (bradcanuck @ Oct 3 2007, 11:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Do you remember the exact day in June you sent off for the AOS?

Sorry for the delayed response. We had our second wedding (aka a very big party!) over the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend.

I sent in the AOS on about Jun 18th. It took awhile because I sent it to the wrong office (although it was where USCIS told me to send it!)
borealgirlFemaleCanada2007-10-10 00:18:00
CanadaP-H-E-W!
After obsessively looking online to see if anything was up at CIS since receiving my EAD. Feeling tired of the cycle of logging in a nd being disappointed, I give up not too long ago. Then I finally got a notice in the mail yesterday! AOS interview is set in New York City for late November. Yipee!!!

Any advice anyone? I have basic gist of documents I need, but does anyone have any experience at the Federal Plaza office? Or any good Canadian experiences? Or any other advice from Canadians and/or non-Canadians alike? wink.gif

I have to say, the wait time has not been too bad overall. If all goes well, five months to conditional green card from application!!

Edited by borealgirl, 03 October 2007 - 06:06 AM.

borealgirlFemaleCanada2007-10-03 06:03:00
CanadaLesson Learned and Tips to Share
Hi KeoKeo,

Wow, we were in really similar boats, but I am so sorry for ll the hassles you've gone through. Did you consult a lawyer yet? I hope so. I ended up receiving an RFE for my medical, despite that they told me on the phone not to. I have the following rules of thumb myself:

1) Always consult a lawyer
2) Be obsessive: Make sure you dot every i and cross every t. Act as though you were a lawyer and don;t gloss over a thing. Keep good records and read the fine details. Don;t rely on a lawyer to tell you everything. Find it all out for yourself before consulting the lawyer.
3) don't rely on USCIS for info! They give wrong info all the time!!!!

Really similar to your rules!


But you know, I think you will get your EAD soon. Mine only took 2 weeks after they got my medical, about a month after the biometrics.
borealgirlFemaleCanada2007-10-10 14:31:00
CanadaOptions for going back to Canada
Hi Thermophile,

I was just reading your post, and wanted to ask a question for my clarification. This 6-month visa you talk about...does it allow a spouse to work in Canada? If so that would be great.

I just got my US I-551C and we are talking about a three-year plan. Once I get my citizenship, we are thinking of moving north. I'd like to think about it ahead of time, as the US GC was a minor nightmare of an experience (actually, my prcess was better than most, I think).

Anyway, I am wondering if anyone knows how much lead time I would need. We are both in the education field, and typically we apply for jobs in February, while working at our previous jobs. Can we apply for residency well in advance of moving there? Anyone's own experience would be great.

Thanks!

Borealgirl
borealgirlFemaleCanada2008-01-07 12:20:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionEnd of July filers...biometrics appts
Well, you should definitely call them. I think that it is possible they sent a letter to the wrong place or it got lost. You should have had it by now I am sure. I got my letter two weeks after the NOA date. I know each office is different, but your situation strikes me as particularly odd.
borealgirlFemaleCanada2007-10-02 23:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiling out the forms...
I'd say, put all four names on.
borealgirlFemaleCanada2007-11-29 15:59:00