ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Canadaone year later
QUOTE (Mephys @ Aug 28 2007, 12:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Times passes so fast now its crazy....


It's true! Prior to visa issuance we all counted the days, hours, minutes and seconds and every hour seemed like days and every day seemed like weeks... well, you get what I'm trying to say. Now that I'm here I can't believe I've already been here for 5 months!
misaFemaleCanada2007-08-28 12:26:00
CanadaEI Issue
He's not that active there either.

I know that Our Mao is also an accountant but she hasn't been on since she crossed with her CR-1. And where's Riblet? :(
misaFemaleCanada2007-08-15 16:51:00
CanadaEI Issue

how long, after sending in all your paperwork, did it take for your EAD to be approved (sort of off topic here, but not really)?


80 something days for mine. It's usually about 90 days.
misaFemaleCanada2007-08-15 12:01:00
CanadaEI Issue
FYI: The validity date on my EAD started BEFORE card production was ordered. I got the card production ordered email on July 3. My card arrived July 7 but the validity period started on June 28. Then a week later on July 14 I got an approval email for the EAD... which I already had in hand. :P
misaFemaleCanada2007-08-08 09:45:00
CanadaEI Issue
Yup, the validity date will be printed on the EAD so whatever that says is when your benefits are eligible to start up again (if you're beyond the first 90 days as a K1).

Edited by misa, 08 August 2007 - 09:40 AM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-08-08 09:39:00
CanadaEI Issue
Yeah, the problem is that a lot of government agencies have the addresses predefined to print out a certain way to Canada Post standards which is totally opposite than USPS standards!

I only figured it out because my husband kept writing and referring to our apartment as 123-5 Main Street and I'm like, "#######? Why are you doing address dash apartment number?" :P
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-25 22:38:00
CanadaEI Issue

I just received a call from Melanie at EI in Belleville. She informed me that the paperwork they sent to me here in Spokane has been returned as "undeliverable address". She confirmed the address with me and it's correct. Anybody have this problem before with receiving mail?


Are you in an apartment? Note that Canada Post and USPS treats addresses differently.

Say you live at 123 Main Street, Apartment 5.

Canada Post short forms that to: 5-123 Main Street
USPS short forms that to: 123-5 Main Street

USPS will return 5-123 Main Street as undeliverable UNLESS there is an apartment building at 5 main street with apartment 123... (and the mailman actually cares whose mail goes in which box).

This could be the problem. Call them up again and verify the way they show apartment numbers (if you're in an apartment).

Edited by misa, 25 July 2007 - 04:11 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-07-25 16:10:00
CanadaEI Issue

MISA!!!!!!! :bonk: Get your file updated girl!! Are you independantly wealthy? :whistle:


I got busy with figuring out what I needed to get my SSN and my State ID and a bunch of other #######! And the EI lady was on vacation. And then I got some freelance work to do... no no, not independantly wealthy in the least!

The EI lady actually gave me her email address so I'm going to scan my EAD and email to her first thing tomorrow. :)

Hey Mephys, glad to hear you're getting some money!
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-19 16:17:00
CanadaEI Issue
This reminds me that I haven't sent EI a copy of my EAD yet! OR updated my address with them. Duh! I'll do that tomorrow.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-19 15:26:00
CanadaEI Issue

You mean sending a letter saying " i don't need you to send cards any more cause i have a job" probably was a bad thing :blink: ?

*sigh.. I hate gov systems.. I had no idea ... :P


Maybe give them a call and see if they can keep your claim open. Just tell them that you're not sure how long this job will last, etc.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-12 10:23:00
CanadaEI Issue
EI is valid for one year from date of filing. Just keep filling out your cards each period even if you have a job which keeps the claim open (just not paying you anything while you are employed). This is how Maureen explained it to me.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-11 16:03:00
CanadaEI Issue
Not sure how many people they have working in that office, but I do know that Maureen is on holidays the first 2 weeks of July.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-11 13:23:00
CanadaEI Issue
Woo hoo! Glad to hear that! I think your bureaucratic woes are coming to an end as soon as you receive your greencard. At least they'll be over for another 2 years (minus 90 days). ;)
misaFemaleCanada2007-06-01 09:42:00
CanadaEI Issue
Congrats! It's about time! :)
misaFemaleCanada2007-05-30 09:38:00
CanadaEI Issue
Everything about this process... USCIS, EI, etc. is fraught with frustration!

Emancipation, I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that you get your $ soon! :)
misaFemaleCanada2007-05-30 08:56:00
CanadaEI Issue
They're probably still unwinding from May 2-4 weekend! I hope they send you your money soon!
misaFemaleCanada2007-05-25 09:32:00
CanadaEI Issue

Congrats on the greencard! :)


Thanks Misa! ;)

Tee hee I just realized I sounded ungrateful!! :blink: Not exactly.. just a bit frustrated with the CDN side


Hopefully it will get resolved soon. Hey, you can always send them your EAD and AOS approvals too to PROVE that you are work authorised. :D
misaFemaleCanada2007-05-22 15:24:00
CanadaEI Issue
Congrats on the greencard! :)
misaFemaleCanada2007-05-22 13:42:00
CanadaEI Issue
Just a note about US addresses vs. Canadian.

In Canada when you abbreviate an address with an apartment number (e.g., 123 Street Avenue, Apt. 1), this is the way it is done: 1-123 Street Avenue.

But in the U.S., it's opposite! It would be 123-1 Street Avenue.

And Canadian government agencies have a tendancy to abbreviate addresses according to Canada Post's system which is <apartment number> - <street address>.

Might be worth it to call and ask them to use your address as the long form: 123 Street Avenue, Apt. 1

Edited by misa, 17 May 2007 - 04:18 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-05-17 16:18:00
CanadaEI Issue

OOOH now that's sweet!! I don't think they gave me 52 weeks.. i think it was closer to 32 or something.. I dunno..

Yep.. we are going to buy some furnature with some of it.. currently we have a 3 bedroom apt. with a futon and a folding card table for furnature.. sad.. but true :)


No no no...

Your claim is OPEN for 52 weeks, but you are only eligible to receive money for 36 of those 52 weeks. So for K3 holders like myself, I need to get authorisation before those 52 weeks are up.

Well mine was listed in My Claim tab on my online case status thingermajiggy.. that was until this last bit of paperwork was sent in.. then they took all the info off..

So if you have your 4 digit password from your cards Misa you should be able to go online and see how many weeks you are approved for and how much $$ / week you can get.


Yup, I got my 4 digit password but my case is still in review since I have no EAD... poop.
misaFemaleCanada2007-05-17 15:50:00
CanadaEI Issue
That'll be pretty sweet when it arrives in one big chunk! :)

My eligibility doesn't start until I get my EAD or greencard (whichever comes first) but I should still be able to collect since my claim doesn't end until March 2008 (a year from when you quit your job, or at least that's what she told me). Come on AOS/EAD!
misaFemaleCanada2007-05-17 14:34:00
CanadaEI Issue

:huh:

Holy.. then why have they been giving ME the run around..

My conspiracy theories must be true :whistle:

Hee hee.. Well.. HOPEFULLY someone will hand HER my paperwork!! Tee hee.. I wish I could get that memo in my hands.. :)
Nothing yet on my case.. they said they should get to it this week.. yeah.. right..


Yeah, she knew EXACTLY that K1s had authorisation. Right off the bat. She said the memo (not sure if it was a US memo or what) was from August 2006.

Hope yours gets resolved soon!
misaFemaleCanada2007-05-17 14:25:00
CanadaEI Issue
Was her name Maureen? If so, she's awesome!
misaFemaleCanada2007-05-17 14:17:00
CanadaEI Issue
Hmm... I just got a call from an insurance officer at EI to go over my claim. She was super nice. She just wanted to confirm some things and to let me know that I wasn't eligible yet since I'm a K3. She even gave me her email address and told me to scan my EAD and email it to her when I get it so I wouldn't have to mail or fax it and it would go to her directly.

She did know very well that K1s are employment authorised and we chatted about how it didn't make sense that K3s are not authorised. She even referred to some memo or something from 2006 about K1s being authorised.

We also chatted briefly about differences between the US and Canadian government. :P

For those K1s still waiting, it's too bad you didn't get the woman who is reviewing my case!
misaFemaleCanada2007-05-17 14:10:00
CanadaEI Issue
Well I mailed in my sheet and my cards yesterday. Indicated that my EAD was pending along with my NOA1s for AOS and EAD so that they don't close my case! Marked my cards that I was NOT able to work due to pending EAD.

Come on EAD...
misaFemaleCanada2007-05-01 10:29:00
CanadaEI Issue

no Biometrics as of yet...this is soooooo PAINFUL!!! I am waiting with baited breath
for my appt. letter.
I went to immigration 2 days after I got here and they checked my file and no appt
has been made yet! Wednesday will be my 90 days and then I am getting on the
BLOWER! *&%#@*. I am not sure what the stall is...will keep ya posted!

Its a good thing I don't have a job lined up as of yet!


Get your AOS paperwork in! If you get it in now, you could conceivably get a biometrics appoint for that within a month and I think you can request to get your EAD biometrics done at the same time. Not 100% sure but I have seen people who have done that. I've also seen people who have had their I-485 approved before their I-765.

What does your online status say? Just that the I-765 was received? Any recent touches?

Edited by misa, 30 April 2007 - 12:00 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-04-30 11:59:00
CanadaEI Issue
Thanks Denise. I'll do the same as you and whenever I get my EAD or Greencard (some people got their Greencard before their EAD!) I'll send it in.

Did you ever get your EAD biometrics appointment yet?
misaFemaleCanada2007-04-30 10:06:00
CanadaEI Issue
Thanks! I'm pretty sure I have to write down that I was NOT able to work. Gah... stupid EAD. I'll call them anyway and return the cards.
misaFemaleCanada2007-04-29 11:35:00
CanadaEI Issue
Heh! Thanks! :)

Yeah, I will give them a call on Monday. I guess not too many K3s go through this.

Hopefully yours and everyone's EI issues will be resolved soon!
misaFemaleCanada2007-04-28 22:04:00
CanadaEI Issue
Alrighty, maybe someone can enlighten me. I'm on a K3 so I am not employment authorised until I receive my EAD. I applied for EI a little while ago since I know it's best to get into the system as soon as possible.

I received 2 things in the mail this week:

1. form asking me specific questions about my status in the U.S. and also asking for proof of employment authorisation
2. in a separate mailing I got my first set of cards

I know I can't send back the form until I get my EAD. Or should I send it back saying EAD is pending?

What do I do about the cards? Do I fill them out and send them back but indicating that I was not able to work during that time?

Also, does that mean my benefits only start when I get my EAD or does it go back to the start of my claim when I submit proof of employment authorisation?
misaFemaleCanada2007-04-27 23:39:00
CanadaEI Issue
Yeah, I just got the sheet from EI asking me a few questions including asking me to submit a photocopy of my EAD which I don't have yet. Hopefully you'll get your approval soon!
misaFemaleCanada2007-04-22 12:36:00
CanadaEI Issue

You K-3's are different.. you actually DO have to wait for the EAD before you can collect EI... Sorry, but NOA's aren't going to cut it for you..


That's what I thought. I guess I'll just wait for the approval!
misaFemaleCanada2007-04-20 08:47:00
CanadaEI Issue

hmmmmm....I am a K3er

I just received my cards will sign and send back manana!

I previously sent my NOA1 and my transfer notice, I hope thats good enough for
there claim approval dept...if not I am sure I will hear about...LOL

does anyone know what the maximum time you can collect EI?


Let me know how your claim goes since I'm also a K3er. :) I haven't received my NOA1 yet from USCIS but I will send it to EI the second I get it. I already started my claim online and mailed them my ROE last week.
misaFemaleCanada2007-04-19 23:04:00
CanadaEI Issue
Thanks! I'll be sure to forward my NOA1s for AOS & EAD when I get them. :)
misaFemaleCanada2007-04-17 11:43:00
CanadaEI Issue
Emancipation, not trying to threadjack, but one quick question. Does EI only need a copy of the NOA1 for the EAD or do they actually need proof of approval? I filed online last week and mailed them my ROE. It won't be in the system yet but I expect my NOA1 in about a week.
misaFemaleCanada2007-04-17 11:15:00
CanadaEI Issue
I have no idea what the waiting period is as I've never filed for EI before. I guess make a call to them first thing in the morning and they can sort this out for you. Good luck and let us know what happens!
misaFemaleCanada2007-04-16 17:52:00
CanadaEI Issue
Weird. I guess a call to them is in order.

Or wait a second... Doesn't the first 2 periods count as no payment or something and then you get money after that?
misaFemaleCanada2007-04-16 17:49:00
CanadaEI Issue
#######? Your ROE indicates you're totally eligible right?
misaFemaleCanada2007-04-16 17:41:00
CanadaCanadian Passport Dilemma...
Good luck with the lieu of guarantee form. I would try calling and following up by email if they do agree to mail it to you (just email them to "confirm" they have your correct address). I don't see any reason why they wouldn't mail you one. Remember, don't tell them you drive and stress that you have absolutely no way of getting out there. ;)

I honestly think you'll be fine couriering your documents to Canada using a good courier service.

Are you sure you need your record of landing? Because you're not a PR anymore, you are a naturalised citizen. The guide for application for a citizenship card (http://www.cic.gc.ca...ns/certif2.html) states the following (and I would ignore the "originals" part since it says specifically that you can send photocopies if your are replacing):

If this application is for a replacement of your citizenship certificate, clear and legible photocopies of your documents are acceptable.

If you have a certificate of registration of birth abroad (RBA), a citizenship certificate, or you are applying to replace your certificate, you must send:

• all original citizenship/naturalization certificate(s) and any pink transmission copies

• two (2) pieces of personal identification, such as a driver’s licence, and a health insurance card

• other documents, such as a marriage certificate and/ or legal name change certificate, divorce decree, birth
certificate (if applicable)

Edited by misa, 15 March 2007 - 01:03 AM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-03-15 01:02:00
CanadaCanadian Passport Dilemma...
Why don't you call the Canadian consulate in Buffalo to see if they will mail you a "in lieu of guarantor" form. Just tell them you don't drive and can't get out there and see what they say.

Secondly, if for whatever reason, they lose your Canadian citizenship card you can apply for a replacement. You don't need to live in Canada to apply for a replacement card.

Also, if you think that's complicated, you should look at the K1, K3 and CR-1 process and applications. That's FAR more complicated than getting a new Canadian Passport or Citizenship card! :P Compared to those, getting a new passport or citizenship card from outside Canada is a piece of cake.

Edited by misa, 14 March 2007 - 11:25 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-03-14 23:23:00