Some Questions for Immigration Stuff Post-Greencard

[lovetimhortons 1]

Hi All:

I was hoping someone would know the answer to a couple questions I had...these are more for future reference. I received my greencard a couple months ago...successful AOS from a K1 visa (yay!). I'm Canadian. If this is in in the wrong forum, please feel free to move this post to the correct place

1. Expired I-94 from entering on my K1 visa: it's still stapled into my Canadian passport. What should I do with this? I recently crossed the border into and out of Canada at Niagara Falls with my greencard (& Canadian passport), and the CBP officer did not mention my expired I-94 at all. Should I just leave it in there? Am I supposed to hand it in/send it in somewhere? Tried searching the threads on VJ but could not find an answer.

2. US Citizenship: It's not clear to me when I am eligible. Is it 3 years or 5 years? I checked on the USCIS website, and it sounds as if it is 5 years after greencard issued, but then there are certain exceptions for spouses of US Citizens (which would be me). What is the answer in my case? Would like to know for future reference.

3. Canadian Passport Renewal: Just thinking ahead, but wondering if it is possible to renew my Canadian Passport ahead of my April 2012 expiry date, and what is the least painful way to get this renewed, and issued in my new married (last) name. I'm okay paying a rush fee on my next trip up to Canada if this can be done in a day or two. Is there any way to do this from the US (in new married last name) without being passport-less for a month? If anyone has any experience with this, please let me know!

Thanks in advance for your answers!!!

[SapphireDreams 71]

1. Expired I-94 from entering on my K1 visa: it's still stapled into my Canadian passport. What should I do with this? I recently crossed the border into and out of Canada at Niagara Falls with my greencard (& Canadian passport), and the CBP officer did not mention my expired I-94 at all. Should I just leave it in there? Am I supposed to hand it in/send it in somewhere? Tried searching the threads on VJ but could not find an answer.

Just leave it in there, eventually a border guard will notice it and rip it out and take it. At least that's what they did with mine. You don't need it either way.

2. US Citizenship: It's not clear to me when I am eligible. Is it 3 years or 5 years? I checked on the USCIS website, and it sounds as if it is 5 years after greencard issued, but then there are certain exceptions for spouses of US Citizens (which would be me). What is the answer in my case? Would like to know for future reference.

It is 3 years if you acquired permanent residency through marriage to a US Citizen.

3. Canadian Passport Renewal: Just thinking ahead, but wondering if it is possible to renew my Canadian Passport ahead of my April 2012 expiry date, and what is the least painful way to get this renewed, and issued in my new married (last) name. I'm okay paying a rush fee on my next trip up to Canada if this can be done in a day or two. Is there any way to do this from the US (in new married last name) without being passport-less for a month? If anyone has any experience with this, please let me know!

I think you can do it while you are visiting, but keep in mind travelling by plane, your name on your ticket needs to match your passport and if you change the name on your passport, well that might cause some trouble. If you drive, then it shouldn't be an issue. You don't really need to worry about this though until you have 6 months of less on your passport. At least I wouldn't! You still have another year, just relax and take it! I renewed mine by mail and it took around 4 weeks. I just did it at a time when I knew I wouldn't need to travel across the border and it was fine. I'm sure they can rush it if you had an emergency and you needed it sooner.

[S and P 9]

Hi All:

I was hoping someone would know the answer to a couple questions I had...these are more for future reference. I received my greencard a couple months ago...successful AOS from a K1 visa (yay!). I'm Canadian. If this is in in the wrong forum, please feel free to move this post to the correct place

1. Expired I-94 from entering on my K1 visa: it's still stapled into my Canadian passport. What should I do with this? I recently crossed the border into and out of Canada at Niagara Falls with my greencard (& Canadian passport), and the CBP officer did not mention my expired I-94 at all. Should I just leave it in there? Am I supposed to hand it in/send it in somewhere? Tried searching the threads on VJ but could not find an answer.

2. US Citizenship: It's not clear to me when I am eligible. Is it 3 years or 5 years? I checked on the USCIS website, and it sounds as if it is 5 years after greencard issued, but then there are certain exceptions for spouses of US Citizens (which would be me). What is the answer in my case? Would like to know for future reference.

3. Canadian Passport Renewal: Just thinking ahead, but wondering if it is possible to renew my Canadian Passport ahead of my April 2012 expiry date, and what is the least painful way to get this renewed, and issued in my new married (last) name. I'm okay paying a rush fee on my next trip up to Canada if this can be done in a day or two. Is there any way to do this from the US (in new married last name) without being passport-less for a month? If anyone has any experience with this, please let me know!

Thanks in advance for your answers!!!

here's where you can find info about renewing your Canadian passport while in the US http://www.ppt.gc.ca/cdn/form.aspx?lang=eng&region=USA

[Krikit 1,164]

1. Expired I-94 from entering on my K1 visa: it's still stapled into my Canadian passport. What should I do with this? I recently crossed the border into and out of Canada at Niagara Falls with my greencard (& Canadian passport), and the CBP officer did not mention my expired I-94 at all. Should I just leave it in there? Am I supposed to hand it in/send it in somewhere? Tried searching the threads on VJ but could not find an answer.

They only would have thought to remove the I-94 at the land border if you'd re-entered using the AP. They generally remove them when you're flying, though. In short, don't worry about it. Someone will remove it at some point or another.

2. US Citizenship: It's not clear to me when I am eligible. Is it 3 years or 5 years? I checked on the USCIS website, and it sounds as if it is 5 years after greencard issued, but then there are certain exceptions for spouses of US Citizens (which would be me). What is the answer in my case? Would like to know for future reference.

You are eligible 3 years after becoming a permanent resident if you are still married to your petitioner.

3. Canadian Passport Renewal: Just thinking ahead, but wondering if it is possible to renew my Canadian Passport ahead of my April 2012 expiry date, and what is the least painful way to get this renewed, and issued in my new married (last) name. I'm okay paying a rush fee on my next trip up to Canada if this can be done in a day or two. Is there any way to do this from the US (in new married last name) without being passport-less for a month? If anyone has any experience with this, please let me know!

Yes, you can renew your passport based on the name change. The only way to do it passport-less (lol) is to do it in person.

[lovetimhortons 1]

thanks for your answers!

i'm heading up to visit my parents in a few weeks, so want to deal with the passport issue for 2 reasons: 1. don't want to carry marriage certificate for future travel (ie passport name and greencard/driver's license name different right now), 2. my vacation time will be limited when i start my new job in a couple months.

i called passport canada, and they told me the easiest way would be to do it in person (thanks krikit ), and if i paid a rush fee, it could be done within 2-3 business days tops. the other advantage to doing it there would be getting canadian passport photos made, and i'd get to see my parents! FYI: you can renew your passport within 12 months of expiry. they also told me that there is an impending canadapost strike so better not to risk it!

expired i-94: i just don't want to get yelled at by someone for something that is not my fault!

citizenship: do most canadians with greencards get citizenship in the US? i've done some reading into this, and besides being able to vote, it doesn't seem to have very many benefits...

[Krikit 1,164]

My observations on obtaining citizenship or not:

Pros:

• No more USCIS.
• Voting privileges.
• Won't be taxed as a non-citizen wrt the death of the US spouse re inheritance and survivor's pension.
• If you move back to Canada (or wherever) you won't receive reduced benefits.
• Restrictions on the investment of inheritance in other countries.
• Cannot be deported.

Cons:

• Lifetime taxtime reporting, no matter where in the world you live.
• The "stigma" of becoming a US citizen. (This is not meant as a slight towards US citizens.) Meaning there is a greater risk of being victimized by terrorists during international travel.

There are probably more so feel free to add to the list.

[lovetimhortons 1]

thanks krikit!

i guess the only other pro is being able to take certain jobs (usually government related) in the US as a USC, and that both canada and the US allow dual citizenship.

i'm sure there are more cons than what you've listed!!

ROC first for me in a year and a bit, and then i guess worry about it later.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

My observations on obtaining citizenship or not:

Pros:

• No more USCIS .
• Voting privileges.
• Won't be taxed as a non-citizen wrt the death of the US spouse re inheritance and survivor's pension.
• If you move back to Canada (or wherever) you won't receive reduced benefits.
• Restrictions on the investment of inheritance in other countries.
• Cannot be deported.

Cons:

• Lifetime taxtime reporting, no matter where in the world you live.
• The "stigma" of becoming a US citizen. (This is not meant as a slight towards US citizens.) Meaning there is a greater risk of being victimized by terrorists during international travel.

There are probably more so feel free to add to the list.