biggish data

date for interview at Vancouver

QUOTE (dearheart @ Sep 5 2007, 04:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We received Packet 3 today! We are debating when to say we are available to come for the interview. I have left 3 messages with the Dr. in Calgary. He will be doing the medical for my husband on Friday, the 7th. The results will have to be couriered out to us, here in Sask. Do you think allowing two weeks sufficient time to get those medical results. I wish the Dr office would just call back! I was hoping someone had experience here. I am thinking that if we say we are available anytime after Sept 24th would be OK??

Thanks a bunch!

That sounds fine, dearheart. Two weeks is reasonable time for the medical results to get to you.

One of the other VJ'ers just received her interview date for around September 24th, so it's more than likely that you'll get a very late September date or even an early October one.

Edited by Nini & Bee, 05 September 2007 - 06:25 PM.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-05 18:23:00

some news?!.. a whole lot more!!

Congratulations, sapa!

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-05 12:05:00

Wow what a week :)

So happy to hear the good news. It's well deserved!

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-06 15:09:00

Something to make you laugh...

Karen, I am crying with laughter. Thanks for brightening my mood!

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-06 19:49:00

Frustrated.

I have to agree with most of the "old-timers" in this thread that have been refraining from posting recently. I know I can't really consider myself an "old-timer" (you know, "since I haven't gone through AOS yet"

), but I know some of the attitudes that I've seen in this forum have been pretty... I dunno, self-righteous might be a really harsh term for it. I understand that some people have definitely gone around the block a few times in terms of immigration, but I dunno if it's fair to go to the point of belittling others that are only trying to help.

It's sad to think that a support forum has degenerated to the point where a significant amount of people have been hesitant about posting, simply because they don't want to incur the wrath of others that believe they know better or don't agree with the particular wording of it all.

I'm a member of a few other forums and I do agree with bradcanuck that there are idiots everywhere on the internet. But lately it's been incredibly acerbic for a lot of new members, and I think the only reason they keep coming back is because their petition is on the line.

I know I've been guilty of "frustrated posting" lately, and that's been a direct reflection on my current mood lately. I've been trying to stay away from posting altogether or just going somewhere else like the Canada Forum where you guys are more understanding.

Len, I definitely hear you with the staying out of discussions. Sometimes, it's just good to know when to quit - or not start at all with some people, they just like to have the last word.

Edited by Nini & Bee, 07 September 2007 - 01:35 PM.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-07 13:35:00

So I emailed the Vancouver consulate a few days ago and they just got back to me:

"If the passport in which your K1 visa has been endorsed has expired or voided, the valid visa in the old passport still can be used, provided that you also carry a valid passport of the same nationality. Note: If, when canceling your old passport, the passport authority damaged the visa in any way, that visa is no longer valid and cannot be used for travel to the United States."

Now, do I trust them and go about my merry way, or do I suck it up? USCIS's habit of misinformation has got me incredibly paranoid about believing in anything. *sigh*

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-07 15:58:00

Alright I'll chime in here. If you are a Canadian residing in the USA and you can apply for your passport at an office in Canada you MUST:

#1 Drop off the application in person
#2 Pick up the passport in person

Your other option is to wait it out with the mail. As I stated before Canadian Consulates are useless in the USA for passport services. We keep trying to change this. So far no luck. As it would make my life easier and the lives of every Canadian living in the USA easier.

It is only couriered back to Canadians residing in Canada

If you reisde in the USA and are travelling, EXAMPLE: Flying into Canada, vactioning for a week and flying back to the US you qualify for EXPRESS service if you apply in a 'local' aka Passport Office in Canada. It's more money and you have to show your e-ticket, plane ticket, etc as proof that you are travelling.

If you want your old passport back and it is still valid holes will be punched through it or the corners will be cut (pages with valid visas, etc will not be touched. Feel free to point these out to us so we don't wreck them for you) and that passport is returned to you before you leave the office. If your passport is expired we may do nothing at all to it or do the above. If you do not want your passport back we will gladly shred it for you.

Any more questions feel free to pm me. Sorry about the bold but just wanted to highlight somethings

Thanks jynx. I got this info from your PM yesterday, but I'm sure someone else will find this info useful!

For me, I'm just kicking myself sideways that I got into this situation in the first place, but hindsight is 20-20, right? :lol:

I also posted this question in the Working and Traveling forum so maybe I can get more insight into the situation.

Edited by Nini & Bee, 17 August 2007 - 01:42 AM.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-08-17 01:40:00

Yeah. It's pretty annoying being stuck between a rock and a hard place all the time. The US immigration process is kinda like death-by-paper-cuts. Slow and painful for the person going through it but invisible to the average bystander.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-08-16 14:58:00

You may want to ask the AP/valid passport question over in the Working and Travelling forum. The thing is that you do need a valid passport to travel to Canada and back by air don't you?

Oh yeah, definitely.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-08-16 13:25:00

Okay, so I called US CBP at Vancouver International, and got an incredibly unhelpful officer there who told me to renew my passport from the States since there wasn't a chance that I'd be let back in. He also said that AP was a piece of paper and not a stamp, and that AP didn't require a valid passport.

I'll most likely call USCIS tomorrow (over Skype, no less) but I think I need a Keith's right now. -_-

Edited by Nini & Bee, 15 August 2007 - 08:52 PM.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-08-15 20:51:00

Unfortunately any Canadian living in the US requiring passport renewals needs to mail it to Passport Canada in Gatineau, QC. And the closest consulate-general to Bee's house is either in Buffalo NY, or DC, either which take about a three hour drive in either direction.

Depending on whether things at Passport Canada have slowed down, doing it in person is a good option. If I got AP (in my expiring passport) to go back to Vancouver in March and renew my passport in person, would I be able to get back into the US? I presumed that AP was a stamp that they placed in the passport, so wouldn't it be invalidated once I renewed my passport?

This is getting into the realm of complicated. -_-

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-08-15 15:57:00

Most likely Passport Services will want the entire passport intact when I mail it to them for renewal, since it won't be expired by the time I'll send my application out for a new passport. -_-

I guess my dilemma is now making sure that I get a new passport in time for AP, and deciding on the best effective time to get it renewed. Luckily I have a guarantor who can sign the photos for me, but I hate the thought of mailing out for my passport, since I've always been able to do it in person at Sinclair Centre downtown. Would it be safe to say that I should mail it out immediately after I file for AOS then?

Also, I thought the I-94 was a separate card and not actually stickied to a page of the passport, like the K1 visa?

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-08-15 01:59:00

Okay, so here's my dilemma...

My current passport (with the K1 visa in it) expires in July 2008. Because of the mad rush that was started by the new requirements for Western Hemisphere travel, I was really hesitant to get my passport renewed before/during the K1 process. Most likely I'll be looking at renewing my passport from the States once I cross over in January, which might take forever and a day with the mailing system.

Now that AOS, AP and EAD are filed all at once, my question is whether my expiring passport is going to be an issue when it comes time for my AOS appointment (or really, at any other time). I do need AP because I have a wedding in March (which I can say no to if my AP isn't through yet) but also another important family wedding in August, which means that I need to get my passport renewed before then.

Ideally, I would like to cross over, file for AOS/AP/EAD, and start the process to get my passport renewed. I'm hoping that my passport will take roughly six to eight weeks. I'm not sure whether they'll request my old passport (with K1 visa) back - so far I haven't read on the Passport Canada website that I need to mail the office my old passport.

Obviously AOS/AP/EAD will be determined by how long it'll take to get each of those - but my main question is, will it be an issue if I renew my passport during the process? I'm not sure whether the AOS appointment requires the passport with the K1 visa in it or whether AP will require a valid (whether old or new) passport in order to work.

I've read the guides and looked on the VJ search to no avail, so any advice and all info would be incredibly helpful. Thanks

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-08-14 19:25:00

Has a thread in the Canada forum ever been closed before!?

Awhile ago I saw a person being told not to post again simply because he used the key phrase "I believe that..." in a response to someone's question. If we're asking posters to differentiate their responses between opinion and fact with the phrase "I believe that" or "it's my opinion that..." and yet they're getting belittled for doing what they've been asked to do, then how can they feel comfortable posting the next time?

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-07 15:31:00

Second topic for me today...sorry! haha

I definitely wouldn't have gone to the "Canadian Idol" fair either, Amanda!

I think you did just fine applying over the 'net. Let's hope that someone at least takes notice of your application so you can get the chance to wow them in person.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-07 11:58:00

Cat update :P

Oh, gorgeous pictures. Have a good honeymoon

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-06 15:25:00

Advance Parole RIDICULOUS for USC/Canadians

This may sound a little strange to you all, but WHY would you have chosen to do the K3 instead of the K1? In my understanding it takes a lot longer doesn't it?

Longer, maybe, but not substantially. Bee and I actually started this process by filing in a panic since we'd looked at the USCIS Case Progress page and thought "Holy $&*#, 9 months? We better get this process started!" Turns out that, ah, it took much, much, much faster than we thought it would be. *awkward cough*

Combined with both sides suddenly demanding that we have a formal wedding on their respective turfs, monetary concerns, my sister's graduation next year vs. AP, etc. for us it would have been much more feasible if we'd filed K3.

However, I'm eternally grateful for how fast it's been.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-06-08 11:38:00

Advance Parole RIDICULOUS for USC/Canadians

As said in my ealier post, we didn't KNOW about the other options until after we were well into the K-1

In hindsight... I wish I'd gone with a K3 too, for other reasons other than the AP.

But as mrsserendipity reminds me, I'm just happy that I'll get to be with Bee at the end of the road.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-06-08 02:34:00

Advance Parole RIDICULOUS for USC/Canadians

I don't know if I'd find it ridiculous for us USC/Canadian couples. The way I see it, Canada is still a different country from the US, and I don't expect a great deal more than what we have right now. Despite the fact that Canadians do get a waiver for traveling visas and school, immigration is a completely different story.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-06-05 12:25:00

Income tax return

I vaguely remember Bee giving me the photocopy of whatever he had e-filed as proof of income. (I was so stressed out I didn't understand which tax thing he'd given me... yeah

) Somehow the Vancouver consulate accepted that, though we did have the bank and employer letters as well.

Good luck, Tinker!

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-08 13:52:00

YAY! got a job in the U.S.

Congratulations, Delicia!

I don't know if you mentioned it earlier, but what are you going to be doing?

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-08 13:47:00

I got my Visa!

Congratulations on the visa

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-07 22:43:00

On this day last year

Happy anniversary!

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-09 10:40:00

Our interview date is set

The visa should be ready at 2-ish in the afternoon the next day, dearheart. Word of advice: don't line up outside, go bug the security guard at the door and she'll help you bypass the lineup.

I know personally I didn't get a copy of my medical except for the vaccination blanket waiver sheet. Awhile back another VJ'er was able to get a photocopy of her results from the POE, though I never understood why she needed it.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-09 10:45:00

Interview noticeee

Congrats, Amanda!

Now you can wow USCIS with your jazz hands.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-08 14:26:00

INTERVIEW FINISHED

Congrats!

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-05 18:31:00

What's more airtight?

I'd honestly be more worried about the smell...

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-09 23:17:00

QUOTE (misa @ Sep 9 2007, 08:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Re: The games I bought yesterday.

I just quickly installed Evidence: The Last Ritual and it's unlike any adventure game I've ever played. It's interactive in the fact that you are sent "clues" and "correspondence" from people working on the case and the serial killer by email. Very cool!

I haven't started really playing any of them because I'm playing Day of the Tentacle (classic!). Recently finished Myst: Revelations and Gabriel Knight 3 (they need to make a GK4!).

Oh misa, that sounds like a cool game! Will definitely look it up.

I tried playing Uru (which is one of the games from the Myst series) but again, couldn't get into it - I think it was way too hard for someone like me to figure out.

For IR5FORMUMSIE, I also play Bejeweled on popgames which is good for us cracked nuts.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-09 15:01:00

Funny about computer games, I'm an avid gamer with Bee. Right now he's playing Oblivion, I'm playing a Sim-type game called Children of the Nile which has me rather hooked at the moment.

I actually tried playing the Longest Journey awhile back but couldn't quite get into it - maybe when I'm waiting for my EAD I'll pick it up again.

Sims was also a really fun game, I have the original in my games box and I was thinking about re-installing it on my computer again.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-08 23:08:00

QUOTE (MarilynP @ Sep 8 2007, 02:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am not sure if this white gravy you talk about is the same white gravy I grew up on... we called it cream gravy...

my mom melted butter, sometimes with some onions and then added some flour and then added some milk or cream and salt and pepper...

For some reason, that reminded me of the stuffing we make for Thanksgiving.

Oooooo, butterball turkey...

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-08 17:19:00

*puts up the BAN HFCS sign for misa*

I'm usually not a fan of biscuits, but maybe I haven't had good ones. I refuse to have that white gravy stuff, or whatever it's called.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-08 13:54:00

I'm moving to PA in less than two months. Um... I'm excited to grow my own herbs on Bee's deck once I get there (I can't do it here because where I live, the occupants don't like 'em). Stuff like rosemary, basil, lavender, and other things. I'm really excited.

It's freezing over here, but I'm knitting a scarf for the winter and hopefully it'll be done in time for those chilly walks in the snow.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-07 17:51:00

*Medical tomorrow* I so screwed myself!!

QUOTE (liz_legend @ Sep 9 2007, 04:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

=) sure thing!

so I gotta let them take blood even if I have all my vaccine stuff?? =(

I was kinda hoping I wouldn't get poked.......

They have to analyze your blood for the HIV/syphilis test, so unfortunately you need to get poked still for the blood test.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-09 18:52:00

Why are people like this....

I hope things work out, Len. Sorry to hear about your flaky friends.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-10 13:18:00

Canadian Birth Certificates?

The consulate will want to see the long version Frame Certificate, which shows parents and their place of birth on top of the regular stats.

Is your fiance the USC or the Canadian? Usually the non-USC does not need to show the birth certificate until the interview stage.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-10 16:02:00

Are people at Montreal and Vancouver Consulates reading VJ?

Personally, I think they've been told by other interviewees about VJ. The way I see it, the CO could've said something like, "Wow you came prepared!" and the other person could've said something like, "Blah blah I've been on this support forum called VJ".

If the consulate officers did decide to take a peek at the site, I bet they would've turned right around at the OT forum.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-10 13:24:00

Whoohoo case finally updated

Crossing my fingers for you, hun! Good luck!

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-11 20:50:00

We have a POE date!

QUOTE (dearheart @ Sep 4 2007, 01:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was looking at your list and was wondering what a MSP for non-residency is?

BC Medical Services Plan, or the provincial medicare.

I have to let them know that I'm leaving the country, otherwise they'll continue to charge (and fine!) me for my medicare. Luckily enough they cover me for the remainder of the month when I move - Bee told me that I'm only covered under his medical insurance if I'm his wife, so that might mean a very busy first week.

Glad that the list helped, dearheart!

Edited by Nini & Bee, 04 September 2007 - 03:26 AM.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-04 03:25:00

We have a POE date!

Thanks for the well wishes, everyone!

QUOTE (flames9 @ Sep 3 2007, 05:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Congrats!! When it came to recall what to cancel, I took everything out of my wallet, that gave me a good list to start with. I cancelled all my movie rental store subscriptions as well.

I believe I got my BC drivers abstract online! Just went to ICBC webpage and found the info.

As well you should change ur addy with the govt of Canada. One can do that online: http://www.canada.gc...GA/intro_e.html Your signing up for an Epass acct. Has been a few yrs for me since signing up, but i think it asks for an amt on one of ur line #'s on a previous tax yrs return??

congrats

Thanks, flames! The idea about cleaning your wallet sounds really smart, since half my life is in there

I need to head to a DSC in order to get my driver's abstract, but your info paved the way

and I'll definitely look into that site later on for changing my address with the government, I assume it's for taxes as well?

QUOTE (trailmix @ Sep 3 2007, 07:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think I have seen here before where the person got a letter from their car insurance company, just stating that you have been a customer since - whenever, generally they always ask if you have had auto insurance before, so that might be helpful to have too.

When packing don't forget to number the boxes and make a list.

That's also an awesome idea - except that I've never held car insurance, so nix that. But I am OCD enough to make inventoried numbered lists of my boxes!

QUOTE (misa @ Sep 3 2007, 07:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

At the very least, take out the HD and bring that with you and ship the rest. You can also take the cards out and bring it with you as well. You know, ever since I switched to laptop only, I don't think I could ever go back to a desktop!

QUOTE (IR5FORMUMSIE @ Sep 3 2007, 09:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's a great idea. HDs are pretty solid but in moving they can get damaged. Transfer all your important files to your cruzer or whichever flash drive you use and keep it with you. That way you don't need to touch the HD and if you need the files you can use them anywhere.

I'll most likely be throwing my most wanted CDs into one of those jumbo CD wallets. Photos are most important so I'll be burning them onto a few DVDs.

Most likely I'll be going to a few places (UPS, FedEx, etc) to get quotes on how much it'll cost to ship a computer across the continent.

I also considered just... selling my computer and buying a new one in PA, but I've had it for less than a year. I also practically live on my computer, and sharing with Bee is out of the question as he's the same way.

QUOTE (vanee @ Sep 3 2007, 10:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

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.

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.

Ooooh, I hadn't thought of those things, especially the health insurance. And that list is super helpful!

As to Len's question about how I'm going to move, I don't have a car, but I seriously considered renting a tiny U-Haul and driving it cross-country with my items. But, um, driving in November with real snow (not just piddly three-inch Vancouver slush) is probably not a smart idea. My whole life is contained in a single bedroom and I'm not taking any furniture with me, so I'm considering going to UPS or FedEx to ask how much they'll charge for a dozen boxes to be shipped by ground. My mom has also offered to let me keep some of my non-essentials here (I mean, do I really want to bring all my high school yearbooks?!) so that I don't have to do it all in one go - and plus, I'm looking to save a bit of money since I am on a bit of a tight budget.

I'll also be getting quotes from places like United and U-Pack when I can figure out just how much stuff I'm intending to send to PA.

~Nini~

Female

Canada

2007-09-03 22:13:00