MissPearls

I didn't travel with my cat during the winter, but I did it over Labor Day weekend. She is 14lbs and NOT a happy traveler.

The only thing I did have to do, was take her out and carry her through the security screening. I had nothing extra during the POE part, just the standard screening. I would suggest, even though it sounds obvious, to put a collar and leash on your cat. Security at that airport is ridiculous and there are so many people. I figured I was going to be that girl on the news with the cat who got loose at Pearson. Luckily, that didn't happen.

Good luck!

Allie! Your pictures are gorgeous! Such a beautiful bride. I love the wedding pictures. We are still waiting on ours. They said around Thanksgiving... Yay!

Yuna, you look so lovely as well!

It is so amazing to see all of the wedding pictures, and happy stories now that the wait is behind us. I feel like I'm part of the trend. We are also staying with parents while saving. This process was crazy expensive, then throw on a wedding and stuff... Ugh. Does anyone else seriously miss the countdowns and wedding planning? For a year, almost to the day, I had a countdown, then a wedding to plan. Now?... It's a little depressing. Lol.

I am officially in the US now, and we were married on October 25th. It was a perfect day, and worth the wait for sure. It was a long almost year of waiting, but am blissfully happy now! We are waiting on our marriage certificates to do our AOS paperwork. We haven't been in a massive rush. Now that we finally have forever!

Glad to hear that your weddings went well, Allie!! Santy must be so happy to finally be able to do all of this, said you said before not being able to was getting to him.

I hope everyone else is finally settled in, married and happy!!

Congratulations to everyone who is getting closer! The end is near and worth the wait!

I finally made it here on Saturday, and it's been amazing. It doesn't feel real yet.

I went to Vancouver and they didn't require it. They said me standing in front of them was a good indication of my intent.

Oh Allie! I am so sorry that you and Santy have to go through this. Keep us updated on what is happening. My thoughts are with you both.

Yuna! That is so exciting! congratulations!!

It sounds like I am up next. September 5th or 6th for me. By the beginning of October, at least most of us will be done.

I had checked my app last night, since I have been watching for everyone who had the same NOA1 date as me, and there is still someone left waiting on their NOA2. Heartbreaking.

Congrats on getting to the US, JD! You must be extremely excited at this point.

Who's next up?

Yep, 3 times from getting my original date. The first time, it was a Friday night around 10 pacific time. The next 2 times it was super early in the morning. The final time, when I got the last interview, it was about 4am pacific time. Working overnights has its benefits! Basically, just refreshing non-stop all day, everyday! That was what I did.

Good luck getting a different date! Are you close enough to Vancouver that you can take a last minute appointment? My last one was less than a week away. And I saw another beforehand that was less than a week away as well.

You're not working, so it shouldn't matter. Leave! Go! Move on with your new wonderful life!

Also the process seemed to pick up for getting visas delivered. Interview on Tuesday, now I have the package sitting on my lap. 16 days until I finally move. It's real.

I would pay taxes IF I shipped my belongings before I arrived, from what I understand. I mean, trying to time my belongings arriving at the border, with my flight arriving in the US sounds ridiculous. I would super happy if they just held it at the border until I crossed. I would like to assume this is what they would do. But if they pick up on a Friday, I don't know if they will automatically head to the closest border. I have no idea if they head to the US from Vancouver, or from Toronto. Sigh.

How can they tax me on clothes that I have owned long enough that they don't even sell them anymore? Lol. I mean, it's kind of ridiculous. I'm curious what the taxes/duty would be. This is frustrating. I don't have property there, and I didn't make a list. Guess my next 2 and a half weeks before I move, just got more stressful. I have a general idea of what is in the boxes, but not super itemized. I guess I will call today and find out.

Am I the only one who thinks that is a bit backwards? I mean, if you are moving, you need your stuff. I am not bringing enough to spend thousands of dollars on a moving company, no furniture or anything. Just clothes and a few other random things I don't want to leave behind. How am I even supposed to ship it AFTER I get there? I can't even leave until after I receive my AP, which will probably be at least 4-5 months after I get there. How frustrating. Rant over now. Lol.

Guess I will contact UPS and Fedex and find out what I need to do. Thanks so much for that!

Hey guys, me again!

I am starting to feel a little needy at this point. More so than usual.

Now that the most stressful part should be over for me, and I am on the countdown until I leave, I have another concern. Moving my belongings. I am flying. Me and my little monster cat. My plan was to Fedex or UPS my stuff from Vancouver Island to Pennsylvania. I thought I was being all sorts of clever by planning to ship everything the week before I leave so that the week it takes ($400 for 7 boxes rather than $2000 for 7 boxes) to get there, will work out perfectly for when I get there. Find out today that sure isn't happening.

Thank you, US Customs for just making this AGAIN, so much easier. Lol. Apparently I have to cross before my belongings.

So I have a few questions... I am planning on flying out on Sunday September 6th. The following day is a holiday. I will have to have UPS get my stuff on Friday, because they don't pick up on weekends. Am I going to arrive in the US first? How does this work? What if they beat me there? Lol. Second, what forms do I have to fill out? I should have realized there would be forms. Do I fill out customs forms and give them to UPS, do I for some reason need to bring them with me to the border? I think my POE will be Pearson airport, since I plan on flying Victoria to Toronto, Toronto to Philly.

I don't know what I am going to do once I get there are no longer have anything to stress about.

Thanks again everyone!

Congratulations!! Though it is sickening that it took that long. I truly hope the rest of the journey is fast for you!

Thanks, guys! It feels pretty great to be apart of the Visa club! I spent the past week entirely stressed. Barely sleeping, barely eating, shaky. But I woke up on my interview morning calm as could be. Lol. It felt odd to me.

We are all so close!

It was definitely easy like cake from a box. Perhaps even easier! Lol. I couldn't believe it.

And yes, I was approved! I didn't get a welcome to the US letter though. Only a pamphlet on domestic violence... Should I be offended? Lol.

Good luck, mdcatelli!! You'll be fine. It's easy if not a little stressful! Let us know how you did!

Beyond! They didn't even ask to see any or my proof of relationship binder. Lol. 10 minute interview, that was it. So simple!

APPROVED!! Finally! It's all over and in 3 weeks, I move!

I was approved half an hour ago!!

Congratulations!! I hope your visa shows up quickly!

I hope this is a trend for the day. It is my turn in less than 2 hours!

Thanks, everyone! I had everything for the medical on Friday. So despite being nervous, I feel confident that I have everything I need for tomorrow morning. I am on my way to Vancouver now. So this is it! I really appreciate everyone appeasing my freak out.

That's a relief to know! All this pressure and work for such a short interview. I need to calm down about all this I think. Lol.

Congrats Gill&Grant!

Finally, JD! Nice to see your POE is so close! Less than 2 weeks! Congrats again! What a great feeling that must be.

When I sent in mine, I wrote unknown for most of my mothers information. I was approved without an issue, and no RFE. Hope that helps!