ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaPossible EWI Problem?
One should mention that it is perfectly fine if you want to do the k3 or cr-1 route and she goes back to canada. One can still visit. Thats what we did. i got married on one trip to DC, then went home and we filed for the cr-1 and I visited monthly. I was still in the Air Force. But if she wants to stay and AOS,thats fine too, just dont leave!! lol
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-07-25 06:52:00
CanadaPossible EWI Problem?
Immigration isnt cheap,lol

If she came to the states with NO intention of staying like in your case,it is fine, a fair # of VJ'ers have done that route. Keep in mind that she CAN"T leave the USA (including to canada) until she gets to a certain point in the process. The problem isnt actually leaving the USA, its the getting back into the USA. There was a VJ member that went the k1 route, which is a 1 time entry visa, cant leave the USA until one gets advance parole (AP) or completes AOS, but she did, and was ok indoing so a few times, THEN on 1 tiem re-entering the USA from Canada was stopped and denied entry! She then had to stay in Canada and start the k3 or cr-1 process, not a lot of fun,lol

Welcome to VJ. I served in the Cdn Army,Navy and Air Force and spent a fair bit of time working with the yanks.
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-07-25 05:22:00
CanadaInterview Review
congrats
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-07-10 11:49:00
CanadaMy wife is Canadian
Howdy!! here with my list,lol yes one can visit, and yes one can be denied when trying to visit! So one has to be prepared! Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason why they deny people entry, the POE officer has to make a judgement on the spot. I traveled monthly to DC from Halifax (sometimes through Toronto) and I Never had a single problem.

My advice--its free and worth exactly that,lol

1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer
2) Be confident in ur replies
3)keep ur response short and to the point, dont tell ur life story!!
4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!
5)pack light! No job resumes with you
6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)
7) Always be polite, being rude isnt going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!
8) have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didnt lie! Refer to #1

Best of luck
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-11 09:19:00
CanadaMy Montreal Review
QUOTE (IR5FORMUMSIE @ Aug 11 2008, 06:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (flames9 @ Aug 11 2008, 06:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (iteachkids81 @ Aug 11 2008, 05:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
thanks so much for your descriptive review, and your pic of the building entrance...

my interview is friday and i am happy but nervous too.

thanks so so much.

i also think it is super cool that you got married in central park. we entertained the idea, but... albany area it is!

anyway. question for you
how soon did you apply for advanced parole? and how? thanks
~Jenny



Remember--The elevator OPENS from the REAR!!!!!! kick butt

Funny, I always thought it was kick butt folowed by the elevator OPENS from the REAR!!!!! laughing.gif

Jenny, a big Bonne Chance to you for Friday. good.gif


Why would you "figure" that? Obviously the door has to be open, before you can kick butt!! Len been serving you too many extra shots of Starbucks lattes?
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-11 18:34:00
CanadaMy Montreal Review
QUOTE (iteachkids81 @ Aug 11 2008, 05:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
thanks so much for your descriptive review, and your pic of the building entrance...

my interview is friday and i am happy but nervous too.

thanks so so much.

i also think it is super cool that you got married in central park. we entertained the idea, but... albany area it is!

anyway. question for you
how soon did you apply for advanced parole? and how? thanks
~Jenny



Remember--The elevator OPENS from the REAR!!!!!! kick butt
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-11 17:25:00
CanadaMy Montreal Review
congrats
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-06-21 21:35:00
CanadaWhat do I need to file before 2 year anniversary date?
nope, wont loose ur cdn citizenship!! One has to do a lot more paper work to loose it,lol

Has one has to do an interview to become a citizen! The test has just been changed, but they do ask up to 10 questions. I havent really looked into that yet,lol
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-12 05:41:00
CanadaWhat do I need to file before 2 year anniversary date?
QUOTE (americag1234 @ Aug 10 2008, 06:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi Flames,
I was looking at your timeline and I see "Biometrics" took 10 minutes. What exactly is that? Also, it says you sent in your naturalization paperwork, what is that? Also when you got your US drivers licence, did you have to give your canadian drivers licence to them?

QUOTE (flames9 @ Aug 10 2008, 06:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I-751 very easy form to fill out. As well send in some evidence of the marriage, instructions are on the I-751, comes up on a google search!

On your greencard will be an expiration date, you can send in the I-751 90 days before it expires (doesnt have to be exactly days, you just cant send it earlier than that), just don't do it AFTER the expiration date,lol

Very easy form to fill out. http://www.uscis.gov.../form/I-751.pdf

http://www.uscis.gov...00048f3d6a1RCRD




Driversl license: Yes i handed over my Cdn drivers license. Keep in mind "United States" isnt really "United" every State has thier own rules, especially when it comes to automobile licensing!! In VA, it was a simple one for 1 exchange with NO road test or written exam, too easy! BUT thats not the case in many other States! Some you just do a written test, some make you do both! crazy! check out DMV.org of do a search on here for Georgia licensing, I'm sure others have stated their experiences or check out DMV.org

BIOMETRICS: After you mail in the I-751, you will get a letter stating that they have recieved your 751 form, AND it states they have now extended your "greencard" 1 more year. You will get another letter giving you a Biometrics appt. Gives you the place and time. You go there, and they take your picture and finger prints,thats it! Very painless. Down the road hopefully you do not have to do an interview,many do not,they just receive the 10 yr greencard in the mail!

Naturalization: is becoming a USA citizen. No you do NOT have to become a USA citizen, you can just keep renewing your 10 yr greencard--which of course costs $$$$,lol. if you do decide to become a USA citizen, You do NOT loose your Cdn citizenship. When can you start the naturalization paperwork? Since you are coming in on a cr-1, it is 90 days prior to the 3 year anniversary that you entered and activated your cr-1 visa. You wil notice when you get your Greencard, the expirary date wil be 2 years from when you entered/activated the cr-1 visa, at least thats the way it worked for me! I entered the USA dec 18 2004, and it expired dec 18 2006. So i was eligible to file for naturalization 90 days prior to Dec 18 2007 (sometime in sept) But I was in no hurry and didn't file till like May 2008!! It is a pretty easy form to fill out, lots of info on VJ.

But now, your next big paperwork with the USA govt will be the I-751!! But you have a bit of a break,lol Just remember any time within that 90 days window of your greencard expiring, it has to be mailed in! day 90, day 23, day 9 is fine, but not past it,lol
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-10 06:40:00
CanadaWhat do I need to file before 2 year anniversary date?
I-751 very easy form to fill out. As well send in some evidence of the marriage, instructions are on the I-751, comes up on a google search!

On your greencard will be an expiration date, you can send in the I-751 90 days before it expires (doesnt have to be exactly days, you just cant send it earlier than that), just don't do it AFTER the expiration date,lol

Very easy form to fill out. http://www.uscis.gov.../form/I-751.pdf

http://www.uscis.gov...00048f3d6a1RCRD
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-10 05:20:00
CanadaQuestion about collecting unemployment
As usual I have nothing bright to add, but sorry and hoping all will work out for the best. Hopefully he can collect unemployment until he starts a new job. Craiglist.org is always good to find those under the table jobs!!
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-08 17:33:00
CanadaHow to change residency?
http://www.cra-arc.g...tional-eng.html international office #
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-13 07:23:00
CanadaHow to change residency?
Normally one when they file there last taxes in canada , would put in the space on the VERY front pages of the forms the date they Ceased to be a Cdn resident. Since your a Cr-1 , that would have been the date you crossed the border and activated ur visa, if you stayed after that! Your now dealin gwith the International office of revenue Canada, I'm sure if you google it, you will find the #. I have called them in the past with success. Best of luck
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-13 05:22:00
CanadaWe got a kitty!!
a "fixed" male cat wont 'normally" make his territory! Ours never have.
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-09 16:57:00
CanadaWe got a kitty!!
He was just waiting for you!!!! name: how about "VJ" lol congrats!!
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-09 13:28:00
CanadaGot Visa In Hand Today
congrats
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-14 16:38:00
CanadaCanadians and Thunderstorms
We get some good T-storms here in DC. Growing up in SK we got some spiffy ones as well. Love a good t-Storm//Blizzard!! Especially with a full fridge of beer

Edited by flames9, 05 August 2008 - 12:51 PM.

Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-05 12:51:00
CanadaOur Wedding Pictures
Lookin good, congrats
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-05 06:03:00
CanadaPOE Officiers
Like others have stated, POE officers are trained to find people lying. They ask questions a certain way and are listening to see how you answer it. for example when i returned to the USA from Canada this summer, the POE gal asked why i was in Canada? I replied, I'm Canadian! She in a very stern voice stated, "well that doesn't answer my question, now does it?" I said, you are correct, i was visiting my family--always keeping eye contact, as I have nothing to hide. Many of us complain that POE officers are rude and not overly friendly, well they do have an important job to do. How would it feel if you were the POE officer and something horrible were to happen and they traced it back to you? You let the terrorists in? yes some can use a bit more tact,but who is to say they are always that way? they may just be using various techniques.
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-05 21:46:00
CanadaPOE Officiers
ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH,lol but only answer the question. many Times the POE officer would ask me "business or pleasure? I would state pleasure and returning on such a date. Sometimes that was all the conversation that took place. I didn't have to state it was my girlfriend and eventually wife. But when we were married, i did state wife. Then they would ask what she did, what are plans were. me beign in the Cdn Forces, i probably had an advantage as they knew I had to return to Canada.
My advice:

1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer
2) Be confident in ur replies
3)keep ur response short and to the point, dont tell ur life story!!
4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!
5)pack light! No job resumes with you
6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)
7) Always be polite, being rude isnt going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!
8) have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didnt lie! Refer to #1

Best of luck
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-03 19:02:00
CanadaKeeping him busy
QUOTE (Maeve @ Aug 15 2008, 12:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
btw, here are a couple pics! smile.gif

[attachment=8094:03.JPG]

[attachment=8095:04.JPG]



He was an Armed forces guy, cool! I finished off in the Cdn Air Force as an Airbourne Electronics Sensor Operator (AESop) on the CP 140 Aurora. Did the Army and navy thing as well prior to AESop.

Does he play hockey? Take up refereeing. Maybe not much hockey where u are though.
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-15 06:55:00
CanadaTravelled here together?
My wife was suppose to, instead on the big day--she went in for a root canal,lol
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-13 19:03:00
CanadaFun fact about your Canadian credit and moving here
Ensure you do check ur credit card for those extar charges. Our citibank one does add a fee if I use it in Canada, and those sneaky fellows, total it up and you only see it once on your CC statement. You wil see th epurchase you made in the USA, and with the exchange rate, so you think thats it,lol I had to call them and ask what this "fee" was. Not a biggy. I normally just transfer money from my USA acct to my Cdn one with Custom House and use my Cdn debit card
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-18 14:43:00
CanadaFun fact about your Canadian credit and moving here
Keep in mind many credit cards charge you an extra fee when you use the credit card out of country!!
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-11 09:27:00
CanadaFun fact about your Canadian credit and moving here
QUOTE (Udella&Wiz @ Aug 7 2008, 09:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (flames9 @ Aug 7 2008, 09:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
One doesn't have to be on the mortgage. i wasn't on our USA mortgage at first. We explained to the bank dude our situation, so he didnt even bother looking up my credit rating, he said if he had to look it up, would charge us $20,lol But i was on the deed/title

We refinanced our mortgage last oct. and for fun we got them to check my credit rating, and it was excellent. I have never worked in the USA (here since dec 2004) Just put on a few utility bills and a credit card. i was on the car loan, but not sure if that helped, as we only had the loan for like a month,then paid it off. I guess credit is like the government, there is no rhyme or reason to it,lol



yep - we'll eventually refinance the mortgage and then i'll be on it. It worries me that we'll got get the 10 yr GC and Immigration'll be like...'how come you're not on this big loan...' so i'll have to explain to them. My name is co-migled on everything else, so should be all fine.

I am going to try the Department store route...Targhey or somewhere I guess



As i stated before, YOU dont have to be on the mortgage. You can still be on the deed/title. if your Spouse has excellent credit, etc, your set. now if your USA spouse has crappy credit, well thats a different story. When we refinanced, we didnt do it to get me on the mortgage. I received my 10 yr greencard just fine without being on the mortgage,but sent the paperwork with me being on the title

I guess I just look at things differently (easy to do when ya got an excellent credit rating,lol) It has never bothered me when i came to the USA that i would have to start fresh, I expected that. I have had to start from square 1 with school and I hate school,lol Hope you get it sorted out soonest.
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-07 11:39:00
CanadaFun fact about your Canadian credit and moving here
One doesn't have to be on the mortgage. i wasn't on our USA mortgage at first. We explained to the bank dude our situation, so he didnt even bother looking up my credit rating, he said if he had to look it up, would charge us $20,lol But i was on the deed/title

We refinanced our mortgage last oct. and for fun we got them to check my credit rating, and it was excellent. I have never worked in the USA (here since dec 2004) Just put on a few utility bills and a credit card. i was on the car loan, but not sure if that helped, as we only had the loan for like a month,then paid it off. I guess credit is like the government, there is no rhyme or reason to it,lol
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-07 08:33:00
CanadaU.S. employment wages
QUOTE (Emancipation @ Aug 18 2008, 08:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Reba @ Aug 18 2008, 06:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yeah, a lot of new immigrants get that cold bucket o' water in the face feeling after they've lived in their spouse's city for a while. Its a whooooooooole lot different when you're just visiting, even if you're lucky like us Canucks and can stay for extended periods. I've a friend who somehow believed the hype that the US is the land of milk n honey, and then she tried to find a job and affordable housing in the same area where she wouldn't have to worry about leaving her car in a parking lot, or herself to walk down the street at dusk tongue.gif wink.gif She really knew nothing about the US at all, despite having lived her entire life only an hour and a half from the border. She somehow thought it was exactly like Canada. wacko.gif

shhh now.. you'll awake the "Canada is just an extension of the US" nay-sayers on the forum.. or the "if you miss Canada so much why don't you go the bleep bleep back there?" crowd!! secret7vf.gif


lol i was thinking that a few days ago,lol
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-18 20:37:00
CanadaU.S. employment wages
The location is a huge factor. Average pay of a paramedic in Alberta is around $70,000
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-15 18:43:00
CanadaU.S. employment wages
People say that canada's taxes are high because of medicall coverage, But what about USA's military spending? I guess I could look up the #'s, but i'm out the door for a run!!
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-15 11:54:00
CanadaU.S. employment wages
many states require you to be a USA citizen to be a police officer, i do believe there are a few that don't. I know Maryland was looking into opening it up to Permanent Residents.

New RN's make around $25 an hr plus shift differential/weekends here in the DC region . That is in line what my sisters started out in SK. I don't think there is a huge difference in pay between a Canadian bedside RN and a USA RN any longer. I haven't worked since I got here for the most part, so any $$ will be more,lol I know when I ref'd hockey, the pay was very good, for an adult rec game was like $55!! not bad for a bit of exercise in 1.5 hrs

Usually the $$ is going to be more in the bigger cities, i know thats the case for nursing. But of course your cost of living is higher!! Always seems to be a trade off
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-13 07:19:00
CanadaJust received my "Welcome to the U.S." letter!
If one checked off the box on the DS-230 it is supose to come to ur mailbox--no need to goto the SSN office. But it appears to be a hit or miss thing, normally miss,lol It takes 10 - 14 BUSINESS days to see if ur in the system. What one can do is goto http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html download the form, fill it out and take it with u to the SSN office in case ur not in the system, then hand them the form!! I had to goto the SSN office and apply(they had no record from me applying from the ds-230), 1 week later my SSN card arrived
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-16 07:38:00
CanadaJust received my "Welcome to the U.S." letter!
I got both around 24 days after POE, and yep, got two copies of that letter.

For the SSN, takes 10-14 BUSINESS days to be in the system after POE. Ensure u bring ur passport.
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-14 19:53:00
CanadaPurse Stolen
This calls for TRUNK MONKEY!!!!!
http://www.youtube.c...feature=related

Edited by flames9, 19 August 2008 - 03:30 PM.

Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-19 15:25:00
CanadaPurse Stolen
sorry! that blows! Criminals get their karma eventually--usually by Bubba in the shower--oops dropped the soap!!
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-19 07:09:00
CanadaDr. Howard Seiden Medical review
Most of them are painless, it is just a $$$$ grab!! glad it went well
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-11 16:20:00
CanadaNVC doesn't like my police certificate!
they were AT their interview--so mad a mad dash to the RCMP office and immediately was able to attain the RCMP cert. What i was getting at, was that particular RCMP office was able to hand out the certificate at the same visit.
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-19 05:01:00
CanadaNVC doesn't like my police certificate!
I recall a fellow VJ'er that at the time of the interview in MTl had an incorrect or outdated criminal check, so they made a mad dash to the closest RCMP office (and as I recall, wasnt to far) and they were able to get the check completed onthe spot and out the door with the paperwork
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-18 20:38:00
CanadaNVC doesn't like my police certificate!
With regards to the RCMP, the times vary. In some locations, they can do the check within MINUTES, others take a few days or a bit longer. Usually the only time it takes an extended amount of time is when fingerprinting is required.

In Canada--the cream of the crop is the RCMP check,lol but the local police check is usually fine as well ( or the Commissionaires if ur in the Toronto area)
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-18 17:13:00
CanadaNVC doesn't like my police certificate!
Electronic fingerprinting through the commisionaires can be fast, BUT not available everywhere
http://www.commissio...n-overview.html
RCMP fingerprinting is slow, can be up to 120 days!!

Another option is to contact the Winnipeg City police http://www.winnipeg....m_record_search
And get a police search from them!! They will mail it to you. They mailed it to me while i was in Greenwood NS. It looked very official. I ended up not using it (used the RCMP one)
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-04-30 05:01:00
CanadaHappy Baby Melyssa!!
congrats!!
Flames9_RNMaleCanada2008-08-19 16:13:00