ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionRelocating to California and removal of conditions
Hi guys,
I'm already gathering all documents and evidence of our marriage for my removal of conditions, even if I just received my conditional card 2 months ago innocent.gif
Anyway.. I have just relocated to San Diego from Chicago, and when I set up the utilities I was told that in California you can't show 2 names on the bills (mine and my husband's). Is this true? I wanted to have both names on our utilities as extra evidence for my paperwork..
Any advice?
Thank you!
Rosie74FemaleItaly2009-05-13 14:00:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionJust Filed :)
QUOTE (calidreamer80 @ May 29 2009, 04:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I love living in San Diego. I just got a volunteer job at Helen Woodward Animal Center working with cats. I am very excited.


Hey Sarah, I just moved to San Diego! What a wonderful city it is!
Unfortunately I won't be able to file for my Removal of Conditions until Dec 2010.. still way ahead, but I'm always here on the forum gathering experience from all of you! good.gif
Rosie74FemaleItaly2009-05-29 19:59:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionPLEASE CALL 911, USCIS GOT ME LOST (APPROVAL NOTICE SENT)
QUOTE (bilson4real @ Jun 6 2009, 06:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just got the GC. Thankk you all



Congratulations!! good.gif kicking.gif
Rosie74FemaleItaly2009-06-06 20:55:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionPLEASE CALL 911, USCIS GOT ME LOST (APPROVAL NOTICE SENT)
QUOTE (bilson4real @ Jun 3 2009, 06:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Rosie74 @ Jun 3 2009, 09:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (csoul @ Jun 3 2009, 02:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (cesarestrella @ Jun 3 2009, 12:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The fact that he holds a master's degree doesn't magically entitle him to know every single aspect of the immigration process.



Thats true but then he was the one that wrote first to let everybody know that he has a Master Degree...


I doubt he wanted to show anything off... he was just making a sarcastic comment, why all these harsh answers? I have no degree and yet I did not feel offended by his first post nor I believed he was showing it off.. blink.gif


Rosie 74, thank you so much. I'm so glad you understood my point of view. You made my day, I have been sad, and on the defensive all this while. May God continue to bless you with aboundance wisdom. Thank you


You're welcome good.gif I really hope you get your Green Card soon, good luck!! star_smile.gif
Rosie74FemaleItaly2009-06-04 21:06:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionPLEASE CALL 911, USCIS GOT ME LOST (APPROVAL NOTICE SENT)
And to respond to the OP, in my personal experience with USCIS, when I received the "Approval Notice" sent email, a couple of days later I received Form I-797D, the one that includes your plastic card, so yes, you might be receiving your 10 yr Green card soon! I say might.. because with USCIS you just never know, but there is a good chance at this point. smile.gif
Good luck and I hope you get it soon!
Rosie74FemaleItaly2009-06-03 20:20:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionPLEASE CALL 911, USCIS GOT ME LOST (APPROVAL NOTICE SENT)
QUOTE (csoul @ Jun 3 2009, 02:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (cesarestrella @ Jun 3 2009, 12:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The fact that he holds a master's degree doesn't magically entitle him to know every single aspect of the immigration process.



Thats true but then he was the one that wrote first to let everybody know that he has a Master Degree...


I doubt he wanted to show anything off... he was just making a sarcastic comment, why all these harsh answers? I have no degree and yet I did not feel offended by his first post nor I believed he was showing it off.. blink.gif
Rosie74FemaleItaly2009-06-03 20:12:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionJust Filed :)
Hi everyone! It's been awhile since I wrote. Just wanted to let everyone know that I filed to remove conditions on May 15th!!! I'm excited to embark on this final leg of the journey. Everything is going smoothly and my husband and I still have a great relationship...... Horray for that!

I love living in San Diego. I just got a volunteer job at Helen Woodward Animal Center working with cats. I am very excited.

Anyone else from my time frame filing for conditions (2007??) I hope everyone has been having a wonderful experience like I have been. I'm interested to know where you are all at in your new lives here in America.

I'll keep you updated on my progress with the Removal of Conditions process.

Sarah
calidreamer80FemaleCanada2009-05-29 17:49:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI 751
http://www.visajourn...p;page=751guide

Take a look here! Good luck.
SilkeFemaleGermany2007-04-09 18:33:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionapproval notice???
You should receive your greencard in the mail soon. Congratulations :dance:

Edited by silke, 26 June 2007 - 10:21 AM.

SilkeFemaleGermany2007-06-26 10:19:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion10 yrs green card.
It's exactly the opposite. Any marriage OVER 2 years old will be granted a 10 year card. If at the time your Green card is approved your marriage is over 2 years, you'll get a 10 year card, otherwise you'll get a 2 year conditional one.
Rosie74FemaleItaly2008-12-12 20:59:00
CanadaUSC crossing border into canada w/ misdemeanor drug charge
QUOTE (Krikit @ Jun 12 2009, 09:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (bluegreen @ Jun 12 2009, 12:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks Krikit:) Having read through the FAQs, I am still unclear about whether they are likely to be approved for temp. resident visas and exactly what they have to include with the applications. I guess my wedding is hardly an exceptional circumstance! I would love to hear from anyone who has experience with this!

*sound of silence*

Well, all I can say is that I guess our Canadian VJ'ers don't know any criminals. laughing.gif


Ha! That's okay:) I must be the only person aquainted with such a bunch of lowlife marijuana-possessors:) I think all I can do is recommend that they hop on getting the visas right away (they are $75 which is not too bad) and take their chances, since they have already bought tickets. They all think it is hilarious that pot possession is what might make them inadmissable, since in their eyes, Canada is marijuana mecca where people walk around smoking doobies 24/7 and everyone has a few plants in their backyard. Sigh. Yes, right outside the backdoors of our igloos.
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-06-12 09:39:00
CanadaUSC crossing border into canada w/ misdemeanor drug charge
QUOTE (RYCK @ Jun 12 2009, 07:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
uh a temp. resident visa .. i didn't know there was one .. but regardless if all they are doing is coming for the wedding then it is not needed and would be a waste of time and money. And even if that was an option if a drug charge makes you inadmissable into Canada then will also make you inadmissable for a visa


Temp resident visas are sometimes issued to people (even US citizens) who could be considered inadmissable to Canada and are not within the timeframe of being considered "rehabilitated". Since drug possession under30 grams is not an indictable offense, it does not automatically make you you inadmissable—it is at the discretion of the border agent, which is why having a temp resident visa can be helpful - someone has already reviewed the court documents and determined that the person is not a threat.

I just don't know how readily they are issued to people with these misdemeanor offenses and if they really make a difference at the border.

bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-06-12 09:20:00
CanadaUSC crossing border into canada w/ misdemeanor drug charge
Thanks Krikit:) Having read through the FAQs, I am still unclear about whether they are likely to be approved for temp. resident visas and exactly what they have to include with the applications. I guess my wedding is hardly an exceptional circumstance! I would love to hear from anyone who has experience with this!
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-06-11 23:27:00
CanadaUSC crossing border into canada w/ misdemeanor drug charge
Hi All!
Well I have a question which I am sure someone where will know the answer to. As our big hoo-ha family wedding in Canada approaches (August 1st!!). I am suddenly fielding a million questions about Americans crossing the border with misdemeanor marijuana possession charges. Okay, well only three people have asked me about this but that seems pretty high (no pun intended) to me! I am kind of guessing no one saw the HUGE NOTE I put about this on our wedding website, as they have all bought tickets already. This could cut our catering bill down substantially...

These offenses were all within the last five years.

Should they, or should they not all apply for temporary resident visas? If so, what documentation do they need to attach regarding their police records and the misdemeanor charges?

Do temporary resident visas guarantee entry? Are they likely to get across the border w/o them?

Help! Someone here must know. The internet info is not conclusive, and I have not found a phone number with an actual person to talk to.

Thanks:)
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-06-11 13:27:00
CanadaGrocery Items Unavailable in the US
QUOTE (Reba @ Dec 8 2008, 08:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I saw Pears soap not long ago in a CVS I think it was. On their Dollar shelf.


Ohh okay thanks. Maybe it is kind of a hit or miss thing. Sprailenes, my I used Pears as a kid too. I said something the other day at work about Pears soap, in reference to childhood smells you never forget, and no one knew what I meant. I still use it occassionally if my skin is being rebellious...
bluegreenFemaleCanada2008-12-08 11:12:00
CanadaGrocery Items Unavailable in the US
Maybe this is in here somewhere, but I didn't see it. Pears soap, anyone???
bluegreenFemaleCanada2008-12-07 21:32:00
CanadaDesperate for some Canadian Tea in USA
I find PG Tips at Cost Plus World Market or Stater Bros here in Southern Cali. Thanks to my Brit parents, to whom tea-less-ness is akin to certain death, I am usually well-supplied with Marks and Spencer extra strong teabags from England or Dilmah, which I drank in Canada and love.

Has anyone seen Dilmah in the US?
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-10-24 11:27:00
CanadaCandian marrying American in U.S.
QUOTE (MacTO @ Nov 4 2009, 04:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi all. Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween.

First and foremost, thanks very much for your support and advice. I read all the replies of yours over and over and looked into what's required to file for the AOS paperwork. Started downloading and filling out all the necessary forms (I-485: Application to Adjust Status, I-131: Application for Travel Document, G-325A: Biographic Information, I-693: Record of Medical Examination, I-765: Application for Employment Authorization). Of course, I have to actually book an appointment with one of the civil surgeons to complete I-693.

Meantime, my girlfriend is filling out I-864: Affidavit of Support, and I-130: Petition for Alien Relative.

By the way, one of the surprises: the fee for I-485 is $1,010, which also covers I-131 and I-765, including biometric fee of $80.

I have a few questions to ask if you don't mind.

First, about the Evidence of Status. http://www.immihelp.com/greencard/adjustmentofstatus/application.html,
  1. Submit a copy of your Form I-94, Nonimmigrant Arrical/Departure Record, showing your admission to the U.S. and current status, or other evidence of your status.
  2. If you entered using Border Cross Card, submit a photocopy of the card.
  3. If you don't have such proof, contact an attorney before proceeding further or you may risk deportation.

I came as a visitor (no stamp or no visa given to me - CLEAN passport, blank pages), so I have nothing to show. Do you guys suggest I contact a lawyer about this?

Second, it reads,
If you are filing under one of the following categories:
Spouse, parent, unmarried son/daughter under age 21 of a U.S. citizen with an approved or concurrently filed Form 1-130;

File at: USCIS P.O. Box 805887 Chicago, IL 60680-4120

I am sending the whole thing to the Chicago USCIS office, right?

Third, do I need to include my girlfriend's Certificate of Divorce, and our Marriage Licence or Certificate with the applications?

I apologize in advance if these questions are too daft to ask. My girlfriend and I have an appointment with a judge in about two weeks. And also we have to pick up a marriage licence before as well. My plan is to get everything organized and ready before our ceremony (unfortunately neither of us has family members here at the moment, so we decided to do a quick civil ceremony with just a couple of witnesses), so that it can go out immediately.

Once again thanks so much for your thoughts and suggestions. And please, let me know anything that I should know. Thanks.


Don' forget you ALSO have to include the fee for the I-130, which is about $365, I think. And make sure you shop around for a doctor who can do the medical (I found their prices varied wildly from $250 to $750).

When I filled out my paperwork, I was reluctant to leave anything blank, so every time it asked for an A# or I-94 I wrote: "NA—Canadian visitor" or "Not issued—Canadian".

You send everything together in one package but treat it like two separate packages. Follow the guide exactly. I think I ended up submitting about 7 different passport photos, because each individual form has to be able to stand alone. I actually put the entire I-130 package together with its own separate cover sheet and a bulldog clip and same with the I-485. Then I put them in one envelope.

You have to provide a copy of the divorce certificate and a copy of the certified marriage certificate (not the license and not the decorative certificate). Sometimes you have to wait up to a week to receive the actual certificate, depending on where you live. We got married in Vegas and were able to pick it up at the courthouse after three days. Don't send the originals and don't bother getting the copies certified. Also make sure you have a long form birth certificate (the plastic cards are insufficient, as they do not include all the vital info. I had to order mine from Ontario - $30 and took 5 days).
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-11-05 23:49:00
CanadaCandian marrying American in U.S.
To the OP:
We were in a similar situation. I think we were even closer to marriage - we were actually engaged with a wedding date (1.5 years in the future). We were really planning on settling in Canada, but I wanted to spend more time together and had a flexible schedule (I was self employed) so I rented out my house and cancelled upcoming contracts and came down to the US to spend the winter. We ended up deciding we wanted to live in the US and that it would all be much easier if we got married. So we did, after 2 months, and I filed for AOS and we were fine.
Just another scenario for you:)
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-11-01 22:00:00
CanadaYet another car import question (well two)
QUOTE (poprocks @ Mar 5 2009, 10:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Travis & Kim @ Mar 5 2009, 08:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am guessing they won't let you register it if there is a loan outstanding in canada?
I guess I can get a line of credit with RBC and just pay it off and then pay that instead of the car loan
I got my car loan at 1.9% finance tho - so I didn't want a larger interest loan =/


Me neither sad.gif

I actually checked with Volvo before I bought the car, well at least with the dealership... and they said it would not be an issue mad.gif

I will be sooooo upset if I have to refinance. The only other option would be a line of credit I suppose, as I would not qualify for a loan in the US right off the bat...

I'm so upset! I will not be able to afford a line of credit for that much money!!!!

I wonder if there are any other options?

So in the US, they will not register a car if it has outstanding Canadian liens?

Not happy sad.gif


In my case, the registration is not the problem. There are two other problems though:

1) I cannot get the letter of compliance from Toyota with an outstanding Toyota loan

2) In order to register, you need to provide proof of ownership (in the US that is the title but I don't have a "title" as such). So I have to provide the bill of sale. The bill of sale shows that I have a loan. I do not have a letter showing I have paid off the loan (obviously, becasue I haven't). So they WILL register the car, but they supposedly contact the leinholder to inform them as well.

But as everyone has said, each case and each company and state is different!
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-03-06 10:49:00
CanadaYet another car import question (well two)
QUOTE (Texanadian @ Jan 11 2009, 09:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Krikit @ Jan 11 2009, 03:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Here's some of the "fun" I had: No, all Fords are NOT built the same. mad.gif


I would like to add that I am 6 metres tall and weigh 250 kg. biggrin.gif


Well, they say everything in Texas is bigger, but that is a stretch...smile.gif
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-01-11 22:44:00
CanadaYet another car import question (well two)
QUOTE (Krikit @ Jan 11 2009, 05:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (bluegreen @ Jan 11 2009, 04:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks both:) I will convert the KM to Miles before I go so I can just hand them a sticky and say, "here is the conversion".

Here in Florida you have to make an appointment with the person who looks after car imports. You can't just walk into the office and expect someone to be there to look after you. Anyway, the import person must enter "Kilometers" on their import sheet.... not miles..... so you have an official record of the notation. Otherwise, the regular tag office employees won't listen to a word you have to say.


QUOTE (bluegreen @ Jan 11 2009, 04:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Krikit, did you import your car when you crossed the border with your K visa? Or did you have your Greencard already? That seemed to be the crux of the argument with the POE people. That I never had a K visa, and am now a permanent resident.

No, sorry. I did it at the time I crossed the border. But there are quite a number of people on here who did not. They just went to another POE at a later date and did it then. They were told at the border they could do that. I'm sorry I can't recall their names.


Thanks for your help:) In CA I think once you have the form from the POE you can take it into the DMV and not any special office or import person. I called their special importer phone number and that is what they told me, although based on what I have been told by people on phones so far, it could be completely untrue:)

I have for SURE seen people on here that have taken their car to the POE later to import, once they are permanent residents, which is why this (mis)information I got from the inland port at SD was so surprising. And, two separate people at that office told me the same thing.

I have a couple of potential plans in my head now, based on everyone's advice here:) THANKS!
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-01-11 16:51:00
CanadaYet another car import question (well two)
QUOTE (Krikit @ Jan 11 2009, 05:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (JillA @ Jan 11 2009, 04:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Krikit @ Jan 11 2009, 03:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Sorry, I only had a few minutes when I gave you that link the other day.... I guess I should have mentioned that I brought my car to the US and registered it here without a problem.

Anyway, it definitely sounds like you are getting huge misinformation. Just take the car to any POE. It doesn't have to be the one closest to you. That's so ridiculous it's laughable. I mean, good Lord. My POE was over a thousand miles from where I live. LOL. You must have been talking to a newbie. You will need the registration and sales receipt. I had actually left the sales receipt in the car and offered to get it for them but they said not to bother. They will ask you for the value of the vehicle. Keep it low because your State may tax you upon registration, so the value is important. My State used the Kelley Blue Book value, but they did give me the option of writing them a letter of explanation if I disagreed with that amount. One big thing to remember when you register the title at the tag office..... make sure the person who looks after imported cars enters the mileage in kilometers and not miles. I had a heck of a time with that one.

Hope you have better luck at the next POE. good.gif


When I registered my car at the tag place, I explained the car was in KMs but they did the conversion of how many KMs I had into miles, so I had like 120,000 KMs and they said I had 74,000 miles or something it was confusing. I hope it doesn't end up being a problem or anything.

Yeah, who knows what's going to happen in the end? (Well, I guess we will eventually. laughing.gif ) But, yeah. My title came back as 120,000 miles on 120,000 kms (or whatever it was at the time). Here's some of the "fun" I had: No, all Fords are NOT built the same. mad.gif


Thanks both:) I will convert the KM to Miles before I go so I can just hand them a sticky and say, "here is the conversion".

Krikit, did you import your car when you crossed the border with your K visa? Or did you have your Greencard already? That seemed to be the crux of the argument with the POE people. That I never had a K visa, and am now a permanent resident.

bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-01-11 16:23:00
CanadaYet another car import question (well two)
QUOTE (HannahP @ Jan 9 2009, 06:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Nope! I get it now. I just don't think we did it completely legally, like you're trying to do. He didn't have a letter of compliance when he crossed the border, nor did we ever receive a letter stating that we needed to get it re-registered in Canada/imported properly.

We actually just assumed that when his registration expired on his Alberta plates, we'd just need to take it in! Our troubles started when he lost his registration, which was expired so Alberta didn't have a copy on record. Got about a dozen different answers as to whether a bill of sale would work (both from USCIS and the local DMV) but in the end, I guess we managed to bumble through it.

Isn't it odd how un-standardized some parts of this process are? (Like being able to get an EAD at JFK still, etc.)


That's the part that gets me! The different answers! If there was one, firm answer to this, I would happily follow the rules. But since there seem to be so many different ones, I am going to search and search and bumble around and talk to a million people until I find the rule I like best:)

Sounds like it all worked out nice and easily for you guys! I will remember not to lose track of my registration or bill of sale now:)
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-01-09 17:43:00
CanadaYet another car import question (well two)
QUOTE (flames9 @ Jan 9 2009, 06:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (bluegreen @ Jan 9 2009, 04:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (flames9 @ Jan 9 2009, 04:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
San Ysidro--Isn't that the main 1 between San diego and Tijuana?? That is 1 super duper busy POE!!! Stumbled across that many a night,lol


It certainly is! We don't stumble across it that much anymore, even with my Mexican-citizen husband, because it is getting just a bit sketchy down there.

Maybe it is SO busy that they will just fill out my forms and send me on my way instead of this whole registered importer thing that the San Diego office is insisting on.



Just getting sketchy,lol


Uh huh, you're right, let's say sketchy-er than ever:)
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-01-09 17:40:00
CanadaYet another car import question (well two)
QUOTE (HannahP @ Jan 9 2009, 06:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Huh. This thread kind of went over my head & I wanted to clarify a few things:

Are you basically "importing" your stuff when you first drive over the border and activate the visa? (I never really thought about it like that.)

My husband was a PR when he went to get his plates changed from Alberta to Kansas and didn't have any problems. Is that different, somehow?

*scratches head*


Exactly. Cars are a little different to personal belongings, though. According to the person I spoke with on the phone, if you import your car when you have a temporary visa (like a work visa or a K visa), you are a "non-resident" and so are allowed to import your car for a period of one year for personal use only. They are supposed to give you a form which states this, which you then give to the DMV when you go to register your car. However, he did admit that the DMV does not really keep proper record of this, and that at the end of the year, they just tend to send a renewal notice instead of saying, "hey, you need to either take your car back to Canada (or wherever), or have it imported properly by a registered importer before you can re-register it." This seemed to be a major thorn in the side of the person I spoke to.

When you drive across the border and "import" your car, you are supposed to have all this stuff with you in order to do it, like your manufacturers compliance letter and proof of ownership, etc.

However, what I am beginning to realize and what was also hinted to me by one of the nicer registered importers I spoke to yesterday, is that the DMV is (predictably) not au fait with all this, so even if you have not really "imported" your car with all the paperwork, you can really just sometimes go there and register your car and they never even ask for it. This is fine unless you decide you want to sell your car in the US later down the line. I think lots of people do this without even realizing that they are supposed to formally "import" their cars.

In fact, this entire thing seems to be based around importing your car for personal use vs. re-sale, which is very annoying because I do not wish to re-sell my car. I wish to drive it with california plates so that I do not get a gigantic fine for being here longer than 30 days with out of state registration.

In my case, I did not have the option to import my car when I drive across the border, since I entered as a visitor. I guess this is my penance for adjusting straight from my visitor status:)

I am sure that is clear as mud..

*edited for bad spelling

Edited by bluegreen, 09 January 2009 - 05:34 PM.

bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-01-09 17:29:00
CanadaYet another car import question (well two)
QUOTE (flames9 @ Jan 9 2009, 04:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
San Ysidro--Isn't that the main 1 between San diego and Tijuana?? That is 1 super duper busy POE!!! Stumbled across that many a night,lol


It certainly is! We don't stumble across it that much anymore, even with my Mexican-citizen husband, because it is getting just a bit sketchy down there.

Maybe it is SO busy that they will just fill out my forms and send me on my way instead of this whole registered importer thing that the San Diego office is insisting on.
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-01-09 16:54:00
CanadaYet another car import question (well two)
Well update I called Allstate again and spoke to someone else who said it was not a problem. So that is taken care of. We'll probably switch from Allstate at some point because we don't think they are the greatest, but we have a great rate so we'll stay for now. Just shows that if you don't get the answer you want/need, just keep asking different people until you do:)

So now my main problem remains this importing business! I am thinking I'll just drive it to Otay Mesa or San Ysidro and try there. I did read more through the link that Krikit included, and it does obliquely reference that NON residents can import their cars easily and duty-free for up to a year. It does not really say anything about residents importing cars for personal use, just for re-sale. I should have done this while my AOS was pending!!


bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-01-09 14:14:00
CanadaYet another car import question (well two)
QUOTE (BermyCat @ Jan 9 2009, 01:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The insurance thing is so weird. Phil just called USAA and added me and my car to his policy. They asked him for the numberon my I-94 for some reason but that was the only unusual thing. I got the insurance policy information in the mail yesterday and now I should get off my butt and go reregister the car.

So far, I love USAA. Much of Phil's family are officers in the marines to we're lucky enough to be able to use them.

~ Catherine


I have heard USAA is awesome!! But we aren't eligible to use them. Such a bummer! I might just try calling Allstate again and not making such a big deal about asking questions on the Canadian car thing. Just try adding the car to our policy. Then I am double insured for a while, since in order to cancel your ICBC policy you have to return your plates. In person. But I can't insure the car in the US without plates. And I can't get US plates until the car is insured in the US. Man! But maybe I'll ask around a bit and see if there is any way to get USAA. My brother in law is ex-military and he has it...
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-01-09 13:46:00
CanadaYet another car import question (well two)
QUOTE (Krikit @ Jan 9 2009, 01:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
blink.gif

Why don't you try another POE? From the CPB Find Answers site it says:

"If you failed to formally enter the car when you drove it into the U.S., you can file the entry and pay duty at your nearest CBP office."


I think I might try that:) I did call the POE at Otay Mesa, but they said I'd have to go to the San Diego Office as it was closer to me. But if I actually just WENT there it might be different...worth a shot!
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-01-09 12:54:00
CanadaYet another car import question (well two)
I have my car down here in CA and am still driving around with my BC plates, so I am working or sorting it out.

When we lived in CO in the Spring, I called the inland port and was told it was super easy to import, I didn't even need the letter of compliance since I have the EAP AND DOT stickers, etc. So I have been working away on making sure I can register it.

So yesterday I called the port in San Diego and they said that since I am now a permanent resident, I cannot import the car as part of my personal belongings and it must be imported formally through a registered importer and I have to pay all import duties, etc. They said that K1-3 visa holders and those on temporary work visas can import their cars for a period of one year only ad that those cars are not eligible for resale in the US. Then the officer said the problem with the DMV is that they don't really pay attention to this and allow people to re-register their cars every year for years. But he said there would be a problem if they tried to sell the car.

This really sucks. I don't want to sell my car! Now OR in the future. I had to call every registered importer all the way up to Sacramento before I even found someone who would deal with my '05 Toyota rather than "high end european imports only". The guy I finally did reach thought that was ridiculous and that this particular port is really #######. He said it would totally not be worth my money to use his services because it is so expensive and time consuming.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it worth just trying to take my car to a different port? I wish I had just done it in CO where they had a completely different story.

On to question two. When I DO eventually register my car at the DMV in Cali, they require proof of insurance. Will my BC insurance work for this? I called Allstate, who insures our other car, and they will not insure my car till it is registered. Ugh!! No win situation!

Any insight MUCH appreciated! This is 5x more complicated than immigration!

Edited by bluegreen, 09 January 2009 - 12:01 PM.

bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-01-09 11:59:00
CanadaThe Annoying Co-Worker Thread
My new boss yells and points her finger in your face. She gets progressively louder and louder, and spits while she talks. I work in a high-end spa! Incense, soothing music, orchids, waterfalls...and this crazy screaming lady who flies into rages (often IN the guest areas) at least twice a day. Soooo relaxing.
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-04-02 10:01:00
CanadaAnyone feel like they've made a huge mistake?
I don't have time to read everything right now, or make a helpful comment, because I am rushing out the door to my job which is a fraction as good as anything I ever did at home, but there are tears running down my face and I can hardly see what I am typing - this resonates with me too. The situations may be slightly different, but the feelings you are all describing are not. I understand exactly. xo
bluegreenFemaleCanada2010-07-29 10:27:00
CanadaCanadian Thanksgiving

Oh my. This is happening more and more often. That must have been very stressful for you. How did you hear about it? Did you have to negotiate the cash for keys or did they just offer it? How much time did they give you to move? ugh. Hope you have a great new house now.


Krikit, it's not so bad. Our landlord told us it was happening, and we'd had an auction notice on the door.We actually got a few months of free rent before the auction as well as the cash for keys deal. The person who bought it at auction wants to flip it so he wanted us out. I can say, if this happens to anyone reading this, that it is important to be very aware of what your rights are as a tenant, because there are a lot of good laws in place to protect you but it seems that many agents/developers/etc really try manipulate you. We knew we were entitled to stay for 60 days before he could serve us. Our cash for keys move out deal did take some negotiating but as soon as he realized that we knew our rights, he was much more willing to work with us... now he knows he is guaranteed a nice, clean empty condo within a week and we have some spare money to move with. PLus, we had already found and signed a lease on a new, way more awesome place:) When we got the second auction notice on the door, we knew it was time to find another place!

Oops, edited to add: We offered to be gone in a week (Because we'd already found somewhere to move, heh. Of course we did not say that). We got $2,000.

Edited by bluegreen, 07 October 2010 - 11:06 PM.

bluegreenFemaleCanada2010-10-07 23:02:00
CanadaCanadian Thanksgiving
Well, we will be celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving with a very American tradition - moving to a new house because the one we are renting got foreclosed on:) Maybe I can take some of our cash for keys money and do a big turkey dinner the week after...ha.
bluegreenFemaleCanada2010-10-05 22:28:00
CanadaHolier then thou attitude
I notice it, and sometimes, I even find myself guilty of doing it, when I am having a bad day or feeling homesick. It's funny, because I grew up in Canada the child of English immigrant parents, and it used to really upset me that my Mum held very superior, holier-than-though attitudes towards Canada and Canadians. She has mellowed out a LOT now, but I remember feeling very upset about it as a kid, and I think it made me cling even more to my "Canadian" identity, even though she was always reminding me that I was an English girl. I always thought of that as a very British attitude, Now I know that she was probably feeling the way I feel these days - not wanting to lose her own identity on a country that felt foreign and unfamiliar, and definitely not wanting her children to become "one of them!"

I don't know why Canadians as a whole do this and it does bother me. I think it is kind of like a national bad habit:) we've just fallen into it and it makes us feel like we are in the "right" place doing the "right" things. I miss many things about Canada, and I do really need to work on becoming more appreciative and cognizant of the many wonderful aspects of living down here...
bluegreenFemaleCanada2010-10-19 21:54:00
CanadaWedding Details
QUOTE (ashenflowers @ Jun 9 2009, 04:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Sorry... I really should've clarified. By wedding 'planner', I meant like.. day planner... booklet... thing. Not a wedding planner PERSON.. I'm not wasting money to hire a 'planner'... I'm just looking for a good book to be able to write stuff down. LOL And/or a good wedding planning website... i.e. frugralbride.com or something

My bad... I wasn't able to explain that earlier, cause I can't do VJ at work. But thanks for your tips!!
I am sort of looking forward to planning this, but also REALLY don't want anything fancy... I don't really have anyone I can co-plan this with, which makes me kinda sad sad.gif I mean, I guess my mom, but even so, she lives an hour and a 1/2 away, which isn't FAR, but far enough to make it difficult to do things together with her. Oh well. There's of course my fiance, but he's farrrr.... And doesn't get why we'd need to come up with any decisions right now since our reception with family/friends isn't until next summer. lol


Theknot does have a really good checklist/tracker tool. I have found that site a bit traditional for my taste, but to each their own. Sites I have loved for planning are:

offbeatbride.com (I blog there a lot. Some ideas are too wacky for me, but it has given me the confidence to just go for what I want even if it doesn't for the "wedding" mold". Also it is a nice group of women who are very supportive. There is an Offbeat Bride book, too).

weddingbee.com

indiebride.com (the kvetch forum; the rest of the site is defunct)

stylemepretty.com, thebridescafe.com, greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com for tons of photo inspiration.

bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-06-12 09:52:00
CanadaWedding Details
Duh. That was one of JillA's suggestions. I should read better! I can say it WAS very sweet and not mood dampening in any way.

Also about invites: I ordered mine as "free" postcards on Vistaprint.com. Sign up for their email alerts and they send these free offers for 100 postcards. You just pay (comparatively expensive) shipping. So my invites, response cards and info cards cost about $18 (three sets of 100). You can upload your own image for an extra $5 or something, which I did. They have envelopes but I thought they were a bit thin so I found some thicker metallic ones online. I added some pretty vellum bands and ribbon which I bought on Ebay. So I think they whole thing cost well under $40.

Yay wedding! It is SO MUCH more fun planning this thing with the whole immigration smazzle over with. I'm excited!
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-04-22 19:10:00
CanadaWedding Details
QUOTE (BermyCat @ Apr 22 2009, 04:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I need ideas for some sort of memorial for my mother at our service, something beyond just mentioning her in the wedding program. She passed away after losing her fight with cancer two years ago. I don't want to dampen the mood but I also want to acknowledge the fact that I miss her and wish she could be there.

A candle is traditional, but it can pretty breezy right on the ocean.

Does anyone have any ideas?

~ Catherine


Catherine I was at a wedding recently where the seat where the mother of the bride would traditionally sit was left empty. The bride paused right before she reached the alter and placed a single daisy from her bouquet on the empty seat (I am guessing it was already loose and she was just holding it with her bouquet). It was very sweet and poignant.


bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-04-22 19:00:00
CanadaDon't you love it when...
QUOTE (Krikit @ May 27 2008, 10:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wow. Those pictures are gorgeous, Spirit. I'm homesick for BC now, too, Bluegreen. sad.gif I'm hoping our next transfer is to the northwest so I can be close to my family out there. I'd move there in a second.


Yes, thanks for the photos, Spirit - so pretty - there is nowhere else quite like here:) My husband always said he didn't think he could handle living in the rain up here, but he was just up for the weekend and it was finally one of those amazing few days where it is sunny and perfect, and he is changing his tune...hurray!! We might not ever do it, but I like knowing it's an option we could both be happy with! Krikit I hope you get that transfer!!
bluegreenFemaleCanada2008-05-27 10:26:00