ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaPacket 3 Checklist - Montreal
what do you use for evidence of domicile? a photocopy of driver's license? or a utility bill?
canannerFemaleCanada2011-06-24 15:00:00
CanadaPacket 3 Checklist - Montreal

This is the page you need to look at to find out what packet 3 says. http://montreal.usco...immigrant_visa. Go to the Processing of Approved Fiancé(e) Petitions part at the bottom.

I checked off everything that I required for the interview (even medical and letter which I didn't have at the time) and n/a'd those that I didn't need. Didn't get a RFE, so I assume everything was fine.


Great, thanks!

That's exactly what I did as well.


sounds good!
canannerFemaleCanada2011-06-24 14:21:00
CanadaPacket 3 Checklist - Montreal
packet 3 was sent to me on the 20th, so i'm preparing all my forms to send on monday. not waiting for packet 3 since who knows how long it will take.

since it's on the montreal.uconsulate.gov website, i'm going to assume that this checklist http://montreal.usco...a_checklist.pdf is pretty much exactly what i'll be receiving in the mail, correct?

i'm wondering whether i have to check off the things that apply to me, or just leave the form blank and fill out the bottom part, which will show them that i've gathered what's required. if i DO have to check things off, would i leave something like the appointment letter and medical unchecked, since i don't have them yet? or do i check them off to show that i know i will need them?

thanks so much in advance!

Edited by cananner, 24 June 2011 - 12:46 PM.

canannerFemaleCanada2011-06-24 12:45:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWill you become a U.S. Citizen?
EU Visa requirements are driving the decision for us. To visit France this spring, my wife, who has a green card and a Russian passport, had to go to San Francisco to be fingerprinted at the French Consulate. Total cost for two (airline tickets, meals, hotel, and fees): over $900. This is for a single 3-week tourist visa, not anything fancy. As a US citizen, she could have gone to France without a visa. That is pretty much a no-brainer for us. She will apply for US citizenship on the day she becomes eligible.
IrinaNMikeNot TellingRussia2008-02-29 21:29:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionClose call! Biometric apptt in 8 days!
I was stunned today when Irina received a biometric appointment for a date that is only 8 days away. On the appointment slip was a warning that if she fails to show up, her applicaion will be considered 'abandoned'. Irina and I travel a lot, and we have just returned from a two-week vacation. I hate to think what might have happened to us if the appointment notice had arrived two weeks ago.

Since we're at home now, we will have no problem appearing for the appointment, but I am posting this for the benefit of others who are applying for Removal of Conditions and might not realize that they have to watch their mailboxes very carefully. I certainly wasn't expecting such short notice.
IrinaNMikeNot TellingRussia2008-04-08 22:05:00
CanadaUnemployed And Wanting To Visit
I know this is a very odd question(s), but long story short, my contract ended with the firm I was with, and now I'm unemployed. I've been wanting to visit Canada to see some family and friends, so my question is: would I be able to since I'm unemployed? Would they need proof that I would be coming back? And would I just tell them that I'm unemployed when they ask what I do for a living? I've recently received my 10-year green card. Hoping I can go visit!

Any help would be great, to calm my nerves and everything.

Thanks!
supremecomplexFemaleCanada2012-09-14 16:35:00
CanadaMedical Experience at Woking Clinic in Vancouver
QUOTE (Dan and Ali @ Nov 19 2009, 01:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks for posting review smile.gif I'm glad to hear it went so well for you and you had such a great experience!


Thanks so much! smile.gif

supremecomplexFemaleCanada2009-11-19 23:52:00
CanadaMedical Experience at Woking Clinic in Vancouver
QUOTE (Malrothien @ Nov 18 2009, 05:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thank you for the review!

Quick question - how much was the medical at Woking?


Your welcome!

The medical was $350, and they only accept money orders. smile.gif

QUOTE (minnew @ Nov 18 2009, 05:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Great review!!! The staff @ woking were wonderful to me as well in may when I was there.

I see that your interview is tomorrow!!! Good luck!!! You will do great!!

Mal- Unless they changed it since may the medical is $350


Thanks so much! I hope so! smile.gif smile.gif smile.gif smile.gif
supremecomplexFemaleCanada2009-11-18 18:28:00
CanadaMedical Experience at Woking Clinic in Vancouver
Hello, folks! I thought I would share my personal experience going through Woking Medical Clinic in Vancouver since I just finished it today!

Before I start, I have to say that the staff at Woking are SO SWEET. They are some of the nicest people. When I had questions and other things in regards to my application and etc., they e-mailed back within 1-2 days. Although they are extremely busy, they'll get back to you. Don't hesitate to ask them questions - they always check their e-mails.

Anyways, to my medical! I stayed at The Century Plaza hotel -- it's right across the street from The Sheraton Wall Center, and about $100 less if you go through Expedia.ca (my total cost for four nights only cost me $275). It's about a good three minute walk to the clinic. Since I had a chance to scope out the Woking Medical Clinic the night before, I knew that I had to walk all the way up through the sliding doors, and make my way on the elevator to the second floor.

I got to the clinic at about five minutes to six -- even though the appointment was scheduled at 6:30am, I knew I should be there early so I could be the first few in line. ( Word of advice: GET THERE EARLY. You do not want to be waiting long, especially since the line gets long fast!) When I got to the clinic, there were already two lovely ladies (another one from Winnipeg!) and a guy ahead of me. I was happy to be the fourth! The lady who works at Woking came in and let everyone know that we would all be in order in which we arrived. We made our way up to the second floor, and everyone was cooperative and stayed in their order, making sure to grab my number (4!) It was a packed place, with more than 20+ people waiting to get medicals done. We were told to wait until 6:30am, which we did, and then were asked to fill out two groups of papers -- one was just a single paper that states that we consented to this medical through the US government and that you just have to re-write a sentence and sign your name, and another group of about three papers. The group of three papers only requires you to fill out the first page, with a whole bunch of yes/no answers, and then signing the back of the paper. Fill this out AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, and then hand it back to the person at the desk. When I handed mine in (I was one of the first), she told me to head straight through three sets of doors, and turn right. There, I was greeted by another waiting room, where I waited (for about five minutes) for someone to call numbers. They called us up, four at a time. Us four all sat in different chairs, and there were two techs that would take blood. When the tech came to me, she drew two vials of blood, and then I was done. Off to wait into the main waiting room for my x-ray.

Five minutes later, they called us, this time in groups of six, and I was told to undress only the top, including taking off necklaces, and then put in a pinkish gown and waited in another line. The x-ray tech (who was this sweet Filipino man) just told me to stand in front of the x-ray machine, and then have my elbows on my hips and move a little forward. One snap, and I was all done. I dressed up, and then headed back into the main waiting room.

Then, I waited another five minutes, before the receptionist called me up. I put my number down on the desk, and headed to the room where they would give me my physical. She gave me my passport & vaccination sheet, etc, and then left the room. I put it away, and then I undressed all the way, as required (you get to leave your actual underwear on, but not your bra -- if you're a woman) and put a white sheet over me until the doctor came. About five minutes later, she came by. She was a cute little older woman with glasses (her name escapes me now) and she was totally sweet, asking about my fiance, what I do for a living, etc. I checked off that I was hospitalized (only because I went to the hospital after eating a nut), so she asked me about that. Then, she checked my ears and throat, along with my lymph nodes and arms. She took my blood pressure, and realized it was high because I was nervous (I really was!) so she would take it again later on. She checked my breathing in the front, and then checked it again in the back. Then, I had to lay down and she did a check on my breasts, along with my stomach. She then took my blood pressure again (normal, because I was not nervous anymore). After that, she made me walk from one end to the other end of the room, to make sure my walk & knees were okay... and then I was done! I dressed, and then the nurse took me into a mini-room beside the receptionist desk, and recorded my weight along with my height. I had a quick eye check (to make sure that my eyes were working well as I was wearing my glasses), then gave my money and I was all done! It was pretty painless, and I was happily back at my hotel for a nap at 8:00am.

I went back at about 1:50pm. They were already calling people who had some problems with their medical/vaccinations. At about 2:10pm, they started calling everyone, and I finally got mine near the end (I'm guessing because I was one of the first people). I received an envelope not to be opened and just to be given to the Consulate (I'm guessing it was that second paper with the three pages that I filled out), along with my x-ray which I get to keep. SO GLAD that everything went well, and that all I have to do now is get my interview done and approved tomorrow afternoon! Wish me luck!

If you have any questions about the medical, please let me know, and I can try and help you out (the same way this forum has for me! biggrin.gif )


supremecomplexFemaleCanada2009-11-18 17:57:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionHelp. Moving to a new city!

If you don't have any cases pending right now (seems like you don't) then you don't notify your local offices.

You fill out the AR-11 and send to London, KY.

If your spouse is your sponsor, your spouse fills out the I-865 and sends it to the Service Center with jurisdiction over your new address. (Same thing if your other sponsors, if you have them, move.)


During my GC process which I applied through my wife (who is the American citizen), I used my income to sponsor myself along with my wifes income.

Does that mean that I should do the following:
- Fill AR-11 for myself
- Fill I-865 for myself
- Have my wife fill I-865 for her

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks
bucks.ruleMaleIndia2006-02-20 09:57:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionHelp. Moving to a new city!
Hi All,

I am moving from Columbus OH to Portland OR. I got my conditional green card in July 2005 and will have to file for removal of conditions 2 years after that.

Who should I inform that I am moving? I know that I have to fill the AR-11 form. Do I have to inform the USCIS offices in Columbus and Portland too.

Any help will be appreciated.

thanks

Go Bucks
bucks.ruleMaleIndia2006-02-13 22:30:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionDoes this mean I got approved?

Congrats!!!

I guess California must be working much faster than Nebraska. I applied in September, and have heard NOTHING!!!!


Hi There,

I too will be in a similar situation in a few months and I was just wondering about how not getting the permanent card in 3 months affects your work status.

For e.g. in your case it seems that your conditional green card would have expired in Dec. 2006. Since you have not yet got your permanent green card does that mean you cannot work till you get it? Do you get a temporary work permit while you are waiting?

Waiting anxiously for your reply or anybody elses reply.

Go Bucks
bucks.ruleMaleIndia2007-02-11 12:36:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionEmployment Authorization Status while waiting for Permanent Green Card

Once you file the I-751 you will receive a NOA extending your Conditional Greencard for 1 Year.... this is all you need to show you are allowed at work and travel....

Good luck

Kez



Kez,

Thanks for the quick reply. I just read the same thing after doing a little more research. I had not done any research after getting my green card and have just started looking at things I would need to do.

Regards,

Go Bucks
bucks.ruleMaleIndia2007-02-11 12:55:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionEmployment Authorization Status while waiting for Permanent Green Card
Hi All,

This may be a silly question but please humor me :-).

I will be applying for removal of conditions on my conditional green card in march 2007 since by permanent green card expires in June. I have heard that getting the permanent green card may take anywhere between a few months to a year or so. I would like to know how that affects my employment authorization status during that period since my work permit would expire at the same time as the conditional green card.

Any information would be appreciated.

Regards,

Go Bucks
bucks.ruleMaleIndia2007-02-11 12:48:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionwho got e-mail update at 4-01-08 ( about transfer file the office and CSC )
My letter had the exact same wording. I hope it means that the case was appoved :-) but I am not counting on it.

Good luck.

QUOTE (Illinois @ Apr 13 2008, 04:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
UserName.............Date of I-751........Date on NOA.......Biometrics.........Approved.....RFE, Service Request, etc
Onur.....................06/26/06...............03/15/07...............04/15/06............................I -551 stapm for 6 monts
coloradogirl...........12/27/06...............01/04/07...............01/30/07..........................I-551 stamp in 7/07 for 12months
Ruairi...................01/--/07.................01/25/07...............02/23/07.......04/08/2007 ...I-551 stamp(12 mths), congressman
winterpassing........02/06/07...............02/12/07................03/09/07.......04/11/08.......I-551 stamp (12 months)
Illinois..................02/21/07................02/23/07................04/18/07............................I-551 stamp (12 mo), congressman, senator; transfer 3/27/2008
Tammi.................02/21/07................03/23/07................04/05/07...............................
Bucks.rule............04/15/07................04/23/07................05/29/07...............................
Goldy99...............04/25/07.................05/02/07...............06/05/07..............................
nfytoknow............05/03/07.................05/15/07...............05/31/07..............................
debeselizz............05/24/07.................05/26/07...............06/21/07..............................

I posted this on the other NSC thread too.

Letter in the mail on April 12, 2008, that the application was transferred to CA service center! Notice date was March 27, 2008.

E-mail notice saying it was transferred was received on April 01, 2008 (wthout saying where to). Was touched again April 2. At least the letter offers a location.

Here's the catch: On the letter, under case type it says "CRI89 Approved removal of conditions (I89)."

Do the other letters received regarding the transfer say the same? Does the "Approved" part really mean anything? Please share.

Thanks!
p.s. Online status is still "Current Status: This case is now pending at the office to which it was transferred."

bucks.ruleMaleIndia2008-04-13 19:04:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionwho got e-mail update at 4-01-08 ( about transfer file the office and CSC )
UserName.............Date of I-751........Date on NOA.......Biometrics.........Approved.....RFE, Service Request, etc
Onur.....................06/26/06...............03/15/07...............04/15/06............................I -551 stapm for 6 monts
coloradogirl...........12/27/06...............01/04/07...............01/30/07..........................I-551 stamp in 7/07 for 12months
Ruairi...................01/--/07.................01/25/07...............02/23/07.......04/08/2007 ...I-551 stamp(12 mths), congressman
winterpassing........02/06/07...............02/12/07................03/09/07.......04/11/08.......I-551 stamp (12 months)
Tammi.................02/21/07................03/23/07................04/05/07...............................
Bucks.rule............04/15/07................04/23/07................05/29/07...............................
Goldy99...............04/25/07.................05/02/07...............06/05/07..............................
nfytoknow............05/03/07.................05/15/07...............05/31/07..............................
debeselizz............05/24/07.................05/26/07...............06/21/07..............................

Added my timeline.
bucks.ruleMaleIndia2008-04-13 14:44:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionPermanent Green Card Approved :-)
Hi All,

I just got an email:

On May 7, 2008, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you.

It took just 5 weeks after transfering from Nebraska.

Good luck to everyone waiting for their approval. California center is doing a great job.

Go Buckeyes.
bucks.ruleMaleIndia2008-05-07 16:00:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionFinally received Permanent Resident Card
Hi All,

After a long wait (13 months) I finally received my Permanent Green Card. It took exactly 5 days after the email from CSC saying that my card was ordered for me to get it.

Good luck to everyone waiting for their cards.

Go Buckeyes
bucks.ruleMaleIndia2008-05-12 22:23:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAnyone from Portland Oregon
Anyone in this form who has filed for their removal of conditions from Portland Oregon field office and would like to share their experience with me. I'll appreciate that.
pure8heartMale02009-01-01 16:13:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAny I-751 from portland
Come on guys, no one from Portland Oregon in such a big forum. You are really killing me.
pure8heartMale02009-01-03 02:11:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionNEW RULES TO DEAL WITH i-751
QUOTE (AntandD @ Jan 1 2009, 04:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi Pure8heart,

The original source of this memo (apparently the OP didn't post the link to it), is what I found here, apparently from an immigration lawyer website, and does not exist from the USCIS website itself) of this outdated 1997 memo, "INS Announces New Rules To Deal With....":
http://www.visalaw.com/97nov/
http://www.visalaw.c...nov/8nov97.html

Hope this helps too. Good luck on your immigration journey

Ant (Still waiting at the VSC, Still waiting for Baby...)


QUOTE (pure8heart @ Jan 1 2009, 04:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi donga, I was wondering where on uscis website I can find the information you quoted in your blog. That's almost 1 year since I filed I-751, and now I am getting frustrated with the wait, and wanted to see if can request for an expedited interview. I' ll really appreciate your response.



Thanks a lot for your reply AntandD. I saw that link. You are right it's outdated, gave me a hope for a moment though. I filed at CSC 10 months ago and done with biometrics after that there is no activity on my case. I visit every month local field office, but they are no help either.

Edited by pure8heart, 01 January 2009 - 06:29 PM.

pure8heartMale02009-01-01 18:28:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionNEW RULES TO DEAL WITH i-751
QUOTE (dongaa @ Jan 1 2009, 04:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
INS ANNOUNCES NEW RULES TO DEAL WITH SLOWER PROCESSING OF PETITIONS TO REMOVE CONDITIONAL RESIDENCE STATUS IN MARRIAGE CASES

The Immigration and Naturalization Service has issued a memorandum addressing the ever-increasing processing times for I-751 cases. These are cases filed by persons who gain conditional permanent residency by marrying American citizens. Those persons are issued green cards with two year expiration dates. In order to convert the two year status to unconditional permanent residency status, the alien must file the Form I-751 Petition to Remove Conditional Residence Status within 90 days of the two year anniversary of receiving conditional permanent residency. Current INS policy requires these cases to be decided within six months of applying. However, the INS blames an increase in the receipt of N-400 naturalization applications and I-485 adjustment of status petitions for a significant slowdowns in I-751 processing that are making the six month test impossible to meet. To address the slowdown, the INS is now informing applicants that the processing time on these cases is now one year. If the case is not decided within a year, each case must be expedited for interview and adjudication within five working days of the date an applicant requests an extension of the validity of their green card or the applicant requests an interview. Applicants will receive notification that there temporary green cards are extended for an additional year during which employment and travel are authorized. For those applicants with cases pending for more than six months already, interviews will be expedited to five working days if they request an extension of the validity of their green card or they request an interview.


Hi donga, I was wondering where on uscis website I can find the information you quoted in your blog. That's almost 1 year since I filed I-751, and now I am getting frustrated with the wait, and wanted to see if can request for an expedited interview. I' ll really appreciate your response.

Edited by pure8heart, 01 January 2009 - 04:04 PM.

pure8heartMale02009-01-01 16:01:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOur approval letter sent, but...we never received it!
QUOTE (dasha @ Jan 3 2009, 12:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi everyone...and happy new year :-)

OK, so we sent in the petition to remove the conditions on my husband's green card in February last year...he did his biometrics on March 28...and then we settled in for the supposedly very long wait to hear something.

As of today we still hadn't heard anything, and he's planning to go out of the country pretty soon for a couple of months, so I decided to check on the petition status since his letter that allows him to travel/work while waiting for the conditions to be lifted would expire while he's out of the country.

I finally located the USCIS's page to check the application status, put in his number, and this is what came back:

"On July 21, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this CRI89 PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS OF PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS RECEIVED. Please follow any instructions on the notice."

But we never received any such notice. (Believe me, we definitely would not have overlooked this particular piece of mail!)

So now, I'm confused...does the message about the petition status mean that we're not being required to have another interview and they've just outright approved the lifting of the conditions? (Since we never received the notice, we don't know what was included in it, of course.)

If that's what it means, then would the new green card have been included in the envelope with the notice (that we didn't receive)? If not, shouldn't it have been sent by now?

If an interview was required, the notice wouldn't have said that they had approved the petition, right?

I assume I should/can call the USCIS customer service number to verify the status and tell them we never received the notice...but am just wondering if anyone has any thoughts/insights/info on our situation in the meanwhile. My biggest worry is that there's going to be some sort of problem with my husband's status since it's been over 5 months since they supposedly sent the notice and we haven't "followed the instructions" on it...especially since we haven't received the new green card yet (though maybe that was also lost in the mail?).

Thanks for any response...

Deb

It has something to do with language. Doesn't mean that your application was approved and card was ordered. Perhaps this excerpt clarifies it better then me. Link is
http://www.uscis.gov...i751_060508.pdf
pure8heartMale02009-01-03 01:40:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionInterview date scheduled with some "questionable" requirements
QUOTE (Poetry @ Jan 11 2009, 10:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi Everyone! I finally received a notice in the mail from USCIS (Milwaukee Office) for my interview appointment. They even misspelled my name on the letter but its not a big deal. The only thing that really concerned me is one of these requirements that I have to bring on the interview.

This is just an excerpt from the letter (lists of requirements to bring with me)

"This notice, your spouse, your passport, your alien card, and "2 RECENT PHOTO" (specifications may be obtained from website)... and some evidence to prove the marriage etc...

Are they refering to a photo of my husband and I together, if so they should not limit it into two right? Or are they refering to a photo with specific size like a passport? I was browsing their website all day but I could not find the specification of this photo. And besides photo with specific size is not even included on the list of the requirements in filing I-751. Was it a mistake? Does anyone has any idea about it, or can anyone provide me the link of the website where I can find the specs?

My interview is scheduled next month, any idea or suggestion will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again for all the replies. This forum is such a blessing to each and everyone of us.

Thanks everyone. God bless


USCIS needs your pictures in order to process your application in case your application to remove conditions is approved. you can find the photo specs from the ling below:
http://www.uscis.gov...ments/M-603.pdf
pure8heartMale02009-01-11 21:51:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionDivorce After Filling I-751
QUOTE (schularbeit07 @ Jan 16 2009, 03:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We never got separated we just got the divorced. Yes we do have a way to get letters with no problem.


You need to a new I-751 application selecting option "d" in part 2. Follow the link:
http://www.immigration.com/newsletter1/nscondivorce.pdf
If you don't file again and you are approved without an interview, you might face problems when applying for citizenship.
pure8heartMale02009-01-18 23:47:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI--751 marriage fraud interview
I was at uscis for the removal of conditions interview with my wife. we were interviewed separately and told that there were some discrepancies in our interview and we were asked for few other documents to establish that the marriage is not a fraud. I sent the every asked thing after 3 days. does anyone in this forum know how long will it take to make a decision on our case.
pure8heartMale02009-03-17 23:25:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionSenator or Congressman about I-751 application?
Who can help me better, Senator or Congressman about I-751 application?

Edited by pure8heart, 20 March 2009 - 03:07 PM.

pure8heartMale02009-03-20 15:06:00
CanadaYour best cleaning tip!
QUOTE (trailmix @ Jul 7 2009, 05:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So I saw an ad on TV for the new Pledge fabric sweeper for pet hair. Our cat is not actually allowed to be on the sofa, however that doesn't stop her from sneaking up there periodically.

Anyway, we got one of these things and surprisingly it actually does work!



My mom got us one of these for cat hair and I thought it was a gimmick, but it actually works very well on couches and other surfaces.

However, I don't like that it is disposable. We go through one every couple of months.

Edited by Ed+Cindy, 09 July 2009 - 03:37 PM.

Ed+CindyMaleNew Zealand2009-07-09 15:33:00
CanadaQuestion about final interview in Montreal
Hi!

Is the Visa interview in Montreal with both parties, petitioner and beneficiary? I was reading some of the consulate reviews and couldn't tell if it both parties were being interviewed or not...thanks!
TSC BlackholeFemaleCanada2010-09-06 17:47:00
CanadaDifficult Situation, need some advice
Thank you both for your very good advice. It is true, we have waited a VERY long time for the US visa petition and should just let it run its course. We have been together for a very long time and this traveling back and forth is very hard on us. I'm hoping my outlook on the situation improves this week.

Thanks again!
TSC BlackholeFemaleCanada2011-02-28 03:08:00
CanadaDifficult Situation, need some advice
Hi! Looking for some advice on my specific and confusing situation. I lived in Vancouver, BC from 2003-2009 with my husband on a student visa/post graduate work permit. I moved back to the US at the end of 2009 because I was currently in a dead-end job and was offered a good job with room for advancement. I left under the assumption my husband would eventually immigrate to the USA. At that time he was an unemployed recent college graduate. Fast-forward to now, he is still unemployed but has a few hopeful offers in the works.

We have been doing this back and forth thing for over a year, maintaining separate residences, bills and travel expenses, and it's all getting very expensive, and neither one of us can afford it. Our I-130 took over 7 months to leave USCIS and we are now at the NVC stage and I am not sure what to do. He has some leads for jobs that are panning out in his home town. The problem with where i live is that there isn't a whole lot of industry available to him, and the unemployment rate is the highest in the country. I am starting to believe that he would have a better chance for advancing his career if he were to stay in his hometown. I don't really like the city I live in, but I LOVE my job and would be sad to ever leave it. I also know that the opportunities for me in his city are not very good. I still have until August 2011 on my post-graduate work permit in Canada. But I have a lot of debt built up and I need to make a certain amount of money every month to stay afloat.

Theoretically if I were to move back to canada on my post-graduate work permit, would I be able to adjust my status? If anyone has any advice on what my options are, or what they would do if they were in my situation I would love to hear it. My husband and I are at our wit's end and this whole situation is making the both of us very sad. We are pushing 30 and just want to be settled. Thank you!
TSC BlackholeFemaleCanada2011-02-27 17:42:00
CanadaQuestion about going back/forth after visa issued
Good to know other people are in a fairly similar situation. Too bad that we're a 6 hour drive apart and a daily commute isn't possible :(
TSC BlackholeFemaleCanada2011-03-04 16:37:00
CanadaQuestion about going back/forth after visa issued

Green-card is for residing, living and working in the USA, it is not a permanent border crossing card.

http://www.uscis.gov...000082ca60aRCRD[/list]Yes you can claim your residence is south of the border, however spending 5 days over, and 2 days in the states looks like being on average outside the USA more than 50% of the time, the POE can start to suspect something when they swipe the card many times over the course of a month.


Hey, I just read up on that USCIS link. I seems like my hubby would still be labeled as a Permanent Resident of the USA if he filed taxes and wasn't away for more than a year. I've included the text below from USCIS. Maybe I'm not being very realistic :whistle:




You may be found to have abandoned your permanent resident status if you:

Move to another country intending to live there permanently
Remain outside of the United States for more than 1 year without obtaining a reentry permit or returning resident visa. However, in determining whether your status has been abandoned, any length of absence from the United States may be considered, even if less than 1 year
Remain outside of the United States for more than 2 years after issuance of a reentry permit without obtaining a returning resident visa. However, in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the United States may be considered, even if less than 1 year
Fail to file income tax returns while living outside of the United States for any period
Declare yourself a “nonimmigrant” on your tax returns
TSC BlackholeFemaleCanada2011-03-04 16:12:00
CanadaQuestion about going back/forth after visa issued
Thanks for the many good suggestions. I do think the best thing to do is hold off on finishing our petition. I just paid the IV fee yesterday, and haven't sent in my DS-260 yet. Can I get to the point where the case is closed, and then schedule my interview for up to a year later?

THanks!
TSC BlackholeFemaleCanada2011-03-04 16:03:00
CanadaQuestion about going back/forth after visa issued
Hi,

Hubby and I applied for our I-130 a LONG time ago and were involved in the TSC fiasco. Because it took so long, my unemployed husband finally has a good job in Canada. I know once we get our visa we have six months to activate it, but the problem is, he wants to work that Canadian job for at least a year because it's really good experience. If this whole TSC thing hadn't happened this would NOT be an issue. He just got his job, and I think our interview will be in 3 months, so we'd have to keep doing the back and forth thing for another 9 months.

Would it be an issue if hubby made his POE and then went back to canada in a week, but his main living address was still in the USA? He would come down on the weekends but work in Canada. This way he is a working member of society and contributing. Because if he moves to the city I live in, the unemployment rate is the highest in the country, and he will most likely not find a job for a very long time.

Is there someway we can make this work? Stupid TSC.

Thanks!!!
TSC BlackholeFemaleCanada2011-03-04 12:54:00
CanadaJuly 2011 Interviews - Montreal
I'm July 11th too!
TSC BlackholeFemaleCanada2011-07-06 09:02:00
CanadaCEGEP/Canadian community college degrees

I'm actually going through this right now to get my Virginia Teaching License. I have to get ALL my reports cards, my license, my diplomas (from CEGEP and univeristy) translated. Not fun and quite expensive.
And then, I have to go through a company that will check my credentials and transfer what can be transfered. Again, not fun and quite expensive.
If you have the time right now, get your stuff translated if it's not in English, and you can also contact a company that does this credentials transfer thing for your line of work BEFORE you move.
I wish I had!


sounds like a good idea to get it done early. thanks for telling me! sucks that everything has to cost so much. c'est la vie, i guess...
canannerFemaleCanada2011-02-18 13:42:00
CanadaCEGEP/Canadian community college degrees

You need to have all your school stuff checked by a company that translates all the credits and classes to american stuff. Then you can see what your schooling actually converts as.

Associates degree... probably is not going to help much. I have one and it took me over a year to find a job, couldn't even get fast food jobs or retail jobs with it.
I finally found something in my field of work which is the only way my degree worked for me.

Most places look for Bachelors but even then people with bachelors are making tacos at taco bell. IF they can even get one of thos jobs.


yeah, times are hard right now. good to hear you got a job! and thanks for the info!

A 3 year DEC would usually translate as a 96 credit Associate's degree.(quite better than most community college degree). I dunno exactly how much for 2 years DEC... Now, how it would be used toward your Bachelor's degree depends on which University or college you are planning to attend. I would strongly recommand that you call the school and ask how many credits exactly they intend to transfer,(they will ask for a transcript and probably order it from your CEGEP but a FAX copy of your final grade report should do too...) and consider the info when choosing a school to attend. Make sure you have a writen proof of what they told you before you enroll, as they tend to make people believe that there won't be any problem (BS) and school here is MUCH MUCH more expensive than in Canada(been there done that), espacially for international student.

Hope it helps

P.S. Actually if you ever list your DEC on a resume for a job in the US, you should probably list it as an Associate's Degree.


thanks so much!
canannerFemaleCanada2011-02-18 13:40:00
CanadaCEGEP/Canadian community college degrees
I am a Canadian who will most likely end up in the States. Right now my highest degree is a DEC (basically a community college degree, for anyone outside Quebec) in Liberal Arts. I am considering getting another college degree, possibly in another province. From what I understand, they are roughly the same as an associate's degree from a US community college.

Does anyone know if/how the US recognizes these types of degrees?
Job-wise, would an employer be likely to choose someone with an associate's over my what-is-this-thing-you-call-cegep degree?
And schoolwise, would my having a Canadian community college degree decrease the number of years needed to complete a bachelor's at an American university?
canannerFemaleCanada2011-02-15 19:02:00
CanadaGot my INTERVIEW!!
Wow, congrats! And such a reminder to all of us to ALWAYS MAKE COPIES!
canannerFemaleCanada2011-05-09 23:44:00