frostiana

Just wondering. I see a couple on the AOS thread says they got their transfer before biometrics... is this common?

whoop whoop, and biometrics in just a couple days

Yay! My biometrics is same day as you, but Detroit. So your case can be transferred BEFORE the biometrics appointment? Did you get notification that your case was transferred or did you just read it by checking on the USCIS site? Still trying to get the hang of this.

Checked today on a whim, seems we're going for an interview: On December 21, 2011, we mailed you an appointment notice for an interview for January 30, 2012, at NATIONAL BENEFITS CENTER.

Will have to wait for the hard copy to find out where.

where is the national benfits centre for you? Where are you?

Can you tell me where you checked to see this information? I know you can go to uscis and put in that number for a case update, but is that all you did? All that site ever has said for me was the initial phase thing.

Jeannie had her interview in Norfolk, Virginia. Did you read her entry a couple of days ago about it?

I got my NOA1 today. As I want to prepare myself for all the requirements after the NOA2. I know i am getting ahead of my self, but I want to gain knowledge of what all these talk about packet 2,3,4 etc are. and what I need to do from there going

You can get all your financial stuff ready for your I-134 and read that form. And you can get your police clearance done. Also you can start filling out the sample forms for the packet 3. It's time consuming and would be good to have those ready to go. Are you going through Montreal? If you are you will need to do the online DS160 which is also time consuming; getting to know it ahead of time is a good idea if you have time to do it now. hope this helps.

jeannie as usual is spot on..... it was about a week before we got a text on our cellphone then after that the letters in the mail... you are good don't worry.

As many of you know we got picked for an interview at Norfolk VA for AOS. Well today was the day :-)

Our appointment was at 10:30. We left home around 7am. Stopped at 7-11 for coffee then hit the highway. Traffic wasn't too bad which was surprising. We arrived early, found the building then went for a drive to find a bathroom....the hazards of drinking coffee. We got back to the USCIS building about 9:45. We decided to go in early. It wasn't a problem at all. There was a little security area where they checked for your appointment notice and id. Then they put your stuff through the xray machine and then you are instructed to walk through. We got everything together and went to sit down in the area in front of us. We sat for about 10 minutes. Then a lady came out and called my first name only. We got up and walked to her, she greeted us with a big smile and hello. Very personable. We chatted as we walked back to her office. Before sitting she got us to raise our right hands and swore us in. We sat, she opened our file and started confirming our address, and my DOB that was on the form in front of her. She went down the form asked about my daughter (in Canada) She asked me how we met, and then when our first time we met in person was. She asked Kenny if he had ever been to Canada. Then she told me she was going to ask the questions that are on the I-485...Of course I answered no to them all. Then she asked me if I had any proof of accounts together and I said yes. I pulled out a section in my folder, she commented on how well organized I was. She said she was going to look at the pictures that I brought while I was getting the papers out. She asked a few questions about who was in some of the pictures. Then she closed the album and took my papers. Punched holes in the top and put them in the file. She filled out a piece of paper and told us she was recommending us for approval :-) She said that we should receive the conditional green card in the mail within 2 weeks. And then went on to tell us about removing conditions and what we should save for it. All in all it was a very good experience. We were in and out of her office in 15 minutes. ......I asked her if she had ever heard of VJ and she said no. She asked a little about it, so I gave her a quick run down of what is done here. She thought it was a great idea.

congratulations Jeannie and Kenny and thank you for sharing your appointment with all of us who are still fearing the unknown!

:star: :star:

I know that I get to keep the CPP benefit I get for my son as an orphan's benefit after leaving Canada, but what other tax credits do I get to keep?

My mom said I got one last week that was Energy and Property Tax Benefit. Is that given based on last year? And if so, am I entitled to any of it? I only left a couple weeks ago!

Also, the Child Tax Benefit, am I entitled to any of that cheque too, considering that I was in Canada until a few weeks ago? Is the credit towards time that has passed? I would imagine yes, as I haven't heard of anyone ever having to pay it back when they leave after it is issued, only before. So how much time before hand matters?

(no, they're not gigantic sums of money, but when you're trying to pay for AOS for a K1 AND a K2 at the same time, during Christmas after just paying for moving expenses and a wedding, while being unemployed and carrying two mortgages, it's money I could use!)

Did you call and change your address with the canadian governments? Look on past tax forms, call that number make sure they know the day you left... ask your previous tax person who to call or look on the tax forms.. I think that's the most important ones, anybody you get cheques from. I just got that same cheque which I never heard of before! I already changed my addresses and I believe I'm entitled to that one. The main thing is to let them know your new permanent address. hope that helps

Double checked......the California address mine was sent to is the same except it's 24000 not 21000 Avila Road.

How do you guys put your timeline on your signature? That is so handy for the reader.

My POE is next Wednesday. I'm driving with my dad and brother to New York for a holiday visit with my US family, and then flying to my fiance on the 31st. Besides my plane luggage, I want to bring a few boxes to ship from inside the US, since I imagine it's cheaper than shipping from Montreal now/later.

Would the border officers want to know exactly what's in all the bags/boxes? Since I have a visa and am moving, I assume it won't matter that I have a lot of stuff? I'm visiting and THEN flying, so will the officers get suspicious at the amount of stuff (ie "you can't possibly be flying with all that") or does visa/moving give me a free pass to bring stuff with no hassle (as opposed to my dad and brother trying to bring that much stuff, since they're only visiting)?

If you are entering with your K-visa...bring everything you want to bring, they will expect that you are bringing your stuff with you. Just make a list of what you have in your boxes (clothes, household, etc.) to show them in case they ask. If they want they can look in the car ... when I went they didn't look or ask what I had in the car. Don't hold back, here's your chance to bring stuff!!

Wonderful - eat plenty of KW sausage between now and Feb, it's the good food I miss (I'm from Kitchener)

Congratulations! :star:

We don't have my immunization records for me. My interview will be sometime in January I am assuming. I work ALOT and am finally realizing I will have a medical and no immunizations. What should I do?

If you are going to Dr. Seiden's in Toronto.. go to their website and you can print out the vaccination requirements... it's minimal if you are an adult. Take it to your doctor or a walkin and you will have to get a vaccination and probably a flu shot if it's the season for it, and the titres blood test that Inky mentioned. After you get the results of the titres, you get a print-out from the doctor, and something showing proof of your vaccination and flu shot... either a short letter or a printout ... and take it to the medical with you. At the medical they were satisfied easily by the printout from the doctor that the shots were up to date.

If you don't care about the money part, they will do it at the medical, and I don't know what they do about measles mumps rubella and also varicella which is what the titres would show immunity to. I would rather have the titres done than get all those shots for nothing.

Good luck!

I'm not in Michigan, but I had to do this with Chase in NY. It wasn't really a big deal.

I just used my Canadian address (my parents address) as my main address and then had my US address as my mailing address. When I got my EAD card or might've been my greencard) I went back and changed my main address. It was just easier for me since my husband was already established at Chase and everything was linked with online banking etc.

I don't remember needing to have a joint bank account for AOS. For ROC, yes definitely... but not AOS... hmmm maybe I'm just forgetting.

Interesting! His bank is also a Chase bank! I think they overlooked the 'alien resident' option, and we are in the same situation with my husband's accounts and mortgage there. That is the form I refused to sign ...but it said right on the form if it is a us resident or 'alien resident' do not use that form, use a W-9, whatever that is. It had gone on so long we just left without pursuing the W9 thing with them.

The posts on VJ regarding the medical exam at Dr. Seiden's office in Toronto is spot on. My fiancee was the first one to arrive this morning, just after 6 am. He was the first one served, and had all of the necessary things with him. Everyone was pleasant, although rushed, and he was out of there by 815 am. He stressed about it beforehand so much, but what an easy process it was!!! All we have to now is wait for the interview

WAY TO GO! Maybe it's easier if the subject is a male... but I thought the medical and the anticipation of it, and having to be in toronto in a seedy neighbourhood at 6 in the morning was FAR more stressful and uncertain that the Montreal interview. After that medical, the interview seemed like a piece of cake!

Huh...

We're with Fifth Third in Michigan and we went in, showed my passport with visa and my SSN and they added me to my husband's account, no problem. Only thing I can think of is if it's a smaller bank or credit union they might not have clearly outlined policies about it?

Thank you ralyse, we suspected as much!!!

If his other bank doesnt' work we will go to Fifth Third.

Hello if there is anyone from Canada to Michigan inparticular...I am here in Michigan now, and today my USC husband and I went to the bank to add me to his savings account.. mostly for AOS purposes. We could not get them to understand that I am now a resident of Michigan and do not have a canadian address. They insisted even after phonecalls, that I needed to sign this tax form saying my permanent residence is (my former residence) in Canada and that my mailing address is my new home's address in Michigan!!!

We finally withdrew all the paperwork.

We will try another bank, however, that was the one where my husband has his accounts and his mortgage.

Anyone else have a similar story??

There were only so many terms available and I thought maybe I should be considered resident alien. They didn't want to put that though. Wouldn't for a bank I be considered a resident alien until my adjustment of status?

I just wanted to share my happiness with everyone. We're finally down to the last couple of steps. It looks like my babe will be here in time for my birthday in February!!!!!

Happy for you!

...Ugh. I know our officiant does tons of weddings, I can't believe he got this wrong.

I guess I'm going to go and change my name on my SSN first thing on Monday so I have that issued in my married name, too.

And hopefully when they're processing my AOS they won't have any trouble with it since the signatures are so interchangeable anyway? Ugh.

I am in Michigan, what State are you in? I think getting your SSN changed to your married name ASAP will help. Make sure you get a print out from them showing the name change so you have proof while waiting for the new card to come.

So, I'm still waiting for NOA2, but I want to get moving on stuff for the medical/interview stage. I've been looking into the vaccination stuff and I'm a bit in the dark.

(I'm in Ontario, if that helps...)

I called the local public health office but they told me (gak) I'm too old and they don't keep records that long (I'm only 41, for cryin' out loud!). I've been with my family doctor since I was 17, but he says that he doesn't have any immunization information from my childhood in his records, and my pediatrician retired long ago.

So... I asked my doctor about the magical titre test that will define what I have immunity for. He has never heard of any such test and has no idea what I'm talking about. Sorry, can't help you. End of discussion.

So... any ideas? Is there anyone who did have the test done who can give me a specific name or point me in the right direction? I don't know whether to go to a walk-in clinic to try a different doctor, or if I can just show up at a lab and ask to have blood work done... I have no idea where to go now.

Any suggestions would be mucho appreciated. Thanks.

Here is a link on the Dr. Seiden Clinic in Toronto's website, for the shots required for your age group:

http://www.panelphysicians.com/Pages/Age6.htm

If you print that and bring it to a walk-in clinic... it shows what shots are required. I had a shot called "adacel" which was the combination thing mentioned (diptheria, etc.) as well as tetanus, and a flu shot. I had a blood test done for the titres immunity, the test was back in a week or so, and did not need measles/mumps/rubella. They also check for immunity to Chicken pox which is called varicella.

That was it. I did not require Hep B shots as you can see from this list.

then I took a print-out from the doctor and a signed card from the nurse and brought it to my medical. There was no need (it's impossible) to show any shots from my childhood.

It is scary that a doctor would not know what a titres test is

hope this helps!

2PM. I think I will try a walk-in next week otherwise I will have to get it rescheduled...

Please let me know how a walk-in goes... would be nice not to be going there on the 27th!

When submitting our AOS forms, do we need two passport photos for each form (I-485,I-765,I-131) or just two for the whole package?

I did two per each application. When I got my NOA, they were separate letters so I figure they are two whole separate entities at work.

Has anyone 'walked in" for an unscheduled biometrics appointment in Detroit ?

Thanks!

That's great!!! Congrats!!! Well I would be going to the same location as you in Detroit, guess I could attempt a walk-in and see what happens...

maybe it's already been done, but start a topic re. walkins in detroit?

my appt. is at 11 a.m., Yours?

Congratulations!!!! Hope you can do a walk-in

I just got my biometrics appointment also for December 27th!! I have not heard anything about walk-ins where I'm going... Jefferson in Detroit. I think I will stick with the appointment! Yay!

After all the anticipation... my husband and a friend came through Detroit yesterday with the rest of my belongings (I am in the United States on my K1 Visa) and it was a 6-minute event! The border guard looked at the 3299 and photocopies of my visa and passport . I also included photocopies of my new SSN and driver's licence. He opened the back of the U-haul and then he let them through. He kept the photocopies He also looked through my 11 page llist of the numbered boxes and their contents.

They didn't even get secondaried!

Phew one more thing over.

You have to file the D-160 online. Keep in mind that you also need to upload your piture so be prepared resizing your photo and typing quickly as you only have limited time to fill it and submit it. After you sumbit it you need to print out the confirmation page to be sent to consulate office. Good Luck!

Yes Definitelydo not forget to mail in the Confirmation page!! I didn't and it cost me an extra month of waiting for my packet four while they RFE'd me for it. AND,

if you can't get the picture to upload, no worries. I ran out and got passport photo's (u.s. 2x2) and stapled the photo to the confirmation printout that I mailed in.

When I got to Montreal for my interview they did not ask for the photo's I had brought so that must have been a good thing to do.

Good luck!