ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaInterview Date Set
Nope! Vancouver has always done K3s (I did my K3 there). It's CR-1s/IR-1s that only Montreal does. :)

Like I mentioned, Vancouver can only accomodate a total of four K visas per day (K1s or K3s). They are still pretty damn speedy though and have consistently scheduled interviews for about 1 month from receipt of checklist. Sometimes people get lucky and a slot opens up sooner (like in Stacey33's case).
misaFemaleCanada2007-08-14 00:20:00
CanadaInterview Date Set
You can ask, but September 12th may have been the soonest available date. They can only accomodate four K visa applicants per day. Honestly, you're lucky to get September considering how long people on the east side of the country are waiting about 6 months for an interview date through Montreal. ;)
misaFemaleCanada2007-08-13 23:13:00
CanadaWe have a POE date!
Congrats! There was a list here somewhere with "moving tips" too... do a search for it and it'll probably come up.

As for your computer, it's a desktop yes? At the very least, take out the HD and bring that with you and ship the rest. You can also take the cards out and bring it with you as well. You know, ever since I switched to laptop only, I don't think I could ever go back to a desktop!

Edited by misa, 03 September 2007 - 09:59 AM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-09-03 09:58:00
CanadaHelpless TN Canadian trying to Apply for Green Card
The I-130 is only to establish family relationship. There is no interview for the I-130 in the U.S. The I-485 is for permanent residency so yes, it needs to be approved in order for you to get a green card (permanent residency). If your case was truly denied then it will delay things. You'll need to file a motion to reopen or refile (depending on what the denial was for). The I-130 will continue processing on its own.

The I-131 is for advance parole and has no bearing on what is going on with your I-485. The person on that other forum is either mistaken or confused.

Did you call and try to speak to an immigration officer yet? Did you try contacting the senator or congressperson? Your goal here is to find out exactly what is going on with your case. Whether or not it was truly denied, if they issued an RFE and it was never received, etc.

I'm not really sure what else to suggest at this point but good luck!
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-12 16:37:00
CanadaHelpless TN Canadian trying to Apply for Green Card
I agree with Reba's suggestion since Infopass couldn't help. You could also try the 1-800 number again and ask them to escalate your call to an actual immigration officer. I am not sure if they would have more access to your file than Infopass would but it is worth a shot to find out what exactly is going on, when an RFE was sent out, etc.

The I-130 will continue processing on it's own since it's a completely separate petition used to establish family relationship (in your case between you and your spouse).

Did you ever go for a biometrics appointment? Also what fee did you pay for the I-485? Did you pay $325 or $395 at the time?

Edited by misa, 12 September 2007 - 09:54 AM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-09-12 09:51:00
CanadaHelpless TN Canadian trying to Apply for Green Card
Sounds like something got lost in the mail which happens a lot!

Make an infopass appointment asap to find out exactly what is going on and what the original RFE was for. Explain that you never received anything in the mail. Hopefully they can get it sorted out for you. The 1-800 number will not be able to tell you much so definitely book an infopass appointment.

http://infopass.uscis.gov/index.php

Good luck!
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-11 19:48:00
CanadaHave a good one tomorrow Tinker!!!
Congrats!
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-12 16:38:00
CanadaHave a good one tomorrow Tinker!!!
Tinker's probably celebrating right now! biggrin.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-12 10:24:00
CanadaHave a good one tomorrow Tinker!!!
You'll do great tomorrow. Good luck! smile.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-11 13:58:00
Canada485 process and procedure?
All three (I-130/I-485/I-765) are somewhat independent of each other except that if your I-485 is denied your I-765 will be as well since the EAD was applied for on the basis of you being an adjustment applicant. So... when you get an RFE for the I-485, it stops processing on the I-765 until the RFE is satisfied and processing resumed.

The I-130 is used to establish family relationship (independent of the I-485).

The I-485 needs the I-130 to be approved in your case. No I-130 approval, no PR status. With those filing the I-130 and I-485 at the same time (or with the I-130 pending), they usually get approved at the same time. An approved I-130 is not a guarantee for the I-485 to be approved though (but brad, try not to worry!).

I know it's stressful but BREATHE! smile.gif Trust me I know how stressful it is... I'm totally neurotic about all this and went through 2 USCIS processes and 2 interviews. One to get here on a K3 and one to get my GC. I ended up channelling my neurotic tendancies into preparing documents.

Take the time now to prepare and gather documents for an interview... you can use my checklist linked in my signature ("documents") to see what I brought to my interview but you will also get a interview letter and checklist in the mail. Also see this thread: http://www.visajourn...showtopic=86467

Hopefully you'll receive an interview notice soon. smile.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-13 09:19:00
Canadauuuuugggghhhhh so frustrating!
Sorry to hear things aren't going great right now but it will pass. Hang in there! *hugs*

Re: Apartment... is it an option to just live week to week at a motel or something until you receive your first pay cheque? I know it's not a "great" option but cheaper right now than a security deposit and first month's rent.

Re: Food... you may wish to look into a food bank to tide you over. When you get your first pay cheque you can have your husband buy some food to donate back to them.
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-13 09:40:00
CanadaSnow!!!
Snow? Crazy! It's 27C here in VA. biggrin.gif

You know, I thought about it a bit earlier this year in Toronto during a freezing cold snap where with the windchill it was close to -30C and I was walking my dog and slipping all over the ice... I'm really not going to miss the cold. biggrin.gif

And yes, I know that others in Canada endure much worse winters, but hey, I'm from Toronto and we're whiners about cold! tongue.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-12 11:37:00
CanadaAnyone have any great study habits???
I am the *worst* with study habits. I'm a total procrasinator and end up cramming at the last minute.

The only thing I can think of is to make studying a regular routine. Block off an hour (or whatever amount of time) per day, at the same time everyday to go over your school work. I got that tip from some friends before when they were working on their dissertations. They told me that if they didn't work on their dissertation (researching, writing, rereading, etc.) at least a bit every day, they just ended up slacking so they treated it like a part-time job -- you don't really want to do it, but you have to. biggrin.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-11 14:01:00
CanadaI know you've probably seen this question a million times....
The SSN guide here for K1s is pretty accurate:

http://www.visajourn...h...om&page=ssn
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-11 11:09:00
CanadaOctober 4 Interview
Congrats! Looks like they're back on track with DCF!
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-13 12:36:00
CanadaABF upack terminal to terminal
QUOTE (vanee @ Sep 13 2007, 03:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Nini & Bee @ Sep 12 2007, 11:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
No, I asked this question today at the UPS store, and unfortunately your goods will not be allowed to cross the border until US customs has received notice that you personally have entered the US. The visa has to be activated and usually a copy of the I-94 is used as proof that you've crossed into the country.

When I talked to U-Pack today, they said that all they needed from me was a photocopy of my passport, an itemized list of what's being shipped, and a customs form. I specifically asked if they needed a copy of my activated visa, and they said no. Hmmm.


From their quote form that they send you (they should add something about faxing them the I-94 or something...). I bolded #9.

Requirements for shipping household goods from Canada into United States:

1. Proof of Status - VISA, Passport and Birth Certificate. You must have a picture ID. The local ABF terminal will need photocopies of these when the shipment is picked up.
2. A complete itemized list of your items with an approximate dollar value of the shipment.
3. A completed U.S. Customs Form 3299, https://forms.custom...f-3299-form.xft
4. You will need to supply all of the above documents to the driver upon pick up of the loaded trailer. The driver can present the paperwork to the Customs & Border Protection Agency (CBP) for clearance at the border.
5. ABF is not responsible for clearing the shipment with the CBP.
6. If preferred, you may hire a broker for clearing of your items at the border.
7. If the shipment does not clear customs at the border, the shipment may move inbond, at the discretion of CBP, and must be cleared prior to delivery. A bond fee will be assessed.
8. The most common reasons a shipment fails to clear at the border are:
1. If paperwork is not filled out properly
2. All necessary paperwork is not provided
3. Improper/Insufficient identification
9. All U-Pack shipments are quoted in U.S. dollars. Any applicable custom fees are not included.

Edited by misa, 13 September 2007 - 05:59 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-09-13 17:58:00
CanadaABF upack terminal to terminal
QUOTE (thermophile @ Sep 11 2007, 12:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
sure, I'll take your word for it-you're usually right.

now I'm wondering if the hubby should activate his visa at the border crossing that's just south of the mum-in-law's. then turn right back around and spend the night in Canada with the mum? This is to make sure that they have all the right papers before the cube gets to the border. Of course several of the recent reviews have said that they didn't fax a copy of the stamp and had no problem. what to do?


biggrin.gif I've been known to be wrong though. wink.gif

I guess the best course of action would be for him to get his I-551 stamp and whatever else he gets (I'm assuming a standard entry stamp in addition to the I-551?) and then fax it asap to Upack. I'm one of the people where UPack forgot to ask me to fax over the I-94 and entry stamp and I still got my stuff okay. I guess it depends on the particular officer the driver gets at the border and whether they bother to inspect the paperwork carefully enough (or at all).

Edited by misa, 11 September 2007 - 12:01 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-09-11 12:00:00
CanadaABF upack terminal to terminal
QUOTE (thermophile @ Sep 11 2007, 10:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We have to fax something, I can't remember what form, back to UPack to show that he's immigrated.


I guess since you're CR-1 you'd fax them a copy of the I-551 stamp and the entry stamp?
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-11 09:25:00
CanadaABF upack terminal to terminal
Yup, you need to supply the moving company with specific photocopies (the visa being one). You also have to fax them a copy of your I-94 after you cross so that the driver can present all that stuff at the border.
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-11 09:11:00
CanadaABF upack terminal to terminal
I had the same problem stressing out about where the cube was going to go. Lucky for me, I'm a dumbass and didn't even look at the front of my house -- it's recessed from the sidewalk and the cube fit perfectly there in front. Hope you can find a way to get that trailer in there! Are you in a house? Friendly with the neighbours?
misaFemaleCanada2007-08-18 13:18:00
CanadaABF upack terminal to terminal

I had seen that it was in USD-doesn't really matter right now does it? a few years ago that would have been quite the shock.

Oh it still matters now! Emancipation posted that newstory about the Canadian dollar declining. :crying:
misaFemaleCanada2007-08-17 11:05:00
CanadaABF upack terminal to terminal
One more thing. All prices quoted are USD with Upack if you are moving from Canada to the U.S. (not sure if it is CDN if you're just moving province to province). They state the USD on the last item of the quote way at the bottom.
misaFemaleCanada2007-08-17 09:16:00
CanadaABF upack terminal to terminal
I reserved mine a month in advance. Gave them photocopies of my visa, passport bio page and longform birth certificate. They *should have* made me fax them a copy of my I-94 after I crossed, but they didn't and my stuff got there anyway. :P

Here's my quick timeline on my move: http://www.visajourn...h...st&p=805325
misaFemaleCanada2007-08-16 20:25:00
CanadaABF upack terminal to terminal
I opted for door to door but I did for a short time consider terminal to terminal which was 1/2 the price. If I had gone through with it, I was going to rent a uhaul to get the stuff to the terminal and then one to get the stuff out.

The only advice I have to give with moving a lot of stuff is PURGE PURGE PURGE and then spend the time to organise the items in boxes and label them! I always intend to do that but then never leave myself enough time to pack so I end up throwing stuff in boxes randomly and it's a nightmare when I unpack.

You may want to see this thread for moving tips!

http://www.visajourn...showtopic=75168
misaFemaleCanada2007-08-16 19:47:00
CanadaGreen Card
Same price. He's over 14 years old.

Here's the fee schedule: http://www.uscis.gov...edule052907.pdf

Note that AP & EAD costs are included with AOS. It's mentioned on page 2.
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-13 21:38:00
CanadaGreen Card
QUOTE (lisakopavi @ Sep 13 2007, 05:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks for the information. How much does it cost when you apply for AOS?


It's just over $1,000 now.
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-13 17:54:00
CanadaLast day @ work
Yup, just answer the positives about the job (hopefully there are some?)... and avoid any negative feedback. tongue.gif

*hugs*
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-13 11:24:00
CanadaDepositing into Canadian bank account
QUOTE (flames9 @ Sep 14 2007, 08:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Custom house isnt that much of a pain to set up. if one has a Scanner(fax machine), one can scan, then email stuff in. It does take a bit to get up and running, but after that it is very easy. They are very accommodating to raising your limits as well.


Very true, I have both so I didn't have to go run around getting things faxed or scanned.
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-14 08:56:00
CanadaDepositing into Canadian bank account
QUOTE (trailmix @ Sep 13 2007, 11:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm sure you guys have covered this question before, but is the exchange rate generally better than the banks? (for custom house that is)


Not sure what the bank charges for buying and selling currency but Custom House uses the exact exchange rate at that second and no fees for transfers (i.e., buying and selling currency).

Edited by misa, 14 September 2007 - 12:40 AM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-09-14 00:40:00
CanadaDepositing into Canadian bank account
QUOTE (liz_legend @ Sep 13 2007, 10:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
ok.. did that

now I wait for an email I guess...


You should get an email soon. And you have to fax stuff to them too. Then they'll email you with a time of when they'll call you and ask you specific questions (they'll tell you by email what you'll need to confirm on the phone). I think that's the sequence.

Anyway, they're very nice and helpful on the phone. smile.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-13 21:42:00
CanadaDepositing into Canadian bank account
Liz, are you talking about custom house?

I remember just putting down:

Credit References

Company name: Bank Name
Contact name: Branch Manager
Phone: Branch phone number
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-13 21:06:00
CanadaDepositing into Canadian bank account
I also vote for Custom House. After it's all set up, it's virtually painless. Takes about 3 business days for the transfer to go through but there are no additional fees and the exchange rate is always the current exchange rate. You can even check and refresh the exchange rate before you initiate the "transfer" (technically it's buying and selling currency through EFT).
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-13 13:09:00
CanadaWell I moved today. :)
Congrats!
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-16 11:27:00
CanadaWell on the way to getting it all done..
Colin, thanks for the update and glad to hear you're both settling in okay despite the SSN #######. smile.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-08 21:42:00
CanadaThings to do before you move...
You could always put your stuff on craigslist too! smile.gif

But man, it really is difficult getting people to take stuff.

A friend had promised to take all my furniture but due to unforeseen circumstances, he couldn't. I couldn't take it anywhere (no car and charities no longer pick up). I ran out of time, didn't get a chance to clean, ended up leaving a lot of furniture and dishes and #######. I felt horrible but we had rental cars waiting. I ended up slipping a few hundred dollars into an envelope and slipping it under my landlord's door with a note hoping that it would cover the cost of cleaning (really that shouldn't have been a lot to do) and hauling the stuff out.
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-15 20:31:00
CanadaThings to do before you move...
QUOTE (Nini & Bee @ Sep 14 2007, 05:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Also, if you have any household bills to cancel before you've left, give them advance notice - sometimes they won't cancel service for a month or so ahead, so don't get stuck with a hefty bill.


good.gif

I cancelled my internet too late and had to pay for 30 days after I cancelled. I also didn't cancel my water heater rental from Enbridge because I thought that cancelling Hydro would take care of that... nope! It took me 3 freaking months of calls back and forth to Enbridge to get my name taken off the account for the apartment and they finally sent me a cheque for overpayment. The idiots kept saying that they needed to know the new tenant's name and I was like, "How the hell would I know that?"
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-15 11:38:00
Canada$65.00 to step on U.S. Soil
Ron, *HUGS*...
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-13 09:22:00
CanadaDidn't get my letter in time, missed my interview date!
Count me in for another vote to get your congressperson involved!
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-06 14:57:00
CanadaDidn't get my letter in time, missed my interview date!
Good luck!
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-04 18:37:00
CanadaDidn't get my letter in time, missed my interview date!
Ugh, that really sucks. Contact both the NVC and Montreal. Explain that your husband is deployed and that his stuff didn't get to you in time because of... well blame mail forwarding or something on the U.S. side. wink.gif But definitely call both NVC and Montreal and tell them you never got anything and get them to double-check your address and postal code.
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-04 09:20:00