ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaHow do you know you got the visa
Yeah, they don't ask to swear to tell the truth at the Vancouver consulate. biggrin.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-10 15:44:00
CanadaFellow Canuck starting this long road of pain.
Hi and welcome!

If you want fast, then K1 is always faster than K3. For some reason USCIS processes those faster than K3s. It will be expensive though as you'll have to file for adjustment of status after you enter the U.S. (cost now is over $1010 I think).

CR-1 is cheaper but as others mentioned you'd have to go interview in Montreal and the processing time is not fast. Every case is different but if I had to estimate it would take from start to finish anywhere between 9 to 12 months.

If your husband is due to be deployed, USCIS can expedite the petition paperwork for the K1 and also the adjustment of status after you enter on the K1. Not sure if the NVC (if you're going the CR-1 route) or the Montreal consulate will expedite though.

I know it's all overwhelming at first. I think all of us were overwhelmed by the process but take some time to read the guides and the frequently asked questions. I promise that it will all "click" and make sense after a little while.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-11 18:02:00
CanadaVery hard question
Situations like this is the primary reason why we didn't go with a K1 and instead went with a K3. I was allowed to come and go as I pleased prior to receiving my greencard.

Emergency AP is a possibility but it's always down to the immigration officer as to whether they will grant it or not.

Since you havent' filed yet, I think maybe you should consider a K3 or CR-1 instead of a K1 if you are worried about situations where you'd have to pick up and come back to Canada with no time for AP.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-12 20:55:00
CanadaUnusual Question
QUOTE (Reba @ Oct 12 2007, 07:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Actually, the salciousness of the professions in question are in the eye of the beholder. A job is a job is a job, and we do what we gotta do. Not that I am or ever have been a stripper, but I've known quite a few. Of both sexes, and they're all good people just trying to put food on the table. To each their own.


good.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-12 11:39:00
Canadaimporting the husband
Congrats!

You know, my mind read the title and subtitle as, "Importing Husband #4". biggrin.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-09 14:49:00
CanadaOct 10th is a busy day in Montreal
They're keeping us all hanging!
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-11 00:25:00
CanadaOnline Conversion
I've been using that site ever since I met my husband since he doesn't know celcius and I don't know fahrenheit! tongue.gif I use it for other measurements too like gallons and ounces, etc.

For weather, I go to http://www.weather.com/ and you can view the temperatures in "English" or metric.

Canada is a little funny though as it's not purely metric (can't remember when things were switched over). It's a mishmash of imperial and metric but most items in Canada (food, paper, etc.) have both measurements on it. I know my weight in pounds, but I don't know it in kilograms. I'm more familiar with inches than I am with centimetres. I know celcius, but I don't know fahrenheit, etc.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-17 10:07:00
CanadaPre-moving homesick jitters
Oh I hear ya! I was born, raised and lived in downtown Toronto for most of my life... work was a 10 minute walk away and everything I needed was within a 15 minute walk. And on the very rare occassions that I needed to get anywhere further? Cabs everywhere, decent public transportation, etc. I don't drive and I pretty much have to rely on my husband to cart me around to do grocery shopping and whatever else I need. That transition was really hard since I'm used to doing everything myself and not having to rely on anyone. But you know what? It wasn't as rough as it was when we were apart. Not even close! smile.gif

Just try and keep yourself busy for the first little while. Pick up a hobby, read, walk around the neighbourhood, etc.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-08 23:51:00
CanadaPics for Medical and Interview
QUOTE (Stacey33 @ Oct 12 2007, 01:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I got my pictures taken a few days before I left for Vancouver.

I got new ones here in the US for my AOS- the ones I got before Vancouver were over a month old by the time we got everything sent. I was mad because my pictures I got in Canada turned out good!


The photos you send in for your AOS and EAD are not going to be on the cards... the CRAPPY photo that you get taken at your biometrics appointment is what is going to be on the card. It'll be done under harsh flourescent lightening and with a crappy webcam on their computer. I'm not joking!
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-13 11:52:00
CanadaPics for Medical and Interview
Generally they do stamp and date them at places like Black's but just ask them not to stamp it (that's what I did).

I also ended up scanning, putting 4 up on a 4x6 and printing out my own at a Kodak kiosk from the "professional" ones and used those for AOS and EAD.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-12 12:09:00
CanadaBecause everyone in Canada lives in an igloo...
QUOTE (EdintheUK @ Aug 24 2007, 03:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Although I would have thought that the Thanksgiving question isn't that daft...... I seem to remember that there is a Thanksgiving day in Canada, but it is on a different day to the one celebrated in the US?


Yup! It's in October whereas the one in the U.S. is in November.
misaFemaleCanada2007-08-24 14:29:00
CanadaBecause everyone in Canada lives in an igloo...
Those are classic! HA!
misaFemaleCanada2007-08-23 20:44:00
CanadaPre-Tax Questions
QUOTE (trailmix @ Oct 19 2007, 03:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
When I did my tax return and did the coversion they did have a link to the federal reserve to look at the exchange rate to use.

From what I read they don't seem to mind which one you use but probably appreciate if it is consistent.

Anyway I found this page on small business and down at the bottom it gives links to different exchange rate sites etc - if you decide to maybe use one of them for the cash that is still in Canada. I can't see any reason why you would be required to transfer the money over if you don't want to.

IRS Page - Foreign Currency and Currency Exchange Rates


THANK YOU! smile.gif I'll be reading up on self-employment and small businesses with the IRS next week and will check out your linked page too. Yeah, I don't really want to transfer all the money over since I still have big bucks to pay back for my Canadian student loans. Doesn't make sense to me to have to transfer it to the US and then back to Canada.

I'm a few months early on this stuff but I want to be prepared since I'm clueless with IRS stuff.

If I'm reading this correctly I should use the exchange rate on the date of payment regardless of whether I transferred it or not... yes?

QUOTE (Emancipation @ Oct 19 2007, 03:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
it really shouldn't cost very much to have an appointment with an accountant in the US just to make sure sure that you are on the right track with your invoicing.. and to pick his or her brain about the gain/loss bit.. It might be worth the cost to have peace of mind.. smile.gif


Oh I definitely will! In the meantime I'd better go back and track down exchange rates. biggrin.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-19 15:03:00
CanadaPre-Tax Questions
Ah, okay, very helpful. So now what do I do about the already invoiced and paid amounts? Should I go back and see if I can find the cash rates at the time of invoice? I only have like 14 invoice dates so far, so there's really not that many to go back and look for rates.

And yup, filing U.S. income this year. Well and Canadian since I was resident in Canada earlier this year.

Now the gain/loss part will have me stumped since I left a bulk of it in Canada... hrm...

It would have been MUCH easier if U.S. banks easily accepted Canadian cheques without hassles or fees...

I need an accountant! tongue.gif

Edited by misa, 19 October 2007 - 02:55 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-10-19 14:54:00
CanadaPre-Tax Questions
Hoping Zyggy sees this!

Here's the dealio... I'm self-employed with my main clients being Canadian. I maintain a Canadian bank account since they pay me in Canadian funds. So I deposit the money in Canada and transfer to my US account through Custom House. I do NOT transfer it right away or in full though since I still have bills to pay Canada. I only transfer some of it every month or so or when needed. I also have a big chunk of the money still sitting there because it's being "saved" for taxes come tax time (I'm putting away 40% btw).

For tax time, when I calculate my income... how do I calculate with the exchange rate? Do I use the Canadian/US exchange rate at the time of filing? When I transferred the money over? Should I transfer the remainder of what's sitting in there ALL over now and then use that exchange rate to calculate my income in USD? Do I actually have to transfer the money over?

Help?

Edited by misa, 19 October 2007 - 02:22 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-10-19 14:20:00
CanadaWhat Montreal said about the X-ray
That makes no sense. An xray can only be read by a technician and unless they have a technician on staff, they can't do anything with it... So freaking weird and inconsistent.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-19 12:37:00
CanadaK1 extension possibility?
QUOTE (SpiritAlight @ Oct 22 2007, 12:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Now this is interesting. Hmmmm....
Being I'm not versed yet on what exactly happens after marriage and the onslaught of paperwork, how does this differ from paperwork of applying for AOS if married within 90 days of entering the U.S.?

Although I can be quite spontaneous at times, I do not want to be rushed into "the wedding".
This is not to say I have a single doubt about my love for my Chicago-ite (?) sweetheart, nor his love for me.
It is as great as the universe, nay, the multiverse! star_smile.gif
I know I know I have 6 months to enter the U.S.
This is not the same thing as being together for 6 months + the 90 days. Now that would be humane!


If you don't marry within the 90 days, as already mentioned you'll have to file the I-130 along with your AOS paperwork. I-130 = more money & proof of bonafide marriage.

Also in the time that your I-94 expires and before you file for AOS, you will be out of status (which may or may not be important to you). You won't be able to file for advance parole if you need to travel, you won't be able to file to work and depending on if and where you travel within the U.S. (e.g. southern border states) you may run into problems at immigration checkpoints along highways. Actually that goes for anyone out of status.

Just some things to consider.

Edited by misa, 22 October 2007 - 09:19 AM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-10-22 09:19:00
CanadaDoes my Birth Certificate look "Normal"
Liz, I'm sure it's fine since it's got all the relevant info. If you think that's bad, you should see my Ontario long form BC. My parents filled it in by hand (guess they did that back then, do they still?) and my mom made a ton of mistakes including her last name... (#######?), scratched them out and wrote in the correct info. It's got an official seal on it though so it was fine. biggrin.gif

If you think mine is bad, my friend's is even worse. His dad filled it out drunk and accidentally marked him down as a female and then crossed that out and put down male. You can barely read the handwriting!
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-20 22:51:00
CanadaWhat exactly is inside the medical anyways?
QUOTE (Len_and_Bren @ Sep 8 2007, 01:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I tried to get a copy of my medical and the answer was.... "it is property of the US government: mad.gif so no copies for me. Hmmmm.... if it's their property, why do I pay for it wacko.gif wacko.gif wacko.gif ?


That's pretty ridiculous especially if you were willing to pay for a copy. I know that some doctors don't keep copies on file though.

Can I say how much I enjoyed going to Dr. Seiden's? Their laidback attitude = i.e., didn't really care about stuff was awesome.

Edited by misa, 08 September 2007 - 12:54 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-09-08 12:54:00
CanadaWhat exactly is inside the medical anyways?
The medical contains these forms (the Canadian version, don't know why some physcians don't use the official Department of State Forms). There are several spots where the physician checks things off and can make notes:

- DS-2053

and worksheets

- DS-3024 (chest xray worksheet)
- DS-3025 (vaccination worksheet)
- DS-3026 (medical history worksheet)

and lab results for the chest x-ray, HIV test and syphilis test

There's room for the doctor's comments on the DS-2053 and the DS-3026.

They should just give you the entire thing if you're paying for it (I would hope).

Edited by misa, 06 September 2007 - 08:22 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-09-06 20:20:00
CanadaLocal Police Certificate or RCMP?
B)-->
QUOTE(J and B @ Jul 19 2007, 01:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum and am so grateful I found it!

I went down to the Vancouver Police Department today to get my Canada-wide criminal record check, which I should receive in a month's time.

I hear the USCIS is verrry ####### about having all your paperwork in exact order and exactly the way they require it.

So I went to the RCMP website to see if I should be requesting my Canada-wide criminal record check from the RCMP instead of the VPD. That's where I get confused.

On the list of paperwork I need to get (provided by our lawyer), I can have the CPIC done by either the local PD or RCMP, right?

By the way, in case anyone is interested, the VPD will do the record check for you from the age of 16 till now no matter which city you have lived in, so you don't need to have them done in each municipality.

TIA!

Jay the Canasian and Bee the Amurkin[/quote]

The check you get should be fine. Doesn't matter where it's from as long as it confirms that you aren't in the national records something or other (essentially that it was a Canada wide check).

They can be pretty ####### about stuff but with the police check, you're good as long as it was Canada wide.

Since you have time, make sure you get your long form birth certificate. You'll need that at the interview. It's the one that has both your parents name on it. And short form, wallet sized one will not suffice.
  • 0
K3 Timeline - 2006-11-20 to 2007-03-19

See the comments section in my timeline for full details of my K3 dates, transfers and touches. Also see my Vancouver consulate review and my POE review.


AOS & EAD Timeline

2007-04-16: I-485 and I-765 sent to Chicago (My AOS/EAD checklist)
2007-04-17: Received at Chicago
2007-04-23: NOA1 date (both)
2007-05-10: Biometrics appointment (both - Biometrics review)
2007-06-05: AOS interview letter date
2007-06-13: AOS interview letter received in mail
2007-07-03: EAD card production ordered
2007-07-07: EAD card received! (yay!)
2007-08-23: AOS interview (Documents / Interview review)
2007-08-23: Green card production ordered!!!
2007-08-24: Welcome notice mailed!
2007-08-27: Green card production ordered again... ?
2007-08-28: Welcome notice received!
2007-09-01: Green card received!

Done with USCIS until May 23, 2009!
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-19 09:54:00
CanadaLocal Police Certificate or RCMP?

Misa, cause she didn't expect a Beaver to take off it's coat, sheesh :blink:


:P It was DAMN COLD OUT when I got it done. It was during one of the cold snaps in February... I think it was something like -20 C out that day! Brrr...
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-12 10:40:00
CanadaLocal Police Certificate or RCMP?

Liz, ..............
did you get a pic on yours too? :blink:


Ya Mr Constable man pulled out his digital camera and took a picture of me as I sat in the chair.. kinda shocked and not at all prepared =)


Heh, mine was done with a webcam attached to her camera! I asked if I should take off my coat and scarf and she said no. :P
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-11 21:22:00
CanadaLocal Police Certificate or RCMP?
They're different all over the place. Some with photos, some not. Some yellow, some white. Some 1/2 size, some full sheet. All I know is that mine looks really ghetto.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-11 16:24:00
CanadaLocal Police Certificate or RCMP?
If you saw the yellow certificate in person, it looks like a kid did it on their computer. Mine is the yellow one too. The ink in the printer was all streaky and the photo they took, I'm still wearing my winter coat and scarf!
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-11 12:57:00
CanadaLocal Police Certificate or RCMP?
If you're in Toronto, go to the Commissionaires. Takes 5 days for a Canada wide check. Just tell them it's for U.S. immigration and you need a full name check (canada wide). Think it cost me $35.

http://www.commissio...-greatlakes.ca/

You don't need fingerprints if you do not have a criminal record. Just a name check. The Commissionaires actually gets the RCMP to do the check.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-11 01:10:00
CanadaDocument question.
My police certificate was like that too (no seal but had signature, etc.). It was fine. I think they are used to seeing all the different types of police certificates.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-22 12:07:00
CanadaWheres all the privileges to be canadian
While it would have been nice to get special treatment, I didn't expect after reading up on the process.

QUOTE
Best to go through the process grateful with what you do have, rather than what you think you should have.


I agree with this! I was always grateful that the Vancouver and Montreal were never considered "hard" consulates to get through. And by "hard" I mean consulates like Casablanca or Lagos or Ho Chi Minh.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-22 16:00:00
CanadaWheres all the privileges to be canadian
QUOTE (SpiritAlight @ Oct 22 2007, 02:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I don't fit into a formula, unfortunately for me for this process.
Due to being turned back at the border in Washington ("voluntary withdrawal") for trying to mail some boxes from there (the guy at customs there thought I was moving I guess), and dug around and uncovered an ancient criminal charge I thought had disappeared. (I wrote about this in another thread.)

So I have been advised to sit on my hands and wait....do nothing.


Ah, gotcha. I must have missed your previous post. That sucks.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-22 14:26:00
CanadaWheres all the privileges to be canadian
QUOTE (SpiritAlight @ Oct 22 2007, 12:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I cannot visit the U.S. and have had to give up something (the racing) I've been a part of for the last 3 years (this has nothing to do with my honey).


Why can't you visit? Plenty of us visited during the process.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-22 12:03:00
CanadaWheres all the privileges to be canadian
QUOTE (Kathryn41 @ Oct 20 2007, 08:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Canada is indeed a foreign country and the US has every right to request whatever documentation they require from foreign nationals - regardless of what country they come from, including Canada. We are not Americans - we are Canadians. There is a difference. The privileges of being a Canadian are available to us - in Canada.


It goes both ways too. I know several Americans who were deemed inadmissible to Canada for previous crimes and they were pissed and ranted about how they had a right to go there despite their criminal records...
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-20 23:00:00
CanadaI'm getting a visitor this week!!
Have fun!

I don't envy the position of the girlfriend. I know I was really worried when I met my mother-in-law for the first time. It was under less than ideal circumstances and we were already married and she already had some concerns about that since my husband and I hadn't known each for that long. But we hit it off and she loves me (and vice-versa!). smile.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-23 09:09:00
CanadaWhoohoo yes yes yes!!
I *totally* thought you got your interview date! tongue.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-23 13:24:00
CanadaOrdering an ROE for EI
Ah, you should keep all employment & financial stuff for at least 6 or 7 years (or longer if you're paranoid like me). Hopefully it'll all get sorted out! smile.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-23 16:19:00
CanadaOrdering an ROE for EI
Hopefully your old sketchy employer actually filled out a ROE... I've heard of sketchy places (mostly telemarketing places) who take the taxes off the employee's cheques but never reported it to Service Canada (i.e., keeping those deductions themselves). You have proof of employment with them like official paystubs and whatnot?
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-23 16:07:00
CanadaOrdering an ROE for EI
Here ya go!

http://www1.servicec...duplicate.shtml
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-23 14:43:00
CanadaStarting the process
QUOTE (Delicia @ Oct 23 2007, 09:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
No, I never had a work permit as my case never reached first stage approval (which means no work, no ownership of property, no medical, nothing). After sitting in Alberta for 9 months, my file was transferred to a local CIC office in Toronto where it sat untouched until I gave up. Even the MP was baffled but unable to help.


Hmm... interesting. Well hopefully they will get your refund to you soon and good luck with the U.S. process!
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-23 20:23:00
CanadaStarting the process
At least there's the option for a refund which is way more than what USCIS will give you (which is nothing if you withdraw a petition/application or if you are denied).

The U.S. process may or may not be faster for your husband. It will be faster if he doesn't get caught in namechecks/security check holdups but if he does, there's no telling how long it could take. At least you were able to live there with him through it which is still a bonus. smile.gif

For clarification, were you able to get a work permit while your application was pending? Because if you were, it sounds like you were in a similar situation as those here in the U.S. waiting years for AOS approval. They are able to work with an EAD.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-23 20:17:00
CanadaStarting the process
If you're stuck with Montreal regardless of K3 or IR-1 (since you've been married 2+ years), go with the IR-1.

If I was doing this all over again, I'd stick with what we did (K3 then AOS). I went through Vancouver though and my entire process was really fast compared to many others (8 months - 4 for K3 and 4 for GC).
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-23 19:56:00
CanadaProof?
Best to have more evidence than not enough (even though they probably won't even ask for it). I'd bring samples from when you first met to the present.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-24 12:10:00