ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaOMG, Cool - interview on Thurs
Congrats and good luck!
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-11 20:59:00
CanadaStory and intro
I've never been grilled seriously, though they warn me occasionally that as I get farther in the process the burden of proof will become higher ... whatever that means. I bring my bank statements for the last few months to show my direct deposit pay, rent payments, car payments, utility .. I also bring some recent mail to show my address.

They seem to know me now, as soon as I say where I am going and that I am visiting my husband, they scan my passport and say have a nice weekend.
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-12 09:08:00
CanadaStory and intro
QUOTE (ZansGirl @ Mar 10 2008, 11:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
"...... playing world of warcraft ... then we spent three months figuring out whether we should meet for real or not ... I have to say it helped realizing he lived only a few hours a way. I live in Victoria "

WOW~~~ That is how Zan and I met and I live in Victoria (off Mackenzie) and Zan lives outside Tacoma (Graham)*breaks into sappy version of "It's a Small World"*

We have been trying to see each other at least every other weekend, but with his scheduale ( he is a Corrections Officer) and mine (Retail Store Manager), things do not always go our way. We have discussed the variables and I think have decided that the K-! is the way to go. We have not yet begun the process yet and probably won't for a few more months sad.gif , but I think we both have realized what a journey this is going to be for both of us. We have both had spouses who chose Adultery over Monogamy and both have been burned by it...but Zan has had longer to heal. I have never felt this safe and protected by anyone in my entire life as I do with Zan, so there is no fear that this marriage will fail, but I do have family and friends I am dealing with who all think I am RUSHING into things. I know they mean well, but they were not in my marriage. For now I am willing to bide my time and when that day finally arrives, I know all this waiting and distance will be a memory!

Tangie

ps...if you ever need to share the ferry ride give me a shout!!!!


Haha .. wow it is a small world!

I'm on the boat almost every week so shoot me a pm next time you go if you want some company smile.gif
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-11 21:13:00
CanadaStory and intro
We used to play on Silver Hand though we both are pretty much retired now. I don't have time to raid anymore so I pretty much just level alts when I'm really bored biggrin.gif
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-10 10:29:00
CanadaStory and intro
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-10 09:21:00
CanadaStory and intro
I thought I would take a few minutes to say hello to everyone and introduce myself. You've probably noticed me posting in the past few weeks, mainly either in regards to tax questions or posting a few questions myself.

I am a little bit shy blink.gif

I am an accountant in Canada so can try my best to help with the Canadian end of things, though most of my experience is with corporate taxation, so most of the time I have to look up the answers to things. I do have access to some good resources though!

I met my sweetie last December playing world of warcraft ... then we spent three months figuring out whether we should meet for real or not ... I have to say it helped realizing he lived only a few hours a way. I live in Victoria and when I met him, Jason was living in Seattle so the first 6 months or so was spent between Victoria and Seattle, now he is in the Bremerton area.

Our first weekend together was amazing and we have spent all but three weekends together since March of 2007. We knew we were going to spend the rest of our lives together after about .. two weeks. We are both in our early 30s so i think that since both of us had experienced various other things throughout our lives, we knew exactly what we were looking for. Jason asked me to marry him in June and then we spent a few months figuring out the best way to proceed. At the time we were under a bit of family pressure for me to accept a job in Bremerton under a TN Visa ... I decided that wasn't right (considering our intentions were most certainly not temporary) so we decided to marry thinking the CR-1 visa was the best option for us.

We filed our I-130 at the end of August 2007 and are awaiting approval. We didn't know at the time that Montreal was the only consulate that deals with immigrant visas.

I feel pretty frustrated that the CR-1 takes SOOO much longer than the K-1, I strugle with my / our choice pretty regulary.

Our family/friends wedding is July 19th!
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-10 01:56:00
CanadaI Want To See YOU!!!!


Despite the porn threats i've decided to include a pic of us smile.gif
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-10 01:21:00
CanadaI'm going on a hunger strike! Who's with me??
So .. wine doesn't count as eating?

Count me in!
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-11 22:31:00
CanadaRenting a car on CA side to drive across entire US side
Woohoo! Thanks for the info.
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-12 18:49:00
CanadaRenting a car on CA side to drive across entire US side
I just did a bit of research and I think you can drive it one way, but not round trip. Which makes no sense, but works for me.

I'll just call Uhaul later and ask. I have plenty of time to dispose of my junk anyway if it turns out I can't rent a truck.
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-12 17:51:00
CanadaRenting a car on CA side to drive across entire US side
I'm guessing this applies to Uhaul too. Thanks for posting this Delicia. It hadn't even occurred to me that I wasn't going to be able to rent a Uhaul, load it up and drive over the border.

I guess I could get hubby to rent one on the US side, drive it up and then head down? This will cost a lot more ...
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-12 17:37:00
CanadaReady to file taxes...
QUOTE (Len_and_Bren @ Mar 11 2008, 09:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Sheesh. I finally received all my T4s from Canada, and my W whatever from the US. Okiedokie. So peepz, correct me if I am wrong. I was the only one making money this year (TLM was on student loan mode), so this is what I recall Zyggy told me to do:

CANADA

1. File returns for BOTH of us (I already told CRA we are no longer residents, etc.) and indicate day we left Canada. Now, does Bren need to file if he didn't make any money?
2. I DID withdraw my funds from the Alberta Pension Plan and they sent me an NR4 "Statement of Amounts Paid or Credited to Non-Residents of Canada"--- where the blip do I include this?
3. Do I have to say here about my miserable US income? I only worked for a month and a half here.
4. Send the complete return to the Ottawa international tax office.


US

1. We will file "married filing jointly".
2. Zyggy said to also file a foreign tax exclusion (?) with my Canadian income translated into USD's. Where do I get this form?

I am sure more questions will arise. I am not going to pay anyone to do our taxes this year. I will probably use what the trailmix suggested to input my numbers and then fill the forms by hand.
So, if you know the answers to my questions, by all means I appreciate your wisdom!!!

Peace, L.



Do you have more questions Len? Just let me know.

For the Alberta Pension income you can either elect to do the 217 return in Canada for the period or report it on your US return. I believe you have to file a US return this year .. I don't know much about that. I do know there are some credits available so its probably a good idea to file one.
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-11 21:11:00
CanadaReady to file taxes...
I was at the UofA once and I had Hoo Hoo special soup ... no joke
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-11 13:23:00
CanadaReady to file taxes...
Just looking at this quickly (I'll try giving a longer answer later) ..
You should both file Canadian taxes .. Bren's will transfer credits to you (which you need to claim him as a dependant). Was his school post-seconary in Canada (ie does he have one of the tuition slips??) you can also have him transfer that to you as well.

That guide I posted before shows how to do the Canadian return in the year of leaving.

As for the US stuff, I claim ignorance!
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-11 13:06:00
CanadaReady to file taxes...
I'll have a look tonight when I'm home from work if it isn't sorted out by then.
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-11 12:11:00
CanadaMedical question
Thank you, I added that to my contacts for later.
good.gif
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-13 17:12:00
CanadaMedical question
Thank you .. that helps.
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-13 16:45:00
CanadaMedical question
Yeah, I'm weird. I don't even have to worry about it for months yet, but I'm starting to freak out about the medical exam.

Could someone share with me the details of a female exam? If you don't feel like posting could you pm me please?

Also, does anyone know if there would be any difference if you were pregnant?

Thanks.
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-13 15:44:00
CanadaTaxes! Taxes!
Yep, I agree with Thermophile. You had severed your ties and took up residence in the US, even if you weren't granted your legal permanent residency yet for tax purposes you were.
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-13 09:11:00
CanadaTaxes! Taxes!
You become a non-resident of Canada on the day you leave and sever your residential ties ... and take up residence in a new country. This will be the same date for both Quebec and Federal returns.

As a non-resident you can elect to file a Canadian return for certain types of income. This is done as a section 217 return. It isn't always advantageous.
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-13 01:39:00
CanadaA cute YouTube loving story :)
I enjoyed both of these very much, thank you for sharing smile.gif
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-19 00:22:00
CanadaEI and Canuck Clearinghouse Threads
Thanks for the info. I'll read through the thread a little further as well smile.gif
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-19 08:12:00
CanadaEI and Canuck Clearinghouse Threads
Just a quick question - would I be able to apply if I enter the US on a K3 visa?

What does "proof that you are legally authorized to work in the United States" consist of? Is this the SSN I'd have to wait for?

Also, does anyone know how it would work for maternity benefits if say .. I moved in August, waited for SSN for 3 months and then had a baby in December? Would my EI benefits be cut below the max due to the three months of unemployment?
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-18 23:42:00
CanadaPerspective
Ah yes, I see the merit of waiting for the unconditional green card.

I'm glad I'm know alone with the OCD ... lol

As for the winters, I wish I was moving a little farther south. I could do with some sunshine and a little less rain. Being from the coast I can't really complain about the winters though!
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-19 12:07:00
CanadaPerspective
Thanks for the comments everyone.

Bowflex - yes we think the CR1 is the best option also, but we don't want to risk waiting at least another 10 months. The cost and hassel of AOS is worth it to us. I also live in Victoria so Montreal is a substantial trip ... Vancouver is but a wonderful BC Ferry ride away.

Delicia - that is good advice. I do tend to plan and get an idea in my head of when I think things are going to happen .. and yeah, that is just setting myself up for disappointment. I feel your pain too and can't believe all that you and your hubby are going through. Is K3 an option for you?

Spiritalight - that made me laugh. Yesterday Jason was harrasing Canadian government officials .. from Economic Development .. he KNOWS they can't do anything but couldn't resist the urge to poke at ANY government official ..
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-19 11:54:00
CanadaPerspective
I am slowly, but surely driving myself insane (ok, the road really isn’t that long, but humour me)

We initially chose to get married and file for a CR1 visa because we had some time ( I wanted to finish tax season here) and because we thought that by filing in September we’d surely have our visa in hand by July. BIG.MISTAKE.OBVIOUSLY.

Next, we decided to file the I-129F, thinking that .. ok, fine, we can’t have the K1, but maybe we can at least speed this up with a K3. Then there was/is all this drama and debate over whether the K3 was “dead” and not only dead but slowing down your I-130. There is just so much conflicting information flying around it is so hard to have any clue what might be going on.

Now I am thinking that the CR-1 could take at least 4 months at NVC (if not longer, due to backlog from the backlog from the ..) and then at least 4 months, if not more to the interview in Montreal. This puts us at least November or December 2008 (15 – 16 months after initial filing).

I am praying that our K3 is approved because I think we could have the K3 in hand within 4 months (meaning I could move either June 30th or July 31) … this would be lovely. Our family/friends wedding ceremony is July 19th so I would really love not to have to come “home” after our ceremony.

I obsessively check the immigration timeline data, Delicia’s spreadsheet and the forum threads for approvals … I check USICS case status every 30 minutes …

I obsess that our forms are on some hag’s desk who hates people who are in love and want to be together. Ok, but seriously, there have been people who were told that their K3 was cancelled and people who were told that both their petitions were put into the I-129F processing unit and were taking much longer. Argghhh .. I just don’t know what to think any more. I keep seeing more and more approvals for people who filed after us and it just makes me think ours is stuck ….

So .. tell me the truth .. when you were waiting for your approvals were you as obsessive as I admit to be?
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-19 00:40:00
CanadaANYONE REGRETTING THE MOVE TO U.S.A
This is an interesting topic! I've enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts and opinions. I haven't left Canada yet but I have spent a great deal of time in the US this past year and I have been (of course) anticipating the move. I thought I'd take the opportunity to post my thoughts on this now ... I'll revisit this later after I've been in the US for a while.

We filed our I-130 in September and due to the receipting delay weren’t able to file the I-129F until January. I am really hoping that the K3 comes through for us as it would be so much faster than waiting for NVC and then Montreal.

My initial thoughts are that no country is perfect and we all (quite naturally) are drawn to what is comfortable and known to us. Nobody likes to feel different … it is also tough to go from a position of independence and confidence in ones’ life to being dependent on another for many of the things we have all taken for granted (as in a base knowledge) in our adult lives.

I think one of the things that bothers me the most is that I won't feel as competent / confident operating in my new environment. I've spent the last 12 years learning how Canadian society works ... learning what to insure for, how taxes work, how to buy a house, earning a professional designation, how credit works .. etc. etc... and now that all really starts again. Examples include:

- finding out that you basically cannot get 2 million liability (so they tell me) on your auto insurance, here I believe you have to sign off if you want less than 2.5 million

- I don't know the ins and outs of the IRS (I'm a Canadian accountant so this makes me a wee bit uncomfortable)

- I just completed my professional accounting designation last year (after dragging it out for YEARS, working overtime and studying evenings) and now I basically would have to do a CPA to get an equivalent job

- being scared to death of the US medical system

- finding out that when your sister-in-law’s car gets stolen if the thieves trash it and toss it in a lake she has to pay for its removal???? (I don’t know, maybe that would happen here if you didn’t have insurance?)

The other thing that really bothers me is my perceived loss of independence. I’ll have to see how I actually feel once I am there and getting settled into my “new life”. I’ve also been an extremely self-reliant person. I left home at 18 … I never got 1 penny of help from my family, which really sucked at times, but hey, it isn’t like I had a choice. I’m not preaching here .. my point is that when you have no choice but to be self-reliant it actually is very hard to accept help in any form from anyone. The thought of having to rely on my husband for money really freaks me out. I’ve also worked really hard to get where I am in my profession and I feel I am giving that all up, not just by crossing the border, but by starting a family. We are really hoping to start a family (like now), so we have some conflicting ideals going on here, which also just confuses the emotions.

I want to be with my husband more than anything in the world. That moment when you realize that you have been blessed with finding the “right” person for you is worth anything. The idea of spending my life with him completely overrides any feelings of doubt or insecurity I have at leaving my country, my profession, and life the way I knew it.

I also know that my current life is empty … I have no friends in town, my sister is … well a little odd (mostly wrapped up with her own dramas) .. but it still hurts when she “forgets” that I asked her to be a bridesmaid in my wedding! My relationship with my family is a little tense .. so in lots of ways I can’t wait to move. I love Jason’s family and I find spending time with them is not only a lot of fun, but it is also very relaxing.

I think there are lots of things that I will miss, not because any of those things are any “better” than what is available in the US, but I will miss it because it is what I grew up with and is what I know. There are so many differences I have noticed already and I can’t wait to discover more of them! As Canadians we are taught to respect and honour differences between people and cultures. I promise, when I complain about these differences in the future (and I will complain, trust me) I mean no disrespect!
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-19 00:21:00
CanadaCan I visit him while the K1 is in progress???
Have a great time!
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-18 23:43:00
CanadaUS Bank Account...
I just opened a Bank of America account this weekend without a SSN. I gave my Canadian address, passport, drivers license and SIN. The man was very nice - he gave me 5 years no fees, no questions asked. I also applied for a credit card, so we'll see what happens with that.

I tried to get an account at a smaller credit union but was told they couldn't do it because of the Patriot Act.

I think it all depends.
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-25 19:19:00
CanadaEI and the K3
Thanks for the info.

good.gif
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-04-07 19:25:00
CanadaEI and the K3
I've read over the EI threads and it looks like the theory is that with the K1 you are legally able to work, at least for Canadian EI purposes, even though you don't have the EAD.

Does this same theory apply to the K3? Anyone have any experience?

Thanks smile.gif
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-04-07 13:06:00
CanadaCanada Tax software for deemed non-resident married in 2007
I meant to add that a CA/CGA in Canada (at least in BC) should not cost even close to $600 for a basic return
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-10 02:03:00
CanadaCanada Tax software for deemed non-resident married in 2007
I have no beef with H&R block at all, but I do agree, I think they maybe aren't so great for the less than standard returns.
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-03-10 01:26:00
CanadaPicking up your visa the next day in Vancouver
I'm sure this has been asked a thousand times...
Just to clarify ... if my interview is at 1pm on Thursday, it is the norm that I can pickup my passport on Friday after 2pm?
Also, what is the other option if I don't want to wait an extra day for it?

Thanks!
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-05-05 20:59:00
CanadaImporting a car - with a lien
Thanks smile.gif

This is what I was hoping. I just read through the CBP moving to the US guide and again found nothing.

I think its a fairly safe assumption that I only need this letter in order to register and insure the vehicle in the US.

I am planning to keep making the payments from my Canadian account .. I'll just transfer the money using Custom House.

Emily
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-05-08 14:34:00
CanadaImporting a car - with a lien
Sorry if this has been asked before, I checked through old posts and couldn't find anything specific.

I have a Ford vehicle that is financed. I can't pay off the balance before I go.

I've already arranged for the safety standards letter (I got charged $100 plus taxes .. what a rip, I think this is a dealer specific fee). The guy was super nice and offered to disable my running lights for me if I need to.

Anyway, my interview is next week so I plan on driving down to Bellingham on Friday. I'm not actually physically moving my belongings yet but I will be entering with the K3 visa and I don't want to run into issues with the vehicle.

I've contacted Ford Credit and they won't give me approval until I give them a copy of the state title and the insurance. They also want my US address (which I do have) and the name and address of my US employer - which I do not have) My vehicle is going to remain insured in Canada (my insurance does cover travel to the United States) until I get my SSN and US drivers license.

I couldn't find anything that specifically said I needed this approval from Ford Credit so I'm hoping I'll be ok with just the safety standard stuff.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

I appreciate all the help you guys have given me to date. It has really helped me out over these past few months.

Emily

Edited by EmilyandJason, 08 May 2008 - 01:30 PM.

EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-05-08 13:27:00
CanadaAnyone have in interview in Vancouver next week?
Mine is on Thursay - May 15th.

I feel pretty organized but a little nervous of course ... this is a pretty major deal!

I'm sure we'll all do just fine.

Good luck!
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-05-07 14:38:00
CanadaVancouver Medical
I second everything the Ateam said. I had my medical last Wednesday and honestly the toughest part was getting up so early and being there at 6:30! Everything else is really simple. The ladies in the office are very nice and reassuring, they know how stressful this process is for everyone and are very patient. Dr. Morgan is very nice as well.
The only thing you may find difficult is getting your shirt on and off if you can't move your shoulder. One of the ladies there will be able to help you as one of them will be in the exam room with you and the doctor.
Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

Emily
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-05-20 11:21:00
CanadaJust found out didn't get a June interview....how disappointing!
I'm sorry Linda, I know how tough it is to be apart even with weekly visits.

I hope you get a July date.
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-05-20 00:08:00
CanadaAny recent Vancouver K3 Interview dates booked?
I don't know if this is typical or not, but I got my interview 2 weeks after completing packet 3. MUCH faster than I had expected.
EmilyandJasonFemaleCanada2008-05-20 13:32:00