Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Canada	Passport renewal + AOS in progress	Does your passport have your I-94 in it? When I had my AOS interview they wanted the I-94 back. Also, the IO crossed out the K-1 visa and wrote AOS through it. So in my experience, having the passport was necessary. Did you receive any notices indicating where your file is? If it was transferred to CSC you probably wont have an interview. Otherwise, you probably will. You can get a good idea by studying AOS time lines for your local office as well. Some offices rarely have AOS interviews, others almost always do. For example, my local office is Denver and it seems like everyone ends up with an interview. If you think you'll get one, I would make sure I had my passport. Passport Canada will give your old passport back if you request it. There is a check box on the application. They gave mine back last time I renewed. Are they seriously raising the fee to $260?! I haven't looked into it--but I think 1 has an option of a 5 yr or 10 yr Cdn Passport.....And I think it costs a lot more to get it mailed out of Canada. Someone had posted a link a few weeks back of the new rates	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-12-29 20:40:00
Canada	Passport renewal + AOS in progress	Hey all, I'm in the process of waiting for my GC (via K1 and filing for AOS). I got my EAD combo card recently. Now that I can get outta this country, I would like to finally go on our honeymoon cruise before the summer before I start working. But, my passport is close to expiring, June 2013 - luckily before the passport fee hikes up to $260 this July. We haven't booked anything yet, and not sure to get the passport now or after our trip. With no word from my GC progress, if I sent off my passport for renewal and I got called in for my GC interview... would that be a problem if I was lacking my original passport with my visa stamp? or lacking a passport entirely? If I filed for a new passport now, would they 100% return my old one if I asked? No help for ur passport--but great site for cruises is cruisecritic.com (CC) awesome site for reviews from every day people! Even find info on the ports. As well can find people from ur actual cruise on the ROLL CALL forum. We have used http://www.cruisecompete.com/ to do our past cruises! Prices are usually the same, but some offer more onboard credit (OBC) Were doing a Med cruise this May. Highly recommend CC forums--so much info.	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-12-29 12:00:00
Canada	Am I in trouble? (Passport question)	Another option---phone the POE (google it)where u plan to cross--and see what they have to say	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2013-01-01 11:45:00
Canada	Am I in trouble? (Passport question)	They're violating federal law by entering the US without a US passport. They also don't have to let them back in. They changed that law. Too many people would just avail themselves of that loophole otherwise. I'm not really sure how it's hard to get a US passport in Canada though. They have the documents they need, it should be easy. My guess is the OP didn't do much research into this and now into Panic mode. Not hard to find info now a days with the internet. I know its not that hard here in Nicaragua to get an appt. Back in 2004 I walked into the Toronto consulate and spoke with someone with no problems at all. Does one even need to see the consulate to get a passport for this? If you have the original Citizenship cert....Best of luck	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-12-31 17:11:00
Canada	Am I in trouble? (Passport question)	You need a passport, plain and simple. And as a USA citizen, hopefully you have been filing income tax with Uncle Sam.	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-12-31 15:56:00
Canada	Speeding up the process- possible?	Thanks! Anything that can be done to make up for lost time waiting on the VSC will help us for sure. Does anyone know if an immigration lawyer can e-file for you? A lawyer can NOT make things faster--usually slow things down. The best thing YOU can do is read the GUIDES on the correct forum and ensure you know how the process goes and ensure you have all the required paperwork and required documents (Long form birth cert, divorce records, etc etc etc) have seen quite a few people on VJ that joined years ago, then when it comes time to the Interview they are missing documents, etc etc WHY--because they never took a few hrs and did a bit of research. No 1 cares more about ur case than YOU. Welcome to VJ, its a great FREE source of info and one can ask all the questions they want......but keep in mind its a very good chance it has already been asked, so do try the search feature, yes its not the greatest, so one does have to play around with the wording. VJ does tend to be a bit quiet on weekends and holidays. Best of luck	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-12-30 17:39:00
Canada	Had a GC a Few Years Ago - Reapplying - Questions	Thanks a million for replying Tony. Way back when we did the first one in 2005/6 the sample cover letter posted had the ORIGINAL SUBMISSION thing but frankly I like your terminology better for this situation. I don't know why but I am very nervous about it this time. I just feel a little like they will be tougher on me because I was there and abandoned status. I know establishing domicile will be a major hurdle for us. When we applied last time we still had my wife's house that we were headed for. I know they will want a joint sponsor and I have someone lined up already. Thanks. At the top of this forum you can see the hurdles many of gone thru-----in some cases the USA citizen left to go back to Canada and establish domicile--then send in proof to MTL--and as you know--nothing happens fast in MTL!!	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2013-01-02 19:49:00
Canada	Time to receive SSN and Green Card	Hmmm no welcome letter yet either :/ The stamp in ur passport is good for a year......And I can't recall the timeframe..but one has to be out of that window, before they will do anything about it. Time is on ur side.	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-12-20 15:47:00
Canada	Time to receive SSN and Green Card	We got the SSC bur not GC yet and it be a month saturday since he came . I remember when i did this for my mom they send her the GC in less the two week after POE. So i don't know what is taking so long Most take around the 4-8 week mark!!	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-12-20 10:11:00
Canada	Time to receive SSN and Green Card	What information SSA will be accepting for manual verification? Will they accept Passport with visa. because thats all I have. I don't have any bank account yet, nor I have driver's license, since I am going to move to a different state, so I have decided to wait for DL. Passport and birth cert.. One Should wait 10-14 BUSINESS days before you goto the SSN office--it takes time for the paperwork to make it up the chain. There have been other Cdns start work without the SSN----they just did not get paid until they provided the employer with the SSN Edited by Flames9_RN, 13 December 2012 - 08:14 AM.	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-12-13 08:07:00
Canada	Important: If you are interviewing for CR-1 in Montreal!	This might sound silly but...what is a loomis reference#?? I will be going to montreal consulate and don't want to miss any steps You have to register online (make an account)--They are the ones that deliver your visa to you---is the reference # that you get once you register. I'm still half asleep,lol so may not make much sense. Merry xmas	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-12-25 07:44:00
Canada	Canadian Citizenship for Infant	http://www.canadaint...lang=eng&view=d http://www.cic.gc.ca...ndex.asp#tab2_1	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-08-17 09:16:00
Canada	HELP! Should I postpone my interview? I want to visit without activating my K-1 Visa!	Krikit, any idea of the delay involved when you send them your passport and actually want the visa? Is it right away, a few days, a few weeks, a few months? I would hope that a second interview wouldn't be required. what is the 1 word that comes to mind in dealing with mtl?? ----SLOW---- One would think it would be a simple thing, but not the case!! No a 2nd interview would not be required--but you can't count on a fast turn around.	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-08-18 20:35:00
Canada	Enhanced driver's license after receiving K! before POE	asking a POE officer is pretty much useless---as each one has their own view! The odds are you will be fine. Prob the worst case scenario is they say no and turn you around.	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-08-18 19:13:00
Canada	Enhanced driver's license after receiving K! before POE	When I crossed over at Lewiston a few times in May to visit my then fiance, I told the CBA that the K1 visa was issued but I would not be activating it until mid June. They had no problem with this at all. Hope this helps out. As 1 learns, each POE officer sees things differently. In the past, there have been a few (very few) people report back that the POE officer would not let them in! Doesnt make much sense, as why would someone go to al lthe hassles of going thru the correct procedures and then do something illegal?? You will prob be fine! best of luck	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-08-15 16:14:00
Canada	Police certificate required at time of interview??	Hi, I am a little bit panicking right now. I will explain my situation. We started our immigration process for a CR1 visa back in August 2011. By mid-December 2011 we got approved by NVC and my interview was scheduled for January 18th 2012. Unfortunately, I have been obligated to reschedule due to personal circumstances. I rescheduled for September 19th 2012. Right now I am preparing myself for my interview and I just realized something... When I submitted my DS-230 I did send an original Police certificate (Canadian), which is dated from September 29th 2011. I have no clue when those certificates expires, but it will soon be a year. And now I am worried that they will ask for a police certificate at the interview (I have a copy of it, but obviously the original was sent to NVC). So can someone please me... Are they going to ask for an updated police certificate at the time of interview? I am sooo worried right now Also if you guys have any tips for my interview in Montreal... I will gladly take some!! Marie There are oodles of Mtl Reviews----At the top look under REVIEWS......http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Canada&cty=&dfilter=5 The Police report is usually a very easy item to get....It is good for 1 year.....One could play it safe and just get another one	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-08-21 06:43:00
Canada	Request passport pickup after interview	You can ask, all they can do is say no!! if you do NOT ask, then it is already a no!! But expect a NO,lol And most likely has to be a good reason.....saying--my husband is coming down tomorrow to pick me up, most likely is not a good enough reason. But doesnt hurt to ask	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-08-22 08:55:00
Canada	Crossing the US/Canadian Border	And also dont make concrete plans--as it can take a lot longer to get the visa back!! Some have had to wait well over a week to receive it.	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-08-22 08:26:00
Canada	I need your input please. CR-1 interview next month	Thank you And he plan on doing that after recieving the visa back Yes he can!! totally differnt,lol Since he will have a cr-1 (or IR-1) he can enter no problem and leave right away if he so chooses!! The stamp in his Passport will act as his greencard until it comes! 1 of advanatges a cr-1//ir-1 has over a k1 visa.	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-08-25 11:02:00
Canada	I need your input please. CR-1 interview next month	We have our interview in two weeks. Unfortunately because of my school schedule i can't fly to canada to be with my husband for the interview. I am sad but staying positive that he will be fine. My questiin is after the interview hubby wants to drive to the US is that posible? Many many posts on that---and what it boils down to---the POE officer!! And he won't have his passport as it gets couried back to him. If you have 1 of those enhanced drivers licenses or a Nexus pass, ur prob good to go, but they can still ask to see ur Cdn passport.	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-08-25 10:21:00
Canada	Question About Pictures	So you printed pictures onto paper rather than including actual pictures? ya, its still a picture and had a date on it!! Not as if I hand drew stick men,lol I didnt send a lot of pics or a pile of evidence, but thats a personal decision! Do you truly think they are going to spend much time looking at everything u send them?? maybe if u were from a high fraud country. But thats just me!!	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-08-26 18:08:00
Canada	Question About Pictures	Hello! I am finalizing our Removal of Conditions packet (I-751) this weekend. I am including lots of documentation, plus pictures for evidence. It's been a while since I've sent in a packet, and I just can't remember what I used to do with the pictures. Do you all staples the pictures to a piece of paper, leave them in a picture envelope, or do something else with them? Of course I labeled the backs of the pictures. Thanks! Arabella I didnt get carried away--but thats just me---I belive in Quality over Quantity. I printed off a few pictures!! I relied on more concrete evidence such as being on the lease or mortgage, car insurance, etc etc Best of luck	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-08-26 16:12:00
Canada	Heading to Canada for the first time since POE. Anything I need to know?	Ur still a Canadian citizen, so entering Canada is not a problem at all!	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-08-29 16:51:00
Canada	Heading to Canada for the first time since POE. Anything I need to know?	Pretty basic! Going into Canada, you can show them ur Cdn passport or if u want show them the greencard(I jst showed them my Cdn passport)! And remember ur no longer a resident of canada, ur a visitor! When coming back into the USA, many just hand over the Greencard---they may or may not ask to see ur passport! Sometimes they did for me, many times was ok with the Greencard!! Still have to fill out a USA customs form!! Yep the stamp endorsing ur I-551 in ur Cdn pasport was good for 1 year--but that no longer matters as your in possesion of ur Greencard--the expirary date for that is right on the card itself for that!! 90 DAYS before it expires, you can start the next process of the journey!! Enjoy Canada!! I was home for 2 months this summer and it was not enough,lol	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-08-29 10:17:00
Canada	What Are You Reading?	Nook used to be super slow, but this past spring they put out a new firmware update!! i think the kindle may be still a tad faster at turning pages,but I belive the Nook has more free books, as it supports more formats than the Kindle!! I know at our public library, it states that the Kindle may not be able to handle all of its free books! Of course there are a lot of "backdoor" (secret)applications for both that open them up even more! Can't really say personally which is better, as have never seen the kindle in person! good website for reviews: http://www.mobileread.com/forums/	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2010-06-24 18:20:00
Canada	What Are You Reading?	Just to let ya know the Kindle is now down to $189 and barnes & nobles kindle is down to $199 for the wifi and 3G, or if u just want Wifi, it only $149!!! I had bought my wife the Nook Wife/3g 1 for $259 10 days ago, just returned it, so I could order the $149 (wifi only) Nook as we dont really need the 3G access!! Lot of good free books to be had, which ever system you go for! I believe the Kindle 3 is coming out July/August! I do believe there are more free books on the nook, but people know the kindle more, as amazon did a great job advertising it!	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2010-06-24 17:00:00
Canada	What Are You Reading?	Just ordered me the new Theo Fleury book from amazon.com! As well as the book of the Capitals coach!!	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2009-10-14 13:35:00
Canada	Please help, Questions + Timeline for Toronto consulate?	Thanks all for your help. My I129F was approved 2 weeks ago and in the letter my fiance received it says they will send it to Toronto consulate. How can I get medicals, Police clearance etc if I don't have my case/file # in the local consulate? I guess I will have to take a trip to Montreal at some point :-) Most Police detachments won't require anything---You just ask! Make sure to get it completed with all names you have used. Usually 1 of the easiest documents to get!! As well make sure you have a long form birth cert (the 1 with biological parents names on it) And be prepared to goto MTL, unless they have very recently added Toronto, which is prob not likely. Only 2 consulates in Canada do K1's--Mtl and Van!! All depends where 1 lives in Canada. Cheers	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-08-29 12:13:00
Canada	Please help, Questions + Timeline for Toronto consulate?	Hi all, We filled our I129f petition for fiance and got approved. Our case was sent to the Toronto consulate last week and I am waiting for the letter to arrive for my interview. Any idea how long it takes? Can I do anything now to save some time just in case it will tight from receiving the letter to the date of the interview? As others have stated, it wil get sent to MTL automatically. Best to fill out ur timeline so others can give you a better idea on fast things will proceed!! Well---you will soon learn the word "fast" is really not in Montreals vocabulary,lol But they do try!! Welcome to VJ!!	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-08-29 10:11:00
Canada	Booking Appointment	Newbie, I'm in the same situation. I'm already married and my American wife's been in Canada for the past 10 years for schooling. We're now trying to move to the U.S. Booking the interview in Montreal through the CSC website definitely seems to be a good lesson in patience and persistence. Also we waited to receive our Packet 3 for 5 months, before emailing them to find out what was happening. Only after a few emails and weeks did a proper response come telling us the Packet the had been sent to us 5 months previous (never received). So it seems like we had a similar experience to you in the delays and poor correspondence. Hope u have read the topic at the top of the forum about domicile!!	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-09-07 10:09:00
Canada	Booking Appointment	Good Morning, I have been trying to book an appointment for Montreal since July 17th. I wonder how many VJers are doing the same. Really helps others if you would fill out ur timeline	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-09-06 08:55:00
Canada	Nostalgia	thats probably why i miss being able to watch CBC here, it was like the ONLY channel our TV was ever on....Uverse had a qeustionaire about what i wanted to see so i told them more Canadian channels including CBC lol. U could get a VPN and watch it that way!! or a slingshot!! Were in Nicaragua and our VPN has it as if our computer is in the USA, thus can watch hulu and netflix. Different providers have different options! I could pay more with my current provider (strongvpn) and be able to change my IP addy. On the farm in Saskatchewan, thats all my grandparents had as well 2 English channels and I think 1 French one! But as kids we didn't care as we were always outside.	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-09-06 08:10:00
Canada	Nostalgia	oh geez...Kathryn...remind me how old i am! I was born in 73, and grew up with this show. Every week..just like Flames we watched that and Disney. IIRC fav char was Relic...i think that was his name..its the only one i remember now. lawl. now i have the song in me head.. 73 was a great yr!!!!	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-09-05 20:37:00
Canada	Nostalgia	Loved the Beachcombers!!! Always watched that and Disney at the Farm on Sunday nights!!! Many on this forum are prob way too young to know the Beachcombers!!	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-09-05 12:50:00
Canada	Visiting while in the process	#1 questions asked here in the canada forums---1000's of posts on it!! Short answer is yes!!! Majority of Cdns have no problems at all! But some do get turned back!! All comes down to the POE officer and how you handle urself. Ensure you bring ties to Canada with you, to help prove that you will be returning to Canada!! My 2 cents is listed below in my signature!! VJ is slow on the weekends--so to get more responses---do a search on VJ!! You may have to play with the wording on the search, but there are 1000s of posts on this! It gets asked every week,lol	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-09-08 09:47:00
Canada	Criminal Record	Like others have stated--get the court documents-----and when you get the background check, ensure you get the fingerprinting completed! Immigration attorney has no secret method---only method that have is taking ur $$$$$$. You will still have to run around and get the required documents!	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-09-09 10:50:00
Canada	wahh... just venting	I could cry, or cheerfully throttle whoever is sitting on my file in Montreal right now. I had my medical and interview back in April. There was an issue with an underlying medical condition and they made me do the sputum test to rule out TB. I had my interview the week after the medical, and was approved pending medical clearance. 2 months later, the sputum test is done and (no surprise) was all clear. Dr. Seiden sent my medical results to Montreal and I sent in our passports (for me and my kiddos). They were logged as received on Aug 3rd and there has been nada since then. The medical is only valid for 6 months after the exam, so in another 5 weeks it will expire and, if we haven't got our passports and crossed into the US by then, we will have to haul ourselves back to Toronto and fork out costs for another medical x3... and then wait again. Damn. I was supposed to be married by now. We were hoping to be settled in June. Then we were hoping early September. My options are steadily decreasing... now I'm wondering if we'll get there by Christmas, or at all. This sucks. How hard is it to stamp the darn passports already? I know lots of people have had lots of delays to contend with too. I guess I just needed to vent to people who get it. The waiting (and the waiting with Montreal, in particular) without any access to any answers or information is just so brutal. Thanks for listening. One can either sit back and vent on the internet......OR get ur USA spouse contact his Congress person and get them on the ball!! Its amazing how a simple call gets the ball rolling!!	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-09-07 18:59:00
Canada	Sending Money from US to Canada	There are a few ways with customhouse(now owned by western union) to send $$$$. 1 is EFT which is free, but ti takes 3-4 Buisiness days! I belive there is another method that is free and much quicker!! Im never in a hurry, so have never inquired about it. And they have a wire service which is instant, but of course costs $$. I prefer to keep my $$$ and not just give it away,lol $35 buys lot of coffee and beer!!	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-09-10 17:45:00
Canada	Sending Money from US to Canada	Thanks for all the help. I'm pretty sure their account is at the Bank of Montreal, if that makes a difference. I'd rather send a personal check, if it's not going to be a problem. They won't mind waiting for the check to clear. I just wasn't sure how the bank would handle a US check written on US funds. But, I guess they know that it's, for example, $600 US Dollars? They'll just convert it to Canadian when it's deposited? I would just call the Cdn bank and make sure there are no fees and how long they put a hold on it!. Not all banks are the same.	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-09-09 16:01:00
Canada	Applied for Employment Insurance - Have a Couple Questions	I came to the USA last Thursday on an IR1 Visa - so I have my temporary green card in my passport with a stamp in it 'Admitted August 23.' I applied online for employment insurance last Friday, Aug. 24th. I checked off reason for quitting something to the effect of 'following family members' etc. Anyway, at the end of the application it stated no further information was required at this time. Do I not have to send in my ROE's? I found it very strange they didn't ask me to mail them in since my employers wrote in the comments section that I quit to 'follow my spouse to the USA.' Also, what happens next? They have my new USA address. Will they send me something in the mail? Am I supposed to call them? I don't have my SSN yet - it's supposed to arrive here within 3 weeks of POE. However, the customs & immigration officer at POE said I'm eligible to work right now. Do I need to provide them with my SSN before I start collecting if I get approved? If anyone has recently been through this process and can answer any of these questions I would be so grateful. I have read tons of posts in the EI forum and although there is a lot of info I couldn't find anything related specifically to the questions I have. I have worked full-time for the last 8 years and definitely have a lot of hours and quit to move here. Do the claims ever NOT get approved for interstate EI? And if so, for what reasons? Was back in 2005 when I did the EI thing, so I may be of little help,lol I recall mailing in my ROE--but not 100% positive, as well I mailed in a photocopy of the Visa (endorsement whatever u want to call it,lol) in my Passport! Along with a note stating I came in on a Cr-1 and that I am eligible to work right away. I'm pretty sure I didnt send in my SSN, as I waited awhile for it to arrive--I was relaxing,lol If after 10 to 14 BUSINESS days no SSN---print of a copy from http://ssa.gov/ssnumber/ fil it out and go inquire at ur local SSN office!! They will look it up and most likely say, no ur not in the system--so please go fill out a new form!! VIOLA--u hand over the already filled out form---along with ur passport and birth cert for ID. My new SSN arrived 1 week later!! I believe you can go back in person the next day or so and they can tell you the #---but will not tell you in person! My initial claim was refused---but I was in the Cdn Air Force----they said since I broke my contract that I was not entitled to it! I appealed and won!! But most people dont have to go through that. In the EI forum above--someone listed the phone # to call! Some people get called back right away, some don't,lol They wil send you cards to fill out, but many seem to have better luck just calling it in!! And yes like most other govt agencies, they seem to take their time getting started, but ur on the right track since you have applied!! Best of luck	Flames9_RN	Male	Canada	2012-08-29 10:03:00