ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaUSCIS Update - Card/Document Production
Hey congratulations! This is great news! :thumbs:
MarkieboyMalePhilippines2010-10-20 17:31:00
CanadaVisit Vancouver

Hi,
I am going to visit my friend in Seattle in November and he suggested we go to Vancouver. I am a LPR and my passport is expired, and I don't want to renew it. He told me that we can drive without a passport, just the GC. Is it true we can drive to Canada and back into the US without a passport or can it become problematic if we go?

thanks!

Before 9/11 I used to visit B.C. with just a driver's license. Now, you need passport.
MarkieboyMalePhilippines2010-10-26 16:28:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNewbie needs advice filing N400
"Any person who . . . encourages or induces an alien to . . . reside . . . knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such . . . residence is . . . in violation of law, shall be punished as provided . . . for each alien in respect to whom such a violation occurs . . . fined under title 18 . . . imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both."

Section 274 felonies under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, INA 274A(a)(1)(A):

A person (including a group of persons, business, organization, or local government) commits a federal felony when she or he:

* assists an alien s/he should reasonably know is illegally in the U.S. or who lacks employment authorization, by transporting, sheltering, or assisting him or her to obtain employment, or

* encourages that alien to remain in the U.S. by referring him or her to an employer or by acting as employer or agent for an employer in any way, or

* knowingly assists illegal aliens due to personal convictions.










VetsWife328FemaleGermany2014-01-10 01:03:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNewbie needs advice filing N400
One of the questions for citizenship is if you have ever helped an illegal alien to stay in the USA . You DID, you were legal, he was NOT when you guys lived together. You KNEW that, therefore you lost your eligibility to become a US Citizen.
VetsWife328FemaleGermany2014-01-10 01:00:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionTraffic violations
Hi ,
Do I have to send court records for traffic violations in with the N 400 ?!
I had to go to court once, totally minor thing.
( didn't have proof of insurance and registration in the car but could proof at time of hearing that I had both at the time of traffic stop).
It was deferred and I paid a fine LESS than $ 500.
The original fine ( if I couldn't have given evidence of the above stated paperwork) was $ 1200.
In case I do have to submit that court stuff, how do I get it and what exactly do I need ?






VetsWife328FemaleGermany2014-01-09 16:24:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNew free tool for studying the 100 questions
Thanks for this, very helpful!
:bow:
:wai:
dingMaleThailand2012-12-23 17:41:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWill we make our cruise?
Thanks to both of you. Luckily there aren't any issues with the passports.
michaelpNot TellingPhilippines2007-10-17 21:55:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWill we make our cruise?
Nebraska received the I-751 on October 11th. We have already booked a Med. cruise the 3rd week of March for her birthday. Will a NOA letter be enough with an expired card to push through? I see on the update for California, where these are being transferred, that the projection is 6 months. I hope that the increase in fees helps their calender fly! What are we going to do? To top it off the cruise line requires all travel documentation to be greater than 6 months from expiration....
michaelpNot TellingPhilippines2007-10-17 07:33:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionName change OK here?
Is it OK to change to the married name with the I-751 as long as the maiden name is listed on the alias?
(Already changed to have married name passport)

Edited by michaelp, 22 October 2007 - 11:23 PM.

michaelpNot TellingPhilippines2007-10-22 23:19:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionLess than a week beween Bio and Card
One thing we did, which we included in the evidence along with all the other standard stuff was register the marriage from the U.S. to the Philippines through the embassy here to their National Census and Statistics Office. We included the record of that in our packet we filed. Maybe it helped. We weren't leaving any wiggle room.
michaelpNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-16 21:29:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionLess than a week beween Bio and Card
Now the wait for Ciizenship good.gif
michaelpNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-11 16:12:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionLess than a week beween Bio and Card
............and TWO MONTHS to the DAY!!!
michaelpNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-11 15:21:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionLess than a week beween Bio and Card
I-751 received at Nebraska and transferred to CSC 10/11

Biometrics 12/5

Card ordered for producion today 12/11

Praise God!
michaelpNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-11 15:13:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 (Services Centers applications status)
Please update----Card ordered for production today 12/11/07
michaelpNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-11 16:42:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 (Services Centers applications status)
UserName............Serv. Ctr.....Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date.......Biometrics......Approved
tumbin..............TSC...........04/22/06..........05/04/06........--/--/--........--/--/-- (RFE 07-31-07)
waiting4GC..........NSC...........07/06/06..........05/16/06........07/23/07........--/--/--
Feliz...............CSC...........10/26/06..........11/01/06........08/04/07-.......--/--/-- RFE
haozi101............NSC...........11/27/06..........12/06/06........01/03/07........09/14/07
Bertrand............NSC...........12/19/06..........12/27/06........01/20/07........--/--/--
jennybirgitta.......NSC...........01/13/07..........01/18/07........02/14/07........--/--/--
fragile093..........TSC...........01/27/07..........01/31/07........03/03/07........--/--/--
Peter T.............NSC...........01/27/07..........02/26/07........03/09/07........--/--/--
shahkr..............VSC...........01/29/07..........02/xx/07........03/01/07........--/--/-- RFE
ven2lin.............TSC...........02/01/07..........02/05/07........--/--/--........--/--/--
Illinois............NSC...........02/19/07..........02/23/07........04/18/07........--/--/--
moben...............TSC...........02/26/07..........03/20/07........03/28/07........--/--/--
kn687...............TSC...........02/27/07..........03/21/07........03/29/07........--/--/--
tweety..............TSC...........03/09/07..........03/28/07........04/06/07........--/--/--
Boscouple...........VSC...........03/16/07..........03/21/07........04/10/07........09/19/07
Frances.............NSC...........04/02/07..........05/05/07........05/24/07........--/--/--
Kearinne............NSC...........04/09/07..........04/30/07........06/02/07........--/--/--
gyuwono.............NSC...........04/17/07..........04/20/07........05/18/07........--/--/--
James...............TSC...........04/18/07..........04/20/07........05/31/07........--/--/--
Gringa..............VSC...........04/27/07..........05/24/07........06/22/07........10/24/07
Cassie..............TSC...........05/08/07..........05/09/07........06/04/07........--/--/--
debeselizz..........NSC...........05/24/07..........05/31/07........06/21/07........--/--/--
Mr.Bigdog...........TSC...........06/06/07..........06/19/07........08/30/07........--/--/--
Joel'sWife..........VSC...........06/08/07..........06/21/07........07/07/07........--/--/--
thea................VSC...........06/09/07..........06/25/07........07/06/07........--/--/--
pkmk................NSC...........06/18/07..........07/02/07........07/13/07........--/--/--
Silvanski...........TSC > CSC.....06/27/07..........07/12/07........08/17/07........10/02/07 (RFE 08/29/07)
Sweet Melissa.......TSC > CSC.....06/28/07..........07/10/07........10/10/07........--/--/--
wifiman.............NSC > CSC.....06/29/07..........08/05/07........08/15/07........08/25/07
ForYou..............VSC...........07/20/07..........08/06/07....... 09/08/07........--/--/--
Sami................NSC > CSC.....07/20/07..........08/04/07........08/15/07........09/15/07
stina&suj...........TSC > CSC.....07/13/07..........07/26/07........--/--/--........--/--/--
Stefanie............NSC > CSC.....07/16/07..........07/25/07........military........--/--/--
Bree................TSC > CSC.....07/24/07..........07/27/07........09/13/07........09/25/07
6901................TSC > CSC.....07/24/07..........08/04/07........09/12/07........09/20/07
smushtaq............NSC > CSC.....07/26/07..........08/09/07........09/07/07........10/29/07
mahal...............TSC > CSC.....07/27/07..........07/27/07........09/28/07........--/--/--
Jo1973..............TSC > CSC.....07/27/07..........08/20/07........09/21/07........--/--/--
Widge...............NSC > CSC.....07/27/07..........08/22/07........09/12/07........--/--/--
Smoothsailing.......NSC > CSC.....07/28/07..........08/17/07........09/10/07........09/15/07
dcl766..............NSC > CSC.....07/28/07..........08/24/07........09/13/07........09/19/07
Lugn ...............NSC > CSC.....07/28/07..........08/24/07........09/11/07........09/13/07
Gene&Maria..........NSC > CSC.....07/28/07..........08/20/07........09/10/07........--/--/--
mcutchin............CSC...........07/30/07..........08/20/07........09/18/07........--/--/--
bsokny12............NSC > CSC.....07/30/07..........08/20/07........09/08/07........09/12/07
gwsmith01...........VSC...........08/03/07..........08/22/07........09/07/07........--/--/--
metta...............TSC > CSC.....08/04/07..........08/30/07........09/28/07........--/--/--
Gemma12nEl..........VSC...........08/07/07..........08/07/07........10/02/07........--/--/--
gandagirl505........CSC...........08/08/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--
moe_lisa............NSC > CSC.....08/09/07..........09/06/07........09/28/07........--/--/--
Alie................TSC > CSC.....08/11/07..........09/12/07........10/12/07........--/--/--
beggartl............NSC > CSC.....08/11/07..........08/13/07........10/09/07........--/--/--
pj1959us............NSC > CSC.....08/13/07..........08/15/07........09/29/07........--/--/--
guapitoyguapita77...TSC > CSC.....08/14/07..........08/30/07........10/12/07........--/--/--
annelizabeth........NSC > CSC.....08/15/07..........08/17/07........09/28/07........--/--/--
bubibu..............CSC...........08/15/07..........08/20/07........10/04/07........10/15/07
ca_babe.............CSC...........08/16/07..........08/17/07........09/28/07........--/--/--
eau_xplain..........TSC > CSC.....08/18/07..........08/21/07........10/11/07........--/--/--
nutmarg.............TSC > CSC.....08/20/07..........08/20/07........11/20/07........--/--/--
Kez.................VSC...........08/24/07..........09/01/07........10/02/07........--/--/--
maguilart...........NSC > CSC.....08/29/07..........08/30/07........10/26/07........--/--/--
kitty0657...........NSC > CSC.....08/31/07..........09/04/07........10/26/07........--/--/--
Inlove_tx...........TSC > CSC.....09/01/07..........09/05/07........10/25/07........--/--/--
DougandNancy........VSC...........09/04/07..........09/06/07........10/03/07........--/--/--
poppinslp...........CSC...........09/04/07..........10/01/07........10/30/07........--/--/--
dalegg..............CSC...........09/06/07..........09/07/07........10/11/07........--/--/--
hopeful_laura.......NSC > CSC.....09/07/07..........09/10/07........11/01/07........--/--/--
Tegan...............CSC...........09/10/07..........10/01/07........10/20/07........--/--/--
FVA.................NSC > CSC.....09/10/07..........10/02/07........11/01/07........--/--/--
silent-whispers.....TSC...........09/10/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--
Whodat..............VSC...........09/10/07..........09/19/07........10/16/07........--/--/--
pedroh..............TSC > CSC.....09/10/07..........10/04/07........11/14/07........--/--/--
Aussielad...........VSC...........09/11/07..........09/12/07........10/10/07........--/--/--
Moldovandish........TSC > CSC.....09/14/07..........09/18/07........--/--/--........--/--/--
KTAN................NSC > CSC.....09/14/07..........09/17/07........--/--/--........--/--/--
sara535.............CSC...........09/15/07..........09/17/07........10/30/07........--/--/--
statman78...........NSC...........09/17/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--
BigPhil65...........TSC...........09/17/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--
Spiderette..........NSC > CSC.....09/18/07..........09/18/07........11/08/07........--/--/--
steve_n_carolyn.....NSC > CSC.....09/19/07..........09/19/07........11/02/07........--/--/--
Wild Wind...........CSC...........09/20/07..........09/24/07........--/--/--........--/--/--
littlebear..........VSC...........09/20/07..........10/09/07........11/03/07........--/--/--
Zephod..............TSC > CSC.....09/20/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--
cinci22.............CSC...........09/22/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--
Serenity............NSC...........09/25/07..........09/25/07........--/--/--........--/--/--
Buckeye6976.........NSC...........09/27/07..........10/01/07........--/--/--........--/--/--
AfricanQueen........TSC...........10/05/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--
supersonic..........VSC...........10/09/07..........10/10/07........--/--/--........--/--/--
RS330...............VSC...........10/13/07..........10/19/07........--/--/--........--/--/--
dmaddox74...........TSC...........10/17/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--
arijit..............VSC...........10/18/07..........10/23/07........--/--/--........--/--/--
michaelp......NSC > CSC.....10/09/07.......10/11/07........--/--/--........--/--/--
michaelpNot TellingPhilippines2007-11-02 23:42:00
Canadaproof of relationship - what's required?
We're having a bit of a horrible time with phone records as well. My fiancee used to use the comcast phone, since it had unlimited long distance to canada; but she cancelled the service and of course they deleted the records, and we are waiting to see if we can still get the records if we reactivate the service... otherwise they said they would need a court order subopena :/ The times I call her, I always use a phone card so that's not going to help.

we have a bunch of stuff of other stuff though, regarding the wedding, photos together, website printouts, some chat logs. a handful of letters from friends and family... i hope that will be enough.



QUOTE (erinanddavid @ May 24 2008, 06:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
we're having some issues getting our phone records together on both sides (i have mine, david kinda sorta has something but has 3 phone numbers and it's getting messy...). i'd prefer not to make a big deal out of it if it's not worth the stress and they really aren't required from both sides.

thanks!

ajay416MaleCanada2008-05-28 00:51:00
CanadaStill no appointment letter
They actually mailed my appointment letter to my fiancee in the U.S. for some reason, even though the salutaion was directed at me.
ajay416MaleCanada2008-06-05 23:51:00
CanadaInterview in Montreal: question about I-134 supporting documents
@Yomtl oops, made an error, my interview is on tuesday actually, but I'll be in montreal on monday biggrin.gif wow I'm really bad with dates.


QUOTE (ajay416 @ Jun 6 2008, 03:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ajay, you'll have to let me know how that works. I went in to get a letter from my bank and it was like asking for their first born. They gave me a half-### one that I don't really want to use. I have 4 years of tax returns, pay stubs, mortgage statements, and letters from my employer, so if I don't need to the bank letter, that would be great.


Yes I know what you mean, my fiancee even tried crying to get them to prepare one for her to pick up, but no luck... I will post a review sometime tuesday night on how my interview went and let you know if they asked for the bank statement.

Edited by ajay416, 06 June 2008 - 04:41 PM.

ajay416MaleCanada2008-06-06 16:41:00
CanadaInterview in Montreal: question about I-134 supporting documents
I'm not sure if bank statements printed from the internet would be valid. You have to call up your bank and ask for an officer of the bank to prepare a signed report for you.

My fiancee uses bank of america, and she requested such a report through the phone. The estimated time it takes for them to prepare it and mail it out is 10 days (from what the bank told us). I have my interview on monday, and I'm just taking the w2's, pay stubs, employer letter and the tax returns as evidence for the I-134, since we haven't received the bank statements that we ordered 2 weeks ago. From what I've read on here, you only need your bank statement if your fiance/fiancee does not meet the 125% over the poverty line requirement.
ajay416MaleCanada2008-06-06 14:35:00
CanadaOriginal documents kept by Montreal Consulate
congrats... I'm just curious, but did you start tracking the envelope through canada post? if so, how long did it take before it was in their tracking system? I'm unable to track anything right now.

QUOTE (Yomtl @ Jun 12 2008, 05:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi,
I just received my K1 visa (yay!! That was really fast since I had my interview on monday!). The Montreal Consulate also returned my original Birth Certificate document but they didn't return other the originals of my Police Certificate and my girlfriend's employer letter.
Am I going to need those documents when applying for AOS?
Thank you!

ajay416MaleCanada2008-06-12 17:16:00
CanadaMontreal Consulate: Nerve wrecking, but Approved
Thanks for the congratulations all.

Wow, the news just got better. I'm back in Toronto now an just got my tax assessment and I owe the government less than 1/2 as much as I calculated. Now, we may have money for a normal wedding!

I'm still not going to be 100% relieved of all this till i have that visa in my hand smile.gif
ajay416MaleCanada2008-06-12 17:51:00
CanadaMontreal Consulate: Nerve wrecking, but Approved
I had my interview on June 10th, and we were approved! Woo hoo. I thought I'd just write a review before hopping on the train back to Toronto tomorrow. Hopefully it will help those waiting for their K1.

- I Arrived in Montreal from Toronto by train. 5 hours went by pretty fast. The fiancee flew in from Seattle Washington.

- We stayed at Le Crystal de la Montage , a new hotel right beside the Novotel. The free upgrade to a bigger suite made it feel more like a mid-sized condo than an actual hotel room. The walk to the consulate is about 15mins from the hotel, for anyone planning to stay around that area.

- Woke up at 4am, because we are really bad at setting alarms. Sat around for awhile, then walked over to the consulate, arriving at around 6:50. Again, we were there too early. I think we just suck with clocks.

- The consulate was open around 7:30 or so. Went though security rather quickly... the guards were very polite.

- Walked up to window 11, where we gave the lady our number and our appointment letter. She told us to go back to the waiting area and wait to be called.

- Called back to window 11 after about 10 mins. At this time the lady asked me for my Passport, DS-156 in duplicate, DS-156k, 2 passport photos, I-134 with the supporting documents (3 years of tax transcripts, 5 pay stubs and the letter from my fiancee's employer. We had a bank letter, but they didn't care for it), petitioner's letter of intent, police certificate and my birth certificate. I was also asked a few questions about all the places where I lived and my age.

- Went back and sat around in the waiting room again, waiting to be called. We got called back after 15 minutes or so... and were told that they couldn't find our file and that it was possibly deleted, YAY! But not really. The lady asked us if we brought our NOA2. Unfortunately, we didn't have the document, and I wasn't sure what it was or where it was (since we weren't members on VJ during our process, grr). The lady told us that they sent my fiancee 2 letters, requesting that we bring the NOA2 with us to the interview, but we never received the letters, I'm assuming it went to our lawyer. I only brought the documents outlined in the checklist and some extra copies of the G-235 I had printed out. At this point, we weren't feeling very happy and I had a horrible feeling in my stomach that we would get an RFE after the interview. The lady also asked us if we brought the express post envelope and we didn't since the supplements to the interview letter said that we could purchase one at the consulate office; however, this was not the case. We were told that they stopped selling them there the week before.

- Walked back to the waiting room to be called back to window 11 after about 25 minutes. The lady told us to go pay the $131 at window #14 and bring the receipt back. And that's when I was fingerprinted.

- After 15 minutes or so, we were I was called to room #8 for the actual interview. I brought my fiancee in with me. The man interviewing us was EXTREMELY NICE. He had glasses and was very energetic. We were interviewed together, and he mentioned that he likes it when he gets to meet both parties, even though it is not required. He asked us a few questions about how we met, what my fiancee did for a living and what I did for a living. He also asked us about where I lived and where my fiancee lived. That was pretty much it as far as the interview was concerned. Overall a great interview... nothing scary at all. Oh, he didn't care about all the evidence we brought with us.

- After the interview questions he told us that we seemed like a nice couple and that everything was good, but he couldn't approve the visa just yet since there were some issues with our file, and that they were trying to rebuild it since it was deleted. We received an RFE, and he told us that we would have to mail or fax them the NOA2 and until then, the visa will be considered denied.

Fortunately, during time when the interviewer was explaining to us what document we need to send in, my genius fiancee remembers that she brought some sort of extra letter/document (even though I told her before her flight that we didn't need it since it wasn't on the checklist) with her, which we left at the hotel. After explaining this to the interviewer, had another appointment made for 12:00 for us to bring in the document if it was the NOA2 and also to purchase an express post envelope.

We bought the envelope at the Pharmaprix at the end of the block (turn right after exiting the consulate) and walked back to the hotel. We pretty much agreed that finding the NOA2 at the hotel was pretty much one of the happiest moments in our lives. We took a cab back to the consulate and gave the envelope and the NOA2 to the lady and went back to the waiting area to be called.

- After about 15 minutes we were called back to window #11 and the lady told us that everything was fine, we were approved and the visa would be mailed to my address. Yipee! At that moment, everything was good again.



The whole consulate experience lasted about 4 hours, but that's just an estimate. Like I said, we suck with clocks.

I can't start to explain how much of a relief it is knowing that I will finally be be with Sarah after 9 years of knowing each other.

Good luck to anyone else having an interview soon, and don't worry so much. It's not as scary as you may think. From my experience, it's probably a good idea to bring everything you have just in case and be very organized.


Oh, and opaque file folders are fine. You don't need to bring transparent ones. If you bring stuff like cellphones, they provide you with a cubby hole and there are 3 vending machines, one has snacks, one has coffee and the third one has cold drinks.

Stuff to do down by the Old Port: Some nice restaurants... we ate dinner twice. The fondue place on St-Paul street is pretty yummy. St-Paul street itself is pretty cool.
ajay416MaleCanada2008-06-12 01:52:00
CanadaPOE at Pearson/Toronto
Thanks for the info, yeah I'm guessing its by where they have all the blue cards.
ajay416MaleCanada2008-08-02 12:00:00
CanadaPOE at Pearson/Toronto
I'm getting ready to leave Canada and activate my k1 at Pearson airport. I couldn't seem to find a guide in the guides section for POE and wasn't find much using the search. If anyone could point me to some good info, that would be great. Meanwhile I have a few questions, if anyone can help...


1) Just wondering if there is anything I need to bring besides myself, passport, x-ray and the brown packet?

2) Also, what is the I-94? is it some form I have to fill out and take with me, or a form I fill out at customs?

3) I have around $10,000 worth of camera equipment :/ I guess I'll have to pay duty on this huh?
ajay416MaleCanada2008-08-01 23:46:00
CanadaThe IRS/CRA Income Tax Thread
I've gone through this thread but I'm still not confident on a few things, hopefully someone can point me in the right direction.


I came to the US on a K1 in November 2008. Up till then, I worked for a company part-time in Canada and was also self-employed. Currently filed for AOS and have an interview date in May of this year. I would really like to utilize my student tax credits in Canada to minimize my taxable income. I have a few questions...

1) Can I qualify to file jointly and exclude my foreign income? From what I read in publication 519, it said I can't use any tax treaty benefits since I would be considered a non resident alien filing jointly (may have interpreted it wrong).
2) Could I use form 2555 to exclude my foreign income?
3) If I can exclude my income, Do I need to file in Canada first, before we file here?
4) Finally, will I need to fill out any other forms?

If anyone could help, It would be greatly appreciated.


ajay416MaleCanada2009-03-30 04:51:00
CanadaMarch 2011 MTL Embassy Interviews
I have a question for you...is there a reference number or does your page say anything? When I checked last Friday, it gave a "reference" number that was 5 letters, followed by 7 numbers. Next to that is said "At Consular Services." I think later in the day it changed to shipped, but the reference stayed the same. I tried using the reference number to track it on DHL.com and nothing would come up.

That was my mistake...I forgot to use DHL.ca. (I'm the USC and forgot to change .com to .ca.) Once I went to that site, I plugged in the "reference" number, and up popped the tracking information showing it was delivered that morning.

If you have anything showing as a reference number, try using that on the Canadian DHL website.

We were pretty shocked it was delivered only two days after the interview. Even the woman who did the interview said it should be shipped this week and we should have it by this Friday, not last.
westcon5MaleCanada2011-03-16 16:08:00
CanadaMarch 2011 MTL Embassy Interviews
I do not believe my wife's wait time was average. We had the interview last Wednesday in Montreal and her VISA/passport arrived in Vancouver at DHL on Friday morning...2 days total.
westcon5MaleCanada2011-03-16 13:33:00
Canadavisa wait time after interview in montreal

Congratulations on your approval and quick Visa return! :dance:


Thanks! You too! I see you are in the Ontario area and yours came quickly as well. We are on the Vancouver side of Canada (wife) and Washington State for myself. So, I was very surprised when I checked today to see it already there. It almost beat us back with the nasty weather we had leaving Montreal Wednesday night!
westcon5MaleCanada2011-03-11 22:09:00
Canadavisa wait time after interview in montreal
We don't post on here that much at all, but wanted to let everyone know that my wife's VISA was delivered this morning to the DHL office she chose. Her interview in Montreal was on Wednesday. Montreal seems to be slow at everything except when you are at the consulate for the interview (25 minutes total) and shipping the passport/VISA back (one day)! :dance:

Good luck to everyone waiting!

We put a review up in the review section on our experience...and sorry, it is kind of long.
westcon5MaleCanada2011-03-11 19:19:00
Canada2010 Tax thread - For Canada and the U.S.
You got the head-spinning part right! I actually posted the same question on an immigration tax site as well, and the reply I got there was the same as yours. So, I think I can finally finish everything up now.

What is ridiculous is the IRS. I went to our local office, because they said they offered assistance with the 2555/1116, however, that was not the case. They referred me to the national number. They are absolutely of no use. After they ask you questions, they read word-for-word right out of the manuals, which I had in front of me. I found no one that could or would actually elaborate and offer assistance.

Anyway, thank you for your replies. They were helpful!
westcon5MaleCanada2011-05-05 20:07:00
Canada2010 Tax thread - For Canada and the U.S.

Correct. That is how we did for the year we were married but I was still in Canada.


Thanks OBX!

Did your spouse visit the US before they entered? That is the only hangup we are having now. My wife and I live about 40 miles apart, so she comes down almost every weekend. We are not sure how to fill in the section asking how many days they were out of the country, as it most certainly is over 35 days total during 2010. Are people able to get a list from CBP on their crossing record? There is no way to remember every time she crossed to stay for the weekend, as we did not keep this type of record.

Anyway, thanks again for your reply. We'll try to figure this last bit out so I can finish our taxes. I guess I can always file MFS and skip all this stuff, although the refund difference is quite large.
westcon5MaleCanada2011-05-05 09:56:00
Canada2010 Tax thread - For Canada and the U.S.
Hello everyone.

I've been searching various website on how to properly file our taxes this year, but just end up more confused. I've always done them for myself, but 2010 has been a big year, like for so many of you.

Of all the topics I have found on this forum, none are exactly the same as our situation.

The background: My wife and I were married on 5/15 o of last year. We immediately filed for her CR1 visa. We had her interview in Montreal in March of this year and have the visa in hand. We were waiting to file taxes until she actually moved down here and received her SSN, but that did not happen as quickly as we hoped. So, her condo in Canada sold and the move out is scheduled for 5/14. We plan for her POE at that time. In the meantime, we needed to get the US taxes done. My wife did not live in the US at all in 2010.

So, I see many people have filed their taxes using form 2555. We had our taxes done at an H&R Block with someone who does many US/Canadian filings since we live close to the border. I have to assume she knows what she is talking about, but it didn't sound correct to me from everything I have read.

She completed our taxes as MFJ with Form 1116.

When doing my taxes at home (in hopes of not having to use someone else), I came out with a much different number. Basically, the lady told us we could not use the from 2555 in our situation. I asked her if I filed MFS, what would be the outcome. She plugged those numbers in and the refund was 1/2 of what it was as MFJ. She stated that if I elected to file MFS, I could not itemize since my wife would not be. I purchased a home last year, which has some benefits come tax season.

What method do you guys use who are in this situation...foreign spouse not living in US yet? Last year my wife did make more than me. I am assuming that because of that and the way the tax is calculated on the US return, we are being taxed at a higher rate, thus lowering the refund.

Anyway, if anyone is in the same boat, I would greatly appreciate your comments on how you filed. I thought I had read online and from the IRS U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens that we could elect for my wife to be treated as a resident alien and exclude her income via form 2555 and a letter signed by both of us.

Thanks in advance for any help!
westcon5MaleCanada2011-04-15 14:03:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
Hello everyone.

I don't post on these boards much at all, but have followed closely since my wife and I applied for her CR1.

We had the usual (lately) 5 month wait for the I-130 to be approved at the USCIS. Pretty much the last day in month five, we got the approval. So, off to the NVC went everything. We submitted it and made the payment and it was confirmed on October 29th. Around Dec. 16, we get a RFE in the mail saying we need to complete the DS-260. So, once that was done, we have been checking steadily through the automated call center at NVC and got the standard "we have received the electronic checklist, but please allow 6-8 weeks for processing." We were really not too happy that the whole package was ready to be approved but for that, and now we get thrown to the bottom of the pile again. Anyway, we just received the e-mail from the NVC that my wife's VISA petition has been approved.

Now, the surprise we got was that in the letter, we were issued an interview date of March 9th in Montreal. I was somehow under the impression that once the NVC approved the petition, everything gets forwarded to Montreal and there you wait a few more months until they issue you an interview date.

Either way, we were completely surprised to find that the wait is now only two months for us. We are lucky. We only live less than an hour apart, so we see each other every weekend and occasionally during the week.

I've read others comments that Montreal seems to be speeding up, and in our case it does seem true.

Good luck everyone who is waiting. Hopefully you will hear soon!
westcon5MaleCanada2011-01-08 00:47:00
CanadaVancouver k1 Still waiting for Visa......
Thanks for your help! We finally got the message tonight that it has been picked up! I am SO relieved. I will pick him up tomorrow and we get to have Thanksgiving together!
saranmFemaleCanada2011-11-23 23:58:00
CanadaVancouver k1 Still waiting for Visa......
Nope, we haven't heard anything except for when I emailed them. I wish I could just go to Vancouver and pick it up! I guess there's no hope that they would let us do that?
saranmFemaleCanada2011-11-23 20:17:00
CanadaVancouver k1 Still waiting for Visa......
Thanks for the advice! We haven't heard anything from anyone. I emailed Vancouver and they said: "As I mentioned to your fiancé, when DHL has the package they will e-mail him to pickup his package with a waybill number."

I have checked the usvisa-info.com site (where we scheduled the interview) every day as well and nothing has changed. Th only info I have gotten is from DoS and that was when they told us it was issued on Friday (the 19th).

Should I email Vancouver again? I feel so helpless! We were told it would take 3-4 business days!
saranmFemaleCanada2011-11-23 18:54:00
CanadaVancouver k1 Still waiting for Visa......
My fiance had his interview in Vancouver last Tuesday. He had his medical on Wednesday and dropped it off right away. Everything went well - no problems at all!
I called the DoS on Monday and we were told that the visa had been issued! I called DHL and they told us that if it was printed on Friday (it was) that it would probably be there on Monday or Tuesday. Now it is Wednesday evening and we still haven't heard anything from DHL or the embassy.

My fiance has been staying with me (I live 2 min from Canadian border, in the U.S.) so he has nowhere to stay in Canada. We are hoping and praying that we can spend Thanksgiving together at home.

Any advice or information?
saranmFemaleCanada2011-11-23 18:42:00
CanadaK1 fiance driving to US
We submitted our 129f petition for K1 visa on NOA1 Aug. 15, 08. My fiance plans to drive to visit me. Our visits have been short because of the distance Washington and Saskatchewan and work. My fiance quit his job end of July, rented out his home and plans to move to his daughter's house in another SK town on return. He is semi-retired and has enough money to support himself. We want a lengthy visit. I will be working.
Is this possible? What does he need to be prepared for?
ViVeFemaleCanada2008-08-30 01:40:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 February 2013 Filers

Congratulations to those who received their interview/oath letters!

Good luck to those with upcoming interviews and oath ceremonies! 

 

 

=================================
N-400: February 2013 Applicants
=================================

======================================
USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox
======================================
UserName............|Sent....|ChkCashd|NOA.....|Fprints.|InLine..|Int Ltr.|Intview.|Oath....|FieldOffice
TENZY...............|02/01/13|--/--/--|02/08/13|03/05/13|03/07/13|04/19/13|05/23/13|--/--/--|Queens, NY
FINDMELUCKY.........|02/02/13|02/05/13|02/07/13|02/15/13|03/25/13|05/09/13|06/13/13|--/--/--|Atlanta,GA
MRS D...............|02/02/13|02/07/13|02/13/13|03/01/13|03/05/13|04/10/13|05/09/13|--/--/--|Dallas, TX
CYCLING_GIRL........|02/02/13|02/08/13|02/11/13|02/20/13|03/29/13|04/04/13|05/03/13|--/--/--|Norfolk, VA (EB 2/15/13)
KAYLIE..............|02/02/13|--/--/--|02/20/13|03/04/13|03/22/13|04/20/13|05/23/13|--/--/--|Newark, NJ
AMBASEL.............|02/04/13|02/05/13|02/05/13|02/14/13|--/--/--|04/18/13|05/21/13|--/--/--|New York, NY
CORINAN.............|02/05/13|02/14/13|02/13/13|02/26/13|04/05/13|--/--/--|05/14/13|--/--/--|San Juan, PR
DND2009.............|02/06/13|02/12/13|02/11/13|02/26/13|04/05/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|New York, NY
JOSHUE .............|02/06/13|02/14/13|02/13/13|02/27/13|04/08/13|04/15/13|05/21/13|--/--/--|Brooklyn, NY
LAILUMINADA33.......|02/06/13|02/14/13|02/13/13|03/04/13|03/08/13|03/23/13|04/24/13|05/15/13|Brooklyn, NY

















QUEUEDUP............|02/06/13|02/13/13|02/13/13|02/21/13|02/26/13|04/24/13|05/31/13|--/--/--|New York, NY (EB 02/21/13)
GHANAMADE88.........|02/07/13|--/--/--|02/08/13|02/25/13|03/02/13|--/--/--|04/18/13|06/12/13|Boston, MA
AJ911 ..............|02/07/13|02/13/13|02/12/13|03/06/13|03/08/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Orlando, FL
ATHENA JUNE.........|02/08/13|02/19/13|02/20/13|03/04/13|03/12/13|03/22/13|04/24/13|06/12/13|Boston, MA
ASIFH...............|02/09/13|02/14/13|02/14/13|02/21/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Washington D.C. (EB)
FORUMSUB............|02/11/13|02/15/13|02/21/13|02/25/13|04/08/13|04/15/13|06/03/13|--/--/--|San Antonio, TX
VABEAR..............|02/12/13|02/15/13|02/15/13|03/15/13|03/19/13|03/24/13|04/24/13|06/19/13|Norfolk, VA
JOAN >3 BOB.........|02/13/13|02/14/13|02/19/13|03/06/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|05/07/13|05/14/13|Charleston, SC







FIGHTER_ALWAYS......|02/14/13|02/22/13|03/01/13|03/13/13|04/08/13|04/16/13|05/21/13|--/--/--|Houston, TX (moved from Ithaca, NY)
CHOCOCHIBI..........|02/15/13|02/25/13|02/26/13|03/11/13|03/21/13|03/27/13|04/30/13|05/24/13|Memphis, TN
PETUNKA.............|02/19/13|02/26/13|03/02/13|03/12/13|03/13/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|New York, NY (EB 03/05/13)
MOON1982............|02/21/13|02/28/13|02/27/13|03/19/13|04/22/13|04/27/13|06/05/13|--/--/--|Tampa, FL
QQQUAKER............|02/23/13|03/04/13|03/01/13|03/12/13|03/28/13|04/11/13|05/23/13|--/--/--|Tampa, FL
ARUN+CATIE..........|02/25/13|03/01/13|03/08/13|03/21/13|03/25/13|04/18/13|05/22/13|--/--/--|Tampa, FL
AIRFORCE............|02/26/13|02/27/13|02/26/13|03/18/13|03/20/13|04/01/13|05/09/13|--/--/--|Dallas, TX


================================
USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox
================================
UserName............|Sent....|ChkCashd|NOA.....|Fprints.|InLine..|Int Ltr.|Intview.|Oath....|FieldOffice
AUTUMNAL............|02/01/13|--/--/--|02/06/13|02/27/13|--/--/--|04/01/13|05/15/13|--/--/--|Detroit, MI
STEVIEG2123.........|02/04/13|02/08/13|02/07/13|03/07/13|--/--/--|04/05/13|05/10/13|05/24/13|Phoenix, AZ
SCIENCENERD.........|02/04/13|02/11/13|02/08/13|03/05/13|04/04/13|05/13/13|06/18/13|--/--/--|Portland, OR
HEDI................|02/06/13|02/13/13|02/12/13|03/11/13|03/27/13|03/30/13|05/06/13|05/15/13|San Diego, CA
















MONY88..............|02/06/13|02/11/13|02/14/13|03/07/13|04/08/13|04/20/13|05/23/13|--/--/--|Chicago, IL
MUM2LGANDC..........|02/14/13|02/25/13|02/22/13|03/18/13|03/20/13|03/25/13|04/30/13|--/--/--|Omaha, NE
MARKIEBOY...........|02/15/13|02/22/13|02/21/13|03/19/13|04/18/13|04/22/13|05/28/13|--/--/--|Seattle, WA
ROSELINDA...........|02/16/13|02/20/13|02/22/13|03/15/13|03/19/13|03/22/13|04/23/13|05/16/13|Indianapolis, IN
NIGERIAORBUST.......|02/16/13|02/25/13|02/22/13|03/13/13|04/01/13|04/25/13|05/29/13|--/--/--|San Bernardino, CA
SPYGAME.............|02/19/13|02/26/13|02/21/13|03/06/13|04/22/13|05/08/13|06/04/13|--/--/--|Los Angeles, CA (EB)
CHICAGOMAMMY........|02/20/13|02/27/13|02/26/13|03/25/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Chicago, IL
SAIF9171............|02/22/13|03/01/13|02/28/13|03/27/13|03/29/13|05/06/13|06/11/13|--/--/--|Chicago, IL
CALYPSO.............|02/25/13|02/??/13|02/28/13|03/22/13|03/15/13|05/04/13|06/03/13|--/--/--|Los Angeles, CA (EB 03/13/13)
YEYI02..............|02/25/13|03/04/13|03/06/13|03/28/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Seattle, WA
YULECHKA42..........|02/25/13|03/04/13|03/01/13|03/28/13|04/22/13|04/25/13|05/28/13|--/--/--|San Jose, CA
MI.PI...............|02/25/13|03/04/13|03/18/13|04/09/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Detroit, MI
THAKROZ.............|02/28/13|03/07/13|03/06/13|03/27/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Denver, CO


===========================================================================
USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)
===========================================================================
UserName............|Sent....|ChkCashd|NOA.....|Fprints.|InLine..|Int Ltr.|Intview.|Oath....|FieldOffice
ECG19...............|02/02/13|02/08/13|02/15/13|03/19/13|03/21/13|--/--/--|03/27/13|03/27/13|Sacramento, CA 
INKY................|02/04/13|02/08/13|02/13/13|03/08/13|03/12/13|03/16/13|04/16/13|04/16/13|Omaha, NE 



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MarkieboyMalePhilippines2013-05-24 08:52:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 February 2013 Filers

Hi, I have an interview on June 5, do I need to bring my husband's passport to the interview? Can I bring a copy of the passport of my husband's? He is now overseas, and his passport is with him now. Do I need to ask him to mail me his passport? Thank you!

 

 

Hi Moon1982,

 

You do not necessarily need his passport.  However, the N-659, Naturalization Interview Document Check List specifically states to bring the original and a photocopy of the applicable items listed to the naturalization interview.

 

If you are applying for naturalization on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen, bring:

A. Proof that your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for at least the past three years (birth certificate, naturalization certificate, certificate of citizenship, your spouse's valid U.S. passport, or Form FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America)

 

So, if you cannot secure his original U.S. passport, you may need his birth certificate or another document listed.

 

Hope this helps some.


MarkieboyMalePhilippines2013-05-20 12:43:00