Just checking in!

[brocku00 1]

Hi Everyone,

I hope no one thinks I forgot about you guys.....I lurk on a daily basis!! Anyways, I just thought I would check in and tell you how life has been since moving to the States. My visa was issued March 4 and I activated it at Queenston/Lewiston on March 5th. I crossed several times from March until June 30 when I officially moved, with no problems! When I activated it, I asked about crossing and not moving down until June and they said that it was okay and not to worry. Well, once the kids finished school in Ontario, we moved to Delaware. The summer was great and very hot. I applied to many jobs and so far had a few interviews, but in my profession it has always been "it's not what you know, but who you know". The same goes in Canada too! Anyways, my kids started school in Delaware and I asked the principal about supply teaching and he told me to get my application and ALL other info into the office. He pulled me aside this week and asked if I want an 'assistant' teaching position, which is not great, but it's something and I accepted. Well....today he called me in to discuss things, and he told me that he realized that I was a qualified teacher (which he didn't realize before) and offered me a full time teaching job!! What great news eh? Things were a little rough here...in the sense of me fitting into the community/country/state etc. but lately they just seem to be settling down. Anyways, I just wanted to share my good news and my experience thus far and hope that all VJ'ers are doing well. To all the people going through Montreal, I know it's hard to hear but patience is the key. I sent in my I-130 in March of 2008, it reached NVC by March of 2009!!!!! and out of NVC to Montreal by April 2009, interview given to me in July 2009, interview August 12, 2009....denied (proof of domicile) August 12, 2009, proof #1 sent Aug. 2009, denied again, Sept. 2009, sent proof #2 October 2009, denied AGAIN Dec. 2009, sent proof #3 January 2010 - approved and issued VISA March 4, 2010!! So, as you can see, my patience was put to the test!! So, good luck to all in the process and keep your head up...it will all work out.

[Ontarkie 13,925]

Congrats on the new job, glad things are settling down hope it keeps it up.

[TimandJoyce 1]

Wow!! I really had no idea how long it all took for you. I remember reading of the denials and such, and that you needed to prove domicile. I'm so glad it's all worked out for you, and that you've also received a job as well.

Keep in touch.

[sdw 10]

Congrats on the job and glad things are now going well.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Glad to hear everything is working out!! Don't be a stranger now

[brocku00 1]

Congrats on the job and glad things are now going well.

Thanks everyone! SDW, just wondering about your 'signature'. It says that Dec. 2011 is your date for remvoal of conditions. What conditions do you have? Or is that when you can apply for ciitzenship? I am confused on when I can apply for citizenship so I guess I will ask here. I was married in 2001, so how many years after being a PR can you apply for citizenship? Also, I thought I remember someone saying that you can apply 6 months before your actual date since the processing would take that long....am I correct? Thanks for any advice.

[OBX 51]

Thanks everyone! SDW, just wondering about your 'signature'. It says that Dec. 2011 is your date for remvoal of conditions. What conditions do you have? Or is that when you can apply for ciitzenship? I am confused on when I can apply for citizenship so I guess I will ask here. I was married in 2001, so how many years after being a PR can you apply for citizenship? Also, I thought I remember someone saying that you can apply 6 months before your actual date since the processing would take that long....am I correct? Thanks for any advice.

Nice to hear things are going well and congratulations on the job!

Those of us that were married less than 2 years prior to our POE received conditional (2 year) green cards and have to "remove conditions" prior to the expiry of our cards. Since you were married over 2 years you have a 10 year green card. From what I understand you will be eligible to apply for US citizenship after residing continuously in the United States for three years.

This link might help: Naturalization

[raymaga 25]

Congrats on your new job!!! Glad to hear that your life is getting better with time. It took me way longer than a couple of months to start feeling like I "belonged" here in the U.S.

[brocku00 1]

Nice to hear things are going well and congratulations on the job!

Those of us that were married less than 2 years prior to our POE received conditional (2 year) green cards and have to "remove conditions" prior to the expiry of our cards. Since you were married over 2 years you have a 10 year green card. From what I understand you will be eligible to apply for US citizenship after residing continuously in the United States for three years.

This link might help: Naturalization

Thanks OBX! I understand now! I guess I don't have to worry for a while now!

Raymaga - Thanks for your kind words. I don't 'totally' feel like I belong yet but it's an improvement over time. I just take one day at a time!