2 canucks

Hi all,
So a few notes on what we have learned in the last few months about establishing US credit when no one will loan you any money. We have been long-time users of TD Canada Trust bank in Canada with perfect credit history, mortgage, credit card, the whole nine yards. We were expecting it to be a seamless transition. Wrong. They were useless in pulling our Canadian credit scores to get a US credit card of any amount. The only thing that TD CT was good for was to transfer funds from the TD CTrust account to the TD Bank (US) account instantaneously with a phone call or online transaction (using current currency exchange rates).
After exploring all avenues of trying to use Canadian credit scores to gain US credit card to establish US credit in order to buy a home, we found a way of doing so with Bank of America although we have no bank history with them. They take into account Canadian credit scores using your SIN and past residence in Canada. There is a form called "Diplomat, Large Corporate and Canadian Client Consumer Credit Card Special Handling Form" . You can't get this form online, you must go to BoA in person. When you go to Bank of America, they most likely know what form you're talking about. Ask them for the form mentioned above. They will find it (even if they have to search their database). You will need your SIN, your new SSN, the address of your Canadian (last) residence, your current income and employer, your visa type and number, your new address and your passport and possibly your US DL to prove residence. Upon approval, you will receive a letter telling you that you're approved about 7-10 days later. A week after that you will get your credit card by mail.
We found this person's information on another site (after much searching!), see link below. We just did this and works just as he described, no questions asked, no hassle. Best of luck!
http://www.canuckabroad.com/forums/canadian-with-tn-visa-getting-a-regular-us-credit-card-vt11654.html
If someone has already shared this information, my apologies, the VJ search isn't working!

That is correct. went left out the elevator and they corrected to go straight to the desk and lost first spot in line because of it and got "applicant * " number from the desk with the secretary and then went to sit. They never directed anyone to follow the "red arrows" or go to that window.There seemed to be no problem with fingerprints. Two different people, two different windows. The first set was both hands and both thumbs. The second set seemed to go with reading the oath and was only the right hand fingers.
May I say, Saylin, you have done a fabulous job preparing all of us for circumstances and the interview. It was all so helpful! Thank you!!!

Thank you!! =) That's funny they called the cabby in! haha I found a spot from the link that A&B supplied and i was able to call the border and they talked me through the whole thing whether my husband is travelling with me, whether we can use the Nexus crossing or if my husband (the immigrant) can or not. The person on the phone made it seem so straight-forward! I can't wait!

80 days since my scan date of Dec. 10... today, a CASE COMPLETE!! I did not get a checklist and did not see 3 n/a (still showing paid). Interview has already been scheduled. Excellent news to start our weekend!

80 days since my scan date of Dec. 10... today, a CASE COMPLETE!! I did not get a checklist and did not see 3 n/a (still showing paid). Interview has already been scheduled. Excellent news to start our weekend!

I am the USC. Although I am not a student, I live abroad with the beneficiary and I have no income. Here is what I did. We got our CC without checklist.
I printed off and supplied Excerpt from IRS tax law, Publication 554, table 1-1.2013 filing requirements, appropriately highlighted I included my tax filings for the foreign country showing that I did not claim sufficient income in the foreign country/currency to file US taxes. I back-filed my taxes with the US IRS for the last 3 years and included copies of those as well as included a written explanation from me stating that due to recently filing US taxes to be in good standing that there were not any tax transcripts to include, but if I had them at the time of the interview that I would provide them as well as copies. In my explanation I also made mention why I was not earning income. For good measure, I contacted a US based tax preparer and asked them for a signed letter on their letterhead stating that i did not need to file taxes due to not meeting the filing requirements. What I included could be much more than what they need, but I wanted to get as much included as possible and give us a better chance of not getting a checklist over something like that. Hope that helps!

80 days since my scan date of Dec. 10... today, a CASE COMPLETE!! I did not get a checklist and did not see 3 n/a (still showing paid). Interview has already been scheduled. Excellent news to start our weekend!

80 days since my scan date of Dec. 10... today, a CASE COMPLETE!! I did not get a checklist and did not see 3 n/a (still showing paid). Interview has already been scheduled. Excellent news to start our weekend!

Patience is a virtue... 80 days today... AND A CASE COMPLETE!!!!!!!!!!
I did not see N/A - still showing as paid.

Not yet! The only emails I've gotten so far are the ones I received after selection of agent from the DS261.

Congrats on moving onto the next step! I'm just a little bit ahead of you by about a month with our I-130.
NOA2 issued Oct. 2
sent from USCIS to NVC Oct. 8.
NVC received Oct. 15
NVC case number assigned Nov. 6, but when I called on the 7th and 8th, they said I had no case number yet. I didn't receive a case number until I called the morning of Nov. 10.
They gave me the IIN and Case number and I was able to log on right away and pay the IV fee and complete the DS261. It showed up paid today and I'm waiting now for the AOS to be invoiced.
Hope this helps!

Just checking in here. Case number assigned a few days ago, but didn't get it on the phone then... they gave it to me today. I'll be hanging out in here for the next little while! Good luck to all!