biggish data

Proof of ongoing relationship

QUOTE (MJhawk @ Oct 14 2009, 02:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I the Canadian citizen is in the United States with my fiance for the next 6 months. I received my NOA1 yesterday. I was wondering when I have to attend my interview in Montreal how do I give proof of an ongoing relationship? we obviously don't e-mail or sned eachother gifts as we live together?
I do have a bank account here and he added me onto his phone plan. I'll have plenty of dated photos. Does anyone have anymore suggestings what I should bring? Thank You

I'd be careful with showing your US bank account info, and your phone plan. Those indicate that you have spent a lengthy amount of time in the US and are essentially living there (which, so long as you don't go over the 6 months, is ok), but might draw negative attention to it. If you have maybe some train tickets, or travel tickets, or hotel receipts, that sort of thing. Showing you've gone places together. Do you ever send ANY emails or phone calls to each other while he's at work or anything? If not you could start, just for the sake of having something to track. lol

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-14 13:44:00

QUOTE (warlord @ Oct 15 2009, 12:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (DeadPoolX @ Oct 14 2009, 07:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wouldn't have immigrated to Canada if I was forced to lose my American citizenship. I'm sure most Canadians wouldn't have immigrated to the U.S. if they had to give up their Canadian citizenship as well.

I know I wouldn't have had a problem immediatly forfeiting my Canadian Citizenship for my US one at the time. Of course it seems I'm in a very large minority in thinking that way...

It could be that you've also been in the US a lot longer than many of the rest of us. I imagine it likely changes your perspective a little bit on what is your 'home' country.

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-15 12:21:00

QUOTE (DeadPoolX @ Oct 14 2009, 08:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (ashenflowers @ Oct 14 2009, 04:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Canadian government even has a cute little pamphlet on dual citizenship.
http://www.voyage.gc...izenship-en.pdf

I picked one up a couple yrs ago when I got my passport.

As a side, you can also become a Canadian citizen without giving up your US citizenship (i.e. the process in reverse). While the US says they don't 'recognize' dual citizenship, they don't make you renounce your citizenship. My fiance and his family did that, as did a couple of my friends.

It all depends on what country you are from, and where you're going to, but between Canada and the US it's fine. Just don't tell the border people that you're dual citizen. It means nothing to them. I figure it'd be easier when you're going into Canada to say you're Canadian, and when you're going into the US say you're American.

Indeed... I definitely am not willing to give up my Canadian citizenship. lol

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-14 21:08:00

Edited by ashenflowers, 14 October 2009 - 06:37 PM.

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-14 18:36:00

I get that one a lot too... my fiancé's parents were shocked that it wasn't that easy actually. lol

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-14 10:45:00

Things you love/look forward to about America

I'm looking forward to the mountains and the ocean.. I live in SW Ontario.... aka pancake land.. lol ok it's not really called pancake land, but it IS freaken stupid-flat...
I'm also looking forward to the culture and celebrities (hahha no really)... Santa Barbara is pretty good for that... Oprah has a house only 15 mins away! LOL

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-08 21:43:00

When we sent our initial petition, we had only seen each other 3 times. We did have boarding passes though, but the other replies have good suggestions already for alternatives

I also just wanted to direct you to this
http://www.visajourn...page=definition
It should help with figuring out what some of the short forms are here... I know they can be confusing

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-02 22:29:00

QUOTE (kaylamarie @ Oct 1 2009, 09:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (ashenflowers @ Oct 1 2009, 09:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It will be more than $2K, since that's about a minimum... but yeah, the good thing is that it's NOT all at once.

And yes, Peterborough is closer than many places. I'd love to have a few hours head start on my drive.

it's so inspiring reading everybody's stories. have you guys been visiting eachother a lot while it's still processing?

My fiancé is out in California, so it's pretty far (as is Oregon). We can't afford to visit each other as often as we would like, due to the time required away from work, and the distance and expense of travel... so we probably won't see each other again until the interview/move. It seems to have worked out that we see each other every 2-4 months though. We take turns. He's dual citizen, which makes it easier in some ways, since he has no worries about getting into Canada or anything. It really sucks though... I hope we can all be with our loved ones soon.

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-01 21:04:00

It will be more than $2K, since that's about a minimum... but yeah, the good thing is that it's NOT all at once.

And yes, Peterborough is closer than many places. I'd love to have a few hours head start on my drive.

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-01 20:53:00

Yes, having to travel all the way to Montreal is a big headache. I too am in Ontario, facing a 7-8 hour drive, which requires a couple of days off work, and big expense.

I have some friends that want to turn it into a road trip as a final hurrah sort of thing though. Maybe you could do that too? Car pool with some friends for a little getaway? Might help with costs.

I second the suggestion for no lawyer. You have found VJ. It's more trustworthy than a lawyer (since we've actually been through the experience), and much much cheaper.

As U&W mentioned, it's very costly to do this process, and very time consuming, with lots of stress and waiting. Keep in mind if you go to visit the US for 5 months, you can NOT work while you are there, so be sure you can afford to do that and to pay for immigration. Costs vary depending on a few things, but expect $2000+.

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-01 17:00:00

Happy Birthday Missa!

woo hoo! Fellow Libra! Happy Birthday!

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-16 11:43:00

Thanksgiving

QUOTE (Varba @ Oct 12 2009, 12:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I still wanna see a real live moose.

oh, come on over, I keep one in my backyard

lol

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-12 14:53:00

affidavit of support

QUOTE (bogartnoir @ Oct 17 2009, 05:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i am disabled, so my dad is our co-sponsor.

i'm helping my dad fill out the form, but i have 2 questions:

1) question # 8- the following people are dependent on me for support.

would that be my mother (wholly), me (partially), and my fiance (partially? wholly?)?

2) question #10- i have submitted a visa petition...on behalf of the following person. would my dad put my fiance's name or not since i am the petitioner?

and finally, a good answer for my dad's "relationship" to my fiance?

thanks again in advance!

I wondered some of the same... cause I mean, technically my fiance did file a petition for me 'previously' if you consider the I129F. lol I'm curious about that answer.

As far as the relationship to your fiancé, I'd maybe put future father-in-law?

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-17 16:11:00

Girls coming from China, then we want to move to Canada

QUOTE (thetreble @ Oct 17 2009, 08:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So let me get this straight...You want your significant other and her children to move from China to Canada, and then go from Canada to the USA? Are you a citizen of both countries?

I think he's wanting to get them from China to the USA, then from USA to Canada.

EotR, check out http://www.roadtocanada.com/ as well. It's like VJ, but for people immigrating to Canada. They may have some insight. I do know some friends of mine immigrating their spouses to Canada, but the spouses were originally from the US, and didn't come from elsewhere first, so I'm not sure what effect that will have. Since you're not a citizen or PR of Canada already (I'm assuming), it might make the process take a little longer for you, since you're all starting from the beginning, and don't have a foothold in Canada right now. The immigration process isn't that easy going into Canada either, and will take a number of years from start to finish I imagine (and by 'finish', I mean to the ultimate end result of citizenship). I don't know how long it will take before you actually are able to move there and live though. If you'd like, I can talk to my fiance about it. Now that I'm talking about this, I'm realizing that about 30 years ago his family actually all began in the US then moved to Canada together, due to his father having a job offer at a university there. I can see what they have to say about it, though I'm sure things have changed since then.

Edited by ashenflowers, 17 October 2009 - 10:24 AM.

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-17 10:21:00

Apartment Leasing

QUOTE (Rhiann @ Oct 16 2009, 10:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Spoom @ Oct 16 2009, 10:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

By the way, I wouldn't mention to your landlord that you were there at all except as a visitor, since that would be a cause for eviction and termination of the lease.

As far as he / she knows, your boss has been the one staying there but wants to assign the lease to you now. (Another reason why you should see the landlord together.)

And that's how they see it as.
As far as they know, she's still living here (part time at least) and that I stay with her time to time, like maybe one day at a time, once a week or something.
I'm sure she knows there's someone here pretty much all the time (since there's power being used at all times), but she doesn't seem to know I'm living here full time.

well... the link does say
"Time limitation

(2) An application under subsection (1) must be made no later than 60 days after the landlord discovers the unauthorized occupancy."

soo... I mean, if the landlord hasn't said anything, does that mean they haven't discovered that you are occupying the place unauthorized? lol

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-16 22:03:00

Apartment Leasing

ooo.. I see... if they've already mentioned that they want her to sign a new lease or move out, then they might not be as lenient as I first thought/hoped. I mean really, all you can do is try talking to the landlord to figure out a situation that works best.

If you are forced to move out, do you know anyone else you can temporarily live with for a month or two?

It seems some other people are giving some good references to actual laws and what not, which may come in handy. I'd suggest reading up on those if you can, and again, just talk it out with the landlord and your boss

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-16 19:34:00

Sorry for the annoying pick-me-up video again, but I needed this one.
I haven't found it on youtube yet (other than the recorded one with a general static image), but hopefully you guys can see this on FB. It's the Glee version of Keep Holding On. I

this show.

http://www.facebook....v=1266428182150

(warning... not sure if this will be interpreted as a pick me up, cause it made me cry! LOL I apologize in advance)

Edited by ashenflowers, 14 October 2009 - 10:27 PM.

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-14 22:24:00

What about this inspirational youtube video??

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-14 18:08:00

QUOTE (Missa @ Oct 14 2009, 10:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

KITTENS FOR EVERYONE!

OMGGGGG I almost cried when I saw this.....

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-14 10:39:00

QUOTE (frenzyheart @ Oct 13 2009, 10:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Part of me is wishing I could get my fiance to move out west so his consulate could be in Vancouver. Are the US consulates in Canada like the Service Centers are here in the States -- where you HAVE to go through the one that's "closest" to you (or, in the States' case, the one your state is assigned to)????

I haven't even gotten NOA2 yet, and I'm already worried that my projected wedding date is going to go up in smoke.

I feel horrible for those that have been waiting longer, too... :/

Yes, you have to go to the consulate that is closest to you. What is your projected wedding date? Mine went up in smoke, as did Danu's.

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-13 21:23:00

That's a good point about noting the expiry on the NOA2.. unfortunately I'd be worried about t hem just saying they will automatically extend it... worth a shot to note it though.

US Ambassador might be a good idea too. Who knows. Let's start a letter-writing campaign! LOL

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-13 18:48:00

QUOTE (Rhiann @ Oct 13 2009, 03:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wonder if my fiance's congressman/senetor is useful at all.
If I dont hear anything by the exact 3 month mark on the day my case was logged, they're getting a nice nasty call from him.
Or whatever he can do, I'll make him go in person if I have to.

*sigh* I wonder if I should tell him to come visit me again, since we probably wont be seeing eachother for a while.

I've been wondering about that too Rhiann... if interviews for us are starting to look like they won't be until Feb/March, then there's no f'ing way I'm waiting that long to see my fiancé. This is STUPID.

I can't write that letter tonight, because I'm too upset about that and some other things going on right now. I was wondering though if anyone would be willing to post their letters? We can feed off each other's ideas maybe. I dunno...

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-13 17:42:00

Thanks for the name trailmix... I'll be drafting a letter of my own as well.

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-13 14:27:00

QUOTE (Carlawarla @ Oct 8 2009, 07:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I feel badly for those of you waiting for your interview date in Montreal. I feel better to know that they're meeting to find out how to resolve this problem. Something is going on if they are having that many staffing problems. Hopefully they will find out how to retain their staff and keep their employees happy. It's always easy to blame "faceless" people that work for the Government. Having worked my entire career with the government, I know that we're always understaffed, and that most people are honored to work for the government, and want to do a good job.

It's always frustrating that the people who really do WANT to do a good job, and want to help people are the ones with their hands tied and can't do anything about it. Being understaffed is not the blame of the people at the front lines who are dealing with us, their direct 'customers' if you want to call it that. But they can't be the ones to do anything to help the problem. I imagine it IS really frustrating for them, however, I still think they probably have a cushy job, especially those in administrative positions, and probably aren't worrying about losing their jobs... but that's just me.

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-08 06:59:00

I don't feel sorry for them at all. I've worked many thankless jobs, for less money than they're making right now, I'm sure. People's LIVES and entire futures are dependent on what they do... if they do a good job I'm sure they get thanked, and it's nice that they remain charming and all... but i really doubt their jobs are all that hard, let's face it. Clearly they're not worried about sticking with 'deadlines', and a fast pace.

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-07 18:56:00

I don't see how any of this 'knowledge' is good news. Just because they 'know' what the problem is, and 'know' HOW to fix it, doesn't mean they WILL fix it. If anything, their little meetings about how to 'deal' with the problem probably were just in handling angry people, and if they should update any wait times, or what to do over the holidays. Am I the only one that has worked for an understaffed company?

Not to mention an understaffed customer service place, be it call centres (with a wait/hold time going on an hour), or in person service. This is not an issue that will be resolved quickly. If anything, they'll just lengthen the waiting time estimates, beyond the current 4-6 months. I'm now setting my sites on a MARCH civil wedding date, instead of Jan/Feb. Call me pessimistic, but this is stupid. lol I wouldn't be surprised if there were budget cuts or something.

IMHO their strategy should be one or all of these:
a) as mentioned, allowing other consulates to shoulder some of the back log
b ) working over time or making their hours go longer into the evening (hahaha!!!! sorry, I just doubt this one alot)
c) hiring A LOT of people to replace this supposed amount that quit all at once

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-07 15:22:00

how DO people get by doing the A.O.S

This makes me wonder if there's a coffee shop somewhere in the world called Espresso Express. I think that'd be awesome.

oh.. here we go http://www.espressoexpress.net/
http://espressoexpre...om/default.aspx
http://www.espressoexpress.com.au/

Darn, I'm obviously late to the party too. No 'express' on this brain train.

Edited by ashenflowers, 18 October 2009 - 12:40 PM.

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-18 12:37:00

how DO people get by doing the A.O.S

QUOTE (Hugglebuggles @ Oct 15 2009, 07:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Krikit @ Oct 15 2009, 05:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I honestly don't understand people who get all bent out of shape about it. I find it interesting when people make judgement calls on others without knowing a thing about either the person or the circumstance.

I totally agree. That's what I was trying to get at in my post and I'm sorry if any of it came off as offensive thetreble. I really do believe there are people who cross with no intention on staying and end up marrying and adjust status due to a number of circumstances. If this was illegal then there wouldn't be a provision in the law allowing it.

For me it was kinda like this... As soon as I read that you could technically cross without the intention of staying, marry and do AOS I couldn't do it. Because if I would have done it after knowing that information, I knew that I would have intended on staying when I crossed. Know what I mean? It was no longer going to be a random act of spontaneity. It would have been a lie and then it would have been illegal.

exactly the same with me. as soon as I found some information, it would've made it a lie because I would've been doing exactly that... crossing with the knowledge that i could stay and marry. In my situation it WOULD have been illegal, and I WOULD have been lying. It wouldn't have just been an innocent visit turned stay.

QUOTE (Marilyn. @ Oct 15 2009, 08:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

now looking back I am glad I was caught... I think we were trying to rush things.. although at the time I knew I wanted to be with David and marry him.. the extra year or so gave us time to get to know each other a little better...

this is true for me as well... I have only been with my fiance for a year.. we'd be rushing it had we married before ('before' would've been 6 months ago). While we were both committed at that point, we weren't ready for 'marriage'. So despite things being crappy in the mean time, it works best for US to take the time to get to know each other and go through this process. That's not to say anything about any one else's situation.

Edited by ashenflowers, 15 October 2009 - 07:46 PM.

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-15 19:46:00

how DO people get by doing the A.O.S

I too wanted to do AOS, but I'm too paranoid. Once I found out what could happen if we were caught (i.e. a ban) I couldn't do it. Also, I'm a horrible liar. lol

I'll admit, it's a bit frustrating because my fiance could've easily moved back here and we could've filed DCF. Been married with our friends and family around, been together the whole time, and had it approved faster! But he had just moved to the US a year prior, and didn't want to have to give it up and move back, even if temporarily... and we didn't want to rush the marriage. SO, I sit here waiting and waiting, and trying not to murder people. lol

QUOTE (Kathryn41 @ Oct 14 2009, 06:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I could never have done it either. I had too many ties to Canada that I needed to tie off before I left - and the ones I didn't tie off, I brought with me. Showing up at the border with 6 cats, a bunch of houseplants with a truck load of belongings to follow would have definitely tipped them off

. We did the K-1 visa and what was extra nice about that - expect for the wait - is that I did get to tie off loose ends at my own pace and make sure everything went smoothly. Hehe, I guess that is why they want proof of ties before they let you across for a visit - it is hard to tie up loose ends from outside of the country.

Speaking of house plants.... you can move those?? I thought you couldn't... I'm a bit sad now, because I left some behind with an old roommate, thinking I wouldn't be able to bring them with me. d'oh! lol

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-14 18:18:00

GOOD LUCK TO JULY09BRIDE TOMORROW!

Congrats July

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-19 20:35:00

Question...

QUOTE (becky07 @ Oct 21 2009, 03:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

According to Montreal....they said in an email on Monday that they will be calling July completion dates for Dec and/or Jan. So the wait period from completion date is now to 5-6 months.

They also told that to some K1s from July though... who now have interviews... so don't lose hope!

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-21 07:05:00

Moving down to US

I'm moving 4000+kms. Haven't decided how though. We're tossing around some ideas. I'm mostly worried about the fact that I have a cat, and that if I move on Dec 30th, we want enough time to get over there and have some time to prep for the wedding if we want it on Jan 10th. I'm lucky enough that my parents might be driving over most of my stuff with me, and the rest could probably fit in carry ons. I dunno though. I often have more than I think I do. I am hoping to not exceed 10-15 medium to large boxes or bins. I'm not taking any furniture.

It all depends on the situation I guess.

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-21 22:10:00

Police Certificate

QUOTE (Ebrech N Persona @ Oct 21 2009, 11:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Where can i find one in Montreal or Laval ??? AN RCMP office that is...

went to local police thats what they gave me

I went to local police as well. Mine I guess is 'sort of' official looking. What does yours actually say? Mine says "does not have a criminal record with the London Police Service" and another part says "does not have a criminal record in the RCMP National Repository for Criminal Records in Canada".

Does yours say anything along those lines?

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-21 22:35:00

Car question

My car lease was up this month and we decided to buy it out at the end. I'm NOT taking the car with me. After I move, my parents are going to be keeping the vehicle, but for a number of reasons, they can't put it in their name. It will remain in my name, and yes there are payments on it, but my parents will be making them after I leave.

Will anyone (i.e. government on either side of the border) care about this? Will it be a concern that I have a vehicle registered in my name in Canada when moving to the U.S.?

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-24 08:07:00

Location Question Regarding Medical

QUOTE (Wyatt's Torch @ Oct 18 2009, 10:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (frenzyheart @ Oct 18 2009, 07:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Wyatt's Torch @ Oct 17 2009, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So I'm a Vancouverite, but because of the fact I'll be having to do my interview at the consulate in Montreal (which I'm still grumbling about...)

Wow, you really lucked out there.

Why do you have to do your interview in Montreal??? (If you don't mind me asking, I mean...)

Tell me about it!

I only learned about this last week. The only consulate in the country that processes IR-1 / CR-1 visas is the Montreal consulate. I was (and still am) baffled by that, given that it's 3000 miles away. Heaven forbid if there's ANY sort of hiccup with the interview...

Nevertheless, it's just a process (a loooong process, though longer for many than for me), and there's truly nothing one can do about it but be patient and hope that one's journey on H.M.S. Immigration doesn't wind up like the S.S. Minnow...

Well, trust me. Waiting for an interview in Montreal is a heck of a lot longer than a 3 hour tour...

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-18 10:03:00

AOS for Canadians

Inky's already given you the basics, and I agree with them.

When you say 'very shortly' what do you mean, in terms of moving and finishing your BA? 2 months, 6 months, etc?
I personally would suggest going the DCF route. I would NOT suggest just moving down there and filing AOS. You have no status to adjust from, as Inky mentioned. I don't know exactly how it would work, since you are already married, but I'm pretty sure it's a form of fraud somehow (someone will correct me if I'm wrong), and could result in a ban. Just a warning.

If you would try to pull the card of stress-induced illness you would definitely need documentation.
I'm sorry about your situation with feeling the need to have your spouse ALWAYS there, otherwise it turns into an issue... but as I said, I personally think would probably be better off both staying in Canada for a little while longer and filing via DCF. I have heard that it is faster than other visas, so you might be looking at 6 months or so. BUT you would be able to stay together in Canada in the mean time, just as you are now.

Someone with more experience can give you more information on that, but here's a start http://www.visajourn...h...om&page=dcf

Edited by ashenflowers, 25 October 2009 - 10:04 PM.

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-25 22:01:00

milk in bags

QUOTE (Hugglebuggles @ Oct 25 2009, 02:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ya know, I never thought milk in the bag was weird or unusual, but now that I've experienced the jug system I prefer it. I would always cut the hole too big and then milk would go all over when I tried to poor too fast. Although there is less trash and less waste, I would agree with that.

We have a milk man here and it blows my mind. I guess my experiences with the jugged milk are a little different because of it. We have it delivered fresh to the house, so no weird crusty stuff at the cap or no strange "buy before" dates are involved. And they take back all the jugs and recycle them, so I don't really feel like I'm producing a lot of trash.

I would LOVE to have a milk man deliver milk in the glass bottles... like this:

I don't know why, but I think that'd be so cool

ashenflowers

Female

Canada

2009-10-25 01:13:00