Sylea

Ok so updated my address and phone number in ELIS, now I guess I just wait and check and check and wait.....

I received my questionnaire from EI, ,completed and faxed it all into the number on the letter, with a copy of my CAD passport showing my endorsed visa.

Can I expect to be able to see any updates on my Service Canada account?? Right now it's saying because I'm outside Canada EI information is not available to me. How long did it take to get a reply from EI once you sent in your completed form?? Should I also mail in my original form?? or is the fax enough??

I've had to say I won't be available to work until February 1st - I'm waiting for my personal effects to be shipped and arrive, hopefully by the end of this month.

What's been the timeline for other folks??

Peace all.

Thanks to all and sorry for any confusion. Yes, I made my POE on Christmas Day.
I've spoken to the head office of the movers, and what has happened is that (1) the person I was dealing in Vancouver with did not deliver their information to me properly, and (2) turns out United Van Lines has been having shipments turned back at various border crossings with just the CR-1 Stamped Visa.
Appears to be random CBP officers who are either stupid or in a bad mood or both.
The very helpful UVL rep I spoke to was really just giving me the option to wait until I had the actual card so as to avoid additional charges. The storage fees to leave my stuff where it is for a couple months or however long it takes to get my card are around $250 a month, so not completely onerous. The charges if the driver gets turned back or delayed for inspection can be far worse than that.

So they're giving me the option to wait or to take a chance and get it shipped. Have to hope that my card turns up quickly - I paid for it via ELIS on October 24th, anyone know how long after POE I should expect to wait to see an update?? I'm guessing with the holidays thrown in there that I might see an update to my status from "Accepted" and Pending to Issued/activated or whatever the term is they use on that site. Tried to get through to USCIS, but as usual it's pretty impossible.

Fingers crossed this doesn't take too long!! I want my stuff!!

Peace all.

An immigrating IR1/CR1 will not get an I-94

I'd find a new moving company. The endorsed visa IS a green card.

That's what I told them, can't get another company as they are holding my goods in storage until they can clear them through. WILL be going over my person's head to their head office rep to discuss tomorrow when I'm a bit more cooler headed.

On a more positive note, I got both my SSN card today AND my EI documents.......

Cheers.

Thanks NLR - yes, I paid the fee and it shows my application for the I-551 as pending. I think I need to update my profile to show my US adddress, etc, but it wants scanned copies of my passport and drivers license to do so. I'll assume that means I should go get my Michigan DL pretty quick as I'm not sure whether lack of any of this information will hold up production of my card.

My additional nightmare as of today, is that the moving company just advised CBP has told them my personal effects cannot be shipped without a copy of the front and back of my actual green card. They will not accept my endorsed CR-1 Visa, even though it says "upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residency for one year'.

I'm completely choked and will now be paying additional storage fees until I get my green card.

As far as my EI claim - I guess I just wait for postal mail now?? The system did say on December 25th that my application had been submitted, but now the Service Canada website just says I cannot access any further information as I am outside of Canada.

If you or anyone has any light to shed on moving my goods, that would be helpful. The only small mercy is that my storage fees are under $10 a day. How long is it taking to get the permanent card and what else do I need to do to expedite it??

Feeling pretty freaked out!

Thanks.

Ok folks - now the nightmare starts - just found out from the moving company we hired to ship my personal effects down to the US cannot proceed without a copy of my actual green card, front and back.

CBP is telling the company that my stamped CR-1 Visa only allows ME to enter, not my stuff.

#######.

Has anyone dealt with this before?? (I'm moving from Western Canada to Michigan)

Freaked out...

Yes, as NLR stated, they contact you by mail, requesting that you complete and return an enclosed Interstate USA employment Authorization Questionnaire.

It will request:

-your citizenship and proof (passport ID works)

-your POE date and the timeframe after that which you weren't 'available' to work due to moving/travel, etc.

-If you entered with a Visa, the type, when issued and expiration date (**I will comment on this below...)

-asks you for a copy of the visa.

-asks if you've applied for the green card/ date, and requests you forward a copy of the green card when able (**also see below for my comments...)

-asks what date you are available to look for/accept full time employment in the US.

-asks what employment you have already pursued.

You'll then start receiving regular mail from them, each 2 weeks, but you don't have to fill out the info on the forms or mail them back, as you just make the phone call reports to 1-877-486-1650, which is a recording, and they call you back usually later the same day, especially if you call early! (They will instruct you on which day every two weeks that you must call... I call every second Friday and maybe that's standard).

My comments about the visa expiration date and green card are related, as the expiration date on my visa was Dec 11, 2014 (6 months after POE), and since I still don't have the green card in hand due to a back-log (go figure) at USCIS, I ran into an issue where they were suggesting they'd cancel my benefits as of Dec 11.

I contacted USCIS a few times, and it was stated that the expiration date of the visa is merely an expiration for 'entry' to the US, not the expiration of the visa itself, which is clearly stated on my stamp on that visa page as well as in a statement found on that visa (lasting until July 2015).

Hence I explained that to EI Canada, they rechecked the copy of my visa page, and my benefits resumed...

so just a head's up on that little glitch due to a delay in green card production/processing on USCIS's end.

Good luck

Thanks NLR and Lakehouse (Lakehouse, I owe you a private email, thanks so much for the beautiful E-card! ) - so if I understand NLR correctly, my online application WAS accepted and now I just wait for postal mail?? It's frustrating to not be able to follow anything on the Service Canada website. How long does it usually take to get the mail from them??

Interesting about the visa expiration date - I read mine that 'as of endorsement date' the stamp on my CR-1 visa makes it a temp green card good for a year, so Dec 2015. I will follow up/watch for this info.

I would guess that you may have had someone handling your file who wasn't familiar with these types of claims.

Anyway, thanks to you both, I'll let you know how it all proceeds.

Peace all.

Ok I made my POE December 25th (a VERY merry Xmas!) and applied online for my EI same night, after going into my Service Canada account and seeing my ROE had been filed by my employer.

I'll assume that because of the holidays I would not expect to see any updates on my Service Canada account showing that my EI application had been submitted, but can anyone tell me next steps??

Do I need to telephone the international number to follow up on my online application?? And do they accept a faxed copy of my passport showing my CR-1 entry stamp and 1 year residency (while waiting for my card)....

Just curious and anxious to get my claim established!

And I have to say, finally being here with my husband after 6 years long distance is just surreal!!

Peace all.

Wondering why consulate reviews are duplicated, both on the site and also by notification?

I haven't been able to figure out how to unsubscribe from these??

Thanks for any help.

Peace.

Hey all - can't find the exact thread for this discussion, but wanted to share my experience with Royal Bank.

I've just opened a CAD checking account, and a US cross border account with RBC.

$4.00 each per month service fees.

I plan to use the CAD account number for my Employment Insurance payments. I can transfer from my CAD account to my USD account (and vice versa) with no transfer fees other than the going exchange rate, and my USD account is fully accessible via ATM at PNC bank in Michigan (which happens to be where my husband banks). This access includes being able to e-deposit any US paychecks I might receive once I'm working.

The very nice Canadian bank rep here in my town told me he didn't think I'd be eligible for the US dollar VISA that RBC offers, since I was quitting my job here in Canada and would no longer be a resident, but he did allow that he wasn't totally familiar with how the cross border accounts were set up. I applied anyway.

24 hours after faxing my application, an RBC US rep from North Carolina called me to tell me I was approved, and that they issue VISA's to many folks in similar circumstances.

This VISA is great - the application is driven off your existing Canadian credit score (mine is excellent) and immediately begins building my US credit history since the cards are issued out of the US. No annual fees. - I'm very pleased.

I was also pre-approved for a line of credit with RBC US, and for $120 annual fee, I can have a "relationship manager" for any further borrowing and investing needs. These offers were made with no pressure at all.

The Online US Visa is attached to the US platform, so easy to pay direct from US account.

I've been employed by, and banked with one of the other "Big Five" Canadian banks for over 28 years, and I've sadly NEVER had as good an experience as I have with RBC this past week. Given that I will have to start paying service charges once I quit my job, I didn't feel any particular allegiance to my employer's bank. Will likely just move everything over to RBC!

One other note - I did look into TD's cross border accounts, but they are only accessible in the east, there were no options in Michigan.(and the service charges were higher).

Anyway, I just wanted to share this with any other Canucks looking for banking alternatives stateside.

Peace all.

When I went in to the US to get married in Sept 2013, my passport was stamped and marked B2 with an end date of 6 months later.

They must do that when they know there's a visa in play.

Peace.

I applied within Canada using my US address at a Canada service centre. But you won't be moving for a bit so you may need extra work on yours.

However if possible wait the 4 weeks to apply, and then can you drive to the border, POE and then not move until Dec?

Thanks NLR - I assume I'll apply online once I'm in the US, and use my US address. I won't be near a Service Canada office between December 19th and the 25th when I fly out to Michigan. I'll wait and apply after Xmas and I've had time to breathe. LOL

This whole thing is getting more and more surreal.........

Peace.

She should be fine..last day of work is DEc 19th...and moving a few days later..One can apply from the USA....

Thanks, yes, that was really my question, whether I could just wait and apply online once I'm stateside.

I really can't do it any sooner than that. And I figure I have till approx January 15th to apply (not that I'll wait that long).

If you head over to the Canada forum, there is a sticky post on EI. You might get more answers there. ( I am a Canadian, in sheep's clothing

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/8-the-canuck-ei-thread/

Thanks yes I'd been following that thread but there really wasn't a series of steps, more just a whole series of differing questions. But thanks!

The EI Thread is really informative, but there are 80 pages or so and not a lot of clear lists of what to do. These were some of the notes I found through that thread:

• When you quit your job in Canada, be sure to tell your employer you are quitting b/c you are moving to get married; so your r.o.e.., will reflect that (If they don't seems to not be issue though)
• The Canadian must apply within 4 weeks of ending employment, be willing, able, and legally to work in the states (Last day worked, not date of final pay cheque)
• Wait to apply until in the States, and then apply for EI online if possible. Otherwise you have to get the case transferred
• Write Yes for capable to work, but maybe explain if there is somewhere to do that. You cannot work until EAD
• For the EI benefit type, select regular since you just relocated to US
• Sign up at Service canada so you can keep track of the dates and payments on line -- it's very handy
• If you can't log into My service Canada account may be because when they ask you the question of you SIN, DOB, access code and where you're located, if you're outside Canada you need to put down Ontario.
• The 25% tax is automatically deducted.
• You have to prove you are legally allowed to work in the USA. The day you have EAD and SSN call EI and fax those documents to the EI office that handles US residents only.
• US work < 30 hrs still gets topped up with EI.
• There is a 2 week wait period to get EI once everything is in. Expect first cheque 2 weeks after EAD is sent

Note there are some items on my list that are K-1 specific, for spouse visa you don't need to wait for an EAD as you are eligible for work right away.

I also haven't actually done any of this yet, but hopefully others that have will give some advice too.

This is excellent, thanks. This is kind of what I was looking for. The EI thread itself is full of various questions and answers, we could almost use a Wiki just around the process for Canadians.

Hi fellow Canuckians!! - I understand I have 4 weeks after leaving my employment to put in my application for EI.

My last day of work is Dec 19th, this is when my ROE will be filed. My boss thinks it takes 4-5 days for the ROE to show up on Service Canada's website.

I will be enroute to my POE on Xmas day. Will there be any issue for me to apply for EI once I'm stateside?? Or do I need to make sure my application is put online from Canada?

I'm never sure if government websites check IP addresses and their origination point.

I also would like to know if VJ has a step by step for the EI process?? Seems it might be a good thing to create??

Thanks to all.

Peace.

I got my passport and immigration papers back within 24 hours after interview.

You do not need your Passport to travel within Canada - I used only my driver's license - so long as you have a piece of government issued picture ID from within Canada, you are fine to travel. I brought my driver's license, health care card and birth certificate, but Air Canada only needed my license and said that was enough.

You would have had to register with Loomis before the interview so that the documents all get couriered back to you. I was interviewed last Wednesday morning, got back to B.C. on Thursday morning, and had my documents and passport on Friday morning.

Read the bottom line of your visa. It should say upon endorsement serves as temporary i-551 valid for 1 year (something to that effect.) When you POE, you announce that you are immigrating. You then go to secondary and they take your do not open package if they didn't originally. You sign a paper and put your fingerprint on it. They stamp your passport and with that endorsement your visa becomes a temporary green card (I-551) valid for 1 year.

Visa is CR1 or IR1. I-551 is a green card.

Don't expet the CBP to make your immigration clearer. They generally have no idea but it's best to just nod and say thank you (play dumb.) They told me it would take 6-8 months to get my hard copy green card. Lol. It took 4 weeks.

Thanks as always, NLR - I'm certainly hoping I don't get cranky CBP staff at 430AM Xmas morning!! LOL

Hopefully my green card will arrive promptly...

Now, back to packing!

Peace.

Grats hopefully your poe goes smoothly at that hour lol. Trailer booked here for Nov.7th weekend ek sooooo much to do. After all the waiting it seems like a rush for things now but i would rather that then the endless uncertainty of waiting

I know, right??? A year of anguish and now everything has ramped up!!

It's all good, I'm just trying to manage my stress levels......

Best of luck with your move!!

LOL good morning again i was reading the papers that are so lightly taped to the do not open package lol and they said the green card will be mailed to your us address you filled out in your immigration papers. Also something i found interesting was it saying that you have to tell them if you move from that address...... hmmm they just wont let us stop the paperwork it seems lol.

Haha, ain't that the truth.

Yes, I re-read the papers again and it's clear to me now. And I expect it will be made even more clear once I make my POE.

Booked my ticket today, flying out of Vancouver Xmas day at 645 AM - I'm told Customs/Immigration will be very quiet at that time........let's hope so!

Peace.

You got your visa in 24 hours!? AND you live in interior of BC!?

I know, right?? Wednesday morning the interviewer said 5-7 business days. I was cool with that.

Got home at 2AM BC time Thursday morning, got an email from Loomis Thursday night saying package picked up at 18;34 EST in Lachine, Quebec. I thought ok, good that was fast, I'll get it next week.

Got called at 930 AM my time Friday morning to say it was here in Kelowna. Picked it up after work last night.

Still astounded. But glad it's done.

Hope you found Dr Cheema's office ok, and that things move along quickly for you!!

Peace.

Thanks NLR - so are you saying that at my POE, they mark something that shows my Visa is valid for a year?? I'm confused.

The foil visa in my CAD passport says expiry March 2015 - do they put something else in my passport to change that expiry date??

I got my visa in just over 24 hours, and I'm in interior of BC. Was completely shocked to get call from Loomis this morning saying it was ready for pick up!!

Congrats to you both !! my status has said issued since yesterday afternoon and got the email from loomis last night with tracking info and as of this morning it apparently is here just not rdy for pick up.

From what i can gather we cant pay the fee until we get the loomis package with the letter giving us the numbers we need for the elis system . so waiting for loomis to say i can have it lol.

What a bummer we weren't all on the same day!! Congratulations Raven, Sarah and Marc!!

I had same experience on Wednesday, bmc - my lawyer said I wouldn't need hubby's birth certificate or his divorce papers, but they asked for exactly those.

Thankfully I had them both. Interviewer asked a couple of questions, but nothing I couldn't answer.

The joys of the second time around or something?????

I would also recommend to over prepare for sure....................

Peace.

So, approved Wednesday morning in Montreal, just picked up my passport and sealed envelope from Loomis here in the interior of BC!!

Could NOT believe it when they called this morning to say it was here! It literally took 24 hours to get to me.

Too funny after all the interminable waiting to get through the immigration system and do the interview.....

Now, I've just logged onto USCIS ELIS and paid my IV fee of $165.

My questions -

Will they mail the card to my US address?? I was not asked for that information anywhere on the form, so must assume they get it from my AR number and/or case number??

My temp IV in my CAD passport is valid till March of 2015 - I am making my POE on Dec 25th.

How long should it take to get the conditional green card??

I'm trying to figure out all the timing with applying for EI from Canada... (sorry for all the acronyms, but you expert VJ'rs will know what I'm talking about! LOL

It's all a bit surreal, really.

Peace all.

Thanks all!!

Amazingly, I just got my Loomis notification that my passport has left the depot in Lachine Quebec and is on it's way to me!!

So surprised.......when the system works, it really works!!

LOL

I'm wondering specifically about food. I'm trying to burn through as much of my dry foods as possible, although I'm not sure I want to crack open a box of pasta or that big bag of oatmeal now. (I haven't gotten my NVC case number yet, but my fingers are crossed so hard every day I can barely type.)

Does anyone have any experience/knowledge on what we can't or shouldn't pack. I know about the usual stuff, like certain meats, fruits and vegetables. I'll be getting rid of all that stuff.

But should I just open the oatmeal and toss it before I go? And what about my collection of spices, oils and vinegars? Most of them are open.

Will all that stuff be OK as long as the box is labeled and itemized?

Hey Angela - I'm using a moving company and had the same questions. I've been told it's best to leave spices behind, a few dry goods are ok.

Apparently spices can cause issues if they decide to run sniffer dogs around your shipment - IF you're using a moving company. I can't speak to uhaul or such.

Despite this recommendation, I have a small box of dry goods and spices (I am absolutely not going to find Garam Masala in Holland Michigan! LOL) but am packing the spices in ziplock bags. I can't imagine there will be a problem. I will label box as 'kitchen items' as per the moving company's suggestion.

I've only kept a few dry goods, given most of all my open stuff to friends who can use it, and donated a whole bunch of unopened stuff to the local food bank.

You can get most of the same stuff once you're stateside, so it's probably pretty silly to transport it. (aside from the very Canadian things you can't get down there)

Cheers!

Congratulations ! Whatcha cooking to celebrate?

haha - nothing yet, I'm sitting at another airport, waiting for my next flight back to B.C. Cooking will happen when I finally get moved in with my hubby!

Cheers!

Thanks all!

I've posted a rather long winded consulate review - I can't see any way to edit (maybe someone can let me know if I can??) so I'll just add a further note here.

I brought with me photos,copies of travel itineraries, letters of support from family and friends, copies of old passports showing trips.

The consulate officer did not ask to see ANY of it.

I'm quite certain though, that if I had NOT brought any of this additional information she would have!!

I'm also a bit unclear as to why the Packet 4 letter asks you to bring original and one photocopy of everything - I did that, but they only ever took all my originals and scanned it all there. I would still follow the interview letter to the letter!! LOL

Cheers and Peace.