ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
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
Canadaworking and traveling after CR1
Hang on a second... if your employer is still in Canada and you will be working in Canada, you can cross back and forth with a K3. You won't need an EAD to work in Canada. What you could do is get your K3, apply for EAD and AOS right away, continue working in Canada (going back and forth as needed) and then get your company to transfer you to the U.S. branch when you get your EAD (about 80-90 days, mine took about 80).

If your I-130 was retained, it'll take months before they send it to the NVC. It took Stacey33 7 months or so for her approved I-130 to finally get forwarded. Actually I don't think it was sent yet but the application to forward it took 7 months to get approved.

Edited by misa, 11 July 2007 - 09:28 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-07-11 21:28:00
CanadaI am going to visit next weekend
Went every 3 weeks since getting married to visa in hand.
misaFemaleCanada2007-06-27 17:45:00
CanadaBiometrics appointment!
Some staff at the ASCs (application service centres, where they do the biometrics) are really good and will have you look over your information on the computer to make sure everything is correct like your A#, address, phone number, etc. Some are a lot more attentive than others as well in that they will take the time to get "good" prints and some won't (causing you to have to go back when the prints are later rejected). Hopefully you'll get a good attentive staff person!

Also this isn't across the board at every ASC, but I was told to take out my nose ring. The woman who was working one stall over kept telling me and the guy who was printing me "no facial piercings". Geesh...

And what the others said, the photo that they take WILL be on your greencard and EAD (if you applied for one). It "looked okay" when I was there but when I got my EAD... gah, it's horrible.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-13 10:38:00
CanadaCanadian Visitors Visa
The best he can do is arm himself with whatever evidence they want to see along with whatever she can supply for a visitor's visa (i.e., letter of invitation, etc.). Good luck to him!

I would imagine some things in his favour would be a job, decent finances, apartment/house, etc, kids... anything that would prove ties back to his home country.

Edited by misa, 13 July 2007 - 10:43 AM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-07-13 10:42:00
CanadaCanadian Visitors Visa
Sorry I have no idea how hard it is. I guess the only thing he can do is just try for one and have as much paperwork with him that is suggested on those pages.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-12 20:08:00
CanadaCanadian Visitors Visa
Since he's a citizen of Nigeria, he'll have to apply for a visa. There's more information here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca...t/apply-who.asp
http://www.cic.gc.ca...isit/letter.asp
http://www.cic.gc.ca...t/apply-how.asp
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-12 19:39:00
CanadaBiometric appointments
Yup re: lifting of conditions for K1s. Same for K3s who have been married less than 2 years when they file for AOS.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-13 10:50:00
CanadaBiometric appointments
That is interesting... I'd like to know the answer as well! K3s also have to go get full biometrics after filing AOS. All fingers and thumbs and a crappy photo taken with the webcam hooked up to their computer in blinding flourescent lighting. When I got my K3, I just did the index fingers on both hands at the consulate as well.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-13 10:41:00
CanadaSlightly possible future scenario
Was your mother a naturalised Canadian citizen? How did she lose her citizenship? I thought that once someone was a Canadian citizen, they're always a citizen?

If Kristy and her kids were born in Canada, they'll never lose their citizenship.

Oh yeah, also she can apply for citizenship in the U.S. 3 years after receiving her conditional greencard. She would still need to apply to remove conditions after 2 years of receiving that greencard to be granted a 10 year. Then a year into the 10 year she can apply for citizenship.

Edited by misa, 13 July 2007 - 10:48 AM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-07-13 10:46:00
CanadaCalgary Herald today Immigration Cartoon
So true!
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-13 15:57:00
CanadaHow busy is Toronto-Pearson preclearance?
Anyone hear from Cass what happened with Craig's POE?

I'm sure they're just busy starting their new life together though. :)
misaFemaleCanada2007-02-21 19:38:00
CanadaHow busy is Toronto-Pearson preclearance?
Sorry to hear he had a bad experience.

I'm back from visiting my husband and had a great experience with CBP at YYZ. They asked me a lot of reasonable questions given the situation (since I'm visiting a USC spouse) but I didn't get pulled into secondary. I offered to show him my paperwork, but he declined and the guy even wished me good luck whenever I get my interview and to have a great weekend.

Hopefully I'll either have an interview date before the next scheduled visit. If not, I hope my next experience there is that pleasant (it's always been so far and I go every 3 weeks). :crosses fingers:
misaFemaleCanada2007-02-13 09:35:00
CanadaTrying again after entry refusal
raphael7546, geez, what a horrible crossing experience!
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-15 21:29:00
CanadaVancouver Consulate Review
If you have an afternoon appointment, it will be next day pickup judging from a few others who had afternoon Vancouver interviews.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-14 13:50:00
CanadaVancouver Consulate Review
All in all sounds like a good interview with nothing indicating that you weren't approved (pending receipt of the other documents). :)
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-14 11:18:00
CanadaCR1 to K3
Yup, NVC schedules the interviews with Montreal.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-13 14:40:00
CanadaCR1 to K3
Hmm... well first you'd have to file the I-129F. Looks like that would be adjudicated at CSC which takes on average 90 days for approval (give or take). CSC is also notorious for "bulk sending" approved petitions to NVC so it wouldn't be sent right away but maybe a few weeks after approval. Then NVC would "process it" (usually only takes a few days to week), then send to Vancouver, then Vancouver would send packet 3 to the beneficiary and once receiving packet 3 back would issue an interview (last time I checked, the earliest interviews are usually a month after they receive packet 3).

If you do go this route, that doesn't mean you have to abandon the CR-1, just keep following it through and then fly to Montreal for the CR-1 interview.

K3s are done in both Vancouver and Montreal. CR-1s are only through Montreal.

So if you're going the K3 route, you'd be looking at approximately 5 months or so from sending in the I-129F if everything goes smoothly from CSC > NVC > Vancouver.

Edited by misa, 13 July 2007 - 02:10 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-07-13 14:09:00
CanadaWindsor bridge or bust!!
Have a safe trip home!
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-15 20:40:00
CanadaMarriage License ..
I don't think they'll care. :)

Not sure if I would offer it up as "evidence" though unless you think they'll need it. You could get a snarky CO who thinks you're jumping the gun before the visa is issued. Play it by ear though.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-16 11:52:00
CanadaSicko
Oh yeah, that's a real bonus. :P

;)
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-09 10:09:00
CanadaSicko

I just came back from seeing Sicko with a friend. I told her about all the VJ couples I see between Canadians and USCs and wondering how the Canadians feel about leaving a decent system for a vulnerable system here. It has to suck.


I think most of the Canadians here will agree that it does indeed suck to leave what we had behind.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-09 09:51:00
CanadaSicko
Yay! It's moved back! :D
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-06 23:49:00
CanadaSicko
Thankfully I'm not having kids (tubes tied, covered by OHIP!) so I don't have to worry about the bullshit of that 6 weeks thing here.

6 weeks... that is ridiculous! I wish that the concept of family was as important here (and in Canada though the maternity leave in Canada is WAAAAAY better than the U.S.) as it is in most parts of Europe.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-06 14:48:00
CanadaSicko

Just wanted to add...not all americans are against criticism. I'm the USC and quite frankly I think Michael Moore has stirred a bloody hornet's nest with his documentaries...one that NEEDS to be stirred. He opens people's eyes, whether they like it or not. This USC is not bothered one bit. :thumbs:


:thumbs:

Another thumbs up here. My USC husband feels exactly the same way as you do and has plenty of criticism about the U.S.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-05 22:51:00
CanadaSicko

The above is exactly the attitude to which I speak....What happened to caring for our fellow man? What happened with taking care of people when they're down? These are PEOPLE for gosh sakes. I don't care who paid what when!

Health care should be universal. It is not only in Canada, but in Great Britian and France to name a few. I would suggest that if BILLIONS weren't spent on military expenses, and money being THROWN to "friends" in the pharmaceutical industry, there would be plenty of money around to offer universal health care in the US.


:thumbs:

Healthcare should be a basic human right (along with food and shelter), not who can pay for it. I paid an average of 40% income taxes in Canada and I never CARED if someone paid less (or not at all) into the system than I did.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-05 22:48:00
CanadaOff to the SSA office!
Well that was fast! Only took 15 mins. All they needed to see was my EAD, passport with K3 and I-94.

One snag though, my EAD stuff wasn't in their system yet (or something like that). It was issued on July 3, 2007 but the validity date starts at June 28, 2007. I got a letter from them saying it can take up to 4 weeks to "verify" and if I don't receive anything in the mail after that then to go back to the office.

Hmm... maybe I should have waited another week to make sure I was in the SAVE system. Oh well, I don't need the SSN right away. Hope it gets verified within the 4 week timeframe.

Edited by misa, 16 July 2007 - 01:52 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-07-16 13:48:00
CanadaOff to the SSA office!
Thanks all! I haven't changed my name (don't plan on it) so i don't need to bring the marriage certificate.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-16 10:58:00
CanadaOff to the SSA office!
Hello Canadians!

With EAD in hand, I can finally get an SSN...

I'm bringing my Canadian passport (with K3 and I-94 in it, which doesn't expire for another 20 months), long form and short form birth certificate (Ontario) and my EAD (doesn't expire for another year).

I read over the required documents list but was a little unclear since a lot of it asks for U.S. ID which I don't have yet (getting a state ID this week).

Anything else you can think of that I should bring? I have my Ontario health card too. That's it for photo ID.

Edited by misa, 16 July 2007 - 10:22 AM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-07-16 10:21:00
CanadaSicko - Don't Cry - get angry and do something about it
Yup, you can vote for the party that you think will help on this issue. Start writing your um... whoever it is here that you write to and make your voices heard to both major political parties.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-15 18:00:00
CanadaBlame Canada: How the post-9/11 border is keeping us safe from indie rock
:whistle:

http://www.villagevo...k,77182,22.html
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-13 23:21:00
CanadaNo Interviews for Canadian VJ'ers?
*sigh*... I really feel for you all waiting. :(
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-17 10:41:00
CanadaFiance didnt get an I-94 upon arrival, what do I do?!

How would she ever enter illegally if she is a Canadian citizen?


Actually there are lots of spots along the border that are "unprotected".
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-16 19:21:00
CanadaRound 2 questions lol lol
I think you still have to list them and then check "NO" that they are not applying with you.

Edited by misa, 16 July 2007 - 11:10 AM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-07-16 11:09:00
CanadaRound 2 questions lol lol
Yup, file everything together. Also bring any other vaccination records with you to the CS when you get the vaccination worksheet transferred. Some CS's will not transfer it without other proof (like from your family doctor, etc.)... yeah, I know... just totally depends on the CS.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-13 11:29:00
CanadaRound 2 questions lol lol
1. Yup, an I-864 needs to accompany the I-485. You can use the I-864EZ if there's only one sponsored immigrant, no cosponsors and using only income (no assets).

2. Okay to file AP and EAD along in the same package (separate cheques though for each application) - if filing before July 30

3. Don't forget to include the $70 biometrics fee with the I-485 fee - if filing before July 30
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-12 16:01:00
CanadaSo what's the deal with Federal Student Loans?

Amen to that! :P *kicks student loan files*


:P
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-18 13:00:00
CanadaSo what's the deal with Federal Student Loans?

im still wondering about that.

I havent change my address yet with the bank and keep paying my monthly payments. I have heard that they may not ask you to pay the whole loan, but might increase the interests rate because you are out of the country...Heard that few months ago from someone else on VJ from Canada, not sure who or when.

I didnt bother to ask yet. I got about 3500 left so Im planning on paying it off as soon as I get a job here.


Oh... $3,500 isn't bad at all. I think these loans have really been the bane of my existence... unlike most people, I got nothing out of my "higher education". Totally my own fault though.

It's probably not even worth it for you to change your address with them to your U.S. one since you're so close to paying it all off! :) The only thing that you'll need from them is before next year's taxes, the sheet saying how much interest you paid so you can write that off on your Canadian taxes. Maybe you can change it to your family's address in Canada?
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-18 11:19:00
CanadaSo what's the deal with Federal Student Loans?
Maybe it's when someone is on interest relief that they get screwed when they leave Canada? I know I read something from someone here about that but didn't remember the specifics.

And for all those that are with CIBC with any of your student loans, STAY ON TOP OF THEM! CIBC is notorious for screwing people over and returning the loans to the province which means it will go into collections. Once that happens they will not take it back. Even if it's through no fault of your own (like in my case -- they claimed the payment was "late" even though I had a RECEIPT dated the day before the due date and paid IN PERSON at a CIBC branch... they didn't care... told me "it's too late, file is already returned and closed". This also happened to a few friends of mine about 5 years back when it happened to me.

Some reported problems with CIBC: http://www.cfwgroup....1c5b07c48b70943

Also if you're having problems with your loans, contact this group and they can guide you: http://www.cfwgroup....ent/view/15/44/

Thankfully I only have um... another 5-7 years to finish paying off this damn loan. It was single-handedly the worst decision I've ever made.

Edited by misa, 18 July 2007 - 10:19 AM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-07-18 10:18:00
CanadaSo what's the deal with Federal Student Loans?
Not sure what will happen if you don't pay. You'd default on it and whenever you do go back to Canada, you'd get dinged for it. Even though the loans are through the bank, they can "return" it to the government (Federal or Provincial or both depending on what loans you have) and then the government will start collection proceedings against you. They'll catch you since they have your SIN on file and I have heard that can take you to court (not sure how plausible that is).

This is what happened when CIBC ###### up my Provincial (Ontario) loan. They returned it to the government saying that I defaulted even though I didn't! But once it was back with the Ontario government, it was too late. As far as CIBC was concerned, they closed my case. I was sent to collections and put through the wringer due to the bank's mistake. Paid it off though... so I just have my Federal.

Anyway, I called CIBC today and just gave them my sister's address in Ontario. I decided not to bother to change my address to my U.S. one.
misaFemaleCanada2007-07-17 20:46:00