US Immigration from Canada

Hi there,

My parents will land in the US and activate their green cards on 4/1. Their primary concern is minimizing taxes on the sales of their stock portfolio and primary residence. My understanding is that they would become US tax residents on that day, and deemed non-residents in Canada on the same day.

Would appreciate feedback on my proposed plan, which is to:

(1) Sell their portfolio before 4/1, as this would have no tax impact in the US, and would be taxed as resident income in Canada without any non-resident surtax. Is this assumption correct?

(2) Sell their primary residence before 4/1 if possible, as this would have no tax impact in either US or Canada. Selling their home later in 2022 would also be ok, as it would still have no tax impact in Canada but require more paperwork to avoid withholding, and no/minimal tax impact in the US.

Also, my parents want to return to Canada after landing, to stay in Canada 183 days next year to qualify as full year residents for tax-filing. I don't think this makes sense because

(a) There is no significant tax benefit in doing so if we already liquidate as resident income before 4/1

(b) They would still be deemed non-resident for time after 4/1 even if they log 183 days for the year

Is my reasoning sound or am I missing something?

Thanks!

Hey everyone, so when I submitted my documents with NVC my husband was only $100 off of making the minimum amount to not require a joint sponsor. The documents submitted and approved were from 2019 and now on his 2020 tax form he makes well over the amount required. I will be bringing both forms from 2019 and 2020 along with me to my interview. They had requested that I get a joint sponsor since he originally wasn't making enough, but to speed up the process they DQ'd me before I was able to submit my joints sponsors info and told me to just bring it with me to the interview. This makes me nervous just incase there is anything I am missing and I really do not want to be declined my visa. My joint sponsor is self employed so making sure I have everything they will want is just a bit more difficult. I think I have everything I need for my joint sponsor and of course will be bringing it since they requested me to, but I guess my question is, if for whatever reason I do not have all the information they need will it even be a problem since my husband makes enough money now anyway? Thanks

Getting ready to file AOS on a K1 visa and have a few questions:

1 - The sponsor has a full time job but not much in his bank account. Do they need to see all activity in the account for the past 12 months, or just the balance remaining in the account for each month?

2 - I (the intending immigrant), have a lot in my savings account. Should I provide all the pages of the statements for the past 12 months, or just the balance for each month?

3 - The sponsor makes just over the requirement and does not have much in savings or assets. However, I have way over 5 times the requirement for our household size. Since I am the spouse, I know I am allowed to include my assets and savings on the I-864 (they are all liquid assets that can be converted within a year). Given that he is employed, and I have enough assets to push us way over the income requirements, will we be able to avoid an RFE or will they only be looking at his income? (joint sponsor is not an option for us)

Hi.

I moved to the States from Canada in 2008 on a K1 Fiance visa. My ex-husband and I regretfully divorced in 2018. I have been searching for my place and purpose since this time. I'm currently not working and I'm trying to find out what it is I want to do with my life. I'm 40 years old and debating going back to school. A huge part of me thinks it's time I move back to Canada to be near my family and their support.

The question is, do I just let my green card status expire and leave America behind or do I file? Is it even worth it to become a citizen if I'm not technically going to be living here? Can I file in the state I'm in now and then move back to Canada while it processes and return for the test and oath ceremony? I always saw myself living part time in Canada and part time in the US in the future but now I just don't know. I know it's taking roughly over a year for citizenship but I just don't know if it would even be worth it now.

Any guidance or insight would be greatly appreciated. I was once pretty active on these boards.

Thanks.

I thought I would share my experience with you in case you face the same challenge

When I was going to get a mortgage after I moved to the US I had no credit score. My credit union (First Tech) suggested that I should have at least 2-3 credit card. I tried to get a credit card through BMO US branch but it went no where. If you have other Canadian banks in your area, you might be able to get a credit card. I was told it would take 2 months to have a credit score. I ended up getting a secured credit card with the credit union. You just need to have a deposit in your account that you can t touch. Then I found out you could also get an American Express credit card with your Canadian credit score. You need to make sure to use your SIN in your application. I got one without issue, $5000 limit.

For my mortgage, the credit union has a special program for immigrants like us. If my employer offers relocation, and most employers here do a thorough background check, they could utilize that to give me a loan. My job didn t officially offer relocation assistance, but my boss is kind enough to reimburse me 6k for moving. I asked him to write an email to the credit union and it was accepted. I got my mortgage.

After all this my credit score has been going up to the level similar to my Canadian one.

Everything is tough in the beginning but you will get through it, so keep your spirit up and enjoy your life in a new country.