ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaI'm back from Montreal -Had my poutine and smoked meat!
Congrats!
misaFemaleCanada2007-06-29 13:10:00
CanadaUS Banking Vs Canadian Banking
Oh yeah, it's totally illegal or whatever to write a post dated cheque. Hang on, lemme ask my husband who used to work at a bank. He says, "because there's no guarantee of the money being there when it's cashed". So it's the equivalent of writing a bad cheque. So if you DO give someone a post dated cheque they will cash it right away.

Which is ridiculous because in Canada it's totally fine. In fact I was REQUIRED by Revenue Canada to give them post dated cheques when I arranged payments on tax arrears a few years ago.

Edited by misa, 29 June 2007 - 08:14 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-06-29 20:13:00
CanadaUS Banking Vs Canadian Banking

I don't even want to think about what it's going to be like to wire money back to Canada. :unsure:


This is simple, sign up for www.customhouse.com. It's easy and the transactions are free... AND they are a Canadian company!
misaFemaleCanada2007-06-28 13:06:00
CanadaUS Banking Vs Canadian Banking

But generally there seems to be more of a mistrust culture in banks towards it's customers than in Canada. It's harder to open/borrow/get the benefit of the doubt from a bank in the US (from my experience here in the US with the starter company I'm working for). It was much easier in business in Canada to get all those things.


Yes! It's MUCH easier to open an account in Canada for a person or a business. All you need is a starting balance/deposit and id (and business papers if applicable). There's no running of credits and ####### like that in Canada unless you apply for a credit card or a loan.
misaFemaleCanada2007-06-28 10:01:00
CanadaIM 36!!!
Happy Birthday and good luck to Nancy in Chicago! Hopefully they'll just wave her through so she can hop on her connecting flight back to Canada. :)
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-01 22:42:00
CanadaHappy Canada Day
Almost over but Happy Canada Day! I was going to go feed the Canadian Geese at the lake today but we got behind on chores, etc. Next weekend though!
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-01 22:40:00
CanadaBluewater Bridge POE Review
Whoa wait a second, you got an EAD stamp? K3s aren't actually work authorised without applying for an EAD through USCIS. Hmm...

(congrats though!)

Edited by misa, 30 June 2007 - 04:34 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-06-30 16:34:00
Canadahow long after K3 before you can work
About 90 days for an EAD (I'm still waiting).

If your Canadian employer issues a transfer AND can keep you on the Canadian payroll until you get your EAD, problem solved. You're authorised to work for a Canadian employer already as a Canadian citizen.

Edited by misa, 02 July 2007 - 03:08 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-07-02 15:07:00
Canadai can haz tax advice?
As long as his employer re-submits his cheque in USD and does NOT withhold Canadian taxes or uses his SIN, he will not owe Canadian taxes post US entry.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-02 23:03:00
CanadaUPdate: Nancy and Ramos
YAY! Glad to hear that things worked out for Nancy's flight back to Toronto! :)
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-03 10:03:00
CanadaUPdate: Nancy and Ramos
As far as I know, she'd go through Canadian customs and immigration in Toronto as she's incoming to Canada but she'd have to go through U.S. customs and immigration in Chicago even if she's connecting.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-02 23:02:00
CanadaUPdate: Nancy and Ramos
You're almost there though! Hopefully Nancy can get through Chicago okay and get through to Canada. Hang in there! :)
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-02 22:30:00
CanadaWas anyone not successfull in transferring consulates

Well, Vancouver declined our request for transfer. They advised that their workload did not permit them to take any extra cases.

We are now in the process of contacting Montreal.

Any suggestions on what else we can do, that may help us push through a transfer?


Montreal won't transfer it without Vancouver accepting. What was your exact request and reason that you gave to Vancouver? They won't take on cases from Montreal if the applicant isn't in one of the western provinces or moving/working out there, etc.

Also, please fill in your timeline. Looking at other people's processing dates helps everyone going through this. :)

Edited by misa, 28 June 2007 - 10:10 AM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-06-28 10:09:00
CanadaWas anyone not successfull in transferring consulates
You should contact both of them. Vancouver needs to approve it but Montreal needs to send it.
misaFemaleCanada2007-06-27 16:57:00
CanadaThings not to do or say
I hate HFCS too but since I cook a lot I've been able to avoid it. My husband's also been avoiding HFCS for a few years himself so he knows which brands have HFCS or not. It's freaking ridiculous that it's in some cans of plain beans too. #######?
misaFemaleCanada2007-06-29 13:19:00
CanadaThings not to do or say
Oh, another one that touches upon what others have said. Don't assume or say that the majority of Canadians want to be Americans... we don't. :)

Also when she says that certain things taste "better" in Canada and that stuff in the U.S. is "too sweet", don't argue with her because it's true. Canada doesn't use HFCS in most of it's sweetened foods & drinks.
misaFemaleCanada2007-06-29 13:08:00
CanadaThings not to do or say
1. I echo the "shoes" issue. And if for some reason you forget to take your shoes off, DO NOT, under any circumstances put your feet on the coffee table or couch wearing shoes!

2. Tell her how much you think Canada rocks better than the rest of the world. :D
misaFemaleCanada2007-06-28 22:13:00
Canadaabandoned I130 to follow K3..anyone do both?
Yeah, doesn't seem like forwarding the I-130s are very speedy... I remember Stacey33 first coming to the board and inquiring about the K3 to get back to the states faster.

I filed for AOS & EAD (see my signature). The AOS interview times depend on how busy the district office is. EAD takes around 60-90 days (I got aproval yesterday... day 70 something). Some are lucky to get their AOS transferred to CSC which means they are most likely to get approved without an interview. Some are approved and greencard in hand in about 60-90 days though there are plenty that get held up in namechecks. But even if you get an interview over a transfer, you could still be held up in namechecks.

Anyway, from what I can tell, a LOT of K1s get transferred to CSC but very few K3s. Not really sure why. Maybe because there are more K1s to process than K3s when it comes to AOS.

My approved I-130 was retained and I opted to just do AOS here instead of filing to have it forwarded.

Edited by misa, 05 July 2007 - 12:56 AM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-07-05 00:52:00
CanadaI am Canadian
That was awesome!
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-01 22:41:00
CanadaMoving from Toronto to Vancouver in the middle of the K3 process
Put your Vancouver down as your address on the I-129F and the other forms you'll send in with the I-129F.

The NVC (National Visa Centre) will use that as your mailing address to give to the consulate after your I-129F is approved.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-06 11:53:00
CanadaCanadian Conslate
Hopefully they'll make out of country Canadian passport "renewals" a lot easier in the future!
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-06 15:09:00
CanadaWhat if the USC has a criminal record ...
They do run background checks on the USC but I believe it is more in accordance to the Adam Walsh law (crimes involving children) or IMBRA and those checks are done at the USCIS level which you're past now. I don't think that it would have any bearing on your interview since you're the applicant and you have no record. I doubt they'd ask you anything about his past. I think (someone correct me if I'm wrong), even if he did commit CIMT (which he didn't), the IMBRA law just states that you, as the foreign fiance, needs to be informed about it.

At my interview in Vancouver, they didn't ask me who visited who or why.

Edited by misa, 03 July 2007 - 11:36 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-07-03 23:35:00
CanadaInterview soon!
Only a few more days now!

1. I think the panel physicians are a little over-zealous. They swore up and down that I needed to bring my x-ray to the interview along with the medical results. I knew that wasn't true due to other reviews on VJ. What I did was I did bring it to Vancouver with me but left it in the hotel room "just in case". They didn't for my x-ray at the interview (just the sealed medical). Another girl did bring her x-ray and the woman taking the documents told her it wasn't necessary for her to have brought it.

2. As the USC, bring your passport too so they'll let you into the consulate. I think you have everything there. That's plenty of stuff and you being there is a bonus. :)

3. See the new Vancouver thread! Some great suggestions there.

One last thing, Vancouver is awesome to deal with. It'll be a piece of cake. :)
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-06 20:41:00
CanadaUgh!
I think with the EU, you just go live there... there is probably some sort of formality with registering residence but I'm pretty sure you can just... move wherever you want. Actually now I'm curious. I'm going to look it up!

Yeah, NAFTA... we definitely got a bumrap there.

FYI: http://europa.eu/sca.../lvb/l33152.htm

Seems like a pretty sweet deal to me.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-07 17:09:00
CanadaUgh!

Seriously, I know I might get my EAD or GC soon......but right now I am dead scared of what kind of job I will get. Had great coworkers, more friends, and my boss she was awesome and I was one of her trustworthy employee (not sure if its the right way to say it) and I was doing something I like and I could pretty do whatever, take vacation or time off when I wanted for medical stuff or whatever, and we were going out for lunch all together at least once a month ( we were 17 in the department) and that was cool. I was working in a lab and was enjoying it a lot. My problem is that I didnt study in what I was working specifically, close to it but not exactly. So eitehr I will find a great job based on my experience, but im scared they might reject me because I didnt study in it and the salary in what I studied for kinda sucks and I dont see myself doing that anymore.....so Im depressed about it right now :(


What job will you be looking for post EAD/AOS? I have a lot of friends in and around Chicago. PM me if you'd like and I can ask around for specific positions or places that you might want to apply at later.

I do hear you on what you said though. I don't have much in way of formal education BUT I do have tons of professional experience. If I can't continue to just work for myself (there's always a chance that clients may need to chop their budget, etc.) I'd have to go and get a "real" job and my lack of formal education is what kind of scares me to have to apply at places. Hopefully my practical experience and portfolio will suffice (I have a background in graphic design and project management).
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-03 13:57:00
CanadaUgh!

But why even bother saying that about Canadians....


Because people are idiots and too many people assume that the U.S. is the "best country in the world" ignoring the fact that there are plenty of other awesome western countries like Canada, UK, Australia, etc. with much more awesome benefits (like health care!).

It's funny, everyone I told in Canada that I was moving to the U.S. they all said, "um... what? Why doesn't he move here instead?" :P We all have our reasons and right now for most of us Canadians here, it makes more sense for our USC spouse to stay in the U.S. career-wise or family-wise.

I would not be here except for my husband. Period.

Edited by misa, 03 July 2007 - 01:47 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-07-03 13:46:00
CanadaPlaces to stay in Vancouver--near tourist sites!!
There were some recommendations in my old thread too:

http://www.visajourn...h...c=55221&hl=

We really didn't do a lot of sightseeing and stayed pretty close to the hotel with the exception of taking cabs to various restaurants.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-06 23:53:00
CanadaPlaces to stay in Vancouver--near tourist sites!!
I was just going to suggest the Century Plaza as well! It's pretty close to all the shops on Robson. :) The hotel staff are awesome and rooms are reasonably priced. What I liked about my room as that it was a suite with a kitchen.

Not sure if you are a smoker or not but the Century Plaza has smoking rooms whereas a lot of other hotels are non-smoking only.

Edited by misa, 06 July 2007 - 11:55 AM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-07-06 11:55:00
CanadaSearching for health insurance for the first time.
Eh, okay scratch the recommendation from my husband. He isn't familiar with the companies that cover your state.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-09 15:42:00
CanadaSearching for health insurance for the first time.
One more thing... is your baby being covered under his or yours?
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-09 09:29:00
CanadaSearching for health insurance for the first time.
Hey neiks, my husband works for an insurance broker. Usually a broker is where you start since they represent/sell (?) insurance from different companies and you fill out a questionnaire which they base the quote on. What state are you going to be living in? I can ask him to point you in the right direction.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-09 09:26:00
CanadaMarried girl here!!!!!
Congrats! Now scramble with your AOS & EAD 'cause it all goes up at the end of the month!
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-11 00:59:00
CanadaWoot!
Congrats! I got my EAD on Saturday. :)
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-10 20:01:00
CanadaBenefits of doing both Visas?
Anyway... to Misty, I say go for the K3 and fly back for the CR-1. Where's your approved I-129F at right now? Did you get your packet 3 from Vancouver yet?
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-11 21:39:00
CanadaBenefits of doing both Visas?

The TN visa has nothing to do with immigration. I do not see how the two compare. But yes I will stick by my statement about people clogging the system..............No doubt the system is BROKE, I have been on the phone to my senator and congress person, have you??? Now you want to hear the real twist!!!! I think they took personal from Montreal to do Passports.............how does that grab ya. Right now I could not be more disenchanted with my own country, it is an embaresment!!!!!!!!!!!

Dave


"Clogging the system" with exactly what? Who exactly are you lashing out at anyway? People going through the legal channels that are offered? Like I said, point the finger at what's at fault, which is the system, not the people going through it.

Anyway, you totally ###### all over Misty's thread which is pretty rude.

Edited by misa, 11 July 2007 - 09:18 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-07-11 21:17:00
CanadaBenefits of doing both Visas?
Also, most people who do follow by the K3 and CR-1 route (with the necessary NVC processing) do go back to interview for the CR-1 interview after entering on a K3. And even if they did abandon the CR-1, that's their choice. USCIS' inefficiencies are their own, not the people going through it.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-11 12:20:00
CanadaBenefits of doing both Visas?

This seems to be part of the problem with the system. WHY!!!! clog the system up with applying for more than one visa that does the same thing??? If people would just apply for what they need this would be a faster system!!!!

DAVE


In order to even apply for a K3 using the I-129F, one must have a pending (or approved if already approved) I-130.

Blame the system, not the people caught up in it applying under USCIS' framework. I find your comments interesting since you were inquiring about a TN-1 while having a pending CR-1...

Edited by misa, 11 July 2007 - 12:00 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-07-11 11:57:00
CanadaBenefits of doing both Visas?
Ah gotcha. Are you going to go ahead with K3? Did you ever get packet 3 from Vancouver?
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-11 09:53:00
CanadaBenefits of doing both Visas?
My I-130 was retained but I'll answer this anyway.

My K3 took 4 months (yes I was lucky and got to interview in Vancouver). If they didn't retain my approved I-130, it probably would take 10 months or so (give or take). Technically I *could* have gone to visit for a few months at a time except I had an apartment I was paying for, job, bills, etc. plus 4 animals that I couldn't expect someone else to take care of. I couldn't move my stuff, quit my job, give up my apartment, etc. and move my animals until I had my K3.

Finally, it was important for us to be truly together sooner rather than later. So even if my I-130 wasn't retained, I still would have flown back for a couple of days to do my CR-1 interview. I'm assuming there are others who are following/have followed both routes who had similar reasons.

You're not considering K3 now are you? Your case is already complete and you should have your CR-1 interview soon! :)

Edited by misa, 11 July 2007 - 12:54 AM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-07-11 00:53:00
Canadaworking and traveling after CR1

HOLY :wacko: wow.. I didn't realize it took 7 months just to get the I130 forwarded to NVC... (not to mention the fees$$$). I was thinking since it is taking so long for the K3 interview and adding on to that the time it takes for an EAD and getting the SSN and then applying for a transfer...... maybe the CR1 would come through by then. I am probably deluded about the CR1 saving the day for me. I had the wrong info awhile back and thought the K3 visa allowed you to live and work in the US immediately. It is only frustrating!!!! to find out that every step is yet more waiting. I can keep working in Canada until the EAD... just mad that it's more time apart from my husband and step kids and further postponement of a normal life with them. I can't wait to wake up to my husband every day and attend my stepson's little league games and stop missing important milestones in all of our lives. It's a journey and one day we'll look back on all this...


I think on average it's about 6 months for them to forward the petition (based on what I've seen here in the K3 and CR-1/IR-1 forum). But yeah, $200 + approx. 6 months for it to even get to the NVC. Then tack on a bunch of months for processing there and then more time for Montreal to schedule an interview.

A K3 only allows you to live there (and it's multiple entry for 2 years) but isn't employment authorised, so yeah, you can continue working in Canada until your EAD is approved... then you have to apply for an SSN (I'm doing that on Friday, not sure how long that takes).

Even with Montreal being soooooooooo slow, you'll most likely get your K3 before your I-130 is even forwarded to NVC!

After entry, can you afford to (and is your company willing to) wait until you get an EAD to work again? Like I said, on average it's 80-90 days to get an EAD, so if your company is willing to put your employment on hold for a few months and start it up again in the U.S. branch when you get your EAD, then you'll at least be able to see your husband every day. :)

Edited by misa, 11 July 2007 - 10:34 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-07-11 22:32:00