ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaGetting medical
Daisy, call back and tell them you have a checklist stating that you need to schedule your medical. It says that on the checklist since you're DCF doesn't it? I can sort of understand waiting for packet 4 for those going through the NVC (since they don't get a packet 3) but as a DCF you do have packet 3.

Edited by misa, 02 October 2007 - 03:04 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-10-02 15:03:00
CanadaMontreal review and story
Awesome review -- had me laughing! Congrats! smile.gif (see we all told you that you'd do great!)
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-29 09:13:00
CanadaVancouver K3 approved!
CONGRATS! smile.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-01 17:58:00
CanadaRCMP info
Mephys is from Montreal. Hopefully she'll see this thread and can tell you the best place to get it at.
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-18 12:43:00
CanadaMontreal Metro
QUOTE (Stacey33 @ Sep 28 2007, 10:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I was such a freak about my passport and paperwork- I clutched on to it and had to keep it in eyesight at all times. I was a nutcase. If I could have carried it in one of those briefcases that you handcuff to yourself, I would have.


I did that too! I had all my paperwork in a separate tote bag and kept my eye on it when it went through the airport xray. I even had it on my lap the entire time on my flight to Vancouver! Then the strap was wrapped around my wrist in the cab to the hotel... I was tempted to ask the hotel if I could put it in the hotel safe but I think my husband would have told me to knock off the neurotic behaviour at that point. tongue.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-28 11:21:00
CanadaGreen Card Lottery
Yeah, that's true that there are a lot of different ways that a Canadian can get here relatively easily if they are not going the GC route. The first one that comes to mind is TN. For other countries, it's not that easy.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-04 11:53:00
CanadaGreen Card Lottery
QUOTE (Melyssa @ Oct 3 2007, 12:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
blink.gif I find this kind of odd. Why is there a Green Card Lottery when it's such a big deal for us to come to the U.S. wacko.gif


The point is to add "diversity" from different countries. There's also a limited number available in the "lottery". With family based immigration (fiance/spousal) there's no limit if your fiance/spouse is a USC and it's almost guaranteed that you'll get LPR status and will be able to apply for citizenship after 3 years of receiving your GC.

"Almost guaranteed" provided of course there isn't anything that makes someone ineligible, relationship isn't considered fraudulent, you apply to lift conditions if you get a conditional GC, etc.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-04 11:15:00
CanadaDriver's License
I've never even had a driver's license but I do have a state ID. Anyway as for the checking your SSN and GC, some State DMVs (not all) check for legal presence so they need to run the EAD or GC through "SAVE" just like the SSA and they also check the validity of your SSN.

When I went to get my state ID, the lady was super nice until I showed her my forms of ID and then her attitude totally changed... (Canadian passport, EAD). Didn't know ####### that was all about except she either didn't like Canadians or any immigrants... geesh.

Er, where was I. ANYWAY... congrats Carla and hopefully you'll get your "real" DL in the mail soon. smile.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-01 09:29:00
Canada[OT] Well, it didn't take long...
Your lucky kid's going to have dual citizenship! biggrin.gif

When he/she is older you can tell them the woes of immigration...

Edited by misa, 10 September 2007 - 03:12 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-09-10 15:11:00
Canada[OT] Well, it didn't take long...
Congrats! smile.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-10 13:06:00
CanadaLost Green Card and Travel outside the US?
I'd make an infopass appointment and see if she can get an I-551 stamp in her passport. Getting into Canada isn't a problem since she's a Canadian citizen, it's getting back into the U.S. that could be problematic without proof that she's a permanent resident.

I'd also file to get a replacement and bring that Notice of Action with her when she crosses the border if she's not able to get an I-551 stamp in her passport.

Edited by misa, 04 October 2007 - 11:19 AM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-10-04 11:18:00
Canadaarrived in PA, USA!
CONGRATS! smile.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-04 11:53:00
CanadaOttawa Consulate?
Must be a mistake or maybe it's listed because Ottawa is officially the embassy whereas Montreal and Vancouver are consulates.
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-05 11:21:00
CanadaI feel lucky this week
QUOTE (bradcanuck @ Oct 5 2007, 06:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
No good news this week. Birthday came and went with no luck. Guess I can hope for November at the worst, right?


You're in the U.S... which means MAIL ON SATURDAYS! biggrin.gif

Hoping you get something tomorrow. When I was waiting for my NOAs, biometrics, interview letter then GC I would peer out the peephole in the front door everytime I heard my neighbour's screendoor open since my mailman does their house first. Luckily he never saw me or he'd think I was a complete freak... well more than I already am. biggrin.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-05 20:54:00
CanadaI feel lucky this week
Hope you get an interview letter soon! Your online updates won't change when the letter is issued so you just have to stalk your mailman on a daily basis. wink.gif

Edited by misa, 01 October 2007 - 10:29 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-10-01 22:28:00
CanadaCanadians and Americans - do you celebrate Oct or Nov?
I voted neither. It's really only a day off for me whether Canadian or American. Plus I'm not close to my family and I don't eat meat so... hooray for statutory holidays!
misaFemaleCanada2007-09-29 23:05:00
CanadaComments re:Ron's interview
What everyone else said! We all have you and Sharon in the backs of our minds hoping that your situation will be resolved quickly. *hugs*
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-04 11:05:00
CanadaSafe, sound, sans place
Glad to hear you made it okay!
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-05 14:16:00
CanadaFriend Flagged and Denied Entry (Toronto)
QUOTE (bradcanuck @ Oct 8 2007, 02:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Misa,
He is a Canadian Citizen. He was probably denied for not having ties strong enough. First time he was denied (and flagged) was because they didn't believe he was going to leave the US (even though he has a wife and kids and a house and car etc)


Ah gotcha. Yeah, he should bring loads of evidence then and make sure the CBP knows that he's not receiving any renumeration from his U.S. business colleagues. It's always up to the individual officer but the more proof of ties he brings the better. I am not sure if the consulate would issue him a B-1 as he is a Canadian citizen, but it wouldn't hurt to try to apply for one as well as the proof of ties the next time he crosses.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-08 13:48:00
CanadaFriend Flagged and Denied Entry (Toronto)
Direct your friend to this page http://www.amcits.co...nadians_usa.asp to see if his business trip falls under other categories.

Did he get denied for lack of proof of ties? Did his planned business trip violate the terms of a B-1? He can try contacting his local consulate but many of them do not provide advice on B-1 or B-2 visas (they just process them). Is he a Canadian citizen or a Canadian PR?
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-08 12:55:00
CanadaI'm frustrated and angry .....
QUOTE (lynamon @ Oct 9 2007, 12:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks Misa ... they just cashed the cheques on 10/04/07 and I have the MSC #'s on the back of the cheques ... the local office is only a 2 minute drive from my house .. I think that I'll make an appointment right now smile.gif


Oh, one thing... oftentimes the number on the back of the cheque isn't actually going to be your receipt number. Why? I have no idea... but that was the case with my EAD and AOS and many others as well. But since the local office is close and you have time, hey, why not make that infopass? smile.gif
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-08 23:25:00
CanadaI'm frustrated and angry .....
Sorry to hear things are a bit frustrating.

As for your EAD, did you get your NOA1 yet? You can make an infopass and try to get them to change it when you get the receipt number. Not sure if they'll be able to do anything without a receipt number. Anyway, making an infopass appointment to change the EAD code has worked for some people and not for others but worth a shot if the local office isn't that far.

Hang in there!
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-08 23:01:00
CanadaP-H-E-W!
Check my signature for the list of documents I brought as well as my AOS interview review. smile.gif

Congrats on an interview date!
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-03 11:00:00
CanadaPrepaid Debit Cards or Gift Cards in Canada
QUOTE (trailmix @ Oct 9 2007, 01:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I hope it didn't come across as harsh - someone told me something I had said today 'wasn't true' (it was an absolute fact - but I digress tongue_ss.gif )

Which got me thinking about the post I made here saying - Not True. Didn't mean to sound harsh anyway, hope it didn't sound that way to you.


Ditto about the sounding harsh bit! smile.gif

Hey DeadPool, are you trying to surprise her with the gift of cash or are you just sending her money? If it's money and it's going to be on a regular basis, you might want to look into electronic money transfers from your account to hers using Custom House.

Carla (cartoboy) had a good idea though about getting her an ATM card from your bank. If you don't want to give her access to the entire account you could always set up another account, send her the card and keep shoving money in there when you need to. This might be the easiest way to go about things. If it's a chequing account "check card" she could use it either as a debit card or wherever they take credit cards.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-09 09:06:00
CanadaPrepaid Debit Cards or Gift Cards in Canada
QUOTE (DeadPoolX @ Oct 8 2007, 04:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Looking at the options for credit cards, I didn't find that to be true. It seems if you've never held a Canadian bank account or Canadian credit card, they want to stick you with something ludicrous, such as a "secured" credit card. Why would I want to go with a card that has a ridiculously low limit and an annual fee?

Oh, I was talking about banks not checking credit to open up a bank account (so you can get a debit card), not credit cards, which is why I doubt there's a huge market in Canada for pre-paid debit cards. Also, the U.S. seems waaaay more driven by "credit rating" so I assume that there are more options for pre-paid debit and credit cards because of that.

The whole secured credit card thing isn't specific to Canada... it's difficult for newcomers to the U.S. to get a credit card with no U.S. banking or credit history. I don't think I'm even going to bother getting a U.S. credit card. I don't need one and hopefully it stays that way.

QUOTE
1. From what I've been told, tt looks like you can only get credit cards from the bank you hold a savings or checking account with at the time. That's nuts. In the U.S., you can get a credit card from any bank at any time from anywhere. It doesn't matter if you hold a savings or checking account with them. For instance, my savings and checking accounts are with Washington Mutual. Do I have a WAMU card? No. I have cards from Capital One, CitiBank, and Bank of America.

As others have said, that's not true. You can apply for a credit card from a bank who you do no banking with. I still hold 2 Canadian credit cards -- one of which I never had an account with.

QUOTE
2. I've been looking around at Canadian credit cards and it seems that just about every single one has an annual fee. What's up with that? It's extremely rare to find an American credit card with an annual fee. None of mine have one and I don't know anyone who does own a card with an annual fee. Most people stay away from those cards like the plague.

Mine never had an annual fee. Some do but lots don't.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-08 23:22:00
CanadaPrepaid Debit Cards or Gift Cards in Canada
I think there's not a lot of options for pre-paid debit cards in Canada because anyone can open up a bank account (savings or chequing) regardless of credit rating.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-08 13:01:00
CanadaLesson Learned and Tips to Share
QUOTE (Stacey33 @ Sep 25 2007, 07:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (jasman0717 @ Sep 25 2007, 06:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Always consult VJ good.gif

I concur.


Ditto!

I know there are some good immigration lawyers out there but I do think I did this much faster on my own than if I had hired a lawyer. If I had hired a lawyer I would never have known who to contact, how to transfer my K3 interview and when and what to stay on top of at each step of the way. Having said that if someone's case is complex, then definitely consult a lawyer.

KeoKeo, hope things start working in your favour soon!

Edited by misa, 25 September 2007 - 09:54 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-09-25 21:52:00
CanadaI-130 or K-3 Visa
QUOTE (trailmix @ Oct 10 2007, 04:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (D&N @ Oct 10 2007, 01:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You overstayed and believe you are just going to flip a petition through the system?


That's not very helpful. Did you have some insight you want to share D&N?


Ditto.

ANYWAY... to the OP, the overstay bar doesn't get triggered until you leave the U.S. and only if you overstayed 180 days. As a Canadian, you were allowed to be there for 6 months.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-10 15:38:00
CanadaI-130 or K-3 Visa
What province do you currently live in? If in Manitoba or west you would interview for a K3 in Vancouver. If in Ontario and east, it would be Montreal (for a K3). Vancouver is months faster for interviews. Right now Montreal times for CR-1 and K3 are probably around the same -- it's a long wait.

If you're going for a CR-1 then you have no choice but to go through Montreal.

Be prepared for a bit of a wait whichever you decide though. USCIS is still pretty backed up with petitions. Good luck with whatever you decide.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-04 20:18:00
Canadaany USC's living in Canada with fiancé(é)?
QUOTE (sunshinegirl0201 @ Oct 10 2007, 09:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I do not know if this is true or not. But, before I applied, I talked to an immigration lawyer and he was saying that USC has to apply for I-129F in the US. and foreign fiance has to be in his or her home country. I do not know why.


The lawyer was incorrect. The instructions even state where a USC can file if they are living abroad.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-11 00:23:00
Canadaany USC's living in Canada with fiancé(é)?
QUOTE (h_bomb @ Oct 5 2007, 01:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
no, i moved here back in 2003. i didn't have a passport until canada immigration made me get one for my permanent residency. then they stamped it when i became landed in 2004 and i haven't gotten a stamp since. they don't stamp it for me at the border and i've always driven, so no plane passes or itineraries. i've only been in the u.s. maybe 3 times in the past 3 years, too.
I guess it's a moot point since you are living there (Canada). Just document as much as you can that you live together currently and as per my previous suggestion, document when you first met, your visits, when you moved to Canada (add in a photocopy of your Canadian PR card), etc. because I really think the issue is the adjudicator not piecing together the entire picture. What might seem obvious to you might not be obvious to them. Or, they really just need it written out and signed to put in your file to cover their ###.

And don't forget the letters of intent like trailmix mentioned.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-05 14:10:00
Canadaany USC's living in Canada with fiancé(é)?
I'd suggest that the USC in the relationship write a letter detailing when you first met, when the subsequent meetings were and when you moved in together (stressing that you are living together in Canada) and include all that stuff again (the lease, the mail, dated photos, etc.). The adjudicator might not be on the ball putting 2 and 2 together and might need it spelled out for him/her.

Do you have any proof of boarding passes, flight itineraries, bus tickets, passport stamps, etc. from the USC last crossing into Canada?
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-05 09:00:00
CanadaDeath of Co-sponsor
Misty, I had a thought. You're out west so you could interview for a K3, enter the U.S. file for EAD and deal with your CR-1 later. You could always postpone your CR-1 interview until you get a co-sponsor.

Vancouver, last time I checked, does not require a I-134 (sort of a mini-affidavit) for K3 applicants.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-10 12:18:00
CanadaDeath of Co-sponsor
I'm soooo sorry to hear about your loss. sad.gif

As for the affidavit of support, any USC or LPR can be a co-sponsor. Does your husband have a close friend willing to co-sponsor?

Edited by misa, 10 October 2007 - 08:51 AM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-10-10 08:51:00
CanadaEverything is falling apart completely. I need help, please.
QUOTE (Reba @ Oct 10 2007, 07:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I haven't read the entire thread, so excuse if this has been mentioned already but I have to get to work.

You can start the Canadian immigration part without getting married. Canada allows conjugal partner sponsorship, you don't have to be married for him to sponsor you and for you to apply for a visa or residency. Check with these folks, they may have some answers for you http://www.canadavisa.com/


There was a previous post by Zyggy where he stated that it was REALLY difficult to get approved for conjugal partner sponsorship. Here's the post: http://www.visajourn...h...t&p=1231263
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-10 10:33:00
CanadaEverything is falling apart completely. I need help, please.
QUOTE (Lyric @ Oct 9 2007, 03:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ok, my next question is this. When you crossed the border did you tell them you were getting married?

He lives in Toronto, so it would be a quick drive to Buffalo if we just went for the day to Niagara Falls, got married and I took him back home.


Oh hell no... even though I had every intention of returning and brought proof of ties, I didn't really tell the truth because I didn't want to get denied. Well, sort of. Told them I was seeing a friend. Went back home after 4 days.
misaFemaleCanada2007-10-09 15:04:00
CanadaEverything is falling apart completely. I need help, please.
Sorry to hear things are not going well. As others mentioned, there is nothing illegal or fraudulent about entering the U.S. with intent to marry. The fraudulent part is if he enters as a visitor with intent to marry and stay at that time. I travelled to the U.S. to get married, but I went home after that, filed K3 and then entered on that and filed AOS and now have my GC.

Edited by misa, 09 October 2007 - 02:48 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-10-09 14:45:00
Canadak3 Interviewees, need proof of relationship?
QUOTE (monicatony @ Aug 29 2007, 10:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi Misa
I just looked at the checklist that came with Packet 3 and it doesn't specify anything about proof of relationship documents. Only the usual ID documents and certificates and the I134. I'll bring some pictures though. It couldn't hurt.
How has your EAD/AOS journey being going?? Was it very difficult? Do you have any advice on what I should be getting ready NOW to start that process assuming that my K3 visa will be approved pretty soon?
Monica


I thought for some reason that Montreal's K3 checklist stated proof of relationship. As I mentioned, Vancouver's K3 doesn't but I brought a STACK of phone bills, flight itineraries, boarding passes, etc. You may want to go through some of the Montreal reviews to see if any K3s were asked but bring the stuff anyway. Always better to be prepared than not! smile.gif

As for EAD and AOS, I had my AOS interview last week (approved!) so now just waiting for my greencard to arrive. smile.gif

I posted my checklist here: http://www.visajourn...mp;#entry839619

A few things you can do to prep now is:

- 4 US sized passport photos (2 for AOS and 2 for EAD)
- dig out the approved I-130 and photocopy it
- dig out the approved I-129F because your alien registration number is on it
- get your husband to pull out his tax returns, w2s and paystubs (only the latest tax return and w2 is *required* BUT I sent in 3 years along with 6 months of paystubs and letter from his employer)
- make copies of your long form birth certificate, marriage certificate, husband's birth certificate and your passport biographical page
- make a copy of your vaccination worksheet from the panel physician and put all your vaccination records aside (you'll need that to get a vaccination supplement done stateside from a civil surgeon)

After entry you'll have to make copies of your K3 and I-94 to include with your AOS and EAD.

I think that's pretty much all you can do now aside from reviewing the AOS, EAD and I-864 forms. Let me know if you need any help with anything.
misaFemaleCanada2007-08-29 21:37:00
Canadak3 Interviewees, need proof of relationship?
Montreal requires it I think even for K3s. Does it specify on your checklist? (Vancouver doesn't require it but I still had everything with me)

Edited by misa, 29 August 2007 - 09:03 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-08-29 21:03:00
CanadaOpening US Bank Accounts online
QUOTE (bradcanuck @ Aug 28 2007, 06:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Since when? An SSN is not require for anything aside from government affairs. Both of my bank accounts were opened with a passport.


Just wanted to add that it's not *supposed* to be required for anything aside from government affairs but the SSN is so misused these days that you need it for so many things like even credit card applications, getting an apartment, getting a cellphone and ####### like that. Verizon wouldn't add my name to our phone bill because I didn't have an SSN even though my husband is the primary account holder. I was not allowed to be put on our apartment lease either because I didn't have an SSN.

With so many places having an SSN, no wonder why there's so much damn identity theft.

I don't even remember the last time I had to provide my SIN except for a job, taxes and EI.

Edited by misa, 30 August 2007 - 10:15 AM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-08-30 10:15:00