ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresi-129F

From the I-129F Instructions themself

10. How Do You Use This Form for YourSpouse Seeking Entry With a K-3 Visa?

This form may be used to obtain a K-3 visa for your alienspouse. Fill out the form as directed, except assume that"fiancé" or "fiancé(e)" means "spouse." Answer QuestionsB.17 and B.18 by stating "N/A." Note that filing this form is only necessary to facilitate the entry of your spouse as a nonimmigrant.

etc etc


In short, yes.

Thanks Aussiewench... it seemed selfexplanatory to me. I must need the emotional backup that I'm doing the right thing before facing the Big Bad Wolf again ha! (I keep making this harder on myself!!)
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2006-10-23 11:42:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresi-129F
Hello all
We've received our NOA for the I-130 (yay) and it's on to the I-129f. Did any of you answer question 18 about how you met and how often you see each other or is it okay, as suggested by the k3 Guide instructions, to put N/A for question 17 and 18?

Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2006-10-23 11:31:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI129 vs I130
Hi all
need a little clarification. We followed the guidelines for the K3 after we were married, which was sending first the I130 package followed by the I129F. We just heard today that our I129 was approved and we would get instructions in the mail. Why are these two packages being considered separately, like 2 different cases, as I thought they were both necessary in eventually getting the K3 visa? What are these "instructions" that we will be receiving? Does this mean we have to start assembling the spousal support information as we will be arranging an interview at the consulate soon??

thanks
Monica
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-02-09 22:51:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI130 & 129F Approved at the same time
Congrats on your approval! My husband and I just found out both the I129 and I130 were approved on the same day. I too am confused about which one is better to pursue...if not both. I understood that if you went the K3 route your visa that is stamped in your passport at your interview would allow you to move AND work in the US right away ....so you can get down there and get working and then apply for permanent residency. Is this not the case? I work for an American company in Canada and would like to transfer with them so I need to have work approval before I move. It seems like the I129 approval means you skip right to the medical and interview whereas the I130 means all those forms exchanged with the NVC for a few months before the interview....if I am reading these posts correctly.
gulp. Help. Confused still.
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-02-10 10:26:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurescan u leave US after applying for EAD/AOS (with K3)
QUOTE (Reba @ Sep 5 2007, 06:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
no, you do not need to apply for AP (advance parole) if you have a K3 visa. It is valid for 2 years, and is multiple entry. Several Canadians have successfully kept their jobs in Canada after applying for EAD and AOS and gone back and forth until they are eligible to work in the US.


Thank you so much Reba!!! That is a great relief to know. It figures that I would get a more direct and knowledgable answer from a fellow VJ'r rather than asking someone at Immigration ha! devil.gif
You made my day.
cheers
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-09-05 10:30:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurescan u leave US after applying for EAD/AOS (with K3)
I read that the K3 visa is a multiple entry visa so you can leave the country to work ..presumably. I followed this route all along so that I could cross a border to activate the K3, use my husband's address as my new US residence, start the process to get work authorization, then return to Canada to work and keep returning to the US for the various appointments necessary..interviews and biometrics etc. ( I work for an airline so hopping back and forth is not an obstacle). Now a US IMMIG officer at the Toronto airport, who admittedly is not an expert in this area, says that I might void my AOS application by leaving the country after I've applied and I might need to apply for some parole to get permission to leave the US while my AOS is pending. YIKES. I have to keep my job in Canada until they let me work in the US so that I can transfer with this same company to a position in the US. I don't think they would allow me a leave of absence while waiting for the EAD to come thru. Has anyone dealt with this situation???
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-09-04 17:48:00
Canadajust starting out

ok, Knowledge... take a deep breath and calm down :)

With the orignal I-130 package you only need to send copies but the NVC or the Embassy (depending on what country you are from) will ask for the certified copies of your birth certificate and marriage certificate...

Thanks for everyone's help! The journey begins.... We'll start filling out the I 130. I know an immigration officer at the airport can give me a certified copy of the marriage ct....wonder who certifies a birth certificate. I know I don't have the "long" form so I guess I'll get working on that too....

Thanks again!
Mon

Hi and congrats on your wedding.

As for being able to deliver your life's history -- YES! lol. I think many of the K3 and K1 forms are the same and if so, then they do ask for your residential addresses, employment and education history as well as visits to the US.

Just do yourself a favour and get yourself a drink and maybe a little snack before settling down to begin filling out forms - you may be there a while!

Good luck!

Mo

Thanks Mo!
I visited the US almost every 2 weeks for the last 1 1/2 years so THAT will require a large space to document. May require more than one bottle of wine while filling out forms...... don't want to mess up anything though. According to the K3 guide... we send the forms and copies of documents and both of our passport pictures in the first step....sound right to you?
Cheers
Mon

once you get your marriage certificate, your husband will file petition I-130 to the Nebraska service centre. When he gets the NOA from that, he can send petition I-129F to Missouri. (both petitions required G-325A bio forms to be included from both of you, as well as other supporting documents, read instructions carefully) And then you wait a few months.

No, you do NOT need to get police records from every city you've ever lived in in Canada. You only need ONE police check from the RCMP Canada wide, takes about a week. Unless you have a criminal record, then you'll need a fingerprints report, and that'll take a few months. If you have no criminal record, then wait on this until you have the petition approved tho. They're only valid about 6 months I think, so if you were to get it now, it'd be expired by the time your interview rolls around.

Congratulations, and welcome to the journey.

Thanks for the good info. Wish me luck!
Cheers
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2006-08-26 18:43:00
Canadajust starting out
Hello fellow lovebirds
I married my American husband in Canada and we are just waiting on the marriage certificate so we can get started on the K3. He lives in Indiana. What is step one? Even though the ceremony was up here I think we still fill out the packet and send it off to a service centre in his area. Anyone know for sure where the heck we start?
Thanks Mon
p.s. When you get a background check from your local police... do you have to be prepared to give them all your addresses since you were 16?
monicatonyFemaleCanada2006-08-26 09:16:00
CanadaI129 on way to montreal...what should I get ready?
thanks guys.
the police check I'm working on. I need to renew my passport as it expires in Sept. Waiting for this mad rush of spring breakers, trying to get a passport to fly to the US, to die down a bit. And to further complicate things, I've moved since filing everything so now I need to tell someone my new address. I am going to visit hubby tomorrow and will try to phone NVC or customer service, from the US to give them my new info. Always the drama....
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-02-25 11:45:00
CanadaI129 on way to montreal...what should I get ready?

P.S If you want to have a look at the checklist, I have it scanned. Im gonna try upload the file here.


mozplay is right. What I did was take a copy of the checklist for myself, check everything on the list which was applicable and put a N/a on items that didnt apply and sent in the checklist back along with the DS-230 and the DS-156 2 copies (filled out online) and sent it in last week. I called Montreal and asked about the interview date and was told the same thing as everyone on here. It will take upto 4 months to schedule an interview, so going on when I sent in the checklist, I am hoping end of June. This seems to be the hardest part of the wait and its only been 3 days since I sent in the checklist :blush:

Lance

Hi Monica and welcome to the waiting game. CutenPurg said it all, but I wanted to stress that you do not have to have everything asked for on the checklist to send it back. Send it back iASAP after recieving it and then start working on your stuff.

What I did during this period was stress, practice filling out all the forms for this stage and the AOS stage (unfortunately I did not practice gathering the information from my co-sponsor and have gotten delayed), stressed some more, and came here for support.

Make sure you have a valid passport, a long copy of your birth certificate, and if you have a criminal record then you will want to get started on your police check now. Also think of all the things you will need for your big move. University transcripts come to mind.

The other thing you can do is buy a bottle of whatever you like best. Hell.. if it's only chocolate milk it wil do to have some on hand for those moments that you just need some comfort.

Monique

thank you. The support from you all is invaluable. My husband has neither the time nor the patience to research and obsess so it's left to me and at least I have others who can relate!
Monica

thank you for the peek at the checklist Lance. I think I understand that you don't have to actually send the birth/marriage/divorce/police certificates in with the checklist ....just check that you have them. Is that correct? Do I bring them to the interview or do I send the originals back with the checklist right away? Also... I read elsewhere that a nationwide police certificate from the RCMP is okay....rather than the checklist suggests.. having something from every local police service where you've lived since 16.
thanks Monica
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-02-25 11:19:00
CanadaI129 on way to montreal...what should I get ready?

Hi Monica and welcome to the waiting game. CutenPurg said it all, but I wanted to stress that you do not have to have everything asked for on the checklist to send it back. Send it back iASAP after recieving it and then start working on your stuff.

What I did during this period was stress, practice filling out all the forms for this stage and the AOS stage (unfortunately I did not practice gathering the information from my co-sponsor and have gotten delayed), stressed some more, and came here for support.

Make sure you have a valid passport, a long copy of your birth certificate, and if you have a criminal record then you will want to get started on your police check now. Also think of all the things you will need for your big move. University transcripts come to mind.

The other thing you can do is buy a bottle of whatever you like best. Hell.. if it's only chocolate milk it wil do to have some on hand for those moments that you just need some comfort.

Monique

thank you. The support from you all is invaluable. My husband has neither the time nor the patience to research and obsess so it's left to me and at least I have others who can relate!
Monica
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-02-24 16:31:00
CanadaI129 on way to montreal...what should I get ready?
oh I hear ya! I think my husband's friends assume we must be doing something wrong because it couldn't possibly be that hard My Aunt did the "just move there" thing and it took her over a year and mucho hassles to get her status and permission to work and stuff. Not all of us can survive on one income while the system plods along! " Ahhhhh.... one day".. my husband and I are always saying to each other.... Hopefully going through these hardships together creates a special bond between us and our loved ones..... grasping for silver lining!!
ps. thanks lance27 for the additional info on the forms
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-02-24 11:57:00
CanadaI129 on way to montreal...what should I get ready?

Oh yeah we hear things ...... things like " you're still on the waiting list" " sorry no interview scheduled yet" oh and my all time favorite from late November " you will wait 4 months to HEAR of an interview "........looks like she wasn't lying.


dang another thing I forgot to add ............anytime you have a Tim Hortons coffee, it's mandatory you bring it to Flames' attention.......he lives vicariously through those of you still in Canada :)



(he's gonna get me for that ) :unsure:

hmmm.. sucks to have to deal with the Montreal agenda but what choice have we got. :angry: (A lot of people I speak to are suprised there is no where to go in Toronto to handle this.) I'll be pulling for you guys and hopefully we'll be right behind you... by a few months... :wacko:
We drove from Toronto to Indiana last week and I swear we saw a Tim Horton's in OHIO. We are infiltrating state by state ha.
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-02-23 20:58:00
CanadaI129 on way to montreal...what should I get ready?

you're very welcome :)

another thing........don't hesitate to ask any question you might have........rant ,rave, obsess about Tim Horton's, grumble about High fructose Corn Syrup and crappy American or Canadian food, gripe about ur hubby.......whatever........we're all there. The group around this forum is pretty laid back and wont chastise you ..........they'll help and support :)

Thanks for the good wishes

ha.. will do. My husband is an American who is addicted to Timmy's now. He always scopes out the closest one when visiting up here. Have you really not heard anything from the consulate since you sent your packet back in Nov??
Monica
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-02-23 20:42:00
CanadaI129 on way to montreal...what should I get ready?

Well Monicatony.......

First of all Congrats!!

Now is when your true test of patience begins.

In the next 2-3 weeks you should receive packet 3 from Montreal which will include a checklist as well as a DS-230. Youre going to want to send those 2 things back immediately......dont wait. There may things such as your medical that are not complete but thats not an issue, send it anyway. Check off all of the items that pertain to you on the checklist even if you dont have them. The DS-156 is a form you will be required to have for your interview . You will complete that online as it will generate a barcode page with all of your info in the barcode and then you'll print off 2 copies of that.......do not send it in ......take it to your interview. You'll need the I-134 affidavit of support , again for the interview. There is no real rush to complete that and even may be more beneficial if you wait until your interview date is closer so as to have the most current information at the time.

Once you send the DS-230 and the checklist back , your real waitng will begin. The letter will suggest that you will get your interview within 2-4 months from the time your file is received in their office, but dont count on it. Not saying it isnt possible but counting on it is a recipe for very possible disappointment and stress. Montreal is painfully and historically slow.

Our best to you :)

Thank you very much for the helpful information CutienPurg. Knowing what to expect....what to really expect... helps the stress level. I appreciate the best wishes and too you as well.
Thanks lots!
Monica
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-02-23 19:04:00
CanadaI129 on way to montreal...what should I get ready?

Take a look at the guide here on VJ, it seems to do well for most of other VJ members:

http://www.visajourn...mp;page=k3guide

http://www.visajourn...mp;page=i130faq

Good luck :thumbs:

thanks jasman
I've been checking out the guides. I guess this I134/I864 is all we need for forms. I wonder if anyone has downloaded a copy of the checklist from the Montreal consulate or the contents of this "Packet 3" onto this site??
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-02-23 12:59:00
CanadaI129 on way to montreal...what should I get ready?
Hello all
My I129 was approved last week and if all goes well I should be hearing from the consulate in Montreal in a few weeks. I know they send a checklist and package. Can anyone tell me exactly what forms or info I will need immediately to send in so I can have them ready ahead of time. I am getting my police certificate and vaccination stuff organized.
Also .. on the Montreal Consulate web page they are saying all nonimmigrant visa applicants have to have this printed DS 156. Has anyone had to fill this out for their interview? It almost sounds as if this is meant to be for someone who is already in the US......
Thank you all for your support and help in the past. My husband thanks you too as I would be really freaking by now if I didn't have this site to help!
Monica
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-02-23 12:34:00
CanadaUSCIS District Director advises Canadian applicants awaiting passport renewals to attend previously scheduled USCIS interviews

A bump for those who might be in a similar situation.

Wow... thanks so much for sharing as I was just panicking about a similar predicament. I have to submit forward the packet 3 stuff to the Montreal consulate so they can get started with me and my K3. I will include a note that I'll be renewing my passport and hope they will be understanding and not reject me!!
thanks again!
Monica
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-03-07 20:15:00
Canadapassport not valid for a year! freaking out!
I ended up emailing the consulate in Montreal and they just responded today that I do need the info from the NEW PASSPORT in the packet 3 forms. I will go to the passport office in person asap and ask them to expedite it. Wish me luck. Drats.... another senseless delay... another lesson learned. :(
Monica
p.s I mentioned to them I changed my address and they updated that info with no problem and no forms to fill out. At least that part was uncomplicated....
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-03-09 19:09:00
Canadapassport not valid for a year! freaking out!
oops...just read message from am1996 about the passports and PHEW...hope they will be okay with me too. I think I'll just include a note on my Packet 3 ppwk that I will be renewing the passport asap. and send it all off and hope for the best!!
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-03-07 20:12:00
Canadapassport not valid for a year! freaking out!
I know it's my own fault but I just need to vent and perhaps warn others to make sure their passport is valid for at least one year. My passport is good until this Sep. so I mistakenly thought I could wait for all this big rush and delay at the Canadian passport offices to die down a bit before renewing mine. (You know, the new laws of flying to the US require a passport so all the spring breakers bogging down the system). It wasn't until I actually filled out the packet three forms last night that I realized they actually asked for the passport number and date of expiry. Then....panic!! I thought I could send this all back now and I would get in to get my passport renewed before the typical 4 month wait for an interview in Montreal passed. Not sure if anyone else had this happen. Has anyone had a passport expedited for emergency reasons??? I wonder if the passport office would consider this an emergency. I might be desperate and send back the checklist and forms and hope they don't get rejected. YIKES. Any thoughts?
Monica
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-03-07 19:35:00
CanadaMtL Interview - K3
congratulations! It is so nice to hear positive results and happy endings! Enjoy a long and happy life together.
Monica and Tony
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-03-10 19:54:00
CanadaDo I have everything for my K3 interview
:) You will be just fine Misa. Good luck and tell us when you are celebrating your "good news".
Monica
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-03-10 19:58:00
CanadaPassport expires April 2008....
Hi there
I just had to renew my passport as it expired in Sep. Thankfully I got a great tip about filling out your passport application online. Go to www.ppt.gc.ca and follow the instructions to fill out your passport online. When you do this they fastrack you at the passport office.... with your own line apart from all the other applicants with handwritten applications. I walked into the office in St. Catharines 2 minutes after the doors opened and would have been no. 30 in line. I mentioned to the person at the door that I had an online application and she told me to wait near the wall at the front and they called my number about 1 1/2 minutes later! Another tip... if you want your new passport issued in your new married name, you need 1 other piece of ID already in the new surname ie. Social Insurance card. .... as well as your original marriage certificate. I mentioned that I needed my passport ASAP as my K3 packet for the Montreal Consulate was held up until I got the new passport number and date of expiry, and I paid $30 extra to be able to pick it up in person 1 week later. I just emailed the Montreal Consulate to let them know I was changing my new passport to my married name and would submit all future forms in that name. They responded that that was no problem and the name change would be added to me file. So far so good!
Monica
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-03-27 14:48:00
Canadahow long after K3 before you can work
Well that is quite the list of eligible jobs but I didn't make the cut as an airline agent! sigh. At least I have the option of being able to fly back and forth easily and can cross.. activate my K3 and claim residency in the US and still commute back up for work in Canada until the EAD. Just more back and forth and hassle until I can finally live with my husband! I feel for all of you that have to spend so much time apart from your loved ones while you wait for this process.
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-07-02 18:18:00
Canadahow long after K3 before you can work
Hi all
No word from Montreal on my interview (shocking I know!!) but ...thinking ahead.... once I finally get the K3 and activate it...how long do we have to wait for work authorization? I am going to try and transfer with my present employer and don't even know when I should put in a request.

Growing old and weary waiting waiting waiting

Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-07-02 10:54:00
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 timeline).

We were so naive about how long this was gonna take. Even US Immigration officers at the Toronto Airport thought it should be about 6-8 months from start to finish. Seems like it will be over a year by the time I can live and work with my man. What's up with that?!
Good luck Misa. You are in the home stretch!
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-07-05 00:58:00
Canadaabandoned I130 to follow K3..anyone do both?

Just to let you know- we filed an I 824 in November for my I 130. It got approved a week ago. It took 9 months just for that $200 piece of paper that says- move this case to the NVC, to be approved.

We did the whole K3 process start to finish in 5 months.

thanks for the heads up! If waiting that long for the I130 is a common experience it might not be worth the bother at this point. I wish we could have used Vancouver for the K3....way faster. congrats! Without your timeline in front of me... how are you finding the EAD process? Did you get work authorization yet?
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-07-05 00:36:00
Canadaabandoned I130 to follow K3..anyone do both?

We are essentially doing both (see below) but the K3 has been faster for us... either way they both work the same really

Wow your K3 WAS pretty quick.
The consulate in Sydney is a lot faster than Montreal. Good for you. I think I'll send in my I824 before the fee goes up. It feels better than sitting here waiting. So many things are out of our control :wacko: Like trying to get a mortgage based solely on my spouse's income/credit rating cuz I can't contribute a bloody thing being persona non grata in the US still and having zip credit history there to help him out. sigh. (venting ...sorry)
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-07-05 00:21:00
Canadaabandoned I130 to follow K3..anyone do both?
Hello Lance27 and thanks for your reply. On rereading my notice, it does say I have to file the I824 in order for them to forward the petition to NVC. I think I might pursue that route as well as nothing seems to be moving on the K3 and I understand even with the K3 in hand it would be yet another 90 days or more before work authorization. I emailed Montreal a few days ago requesting my interview status and no word back yet.
Good luck to you too
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-07-04 23:37:00
Canadaabandoned I130 to follow K3..anyone do both?
I wonder if those of you that pursued both have any advice or info. Back when our I129 and I130 were approved at the same time... the I130 letter read that the spouse (Can. citizen) citizen was living in the US and should apply of AOS. That was an error and I recall others applying at the same time (NOA2's in FEB 07) were getting similar responses. I think it had something to do with I130's not being forwarded to NVC when K3's were being applied for at the same time. We abandoned the I130 thing and followed K3 thinking it would be faster but it's not really!
Did anyone follow up with their I130 and what should be my first step if I want to try that now?
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-07-04 14:19:00
CanadaPacket 3 okay in Apr, Montreal responds!

I had the same question. Called MTL and they said it was good for a year.

Well that's good news for a change ha.
One less thing to worry about...
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-07-10 17:22:00
CanadaPacket 3 okay in Apr, Montreal responds!
I did email Montreal last week to inquire about my Packet 3 that was sent in Mar. of this year. I heard back today that it was "documentarily qualified" on Apr. 4 and I could expect an interview date from 4- 6 mths from that date. Sort of what I expected from everyone's input on here.
I was just thinking, by the time I FINALLY get an interview am I going to have to get a new police cert? Will they accept one more than 6 months prior to the actual interview day? sheesh. Like a dutiful K3 wannabe, I had all that done when I first recieved my packet 3 instructions.
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-07-10 13:42:00
Canadaworking and traveling after CR1
oops... computer froze and sent my post twice. Anyone know how to delete a post????
duhhhh. Sorry guys!
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-07-11 20:24:00
Canadaworking and traveling after CR1
I've read that it takes a few weeks to receive the green card and thus your SSN after your CR1. Once you've entered the US with an approved CR1 does anyone know if you can keep going back and forth from Canada to continue working until you get your GC and SSN and can manage a transfer to a job in the US? I know the K3 is multiple entry...not sure about the CR1 when you don't have GC in hand yet....
I was only thinking of pursuing my "held back" I130 over my pending K3 because it seems I might be able to transfer with work easier that way rather than crossing with a K3 and dealing with the whole EAD and AOS thing. ARRGHGHAHGHAGHAGH It is confusing.
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-07-11 20:06:00
Canadaworking and traveling after CR1
Thanks so much for the info Misa. It helps alot to hear about real experiences and not just some unrealistic USCIS timeline.
We have a ways to go yet.
Cheers and good luck with your AOS process.
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-07-11 23:02:00
Canadaworking and traveling after CR1
[quote name='misa' date='Jul 11 2007, 10:28 PM' post='1041631']
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.



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...
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-07-11 22:15:00
Canadaworking and traveling after CR1
I've read that it takes a few weeks to receive the green card and thus your SSN after your CR1. Once you've entered the US with an approved CR1 does anyone know if you can keep going back and forth from Canada to continue working until you get your GC and SSN and can manage a transfer to a job in the US? I know the K3 is multiple entry...not sure about the CR1 when you don't have GC in hand yet....
I was only thinking of pursuing my "held back" I130 over my pending K3 because it seems I might be able to transfer with work easier that way rather than crossing with a K3 and dealing with the whole EAD and AOS thing. ARRGHGHAHGHAGHAGH It is confusing.
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-07-11 20:05:00
CanadaI need to vent!!!
[quote name='autumnchik' date='Jul 11 2007, 09:11 PM' post='1041483']
ARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!! This is going to be a long rant .. thank you for your patience :)

We live in a small town. Closest "metro" area (if you can call it that) is 1 1/2 hours away. Hubby is a carpenter. Was working in a supervisory capacity in Vancouver and making decent money. He had been at his company for 5 years and really enjoyed it. A year ago, I was living in Georgia. We decided to move to NH, for me to take a job that has associated student loan repayment. I work at the agency for 2 years, and my loans are forgiven. Too good to pass up, right? Well, we factored in hubby's line of work. A year ago, saw numerous job opening for carpenters. Heck, a month before he got his work auth., saw lots of carpentry jobs posted. Now that he can legally work .... ZILCH. He has applied at the 3 largest contracting companies in town, none are hiring currently. He has called about 20 other smaller contractors, none of them are hiring. He has applied at Home Depot and Lowe's, nada. He drove 1 1/2 hours to the "metro" area to interview with a temp. agency who assured him they would have him working by the end of this week ... haven't heard anything yet. He interviewed with another temp. agency who said they had nothing except for a factory job that pays $12/hour and is an hour drive away. He applied at a furniture manufacturing company (that does not currently have any jobs but will keep his app on file) ... they pay $8/hr. There seems to be work in the southern part of the state, close to Boston, which would mean a 4 hour roundtrip daily commute or living away from home :(
And the most depressing thing: hubby talked to his 15 year old nephew today. The nephew makes $10/hour babysitting!!!

We knew that he would be taking a pay cut and possibly having to take a job that was not at the level he was working at in Canada. We didn't figure on him not being able to find ANYTHING!!!

I am second guessing this move to NH like you wouldn't believe. Something that complicates it is that we have found it extremely difficult to make friends. I've never experienced anything like this. I am a very social person and had tons of friends in GA. Hubby also had a nice network of friends in BC. People in this area tend to be more isolative and standoffish initially. We've made a few friends, but nothing like what we were used to.

ARGH again!!!! We will survive this, but dang it really sucks right now!!!!
[/quoteHang in there! I am worried about making friends after the big move too and I'm sure many many many vj's have faced the same fear. I hope things turn around for you soon. My husband has his own framing contracting business in Indiana. I wish you guys lived closer as he is desperate to find decent, hardworking dependable guys to work for him. He has guys that don't show up at all, no phone calls and apparently no qualms about getting fired.
Good luck to you both.
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-07-11 20:21:00
CanadaWorking for a Canadian client before EAD
I have been wondering about this exact topic. I work in Canada for an American airline. My airline won't transfer me to a job in the US until I have work auth. in the US. I can't get a leave of absence while waiting the 90 or so days for EAD after entering the US on my K3. I was planning on entering... declaring residence in the US and starting the AOS blah blah.. then flying back and forth to continue working IN Canada. I will be commuting back and forth for as long as it takes to get the work auth. and then for the company to process a transfer. No taking any work with me and not working in the US. I hope this works!!! Has anyone else had a hard time in this situation?
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-07-29 21:55:00