jonilui

I have a green card, and have lived in the U.S. for about 1.5 years now. I am also a Canadian citizen. I am going to go back home to Toronto to visit for a week. Other than my passport and green card, are there any other documents I need to bring? Or will this be a pretty smooth sailing for me?

Thanks for the help.

Trying to file taxes but am very confused about it. I still have canadian bank account and credit cards. Also, I am keeping my Canadian passport. Am I non-resident, resident, non-resident s216, s217, deemed resident?

My marital status changed after I moved to the U.S. obviously, but it says I can't file my taxes through online or programs. I have to mail it in?

Yes I am married now. That's what I mean by being established - I have drivers license, bank account, health insurance, etc. All I'm keeping in Canada is my bank account.

I just kind of got carried away with things and was waiting until I got my green card to sever my ties with Canada.

I just need someone to list what I need to do right now.

Hello! Here's a rundown of my timeline:

K1 Visa issued: May 15, 2015

Entered U.S.: June 28, 2015

EAD: Nov 11, 2015

Date of U.S. Employment: Jan 13, 2016

Green Card Issued: Jan 29, 2016

I've been holding off on severing ties with Canada (lived in Toronto) just in case things didn't work out here in the U.S. Now that it is time to file Canadian taxes and it's asking me questions about whether my marital status has changed and my life has finally settled down, I'm unsure of how to go about doing things. I still have a bank account in Canada that I will keep open indefinitely. I have not cancelled my health card, driver's licence, or anything else.

Can someone advise what my steps are here? How do I report exactly to Canada that I've left - do I change my address on my driver's licence and health care to my U.S. address? Since I still have a bank account, I'm assuming this means I still have residential ties? How do I file taxes? Just like regular? Or do I need to fill in other forms. Also do I need to tell Canada I've gotten married?

Sorry, lots of questions, but if anyone can provide detailed insight as to what my next steps are to make sure I don't get in any legal trouble, that would be great!

There seems to be conflicting answers on the forum, so I'm not sure what to do.

I entered the U.S. June 28, 2015 and got married on September 1, 2015. I got my license on the same day, and received a Limited Term License that expires September 25. Well, that was pointless. I had no idea that I couldn't receive a permanent one. I guess I should've done my research. I also surrendered my license from Canada.

I have already received my I-797 Notice that my Permanent Residency application is in process. Is that good enough to renew it or do I actually need my green card? Some people say that the work permit will work as well. I won't be getting that for another 3 months. I am basically license-less at the moment which sucks for living in Texas. If anyone knows if the I-797 works, do let me know!

Thanks!

We have been checking the calendars every 5 minutes or so for 8 weeks. I begin to think that there is an error in our application that is stopping us from seeing the calendar properly. What does everyone see on their computer screen? I see June and July calendars side by side, pale bluish grey background to the slightly brighter blue grey numbers. The background to the days of the week is black. It does not say anywhere that there are no appointments available. Clicking on any of the days does nothing. Is this how it should look? How does it look when there IS an appointment available? Does the number on the day become black?

Yeah, that's how it looks. But it is insane you've been checking for 8 weeks. Are you applying for K1 visa? If you are, that's weird. I made my appointment about 8 weeks ago, and even checked a few weeks ago out of curiousity to see how many appointments have been booked and there were still a lot available. I would call the consulate and ask them if any appointments are available

Anyone know how far interviews are out now for K1 visa in montreal?

There's a whole bunch available in June and July.

The fact that I had to pay $300 for the medical exam led me to believe that this was going to be a thorough exam. Well, guess what? It's not. I just had mine yesterday. Go to the doctor, he asks if you're healthy, checks your blood pressure, then tells you to go to the lab to get an x-ray to check for TB and blood test for syphillis. Obviously it might differ from doctor to doctor, but my mom who applied to Australia had the same experience at another doctor.

You're moving from Toronto to Texas? Me too!

One thing to note about the driver's license is that your Ontario was is valid in Texas until it expires. Once it expires, you will either 1) ditch your Ontario license and just get a new Texas one or 2) if you want to keep your ontario license, you have to take a test to get your Texas one.

I tell you, if we had that option of choosing our own dates that would save all of us a lot of grief.

What I have read the interview process seems a straightforward process, you should be fine.

The grass is always greener on the other side! Even if you can book your own interview, Montreal doesn't show any dates indefinitely - it's so stressful. I've read horror stories on VJ where they don't release dates for 1-2 months. Even if you call or email, they just say to keep checking. I spent 2-3 weeks spamming the refresh button on the website 5 minutes of everyday.

Good luck on your journey!! I'm just glad this community exists. Without, I don't know what I'd do.

Technically you are required to notify them, and they will cancel it for you.

I never used it at all after moving to US.

When I applied for medical insurance in US, I went through a broker, and he chose the best option for me. But still then the insurance started to kick in, in two months time. Then once I got sick, I decided to go to a clinic which I thought worked like walk in clinic in Canada. Turned out it was urgent care, and they billed me about $550 later since my insurance company didn't cover urgent care. The only best way to get treatment in US is to get an appointment from a clinic covered by your insurance. And pretty much take half a day or full day off work.

When you move back to Ontario, you will have to keep a proof of entry date. And then you can apply for OHIP again, that will be valid from 3 months after you entered.

Thanks for the answer! Really helpful. At what point can you apply for medical insurance? I'm assuming after adjustment of status. My fiance is a nursing manager, and I believe I can get on some "family" plan of his. It's crazy to think you have to pay $550 just to go to the clinic! I love Canada <3

Good luck on your interview.

When you did you receive your notice of interview date?

K1 applicants generally choose their own interview dates. I think I scheduled it around April 22? And thanks, I'll need the luck. I'm so nervous as it is!

As far as I'm aware, you lose your OHIP as soon as you move to the States... there *may* be some minor exceptions where there are special circumstances, but don't bet on keeping it....

Moving back to Canada is no problem either.... you will still be a citizen, but last I checked you have to be a resident of the Province at least 90 days (?) before your OHIP kicks in again...... as for your driver's license - just take your US one to a Service Ontario office and exchange it for the Ontario license....

Best wishes!!

God I love this forum. You guys are awesome. Thanks ChristinaG!

My K1 interview is on June 1. Looks like y'all are IR-1/CR-1 folks though.

Does anyone know what happens to your OHIP and all that when you move into the US? Do you just notify them you're moving into the states and then it no longer becomes valid? What if I were to move back into Canada in the future? Is there a huge process for me to become a canadian citizen or are they like, "you used to be one, no problem. here's your ohip and driver's license"

Someone said that you can just get vaccines at the medical exam. I just want to point out that Dr. Mascarenhas does not do this. It's indicated right on their website. www.visadoctor.ca. Just wanted to give you a heads up in case that was your plan.

There are so many Loomis topics and they all had different answers, and now I'm getting paranoid. I've been reading around here that you need a reference ID # for your Loomis registration. I don't see that anywhere. These are the only two screens I have on my CSC file.

The applicant details page: http://i.imgur.com/qRf7J6F.jpg

The instructions page: http://i.imgur.com/GqbQmy8.jpg

(Also why does it have DS-260 status there... I only need to fill in DS-160)

It says to bring the instruction page to the interview. Is this sufficient in showing that I have correctly registered for Loomis? The only reason I'm confused is because everyone else's screenshots and information include reference IDs and something about it saying "register for courier services only".

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

We're in the same boat! Keepin' our eyes peeled for dates...

They just released a whole wack load of them. Better get them!

I don't know if they released a new date or not or if I was lucky enough to catch someone cancel, but I managed to score one for June 2! It was the ONLY time slot available as I tried going back to check for other dates. I'm so relieved right now.

My guess is if there are no interview dates available it may be linked to their payment system. When I went through the steps, I paid, was shown a printable receipt, then booked the interview appointment. Following that I printed a confirmation page that we later confirmed was all we would receive. I would just keep trying.

Not in my case, unfortunately. I was directed to their payment system and successfully paid. When I got to the scheduling page, no appointments were available. I don't think they are linked.

I did email them to find out what was going on with the lack of appointments and they wrote back:

Thank you for your inquiry.

The Consulate General in Montreal is committed to scheduling visa interview appointments as soon as possible after the applicant’s file is documentarily ready. The Consulate General works closely with the National Visa Center and CSC Visa Information Services, our appointment system contractor, to determine the number and category of immigrant visa cases that are ready for interview, and ensure there are adequate appointments available. The calendar is reviewed several times per month, and additional appointment slots may be added as available visa numbers change. If there are no appointments available, applicants are requested to re-try regularly, as it is likely additional appointment slots will be opened.

Applicants who need assistance in making a visa appointment can visit the Official U.S. Visa Information & Appointment Services website at https://usvisa-info.com/, or contact their office at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/iv/information/contact_us

I just had an interview scheduled for me in MTL for May 15th. I wasn't aware they would do it for me and it's way too early for me.

I wish I could have yours

I've been checking the site like crazy for the past few days and nothing's been released.

Hey! As long as you're 100% sure that the your case is at the Montreal Embassy and you've already got a case number (MTL). The little blurb on the case status website is bogus so you can ignore it. You can go ahead and send in your checklist, biographic data, and DS-160. I also had the same information you did where it said, "Case updated" and a week later, I received my P3 in the mail. I think they update it as soon as they mail the letter to you. You can wait a week if you want but it seems counterproductive. You will then receive you P4 about a week later. They will tell you to schedule an appointment and medical.

Just a quick note, the embassy doesn't have any appointment dates available right now. Hopefully they will once you've received your P4. If not, I created a discussion here to help everyone keep our eyes open for appointments. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/545620-no-appointments-available-montreal/

It sucks because you have no idea when they will release dates..

Hope this helps!

Hello there, this is amazing. I had not idea you get to choose the date for the interview. With all my readings, and i must say, I might be wrong, but isn't the consulate who tells when is the interview is after they review the documents? Anyways I wish you for rather fast appoiment for your interview!!

There seems to be some people who have appointment dates set by the consulate/NVC, but I'm not entirely sure why. For the majority, we select our own dates.

We're in the same boat! Keepin' our eyes peeled for dates...

I emailed the consulate and this is the generic answer I got.

Good day,

Thank you for your inquiry.

The Consulate General in Montreal is committed to scheduling visa interview appointments as soon as possible after the applicant’s file is documentarily ready. The Consulate General works closely with the National Visa Center and CSC Visa Information Services, our appointment system contractor, to determine the number and category of immigrant visa cases that are ready for interview, and ensure there are adequate appointments available. The calendar is reviewed several times per month, and additional appointment slots may be added as available visa numbers change. If there are no appointments available, applicants are requested to re-try regularly, as it is likely additional appointment slots will be opened.

Applicants who need assistance in making a visa appointment can visit the Official U.S. Visa Information & Appointment Services website at https://usvisa-info.com/, or contact their office at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/iv/information/contact_us

The waiting never ends. Montreal embassy sucks balls. No appointments available indefinitely. Basically have to check the website like a mad woman to see when they will randomly release some dates.

I had a dream they opened up a bunch of dates for May. There was so many to choose from that I was having a hard time deciding which one. When I woke up, I immediately went to check, and of course, everything is still unavailable. One can dream... I'm checking the site like a mad woman!