raphael7546

Thanks Flames! I'm gonna put my Visa Bank info on there and try that.

My Dad had a stroke and I'm trying to get this thing done asap so I can go see him. I'll have to courier the application to my friend in Washington to sign the guarantor stuff and then have her mail it back to me.to send it to Canada.

Pretty sure I used my American credit card for payment. I do believe you can just use ur greencard to gain entry into canada (take ur expired Cdn passport with ya) and then appy for a new Cdn passport in Canada. I think they can rush it too for extra $$$.

Thanks for your reply!!

I must have seen the Doctor/clergy/layer thing on an old form. I remember when I got my passport I had to have my clergy sign it as my guarantor.

I re-read the application and it doesn't say anywhere on it that the person has to have seen you physically, just that they have to have known you for at least 2 yrs, ( know your name, where you were born, age etc and my friend knows all this stuff. So, I will contact her and see if I can send her the documents and photo to sign.

I can't use the simplified version form becuz I want my passport to have my married name.(Providing proof and all that stuff too) So I'm using the regular form.

I have another question though. On the forms it says you can either pay by International money order or Credit card. Can they take money out of an American Credit card? I want to use my American Visa Debit car. Will that work? or should I just get a money order?

Actually, I found this information (from http://www.ppt.gc.ca/cdn/section2.aspx)

Eligible guarantors

Your guarantor must:

Hold a five-year Canadian passport that is valid* or has been expired for no more than one year, on the day you submit your application;

Have known you personally for at least two (2) years.

In the case of a child, have known you (parent or legal guardian) personally for at least two (2) years and have knowledge of the child;

Be a Canadian citizen 18 years of age or older;

Have been 16 years of age or older when he or she applied for his or her own passport;

Provide the requested information contained in his or her passport;

Be accessible to Passport Canada for verification;

Reside in Canada, in the United States or in any of the areas where submission of the "in Canada and in the USA" application form is authorized, e.g.: Bermuda. It is not necessary that the guarantor reside in the same country as the applicant.

Didn't see anything about having to be a doctor, lawyer, etc. Good luck with everything and God bless your dad.

***EDIT****

Found this further down the page

Declaration in lieu of guarantor

If you have not known an eligible guarantor for at least two years, complete form PPTC 132 "Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor" available from any Passport Canada service location or by telephone.

The "Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor" form must be sworn to or declared before, and signed by, a person authorized by law to administer an oath or a solemn declaration. If completed outside Canada, a qualified official includes a Canadian or British diplomatic or consular representative, or a qualified local official.

Thanks for your reply!!

I must have seen the Doctor/clergy/layer thing on an old form. I remember when I got my passport I had to have my clergy sign it as my guarantor.

I re-read the application and it doesn't say anywhere on it that the person has to have seen you physically, just that they have to have known you for at least 2 yrs, ( know your name, where you were born, age etc and my friend knows all this stuff. So, I will contact her and see if I can send her the documents and photo to sign.

I can't use the simplified version form becuz I want my passport to have my married name.(Providing proof and all that stuff too) So I'm using the regular form.

I have another question though. On the forms it says you can either pay by International money order or Credit card. Can they take money out of an American Credit card? I want to use my American Visa Debit car. Will that work? or should I just get a money order?

Actually, I found this information (from http://www.ppt.gc.ca/cdn/section2.aspx)

Eligible guarantors

Your guarantor must:

Hold a five-year Canadian passport that is valid* or has been expired for no more than one year, on the day you submit your application;

Have known you personally for at least two (2) years.

In the case of a child, have known you (parent or legal guardian) personally for at least two (2) years and have knowledge of the child;

Be a Canadian citizen 18 years of age or older;

Have been 16 years of age or older when he or she applied for his or her own passport;

Provide the requested information contained in his or her passport;

Be accessible to Passport Canada for verification;

Reside in Canada, in the United States or in any of the areas where submission of the "in Canada and in the USA" application form is authorized, e.g.: Bermuda. It is not necessary that the guarantor reside in the same country as the applicant.

Didn't see anything about having to be a doctor, lawyer, etc. Good luck with everything and God bless your dad.

***EDIT****

Found this further down the page

Declaration in lieu of guarantor

If you have not known an eligible guarantor for at least two years, complete form PPTC 132 "Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor" available from any Passport Canada service location or by telephone.

The "Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor" form must be sworn to or declared before, and signed by, a person authorized by law to administer an oath or a solemn declaration. If completed outside Canada, a qualified official includes a Canadian or British diplomatic or consular representative, or a qualified local official.

I haven't been on VJ in a long time but I have a problem and thought maybe someone could help me.

I need to renew my Canadian Passport. I've been living in the USA for 5 yrs now ( have a valid Green card.) My passport expired 4 yrs ago. I haven't been back to Canada since 2006 and I need to go home A.S.A.P. to visit my Dad who is in the hospital.(He had a stroke) I filled out all the paperwork, and got the photos done but I have an issue with the Guarantor part of the application. It says they need to be a Canadian Citizen with a valid passport that has known me at least 2 yrs. They can be residing in Canada or the USA. But the problem is I don't know any Canadians residing here in Utah! I know of one Canadian who lives in Washington but she hasn't seen me physically in 5 yrs though we talk daily. What am I supposed to do? I had also read that the Guarntar had to be a doctor, lawyer, Chiropractor or Veterinarian. She isn't any of those things! I need to get home to see my Dad!!! Please Help if you can!!!?

18 views but no one can answer my question?

My daughter received her interview date in Montreal for August 26th. We weren't expecting to get an interview this summer as we had received an RFE asking for copies of her passport and another copy of her Birth Cert.

She had to re-knew her passport and we haven't had a chance to get copies as she lives in Canada. She's coming for a visit on Friday . The problem is, She is already expecting to start school in September in Canada. School starts in mid August here and she will miss it. She doesn't want to start school half way between grades and would rather wait until next August to start school here. So, Can I reschedule her interview and how far away can it be re-scheduled? its also a money issue/ time off work issue as we werent expecting to get an interview this summer.

My kids are 12 and 9, I put N/A for the questions that stated 16 and older. I also signed there paperwork and put mother beside my signature.

And signing it yourself wasn't a problem?

Thanks for your response!

Hi, We are at the last leg of my 13 yr old daughter immigrating here. My husband (US Citizen) applied for her.

After paying the IV Bill Fee and giving the afidavit of support docs. They sent us the DS230 to fill out.

On question 30 it states to list all places you have lived since the age of 16.

My daughter is 13. DO I just put N/A on that section?

Also, I am filling the paperwork out for her as all her paperwork has been coming to us and she is still in Canada.

Will she need to sign these documents? Again, she is a Minor so I don't see why she would have to sign a legal document.

Any help would be appreciated.

As far as NVC is concerned you should be done... now it remains the medical exam fee and a courier delivery fee

Thank You!

I came on a k-1 visa and have my green card. Knowing that it would take longer for me to petition my 13 yr old daughter (she couldn't come when I came here) , my US Hubby petitioned for her.

So far we've paid the application fee

the AOS Fee and now they want 400.00 for the IV Fee.

What other fees are we expected to pay besides these.

I feel like every couple weeks they ask for more money!

Its bad enough that a child has to go across the country to have a 10 minute interview but all these fees are killing me!

66 people have viewed my question and nobody has an answer? Hmmmm

Does this list include minor children that their step-parent has petitioned. We just received the email to do the IV Bill yesterday and I'm wondering how long after that would she get an interview date.

I've started this new thread for the interview list so the title includes IR1 as well.

Member.........NOA2.....Case# @NVC..3032/AOS.....I-864......IV Bill......DS230......Done @NVC...Interview...DTI

thermophile..03/01/05...06/05/05....06/05/05....11/28/06....08/15/06....11/15/06....04/03/07....08/09/07....128

samaci.......03/13/06......--..........--..........--..........--..........--.......03/30/07....10/05/07...*132

neiks........05/02/06...05/30/06....06/06/06....07/03/06....07/03/06....08/10/06....09/20/06....06/28/07....93R

djc.............--.........--..........--..........--..........--.......03/26/07....04/16/07

kaftar.......09/21/06...10/04/06....10/24/06....11/01/06....11/04/06....11/20/06....04/26/07....11/16/07....204

pororoca.....10/31/06...11/27/06....11/27/06....12/17/06....12/26/06....01/16/07....04/27/07....11/16/07....203

midalake.....12/19/06...01/02/07....01/08/07....01/28/07.......--..........--.......05/15/07....11/23/07....192

Glady........01/28/07...03/11/07....03/14/07....04/23/07.......--.......04/23/07....05/29/07....11/27/07....182

C&C.............--.........--..........--.......05/01/07.......--.......05/01/07....06/08/07....11/30/07....175

Misty1979....03/06/07...03/26/07....04/02/07....04/23/07....04/23/07....06/06/07....06/18/07....12/06/07....171

Karina.......03/13/07...03/26/07....04/23/07....05/14/07....05/07/07....05/21/07....06/01/07....08/30/07.... 90

comelly......04/19/07...05/01/07....05/29/07....06/26/07....06/14/07....07/15/07....07/30/07....12/06/07....129

kcmetzy......05/03/07...05/18/07....06/12/07....06/25/07....07/06/07....07/23/07

Knowledge....05/09/07...--/--/--....06/12/07....07/19/07....07/19/07....08/22/07....10/05/07

MGW..........05/18/07...09/24/07....10/02/07

trailmix.....06/05/07...06/19/07....07/02/07....07/02/07....08/09/07....08/17/07

Schmelle.....06/06/07......--.......07/25/07....08/17/07....08/18/07

S & J........06/19/07...07/10/07....07/23/07....09/03/07....08/17/07....09/03/07....10/26/07

LadyJane.....07/02/07...07/20/07....08/06/07....09/05/07....09/06/07....09/24/07

whitesnail...08/21/07...08/27/07....09/11/07...10/08/07.....10/15/07

parinita.....08/22/07......--.......09/24/07...10/12/07.....10/12/07

amberlynn....10/15/07

Toastburglar.10/17/05

Delicia......pending

R = neiks - days to interview calculated for original interview date Dec 22/06 (rescheduled for June 28/07)

* = samaci - days to interview calculated for original interview date Aug 9th (rescheduled for Oct. 5th)

DTI - Days between completion at NVC and interview

I came on a k-1 visa and have my green card. Knowing that it would take longer for me to petition my 13 yr old daughter (she couldn't come when I came here) , my US Hubby petitioned for her.

So far we've paid the application fee

the AOS Fee and now they want 400.00 for the IV Fee.

What other fees are we expected to pay besides these.

I feel like every couple weeks they ask for more money!

Its bad enough that a child has to go across the country to have a 10 minute interview but all these fees are killing me!

status: PAID, and then i printed my cover sheet. i click on the "applicant document processing instructions" and won't let me. anybody please give me the site where i need to go after paying the $400 bill. thanks in advance

Here is the link: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3190.html

Do you have all the documents that you need to send with DS-230? If you have them, you can just send it to NVC along with the cover sheet.

yes my mom is preparing all the docs now and it will be ready for submission within this week. am i going to submit two sets? originals AND photocopy? i read that somewhere or am i missing something here. thanks

Well just got an email asking us to pay this IV bill. Geez! They are bleeding us dry!

Anyone know how soon after you pay and send in the documents they requested will you get an interview date?

Additional Info,

I sent this letter to to CIS Ombudsman.....reply as follows

Thank you for your recent correspondence to the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman). I appreciate your comments regarding minor children under 16 years old and the immigration process.

Under the authority of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the CIS Ombudsman assists individuals and employers who experience specific problems during the USCIS benefits seeking process, largely to identify problems and to formulate recommendations to improve the USCIS service. Please see our website for more information about the CIS Ombudsman (www.dhs.gov/cisombudsman/).

I believe that first hand information from individuals like you is the best source for identifying systemic problems in the immigration benefits process. My office will consider the information you provided as we develop recommendations to improve USCIS’ practices and procedures.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact my office, and for giving me the opportunity to serve you. I look forward to the day when I can report that the work of this office has been accomplished because our vision of a world-class immigration benefits system has been achieved. Your contribution takes us a step closer to reaching this goal.

Sincerely,

CIS Ombudsman

It is difficult to arrange for a child to travel a great distance for an immigration interview, especially if the out- of- country parent isn’t willing or able to travel with the child. (In my case, my son needs to travel from Ontario to Quebec). This makes it difficult or impossible for the US parent to have the child complete the necessary procedure for moving to the US. In my case, I would need to fly to Toronto, rent a car to pick up my son, fly to Montreal, return to Toronto and then return back to the US. This would also mean expenses for food and lodging. This is difficult from a time perspective as well as an extreme financial burden when considering the cost of airline travel.

The type in Bold is a big issue for us as well.

My daughter is 13 yrs old and lives in Vancouver BC. Her interview will be in Montreal as they no longer do this interview in Vancouver. I think Immigration should make amendments to this considering the age of the child and the distance in which the child would have to travel My daughter can't travel all the way across Canada by herself. So like you, I'll have to fly to Vancouver, pick her up, fly to Montreal, take her back to Vancouver ( She won't be moving until next summer regardless when she gets her interview as she wants to finish out the year of school in BC) and then I will have to fly back to Utah.

This is a huge hardship considering I don't know anyone in Montreal, Never been there in my life. I don't speak French, I don't drive so, cabs will be our only transportation(another expense)Plus I'll be taking unpaid leave from work to do all this.

what? yes you can enter the US with the intent to get married...

what is not allowed is to enter the US to get married with the intent to stay and apply for AOS..

That's what I said. If you can't apply for AOS, what's the point? That's why you can't intend to get married. If you do, you'll have to be apart during the process. If you don't intend on getting married and suddenly decide to do so, you can stay and apply for AOS.

So as I said before, it's the intent that matters. B)

Ummm I came here with the intent to marry and NOT live here. I WAS NOT going to move here after we married. My husband was to be deployed so why would I want to stay in a country where he wouldn't be anyways!

People plan and marry in the usa all the time. They aren't however allowed to plan, marry & stay.

I apologize in advance if this question has been already asked hundreds of times before. I am very new to this. I read one thread about a fellow Canadian who visited her friend and ended up marrying him. And she was given advice to apply for AOS or to start K3 or CR-1 immediately. And this is where I'm not sure which steps to take for my situation, which isn't as innocent as hers.

I, Canadian, met my American girlfriend and we travelled back and forth to see each other. Then we decided to stay together, considering marriage. So, I made the move and now I am with her in the U.S. As we believed that it would be okay for me to stay for six months without any visa and I came, and now it's been just over four months, and we're planning to marry next month. My question is what process we should take, AOS or other, at this point and my long stay here in the U.S. could cause any problem for filing.

"Today we came across this lady who married another Canadian but was left with no choice but "filing for divorce when he was not able to re-enter the U.S. after attending his son's graduation in Canada. Of course, she told us that she didn't want to live in Canada. The reason why he was denied was because he had stayed in the U.S. illegally prior to their marriage. She said she heard it got very tougher since 9/11. I do not wish to go through that, and we're very afraid that something similar would happen to us. The lady even warned my girlfrien

d to look into the immigration process before actually marrying me! My girlfriend even confessed me that the lady scared her.

I do not wish to stay illegally here. Is it going to be okay as long as we marry and file for some type of spousal support? I do not end our relationship and go back to Canada. Please, enlighten me.

An American citizen and a foreigner (such as a Canadian citizen) may marry within the U.S. provided the marriage was not planned. In other words, if you visit your girlfriend and decide to get married out of the blue, that's okay. However, if you plan it all ahead of time, that's not. I realize that makes no sense, but neither does immigration.

I'm unsure about the K3/CR1 visas when already in the United States. It was to my understanding (and I might be wrong about this) that you'd need to stay in each other's respective countries while the visa gets processed. Seeing as how I immigrated to Canada (I'm the American citizen) instead of immigrating to the U.S. (as most did here), I may not be the best person to advise you on this. I'm sure many other people in this forum can answer this problem.

A Canadian citizen may legally stay within the U.S. for up to six months. The same is true of an American citizen if visiting Canada. However, if you stay longer than six months, you're then considered "out of status." If you haven't stay six months or longer, you shouldn't have a problem dealing with U.S. immigration; however, you can't PLAN to marry when in the United States (like I explained up above). You have to show that it was a spur-of-the-moment decision.

If you stay longer than six months (like that woman's husband did in your example) and leave the U.S. after that, being readmitted might be difficult. The U.S. can turn you away and in fact, place a ban on you as well. The trick here is to not stay over the six month mark as a visitor (which you will be unless you're a Permanent Resident or citizen).

You can start the immigration process BEFORE marriage, but that's a K1 visa. The K3 and CR1 are visas for couples who're already married. Whichever one you choose is up to you, but once you're legally married, the K1 is no longer an option.

Don't get scared. I realize that's "easier said than done," but the truth of the matter is that immigration is an incredibly difficult experience. You can get through it. Lots of people have done it before you.

An American citizen and a foreigner (such as a Canadian citizen) may marry within the U.S. provided the marriage was not planned. In other words, if you visit your girlfriend and decide to get married out of the blue, that's okay. However, if you plan it all ahead of time, that's not. I realize that makes no sense, but neither does immigration.

Everything else is right except this statement.

You can marry in the U.S. even planned but

you can't stay in the U.S.immediately following your marriage. That's the part that's illegal.

It's perfectly legal to marry in the usa, just can't stay right after the marriage. You would also have to come up with proof to the customs officer that you have no intentions of staying in the USA , You also have to have some very strong evidence stating that you have strong ties to Canada.

This of course is the hardest part. Believe me I know for fact as this happened to me. ( click on my name and read my story)

I think since you came down and just decided to marry and stay there should be fine. They may ask you a little more tougher questions at your AOS Interview but it should be fine.

Good Luck!

Hi,

I'm a Canadian with a 10 yr green card. I came on a K-1 Visa. At the time, my then 9 yr old daughter didn't move with me.

She is now 13 and able to move here.

My husband applied as her step-father. We received a letter asking him to go online pay $70.00 for AOS fee. print out a letter with a bar code. It says we must return this cover sheet with the petitioner's completed forms and supporting documents.

It says to complete the choice of agent & address form.

I thought he was the petitioner and my daughter is the beneficiary?

It states to appoint someone as the agent to recieve documents.

Does my daughter do this.

Can my husband be the "Agent" can we have the documents sent to use as my daughter is only 13 yrs old and I'm afraid they will get lost.

Also who is to sign this paper? My daughter is a minor. Does my husband sign this?

We don't have a lawyer. We did the K-1 for me by ourselves and figured we would do my daughter's visa by ourselves too. No lawyer involved.

Please help ASAP as this is holding up my daughter's visa and I've already missed 4 years of her life!

I've been around in circles with USCIS, my Senators office, and the VISA office. Hopefully someone here might help me out.

I'm a permanent resident and my wife is a US citizen (by birth). My 12 year old son from a previous marriage wants to live with us now. My wife will sponsor him as her Step child (No wait for Visa). I am in the process of sending in my N400 for citizenship.

My question is this. Is there any way to get him into the US while awaiting approval of the I130. Also, residents in Ontario are supposed to go for their immigration interview in Montreal, Quebec, once the I130 is approved. Is there any way that my son could have his interview in the states and apply for Adjustment of Status instead of having to make the trip to Montreal? Is Humanitarian Parole an option? He needs to be able to attend school (gr 7 ) when he gets here.

I have been an LPR since 2001. I started my process before the introduction of the K visa program so I have been told he is not eligible to "follow".

The biggest issue is this. I am currently working with his mother in order to have my son move. I am hoping that I will soon have the court papers drawn up. This is where the problem comes in.

He is already having a difficult time with his mom. She isn't exactly happy about his decision. Once issues between his mom and I are resolved completely, and the court papers are issued, I want him to be able to move here...for his own good. It is already a tense situation for him. His mom certainly won't agree to take him to Montreal. Toronto Consul has already informed me they cannot do his interview. Surely, somewhere in the immigration system, there must be some flex for situations such as this. I'm not trying to have him gain entry illegally. Is there no way for him to be able to have his interview in the city where I live?

It seems so senseless that he can't be given a K visa as a follow on. Surely someone in immigration must realize that children may want to live with another parent at some point. When I first came here, he was too young to make that decision and I didn't want a custody battle at the time.

This is why I considered humanitarian parole. Maybe that isn't an option, but I was hoping someone here might have had experience with this same issue.

Thanks

Goodluck on that!

I had a similar problem. My daughter who was 9 at the time was given verbal permission to move to the states with me. I had her listed on my K-1 but just before my interview, my ex decided he wouldn't sign the letter allowing her to leave the country. (You have to have a notarized letter from the biological parent allowing them to leave the country.)

So, she had to move in with my ex. I did manage to get a court order that states that once she turned 12 she could decide whom she wanted to live with. So, she decided she wanted to live here and my husband (US citizen) applied for her as her step parent. (I am a 10 yr green card holder). She lives in Vancouver BC and the interview will be in Montreal.

Of course my ex won't take her across Canada to Montreal for the interview, so I will have to fly to Vancouver, pick her up, fly to Montreal for one day interview and then fly back to Vancouver to drop her off. She wants to finish the grade she just started in Canada and move here next summer.

I have issues with why a 13 yr old needs to have an interview in the first place and why they can't do the interview in Vancouver where she lives. This is a huge hardship financially on us as I have to take time off from work without pay. Pay for a flight to Vancouver, pay for 2 flights to and from Vancouver to Montreal, cab fare from Montreal airport , cab fare to interview, lodging fees, food, etc. then p[ay to fly back from Vancouver. I think its ridiculous!

If you get anywhere with the humanitarian thing let us know!

one of my co-workers asked me the other day if we have July 4th in Canada.

I said ,Yes along with every other day of July.

Then we were talking about Thanksgiving and wanted to know if we have Thanksgiving in Canada.

I said of course we do!

I had a person ask me if we have roads in Canada.

Uh ya, the roads end right at the border, cuz we use dogsled teams.

EVERYBODY here thinks that I should be used to all the snow we get down here cuz I'm from Canada. I always have to explain that where I'm from in Canada we don't get a ton of snow!

I want to tell my story here and I hope no one has been through this. My fiance and I have been on visa journey and we were going to get married but after some problems with family among other things we decided to wait. I made arrangements to go and spend some time where he is and get to know a female friend and spend some time with him for about a month and if I changed my mind I knew I had 6 months legally as long as I could support my son and I while being in the US. So I set it up so I had a place to stay and sent money to visit there for a month and I would go from there.

My son and I set out on our journey and after all we had been through over the past 9 months (very hard times) we were excited for the trip and the time away and I was going to help my friend because she hasn't been well. For some reason greyhound decided to sell us a ticket that meant we travel across Canada and cross the border at NY city. This didn't make sence to me because we lived right beside the Washington border which I had been traveling through since I was a child, but it was the cheapest way to travel so I bought the tickets. We went on our 3 day journey with very little sleep but excited just the same until we got to the border. The officials sent our bus on and made my son and I sit there until we were the last people for them to deal with. I had return tickets for October 12th my passport and (children under 15 don't require a passport for land travel) my son's birthcirtificate and my custody papers which I had already given to him and we had our luggage. Then I was called up. I have always just had to produce ID at the border or my passport. I have no criminal record and have done nothing wrong in Canada or the US. I'm a single mom, student and have some disabilities that are not visible. The border guard then threw my tickets at me and said where is the return date on here. I looked and he was right there weren't any. When I bought the return tickets they had to be hand written because the computer wouldn't allow them to be printed. I had told the person who sold me the tickets that I'd be returning on October 12th but for some reason he didn't put that on them. Even so the tickets were paid for and very valid because then they were considered an open ended ticket allowing me the option of staying longer or a shorter period of time.

Next thing I knew I was being interigated and they asked what proof I had that I was going to return to Canada. I told him for one thing I have two children and my other son is there in high school and I told him I am a student at a Canadian university and so on. I gave him phone numbers to verify where I live in Canada and where I was going to be staying in the US that wasn't good enough and he refused to call. I was of course denied entrance into the US and was finger printed and had my picture taken. I started to cry and say why are you treating me like a criminal and the female guard said I shouldn't be upset because my son would get the wrong impression about them and what was going on I said I have no idea what is going on and I'm exhasted.

So they ordered me a cab and sent us back to Canada. I asked the guard if I could still cross the border and he said yes but I had to have all the documents listed on this paper and if I didn't have them I could be refused again. Well now that they had red flagged me I had no idea what I was in for. I was taken to a motel and dropped off after paying 35 dollars for the cab. I then went to greyhound in Niagra falls ontario where I have never been before and thousands of miles from my home and had my tickets repaired and I looked through all my stuff and I had sufficient paper work to provide them proof. The bus ticket sales fellow told me my tickets were still valid and so I should try again because this bus would be going through buffalo and I said ok. So away we went only to be treated even worse at the next border. The guard sent our bus on and interigated me, I told him what I was doing and asked me what had changed and I said I have the information you require and he laughed at me he had already seen them at this point. The female guard beside him said are you taking her upstairs he said yup and next thing I new I was told to follow him with my son. Just before that he told me that him and his supervisor didn't believe my story and that I had a choice to either tell the truth and only be told to stay out of the US for a short time or stick to my story and be banned for life and he said I could think about it. So after we moved he called me up and asked me what I had decided. I told him basically you want me to lie to you so I won't get such a harsh punishment or stick to my story and you will bann me? I then said I refuse to lie to you and I am sticking to my story and if you choose to follow through with you threats I will be getting a lawyer, talking to my Canadian government and seeking help he said fine was angry then sent me over to sit down. Next thing I new I was being finger printed again and my picture was being taken. I was given everything back except my passport they called me a taxi and when we got outside he handed my passport to the taxi driver for us to go through the canadian border and said to me take my advice next time you try and cross into the US make sure you have all your paperwork that is required and don't try and cross again without it. I was basically left in the dark with no real reason as to why they treated me like this but because there is a red flag on me in their system I will now be hassled every time I try to cross the border and will be lucky to get across. I had provided them with proof of my courses I had paid for, over $4500 in my bank account to live on and money that would be coming in monthly as well. I also provided them with the phone numbers to where I live in BC and where I was going. I went through the list and had everything they required except my income tax papers for 2 years and a rent receipt but the phone number instead to the person who was renting to me. He also refused to call the numbers.

I am devastated, when I crossed our Canadian border the guards were very upset by what happened both times. So I sit here not knowing what to do. I've called our international trade and canadian diplomatic counselors service and they said they couldn't help me because I was safe in Canada. I then called the head at the US customs and Border - Mr. Garara and he didn't like how I was treated but would do nothing about it but told me the process I could go through to report them for what they had done to my son and I which basically is a bunch of stupid red tape. He asked me why I didn't ask to speak to their supervisor and I said I was afraid they were already threatening to bann me for life.

So I thought I would tell you all what happened and I hope this hasn't happened to many people but I am very angry and I plan to find a lawyer and I may go to the media. This is unacceptable treatement but they have the power to do what they want to people with no real reprocussions for their actions. We have treaties with the US and we are their neighbours yes I understand we don't have the right to just go there and live the rest of our lives and we have to follow rules and processes but I didn't deserve to be treated that way because I didn't do anything wrong. My son and are now stranded in Fort Erie Ontario in a motel where we can see the border with no way home because my tickets are non refundable and are only to be used on Oct 12th. I not only cannot get home but I am paying a fortune for a motel room and running out of money. My name is mud for no reason and I can't get across the border unless I have all the documents they require but even if I do I am most likely going to be refused anyway especially if the border guard is having a bad day. I have no idea what to do we are alone here and I am very angry hopefully a lawyer will be able to give me some advice.

Been there , done that! Read what happened to me by clicking on my name and reading "My Story"

As for writing or complaining to border patrol or whatever, don't bother wasting a stamp. I reported the jerk I dealt with and all I got was a "form" letter stating how sorry they were that I was treated so badly and that thier border guards needed more training. Ya whatever!

He is allowed to enter the US and get married as long as he isn't intending on remaining in the US and applying to adjust status. It is a toss-up at the border about what will happen. First, travellling with his parents is probably in his favour as they can also verify that he is returning to Canada after the wedding. He should arm himself with lots of evidence of his intentions to return to Canada - things like having a letter from his employer stating he is expected back at work on such and such a date; evidence of financial commitments he retains in Canada - an apartment lease, car payments, phone bills, insurance bills/policies, internet service, etc. He should only bring enough clothing with him for the time he will be staying - and no seasonally variable clothing so that if it is winter he doesn't have summer clothes, etc.

While you can plan for the CR-1 or K-3 most will tell you that the CR-1 is the route to go - it now takes about the same length of time as the K-3 and is both cheaper and better in terms of what you get, so you may want to decide that now. You can start planning for your I-130 petition to start the CR-1 once you are married and perhaps even include a photocopy of the petition to him to show at the border as further evidence of your intent.

He definitely doesn't want to 'lie' to the border officials but if not asked directly he doesn't need to volunteer that he is going to get married. If he is able to say that he and his parents are visiting his fiancee and her family for the week and will be returning on such and such a date, it will help. If asked about when he plans to marry he can say the date and reiterate that he is not intending to stay in the US after the marriage but that you two are going the CR-1 route and as soon as you get the marriage certificate will be submitting the I-130 to start the process.

Basically, he needs to be able to reassure the border authorities that he is not an immigration risk and the more evidence he can provide that he will be - and needs to be - returning to Canada, the better. His parents may also want to bring evidence of their own ties to Canada as well to prove their intentions and to help reinforce their son's.

Will the definitely let him across the border? No one can say - it will depend on the border guard that day when he applies to enter the US.

He could look into getting a B-2 visa and again he would need to convince the Consulate that his intentions are only to visit and that he will not be staying in the US on that visit. He will have an interview at the Consulate, I believe, so would need to provide the same sort of evidence to them. The good thing about this approach is that if he is denied, you will know it before he arrives at the border and you can make other plans.

Good luck. I am sure that there will be others who will give you the benefit of their expertise and experiences as well.

Just read what happened to me in my profile. I was coming to the states to marry and go back home to Canada but was denied by a border guard who didn't know much and decided to play God. Lost over 17,000.00 in a wedding that never was able to get to. I Didn't want to move because my daughter could move until she turned 12.

Finally decided to enough ####### with useless guards and applied for a fiance visa even though I didn't want to move here. Now , I have my 10 yr greencard and am waiting to be re-united with my 13 yr old daughter (Hubby applied for her visa)

Am I still bitter about this? HECK YA !

Guess so - from the auto reply email of the Montreal Consulate:

Q10: Who must attend the interview? Do I need to bring all my children?

A: Children under 14 are not required to attend the interview, unless they are being petitioned individually (visa categories IR-2, CR-2, IR-3 and IR-4). Waiting times at the Consulate can sometimes be long. All other applicants are required to attend the interview. Please note, however, that all persons issued a visa must reenter the United States through a border to activate their visas.

So , we got the letter stating that her case has been transferred to NVC. Not sure how long after it gets transferred that she will get an interview date. Not even sure what they ask a 13 yr old at an interview.

I'm a 10 yr green card holder who came on a k-1 from Vancouver.

Since we were told it takes longer for me to apply as her bio- mom, my husband ( US citizen) applied for her as his minor step daughter under 21 . Her case type is I-130 Petition for Alien relative. I haven't found anything at NVC that pertains to a I130 minor child, just Spouse visas. Sighs!

I would look into prices for flights from Vancouver to Montreal but since I have no clue what month her interview or what day it will be, it won't help. Guess I just better start saving my pennies. Is there more fees in this next step?

Vancouver no longer does immigrant visa interviews, unfortunately.

This is correct.

IR1/CR1/IR5

All IR1 /CR1 and IR5 visas will be processed/interview at Montreal.

K Visas

K visas are processed/interviewed at both Montreal and Vancouver, depending on your Province of Residence:

Manitoba and West: Vancouver

Ontario and East: Montreal

Well this is just stupid! How do they expect a 13 yr old to go to an interview in Montreal if they had no one to take them???! I'm not even sure if I can get time off from work!

My daughter didn't use the k-2 follow to join when I came here 4 yrs ago, on a K-1 visa.(Long story)

My husband filed for her as his step daughter and we received the noa1 quite awhile ago. The only info we have so far, is that its been transferred to California. (She is in Vancouver, BC and we are in Salt Lake, Utah.)

I was wondering if her interview will be in Vancouver (mine was) or in Montreal. I've heard mixed answers on this. Has anyone had a minor child interview in Vancouver lately?

I'm hoping it will be in Vancouver because that's where she lives and I have never been to Montreal. My hubby & I will be coming to her interview.

Any help would be appreciated.

I am so happy to have found my long lost roommate whom I hadn't talked to in over 20 years! !!!!

I was so excited to talk to you My dear friend Gina !

You're the best!

Love Lily

Je suis tellement contente d'avoir retrouvé ma coloc que j'avais perdue de vue depuis plus de vingt ans.

J'étais très excitée de te parler ma chère Gina!

Tu es la meilleure (really Quebec-style you could also write: "T'es ma best!")

Bisous, Lily (but, I would leave "Love Lily"... because it's you!)

Thanks !! /Merci !

Sure, send me a PM (or write it here for all to see!)

Sprailenes: my husband is Bonhomme biggest fan - it was so funny when we went to Québec city for the Carnaval!

Sure! Thanks so much!

I just wanted to say this:

I am so happy to have found my long lost roommate whom I hadn't talked to in over 20 years! !!!!

I was so excited to talk to you My dear friend Gina !

You're the best!

Love Lily