ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
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
CanadaMontreal Consulate Review
Thank you for sharing your experiences and Congrats to you! Good luck and best wishes for a long and happy future together.
Monica and Tony
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-08-09 11:07:00
Canadathe last 2 weeks
I'm very very sorry to hear of your loss. You have such spirit and humour and warmth that came through in your posts here. I wish for you that time will heal your heart and bring you back to a place of happiness again one day. Take care of yourself.
Monica and Tony
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-08-10 10:49:00
CanadaDS-156 Question - Packet 4 from MTL
Thanks guys! I feel better now. I'll likely type the duplicate because we all like to be overprepared rather than the alternative!
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-08-10 17:29:00
CanadaDS-156 Question - Packet 4 from MTL

I forgot to photocopy the DS156 that I sent with my packet 3. RATS!!! Can anyone who has been interviewed recently confirm whether they actually asked for copies of that form?
(Too much in a rush to get the @#$$ packet 3 back....)


Did you send in 2 copies of the DS156 in to the Consulate? If you did no new copies are needed. If there is any change in the information just let the person know and she/he will correct it using white out :)

Good luck.

From what I remember they asked for duplicate copies of the D156 with the barcode and I did send BOTH of those with packet 3. Maybe I should email them and ask them just in case. sheesh.
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-08-10 14:54:00
CanadaDS-156 Question - Packet 4 from MTL
I forgot to photocopy the DS156 that I sent with my packet 3. RATS!!! Can anyone who has been interviewed recently confirm whether they actually asked for copies of that form?
(Too much in a rush to get the @#$$ packet 3 back....)
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-08-10 11:01:00
CanadaGood Luck Amy and Brian
All the best to you both. :thumbs: Good luck with the move.
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-08-15 21:17:00
Canadahave to bring all your stuff to cross with new K3?
We are hoping to close on a house Oct. 1 so I'll have somewhere to actually bring all my stuff!! So many big things happening all at once. I'm sure my parents will celebrate the day I finally get the last of my junk from their "complimentary basement storage".
Now if only I can stop playing phone tag with Dr. Seiden's answering machine and get that physical.....
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-08-15 21:22:00
Canadahave to bring all your stuff to cross with new K3?
thanks.. :D I am SOOOOO grateful for this site and all the lovely VJ'ers who have been so kind and helpful along the way! One day soon I'll be writing as yet another Canadian living in the US with no friends and Tim Horton's withdrawals! I hope my American man knows what he is in for ha! Ain't love grand??
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-08-15 21:10:00
Canadahave to bring all your stuff to cross with new K3?
Finally heard from Montreal....interview Sep 19th! :dance: It's almost hard to believe! I know you lucky VJ'ers have Uhauls packed and ready to go when that K3 arrives ...but sadly I have to wait for that work auth. to transfer with my job. I want to cross with my new K3 ASAP and start the ball rolling on the AOS/EAD but don't want to make the big move right away... I have to come back to Canada for work. Does anyone know if crossing and activating your K3 is your one-shot chance to enter with all your worldly possessions or can I drive across with all that stuff later on down the road?

Mon Montreal bound
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-08-15 21:00:00
Canadak3 Interviewees, need proof of relationship?
Thanks for the good wishes. And that was great info Misa. I will be so relieved when the interview is behind us but then I'll be diving into the next stage. I hope your green card is in your hand really soon.
One day we'll all look back on this and....... be glad we survived it ha.
Good to hear from you Cutienpurg!
Monica
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-08-30 10:45:00
Canadak3 Interviewees, need proof of relationship?
Hi Misa
I just looked at the checklist that came with Packet 3 and it doesn't specify anything about proof of relationship documents. Only the usual ID documents and certificates and the I134. I'll bring some pictures though. It couldn't hurt.
How has your EAD/AOS journey being going?? Was it very difficult? Do you have any advice on what I should be getting ready NOW to start that process assuming that my K3 visa will be approved pretty soon?
Monica
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-08-29 21:10:00
Canadak3 Interviewees, need proof of relationship?
QUOTE (Allie @ Aug 29 2007, 09:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (monicatony @ Aug 29 2007, 08:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi all. Congrats to my fellow VJ'ers who have finally been granted their interview dates!! kicking.gif
We are all nervously scurrying to make sure we are ready. Apart from document worries and "not being able to find the consulate or parking nearby in Montreal" worries .... I have another question. Do they just want to see pictures and phone records and such from K1 Fiance visa applicants or do we married folks have to show proof of our realtionship as well? Were any of you recent K3 interviewees asked for pictures or proof?
A side note... I purchased a blue plastic accordian file to carry my documents. It's not paper...do you think that is a problem for security? Can you bring car keys in with you?

Monica



That's the type of folder I had going there , no problem with it at all. As far as the keys I don't know they'll take em when you go through the metal detector anyhow and may give them back on your way out


Thanks for the folder info. I'm a believer in being prepared. My husband is more the "everything will be fine" type. ha.
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-08-29 21:03:00
Canadak3 Interviewees, need proof of relationship?

Hi all. Congrats to my fellow VJ'ers who have finally been granted their interview dates!! kicking.gif
We are all nervously scurrying to make sure we are ready. Apart from document worries and "not being able to find the consulate or parking nearby in Montreal" worries .... I have another question. Do they just want to see pictures and phone records and such from K1 Fiance visa applicants or do we married folks have to show proof of our realtionship as well? Were any of you recent K3 interviewees asked for pictures or proof?
A side note... I purchased a blue plastic accordian file to carry my documents. It's not paper...do you think that is a problem for security? Can you bring car keys in with you?

Monica
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-08-29 20:49:00
CanadaNexus?
Wow, your husband got his appointment quickly. I applied in Jul. and made a mistake on the past addresses and they sent it back for me to correct. I think if they are missing anything they will send it back to you so no news is good news, especially if they charged your credit card. Mine was charged Jul. 30. I was told by an immigration officer at Pearson that the wait time for interviews was already backed up until Oct.! It's good to hear that that wasn't the case when your husband called for an appointment.
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-08-10 10:44:00
CanadaK3 approved and Montreal interview behind us yippee
QUOTE (DEEKAY @ Sep 20 2007, 07:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hello all
This is my first post...although I have been an extremely avid follower of this site--particularly the Canada forum. I filed my I130 in Calgary this past January, and the whole process was delayed by the Adam Walsh Law---which I wouldnt have known about, had I not found this site.

My interview was yesterday in Montreal --and from this forum, I realized that I was scheduled on the same day as at least one other VJ member...

Anyway...monicatony...I happen to be that girl you met ahead of you, but thrown far behind when I had to leave to find some cash. Trust me, my gut feeling way before interview was that I should have had USD in cash, but two days of sleep deprivation rendered me pretty tired and slow yesterday morning. Apparently, cash or credit card are the only ways to pay...and I would strongly advise against using cash in Canadian funds---the exchange rate in Montreal hasnt been changed since June...so for $380USD, you would have to pay around $418 CAD (that was what happened to me yesterday).

Aside from being thrown far back in the line, I got approved without any problem for the CR1 visa.

I would like to thank all you wonderful people for your help and support through this. The information on this site does place you one step ahead of the process.

Montreal people are really nice--just make sure to follow instructions, and you should be fine. They didn't ask me for anything else --only what was asked for in the appointment letter.


sorry to be brief...now I need some serious rest!! But it is great to be through with the process!!


Hi Deekay! I am sorry you had to have that scare and I wish I knew you were a fellow VJ'r so we could bond over this little club of cool people. I felt bad that you were alone with no one to just chat with and help ease the nerves! I was happy to look back later in the waiting room and see that you were in there and presumably worked things out. I hear you about the sleep deprivation too... lots of nerves and anxious moments over a process that turned out to not be so bad after all. Congratulations on your visa. I looked at the others in the room and wondered how they muddled their way through if they didn't have the people here and this site to help them. Good luck with your future plans. (what a gyp at the bank considering our dollar is at par with the USD as of today!!)
Monica
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-09-20 20:34:00
CanadaK3 approved and Montreal interview behind us yippee
thanks guys! I'll pass on another interview IR5FORMUMSIE jest.gif ... didn't feel cheated in the least. Got the hell outta there and didn't even look back! I'd go back to Montreal for another chocolate crepe with chantilly cream.... but NO MORE INTERVIEWS! (until my AOS/EAD stuff in the US of course...sigh)
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-09-20 13:05:00
CanadaK3 approved and Montreal interview behind us yippee
Firstly I have to thank all my VJ buddies that helped get us to this successful end... especially the self-described "####### and nuerotic" tendencies that make Misa such a wonderfully informative resource!! I feel a little proud of myself and a little more grown up after going through this crazy process and figuring it out...with help from this site of course!
We started this whole process way back at the end of September 2006. Those of us in this timeframe had our I-130's retained as soon as USCIS approved the I-129f. It seemed an expensive and lengthy process to get the I-130 moving so we just went the I-129 K3 route. At the interview yesterday my husband and I were suprised to get quite a lecture from the officer collecting our documents on how we should have followed through with the I-130 as it is the "holy grail" of visa's and we would not have had to face the daunting prospect of applying for the EAD/AOS with this K3. I swear at first we both thought he was going to hand our paperwork back to us and send us back home to get to work on the I-130. He didn't seem to be aware that USCIS was retaining them and genuinely wanted to know why the heck we didn't go that route after the I-130 was initially approved. Anyway.. these are the documents he asked for:
-birth certificate plus copy for CAD citizen only (kept copy and gave back original)
-divorce certificate plus copy for CAD citizen only (gave it back)
-I-134 from US citizen and copy of his income tax report from last year and also bank managers letter and bank statements (he is self-employed)(he kept these)
-marriage certificate plus copy (gave back original)
-police certificate plus copy (kept the original and gave back the copy)
-sealed medical envelope (had the chest xray with me but he didn't ask for it)
-2 passport photos
OOPs... I'll start from the top to see if I can give any tips to those of you going to Montreal soon. The consulate is this big grey building and the entrance is a set of double glass doors on the side of the building on Rue St. Alexandre. There are some steps up to the door. We arrived before 7am and had no trouble parking right on Rue St. Alexandre. You must pay for parking after 9am but if you put money in the pay machine early it starts your time from 9. I think it was $3.00 in coins for each hour. There was one girl waiting in front of the doors but we were still early. We walked one block to the right on Rene Levesque blvd and went to Tim Hortons. When we returned, the girl waiting in front of the door asked if we were going to use a debit card for the fee we would be paying and I told her it said in the notice to bring USD cash only. She had to leave her spot in a panic to go and find a bank open to obtain US dollars! MAKE SURE YOU HAVE CASH. So now we are first in line at 7:05 am and others wander up slowly and they let us in at 7:30. The guards are very serious and efficient and we had to show our interview letter and my husband had to show his US passport right at the door. We emptied our pockets and went through a metal detector and were "wanded". We were given a small cardboard square with the letter B on it. We went inside to wait in this windowless room until the initial group was through security then the guard came in and led us to an elevator. As soon as the door opened he led our group to another small room with chairs where a lady called us up by the letter on your little piece of cardboard. She took the interview letter and sends you to a larger waiting room. We were paged by name after 8am to go see the officer that asked for our documents. He takes everything, originals and copies (and took the expresspost envelope we brought with us) and looks over your file with the documents you've already sent in. The officers are all behind glass in numbered cubicles. He takes our documents and chats and answers questions we have and tells us to go to this window out in the waiting area to pay the cashier the $100 USD fee for K3. We sit and wait and a few minutes later we are paged to go back to his window where he gives us back some of our original documents and the CAD citizen is fingerprinted using this little machine on the counter. We give him the receipt from the cashier that we've paid the $100. We go back and sit again and a little while later we are paged to a door with a number over it. You step inside this little closet-like room and there is a different person inside, behind glass, that conducts your interview. Our interviewer was a young guy that was friendly and it seemed very casual. He asked right away how we met and when we knew when we would get married. He kind of joked and chatted with us. He asked my husband how his "construction business" was doing and asked if I wanted to transfer with my job to the US (which I think I had mentioned on the forms I had sent in for packet 3). He did not want to see any pictures or proof of relationship ... and we only chatted for like less than 5 minutes and he suddenly says "Congratulations, your visa has been approved. Have a nice day." Just like that! My husband says "Is that it? Can we just leave?" He replies "you are all done, you can leave". You walk past the other nervous folks waiting in the waiting room and give them the thumbs up and they say "Congratulations" and you are in the elevator down and walking back out past the guards and next thing you know you are walking back to the Tim Horton's to get another coffee to celebrate!! kicking.gif We were out before 9:30 am!
So now it's back home and back to VJ to figure out the next steps with EAD/AOS. I have to wait for work auth. and a transfer with my job before I can finally move to permanently stay with my husband so we are not quite jumping for joy just yet. But it's a BIG MILESTONE and a great relief to have reached this point and to have the dreaded interview behind us. It wasn't that bad after all! Good luck to all of you having your interviews soon.
Monica and Tony biggrin.gif
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-09-20 12:22:00
CanadaOff we go...
Lots of luck ...but you won't need it!
Monica and Tony
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-09-24 17:43:00
CanadaGreat news!
That is happy news.. good for you!! Moving day will be here before you know it. (even with grumpy family members secretly hoping more snags will keep you around longer..) devil.gif
Good luck with the move and have a very happy reunion!
Monica
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-09-25 10:11:00
Canadatraveling with new K3,but not moving!
My interview was last Wed. Sept. 19 and my package / passport were finally delivered today... a week later. I was a bit worried!! Nasty thoughts about where the heck to begin if my passport and new visa were lost in the twilight zone. Anyway.. all is good. I am not moving permanently to the US right away, because of my job, but plan on activating my K3 at the Toronto airport this Sunday, before I go to the US for a visit. I hope they don't give me a hard time when they realize I am not moving right away. Many times I've come across officers that don't seem clear on the process. blink.gif When I applied for my nexus card and explained I was going to have a K3 soon, that officer kept saying I'd better get advanced parole if I plan to return to Canada to work or I'd get in trouble for leaving the US and have to start all over!!! Yet the K3 (unlike the K1 I guess..)visa is a "multiple entry" visa so you are supposed to be able to come and go, ie. to work before your EAD gets approved. Classic case of their left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.
Here's hoping that I get an officer in Toronto that KNOWS the K3 POE process and it will be smooth sailing. Wish me luck! I'll let you guys know what happens.
Monica
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-09-26 12:31:00
CanadaLen_and_Bren Happy Dance
Congrats!!! Breathe... relax.. enjoy! That's behind you now. kicking.gif
monica
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-09-26 22:04:00
Canadawhat office handles your case after k3 processed?
QUOTE (misa @ Oct 1 2007, 11:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Not sure exactly where your paperwork from the POE goes right away... somewhere at USCIS.

You will eventually be dealing with your local office (see the locator) but when you file your AOS it will be sent to the Chicago lockbox which will forward your application(s) to Missouri (National Benefits Centre) who will eventually forward your case to your local office when an interview is scheduled.


Thanks Misa. The woman on the customer service line did mention that eventually our stuff will be forwarded to a local office. Here's hoping!
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-10-01 11:54:00
Canadawhat office handles your case after k3 processed?
Does anyone know where your paperwork goes when you cross with your K3? I knew how to contact the Montreal consulate with questions but after the K3 is approved .... who exactly do we deal with?
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-10-01 11:09:00
CanadaPOE Toronto airport but confused about what now??
QUOTE (Reba @ Oct 2 2007, 12:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If you are K3, you can apply for EAD separately from AOS, and you should. If you apply for EAD with your AOS, you're liable to end up with just a one year card. If you file them separately, you'll get a 2 year EAD, valid for the length of your K3.

AOS should be applied for at least before your K3 expires, but there's no rush to get it done as soon as you arrive.

Thanks Reba. I hope US Immig. at the airport will give me the I94 they neglected to give me a few days ago so I can get cracking on this paperwork.
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-10-02 14:06:00
CanadaPOE Toronto airport but confused about what now??
QUOTE (YuAndDan @ Oct 1 2007, 12:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (monicatony @ Oct 1 2007, 12:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Okay.. just got off the phone with someone on the USCIS customer service line. This girl first says she doesn't doubt the Toronto officers confused me with another type of visa applicant... sheesh...that was comforting. She also adds that despite what the officers said, a K3 doesn't have something mailed to them in a couple of weeks....especially not a resident card!! Anyway, she puts me on hold and comes back after a few minutes saying I have to proceed with the EAD and AOS forms but that I DON'T need an I94 as a K3 ..only K1's need that. hmmmmm I asked her twice because everything I've seen on here says the I94 is required. Why so many different answers.....arghhhhh!!!!!
I then asked her if they were processing a K1 or CR1 versus a K3, if the paperwork gets sent to different places but she says regardless of the visa type the paperwork they processed at the POE gets sent to the same place. So at least there is the chance that if they screwed up my processing that the paperwork will end up in the right hands down the line and someone will know what to do with it!! huh.gif
I think I might just stop by the immigration office at the airport and ask them again if I need an I94...just in case.
BTW ..they did put K3 on the entrance stamp in my passport.
wish me luck!
Mon
When you go to file to adjust status you may need to include a copy of the I-94 card, as well as if you decide to file just for an EAD before adjusting status using code (a )(9 ) that type of EAD is based on the expiration of the I-94 card.

Many K-3's file first for EAD, and then just wait until just before 2nd wedding anniversary to adjust status, this eliminates having to lift conditions.

I-765 directions:
QUOTE
Page 4: (K-3 filing for EAD BEFORE filing I-485)
B. K-3 Nonimmigrant Spouse of U.S. Citizen or K-4 Dependent--(a)(9). File your EAD application along with evidence of your admission such as copies of your Form I-94, passport, and K visa

Page 6: With adjusting status (I-485)
2. If you are mailing your application to USCIS, you must also submit:
A. A copy of Form I-94 Departure Record (front and back), if available. If you are filing an I-765 under the (c ) (9) category, an I-94 record need not submitted. (Because you submit it with I-485)
http://www.uscis.gov.../I-765instr.pdf

I-485 directions:
QUOTE
Page 8:
Interview.
After you file your application, you may be notified to appear at a USCIS office to answer questions about the application.You will be required to answer these questions under oath or affirmation. You must bring your Arrival-Departure Record(Form I-94) and any passport or official travel document you have to the interview.
http://www.uscis.gov.../i-485instr.pdf

If the I-485 case gets sent to CSC for quick approval they may or may not send out an RFE for a copy of the I-94

Great info. Thanks! The AOS fee is so incredibly expensive now.. I really just want to get moving on my EAD so I can transfer with work and move down here ASAP. Are you aware of any complications if you don't file the AOS at the same time as the EAD? My 2 year anniversary will be in June so if I wait a bit to file AOS ...what exactly is the benefit to what you referred to as "removing restrictions"?
cheers Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-10-02 11:57:00
CanadaPOE Toronto airport but confused about what now??
Okay.. just got off the phone with someone on the USCIS customer service line. This girl first says she doesn't doubt the Toronto officers confused me with another type of visa applicant... sheesh...that was comforting. She also adds that despite what the officers said, a K3 doesn't have something mailed to them in a couple of weeks....especially not a resident card!! Anyway, she puts me on hold and comes back after a few minutes saying I have to proceed with the EAD and AOS forms but that I DON'T need an I94 as a K3 ..only K1's need that. hmmmmm I asked her twice because everything I've seen on here says the I94 is required. Why so many different answers.....arghhhhh!!!!!
I then asked her if they were processing a K1 or CR1 versus a K3, if the paperwork gets sent to different places but she says regardless of the visa type the paperwork they processed at the POE gets sent to the same place. So at least there is the chance that if they screwed up my processing that the paperwork will end up in the right hands down the line and someone will know what to do with it!! huh.gif
I think I might just stop by the immigration office at the airport and ask them again if I need an I94...just in case.
BTW ..they did put K3 on the entrance stamp in my passport.
wish me luck!
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-10-01 11:50:00
CanadaPOE Toronto airport but confused about what now??
oh bloody hell. I wonder where they sent my info?? I work at the Toronto airport for now so I'll go back in and ask the officers ( hopefully different ones!) about what happened and if they can give me the I94 after-the-fact. Geez.
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-10-01 10:48:00
CanadaPOE Toronto airport but confused about what now??
I just flew from Toronto yesterday and it was no big ordeal at the airport. I presented my sealed K3 packet that arrived from the consulate and my passport and the officer was chatty and welcoming and sent me to the secondary office. They took my package and I waited for about 1/2 hour. I was called up to have my index fingers from both hands fingerprinted and I had to sign under each fingerprint.
Then a few minutes later they called me back and handed back my passport and boarding pass and said I was free to go. I remember Misa saying something about the I94 and asked about it and they just said I didn't need that for this type of visa. hmmmmmm They really weren't giving me any information. They said something about my resident card arriving in the mail in 2 weeks and pointed at the visa in my passport and said that was my "temporary green card".?????? I am confused!! I asked about work authorization and they said that wasn't "their area... we don't deal with that here". Then they said I had to get a SSN but to wait at least 2 weeks so that the government has time to receive the paperwork they were sending in for me.
Does anyone know what exactly they are referring to when they say I am going to get something in the mail in a couple of weeks? Am I supposed to wait to receive something before I file for EAD or AOS???? I wish they explained things better. unsure.gif I am beginning to wonder if they realized I am on a K3 and not a CR1 or whatever visa gives me the greencard right away.
Mon
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-10-01 10:26:00
Canadabiometrics appointment.. any tips?
you guys make me laugh smile.gif I've missed this Canadian forum!
It's my crutch!
mo
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-11-28 12:41:00
Canadabiometrics appointment.. any tips?
Will I be getting a new case or receipt number for the AOS and EAD? I guess won't have a number to search online until I get a NOA in the mail for them.
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-11-28 12:38:00
Canadabiometrics appointment.. any tips?
thanks guys
that sounds pretty painless!
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-11-28 12:30:00
Canadabiometrics appointment.. any tips?
Hello
I mailed my AOS and EAD package together at the beginning of Nov. and haven't heard anything yet but we did get an appointment letter for biometrics for Dec. 4... so I think that is a good sign! (Can you check case status of an AOS or EAD online??)
I was wondering what to expect at the biometrics appointment. The letter said 9am...but is it one of those cases where you have to show up early to take a number? What documentation was asked for?
thanks
Mo
monicatonyFemaleCanada2007-11-28 12:17:00
CanadaUpdate on Credit
I followed someone else's great advice on here and applied for a Target card while still living in Canada. (I applied in person at a store in the US). They approved me instantly and I have been using it for months. In fact, they gave me a Target Visa that can be used anywhere and had a large limit! I'm told when I can supply a SSN and my permanent US address they will just update that info and my credit that I have been establishing thus far will carry over. I gave my Canadian address and info when applying and obviously their system was able to immediately search some database and grant an approval. My husband had a spouse citibank card issued in my name as well.
monicatonyFemaleCanada2008-02-08 22:47:00
CanadaWorking in Canada after getting CR-1
Aha... I've found fellow vj'rs in a similar position! I too continue to work in Canada after I received my PR status in Apr. of this year. We were married last year and both filed as "married" though I filed in Canada( as a Canadian resident) and said my spouse makes no income in Canada and he filed in the US and said his spouse made no income in the US. I think it will change for filing this spring, as I have established residency in the US from Apr. of this year. I am wondering about how one files taxes in both countries and what this "world income" is all about?
The agent at my AOS interview did warn me about my going back and forth to Canada and recommended I get a job in the US a.s.a.p, as they could "take my greencard away" if they didn't believe I was really a resident in the US. I now have utility bills, bank statements, car insurance and mortgage papers with my name on them to prove I live Stateside. You are apparently "officially" okay to leave the US for not longer than 6 months at a time. If you plan to travel a lot I would really recommend getting the NEXUS border crossing card as you can avoid talking to live agents as much as possible and thus hopefully avoid getting a hassle!
A side note. As far as my Canadian employer and benefits provider is concerned, I have never left Canada. I continue to work and pay into a RRSP and get coverage under OHIP. Does Canada care that I claimed residency in the US if I don't leave Canada for more than 6 months at a time???
monicatonyFemaleCanada2008-09-20 22:14:00
CanadaWorking for Canadian Company
Thanks for the tip on form 2555 Krikit!
monicatonyFemaleCanada2008-09-22 09:50:00
CanadaWorking for Canadian Company
While we are on the topic..... I was curious about the tax situation myself and haven't yet researched what to do for this coming spring. I work in Canada for an airline and have continued to work there during this whole process. I was granted PR status April of this year but have not been able to transfer to a job in the US so I continue to fly back to Canada to work and then fly back to the US on days off. During the first year of our marriage, before I became a Permanent Resident, I declard on my Canadian taxes that I was married and that my spouse did NOT make any income in Canada. He declared something similar on his US taxes. What is the process for declaring income in the US for me this year? I still do not technically make any income in the US.
Any tips?
monicatonyFemaleCanada2008-09-20 10:02:00
CanadaCanada/US Crossing with Vehicle Letter
I called the bridge at Port Huron yesterday to speak with an officer about my car. (He was very friendly...) He said that there wasn't exactly a rule about having to import the car. However he warned I may "be given a hard time" by an officer asking why I hadn't imported or registered my car yet as I was already a resident. I told this officer I was planning on only driving the car temp., until I could afford a new one. I understood I could not sell the car in the U.S and that it was up to me to follow my resident state's rules on how long I could drive locally on foreign plates without registering my vehicle. I am not sure how long that will be in Indiana as it doesn't mention that topic on their BMV website.
Basically, it sounds like I am at the mercy of the officer I get when I try to cross. I will tell them truthfully that I intend to drive the car for less than 6 months and intend to give it my Father in Canada as soon as I can get a new car. Fingers crossed that they don't force me to "import" it that day as Volkswagon denied giving me the compliance letter needed.
Wish me luck!
monicatonyFemaleCanada2009-07-01 12:22:00
CanadaCanada/US Crossing with Vehicle Letter
QUOTE (Kathryn41 @ Jun 8 2009, 08:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Don't quote me on this but I think I remember reading somewhere that you can bring your car into the US for up to a year without importing it, then return it to Canada to sell there. You can't sell it in the US though. You might want to look into that.

This would be excellent for me. Does anyone know where one can find this in writing? I read the USCBP website but all it talks about is "importing" the vehicle, nothing about whether or not you are just allowed to drive it across and use it without "importing" it. I understand I would be subject to the State of Indiana rules on how long I can get away with driving a car there without registering it. My car insurance company will cover the car with Canadian plates. I guess I am just afraid they will outright turn me away at the border later this week without meeting the requirements to import my car. I would love to be able to produce something that says I am allowed to drive it, even temporarily without importing it.......

Paranoid in Ontario
monicatonyFemaleCanada2009-06-30 11:47:00
CanadaCanada/US Crossing with Vehicle Letter
QUOTE (Krikit @ Jun 8 2009, 06:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
There are a number of people on here who have driven their car over and not imported them. Mine didn't even ask me about importing my car so it's a good thing I knew all about it or I would have had extra things to do. lol

Since there are so many restrictions to importing your car when you get here, I had to wait until I actually had a SSN and the NOA from my AOS before I could get my driver's license and register the vehicle. So I drove on my Canadian plates with Canadian registration from November till June without a problem. (Geico insured me with the Canadian info and I just gave them the new information when I got it.) But Florida has allowances for Canadians so I got off pretty easy. I hear California's pretty tough, as well as some other States, though.

I think BorderDriver brought her vehicle and does not plan on registering it. You may want to check her posts.


Thanks Krikit! I just feel better knowing someone else tried it. I have already "moved" to the US but want to go back to Canada and get my car and bring it over. I am wondering what I should say (or not say) at the border. I just hope they don't stop me saying I cannot bring the car at all without the compliance letter. I will check with our insurance agent here in Indiana to see if they will cover the car, even temporarily... Wish me luck.
Monica
monicatonyFemaleCanada2009-06-08 19:17:00