SF2007

You will find more expertise on www.roadtocanada.com. Good luck!

My mother says I know speak like a cowboy (I moved to NM from Quebec). I miss water and I am more family oriented; I also tend to keep a little more to myself here. I like diversity but I am not from a religious background so sometimes people's comments and vision surprise me. I dislike the fact they can start advertising for the elections so early on. We are now spammed on tv, by phone, by mail, you name it. I am still unsure about owning a firearm. My husband has some more convincing to do, but when I see the crime rate, I have to say it's tempting. I think in general it made me a more open person. Moving to a different country and being surrounded by so many new influences does broaden your views. I do have a new attitude I borrowed from my American friends; Live, let live and mind your own damn business! But I pretty much feel like my same old self (but I've been here a year, let's talk again in 5).

You are misinformed. Canadian have no special privileges when it comes to immigrating to the U.S. The rules are the same for everyone.

You need to obtain your K1, activate it (move to the U.S.) and marry within 90 days. Then only can you file for Adjustment of status (AOS) and Employment Authorization Document (EAD)/travel authorization (Advanced Parole=AP). The EAD/AP combo card is usually received 2-3 months after you filed. Delay to receive your Green Card is around 6 months depending whether you get a RFE, an interview and how backlogged your service center is.

If you want to be working right as you move to the U.S. on a family visa, you need a spouse visa.

Also, have your passport and appointment confirmation handy, they will ask for it right as you enter the building.

Good luck!

Having a SSN to get your marriage license depends on your state. Your can check your local County Clerk Office website to get accurate requirements for your state.

You also might want to consider the fact that if your K1 is pending and you marry during the process, you abandon your petition and will need to start over with a spouse visa. It's another year in limbo, will have to file more paperwork, pay more fees and wait for about another year for it to be processed. Not sure what are your circumstances are but it would really be simpler for both of you to wait for your K1 to be issued, activate it, then get married.

Good luck!

I had an issue with a Walgreens passport picture when I renewed my passport 3 months ago. I slight reflection on my forehead I hadn't even notice and they returned my application after 2 weeks. They did offer me a complimentary picture to make up for the bad one and I had no problem with it. You might have to cut the picture yourself, most places I called would take the Canadian 2x2 pictures but only had the U.S. size cutter.

I know most big pharmacies in the U.S. have the software to take any international passport pictures, Costco, USPS and AAA as well. Make sure to print and bring the guidelines with you. At most these places, the clerks at the picture counter rarely do international passport picture.

I applied using my married name, that was what they had on file for me until I submitted my old passport which had my maiden name. I decided to change my name on my passport so I got a new passport. At that point, my case was already completed and sent to Montreal. I tried to submit my new passport, they told me that I just need to inform them at the interview they'd update it then.

I had my interview yesterday (approved!) and I had no problem with that, I showed them my new passport, the lady at the window created a new file folder for me with my new name and she also updated my file in the system.

OP is talking about AOS after moving to the US on a K1 visa. Rules for a spousal visa do not apply in this case.

Congratulations on your approval

Please update your timeline it stops at your I-129f approval. If she filed for AOS I assume you mean your wife and not your fiancée? The GC will be issued under the name she put on the form. If she filed her maiden name, they will issue the GC with her name as it appears on her birth certificate. You can pay to have it changed after it has been issued, wait 2 years for ROC or, if you have a sit down interview, ask the IO to change it (for free).

For SSA, she has until her I-94 has no less than 14 days left to apply for a social security number. If that time has passed, you will need to wait for her GC to apply. There a great on how to apply here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

You can call the airport for their hours. I personally had no issues at Pearson airport (Toronto). It took me a big 15 min to be processed in June last year (K1). But that was very early in the morning and no one was ahead of me waiting to be processed.

However, a 1:50 layover is most likely not enough for any airport. By 6 PM, there might be a whole trail of people backlogged waiting to be processed. You can read POE reviews for Toronto airport HERE.

Good luck!

Thank you for sharing the info Kathryn41!

It's fine to use AP unless he has accumulated overstay in the past. In which case, the AP does not overrun the overstay and he would have to wait for his GC.

Mike,

At this point in the process it is not neccesary for you to have your wifes name on these things. The only reason you would need her to have the Social Security Card is for her to work or to claim her on your taxes.

Inaccurate. While it is not necessary, it's better to have one asap. A social security number is also often required to be added to a spouse's car insurance, utility bills and obtain a driver's license, which are all good proof of bona fide marriage to bring to an eventual interview.

You are not allowed to bring electronic devices in Montreal's consulate. Leave it in your car/hotel room.

Happy POE to you!

Your EAD should be enough proof while your GC is pending.

The K1 expires upon you crossing the border. Once activated, you had 90 days to get married. But the visa has been void since you entered the U.S.

Assuming you got married within 90 days of your entry with your K1 and you filed AOS, you are now in a period of authorized stay. You might consider showing them your NOA for your i-485.

What if I just insert a digital copy of my pictures right into the Word document where I'm typing my 'evidence' info... and even just scan and insert boarding passes, etc, instead of using a separate page from the text? Then add captions under them describing who/what/when the picture is of?

For our I-129F we included the photographs in plastic bags staple to a description sheet and any other evidence provided (boarding passes, Skype logs, etc) was printed on paper. Keep all originals for the interview. For our AOS (I-485), we printed the photos on paper, dated and described who appeared on it. We didn't have any issue with either. But keep in mind the plastic bag has proven to be an effective way to submit photo evidence for I-129F. Perhaps someone who did what you suggest for their visa could pitch in.

Here are the official instructions for filing I-129F: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf. I don't see any specific instructions regarding how to submit photo evidence. This however does not apply to your passport style photos. Those absolutely need to be originals.

Darren, greencard holders don't travel on Advance Parole.

I think he/she meant re entry permit.

Have everything ready and in order and you will be just fine. Took 15 minutes in my case (we were 2nd in line for a morning appointment)... and it doesn't even feel like an interview. They call you to a booth where the IO makes sure he/she has all the required paperwork while he/she asks you couple questions about how you met, when you will marry, etc.

If it's temporary, look into obtaining a re entry permit before you leave the U.S.

Hi all,

Been a while since I've been around and I apologize if this is posted elsewhere, but my wife's passport(CDN) has expired and we haven't been able to find out how to get a new one with her name change on it. Thanks in advance for the help.

john

Have you not tried Passport Canada's website? http://passportcanada.gc.ca/cdn/form.aspx?lang=eng&region=USA

She won't be able to do a Simplified Renewal Application if she wants to change her name.

My Flight is Saturday @ 12:50 PM.

I was going to get there around 9:45 AM but not sure if I should allow more time.

I'm flying from Terminal 3, I'm thinking it may be less busy there??

S

Less busy is definitely early in the morning when there is no backed up queue yet. Better having more time to kill than miss your next flight.

Short answer to your question: yes you can wait for your August trip to Canada to get a new passport. Just make sure your stay is long enough to allow enough time for them to process your application. Canadians in the U.S. must apply by mail because Canadian embassies and consulates abroad do not process passport applications. That's all. I renewed mine 2 months ago by mail and it was not anymore complicated than in person. However they are very strict on the photo requirements so make sure it's 100% right before you mail it in.

Traveling with both names is not an issue. Keep in mind you need to travel under the name of your ID. So you may travel within the U.S. with your U.S. driver's license in your married name. And as Krikit said, when travelling internationally, you will need to use the name in your passport. You might want then to also carry a copy of your marriage certificates during international travels, which explains the name difference.

I POE'd June 2011 and it took 15 minutes. But it depends which day you are travelling at what time. You can read Pearson POE reviews HERE.

You can renew your Canadian passport by mail. Look it up HERE. You need a passport for international air travel, no matter whether you have a GC or not. Your GC only proves your status to U.S. authorities.

As it has been explained, you have no grounds to apply for a U.S. passport as you are not a U.S. citizen.

Travel insurance and health insurance are two different animals. You cannot be covered by travel insurance while you will be the U.S. as you are permanently moving to another country, you are not "traveling".

If you are looking for a temporary health insurance to cover you while you are in the U.S. but not yet covered by your spouse's insurance plan, you can search online for temporary health insurance. Be sure to double check if resident aliens are covered by the plan you choose. I did business with Patriot America so I can give you that name if you want to look into it. I did not have a claim with them so I cannot say whether they offer good service or not.