mag2929

POE'd at YYZ! We are back home in Cali! Thank you everyone for help and support!

Congrats!!! Welcome to great weather;)

Oh and by the way - Cali recently changed how they do things with drivers' licenses (literally in June). They will give you a chit of paper instead of the temporary license that says "learner's permit" on it, but I was told by the DMV folks to ignore it as they haven't gotten around to changing things yet. I guess granting temporary licenses was too much trouble. So they want you to drive on your Canadian license with the proof of having applied for a driving test (that piece of paper) until you do your driving test. Then they will issue you a temporary California license until you get your card.

I called USCIS and the lady said it now takes at least 45 days from POE for the card to be mailed. I checked ELIS and got my new case # and it was updated on the USCIS site. Card was mailed to me today.

But you're right. It's taking a little longer.

Thank you very much!!

What does your ELIS say?

It has been taking 2-3 months from POE currently.

It takes about 30 to 45 days to receive the GC.

You could try calling USCIS to see if was returned to them or make an InfoPass appointment.

Ok!! I will try calling them. Thank you!!

Hi guys!! Does anyone know where one can inquire about the green card? I crossedJune 16, paid ELIS fee on June 8, and still no green card in the mail. I got my ssn within 2 weeks but not the GC. Any thoughts?

Thank you!!

Hey guys I am in the Charlotte !!!!!!

Got here yesterday, got my work cut out for me ... The house was locked up so I have a lot of cleaning but so happy to be here

Hope you all are doing great

Hey two chicks any advice on my green card and social security card

Welcome home Sammyann!!! See? it happened;) Hope all is well.

I hear you! And agreed, check with Loomis center because I've read other people not getting emails too. Seems a little hit or miss. I hope you get it soon Sammyann!!!

Still need to register the car but found out we can't until Mr.'s hard copy license arrives in the mail. And still need to get health insurance.

LOL thank goodness I finally got my SSN and was able to register for my work health insurance. This is all nuts! I have to redo my driving test here in California - I haven't done a driving test since I was 16!! It's stressful because I am used to driving a certain way, and it will be very hard not to make "mistakes" on the driving test. As a new driver you don't have the bad habits! But I still can't complain at all, because I am HERE, boots on the ground, moving forward despite all the little aggravations that come with new paperwork, etc. Still waiting on that green card though, hopefully will come soon. My particular employer wants that green card copy, even though they have my passport stuff. Plus no one seems to know what a CR-1 is - I keep on getting asked what it is lol. Fun times but definitely better than the previous 15 months!!

To celebrate my new Americanness, we went up to Santa Barbara for a nice hike, dinner and fireworks on the beach. It was heaven!

Hi mags

Thanks for checking in... I am ok here alive ... No good news...still waiting on the email from loomis over a week now

Geez… but your profile says "issued" right?? Check with your local Loomis - I didn't get my email right away, and I NEVER got an email letting me know the passport was there. I just showed up on the day I thought it might be there. But if it said issued it will come - they are probably backlogged from all the drama in June!!! Thinking of you, even if I am not here as much. Life is busy. Wait till you are dealing with all THIS stuff;)

M

hey Sammyann, just wondering how you're doing. Hope you have some good news!

m

Happy birthday mags have a wonderful day !!!!!!

hi guys, so I went to the DVM today to get my driver's license started, but the DMV people seemed confused over what codes to use to get me my paperwork. In the end, I ended up getting a paper that states that I require another driver over 18 to accompany me at all times/?? - essentially a learner's permit. I am pretty sure this is wrong. I know we have to do a driving test, which I will book, but I think it is wrong to give someone who has had a driving license for > 18 years a learner's permit. How am I going to get to work?

Do you guys think this is wrong or do all of you get "learner's permits" when you await your driving test?

help! M

Awww thanks guys!!!! My best to you.

Happy birthday Mag!!!!

Thanks TwoChickies;) I appreciate ALL the emoticons;)

Hey mags so good to hear from you, don't be like me and try to get everything done all at once, unpack slowly lol....

Haven't heard anythingas yet as of yesterday they only have 40 world wide locations up and running and only toronto fall into that slot no mention of montreal so fingers crossed they get that up and running today.

Thank you so much for checking it means a lot ...

Happy unpacking

Hi everyone hope you all doing great no dog and cat fights and I hope charlotte is not that hot ...?

haha mrs thb beat me to it!!! I also read people are getting their visas issued!!! Here is to yours!!!! Let us know so we can celebrate with you.

M

I'm really sorry you are still waiting Sammyann. I hope since they are starting to get some of it resolved, Montreal will be up next. Charlotte is quite hot. Breaking all kinds of records. So Mr and I went from the coldest winter on record, to hottest June on record. I guess that's just how we do things, in extremes ha.

Mag I'm sorry to hear you don't have your SSN yet and they can't do anything for you. Hopefully they are being quick though since Mr and NAT got theirs and yours will be arriving shortly (spelled correctly!!!!). There is a lot to do once getting here, in a short amount of time. We still need to register the car and get him a new license. It's just been nonstop since we got here, and I've started back at work. Everybody is settling in though. Our dog had to have a minor surgery because she got stung by something and the stinger was not coming out on its own, got all infected and caused a huge lump, and now she's wearing the cone of shame. She got her sutures out though and no more bandage and is feeling much better!

Miss talking to you gals regularly.

Miss talking to you guys too!!! Got my SSN. Seems around 10 days is the norm. Great!! FINALLY able to fill all those employment forms. The U.S. sure has a lot of forms;) Have a great weekend everyone.

Hey mags so good to hear from you, don't be like me and try to get everything done all at once, unpack slowly lol....

Haven't heard anythingas yet as of yesterday they only have 40 world wide locations up and running and only toronto fall into that slot no mention of montreal so fingers crossed they get that up and running today.

Thank you so much for checking it means a lot ...

Happy unpacking

Hi everyone hope you all doing great no dog and cat fights and I hope charlotte is not that hot ...?

Ha ha, trust me, the unpacking is going slowly!! It's driving me mad.

Ok, well I hope it gets up and running really quickly for you. I imagine they don't want more backlog. Although it feels to us like they don't care, they ARE responsible to someone out there, and bureaucrats don't want to be working Saturdays and Sundays to get things done. I will keep on sending good vibes to you and all those waiting.

LIfe is good because I am here, but as life goes, there are new challenges. I went to the SSA office in Burbank to see if maybe they might get my SSN faster, and they didn't - told me that the INS already applied and I have to just wait for it in the mail. Couldn't even give me a number which was weird. SO I sit and wait. It's a bit frustrating. I'm lucky in that my husband is still on vacation, so he can help me and ferry me around. Los Angeles is NOT an easy to move around city without a car. We did go to buy me a used car, but even that was a struggle as in the end, my husband had to take on the full loan. Without an SSN I am a ghost to them and no one will do anything for me. I also highly suggest at least having travel insurance or some kind of "tie over" health insurance when you move here. I had to buy last minute short-term insurance because I totally forgot about it (ironic, being in the medical profession), but all of you make sure you have something to bridge that gap between Canada and whatever insurance you get from work, partner, etc. HHC Insurance seems to be one of the companies that sells short term and travel insurance (that you have to buy from the US) or you can get travel insurance from whatever company you use in Canada. That's my advice so far.

Anyways, ok. Will stop babbling. Hope all is good with everyone!!!!

Thanks guys!! It's been busy trying to unpack and get all this done. How are things going Sammyann? Heard anything yet? Is the weird delay with visa printing over yet?

Just got home to Los Angeles!!! My best to all and also happy POE'ing to my educator friends!!

I saw that!! This is nuts. Hopefully it will go faster than they think. On another note- just POEd in beautiful Montana. Now uhauling it down to LA with plans to detour at Yellowstone and maybe Vegas:) what an awesome feeling. Crossing was professional yet friendly - no unnecessary hassle. I am so so happy. Husband with me!!

Husband's social security card arrived in the mail yesterday! Unfortunately, the last letter of his middle name is missing so we'll have to fix that. But hey, that was remarkably fast.

That's awesome!! Glad you are enjoying being back home. That IS fast… I hope it is that fast for me too. I try not to worry about the POE, but hopefully all will go well. I am finally done work - today was my last day, it's so crazy. All of a sudden time doubled its speed!

Hugs to you both and your puppy!!

And Sammyann - I will be here until you get your approved!

Thank you everyone I don't feel like it'd over as yet so until I see that status approved then I will celebrate ....

I am keeping positive just like I told mag to do and mag I can now say I know that mix feeling you felt back then

Yep, it's sucky. But it DOES eventually happen!! Although I totally understand - I didnt want to plan ANYthing until I had that visa in my hand. What helped me was you and others on here, as well as staying involved in my daily life and not thinking about the "what ifs" too much. Hang in there (I hate that this is all I can do for you!), and the admin hiccup WILL get resolved.

I think it was a couple days for us, but don't be too worried if it takes longer. NVC sends it out in batches so it could take a little bit. Probably won't though.

Woohoo!!!!!! Congratulations!!! I'm sorry about the little hiccup as others mentioned, but it'll be over before you know it and you'll be down here in time for the hot hot heat.

How is living your life going?

Thanks hon I feel happy but sad too,,,, yea they kept my passport

Minor hiccup!!!! Congratulations!!!! Hope things get sorted out soon and you will be on your way home!

Sammyann!!!! Hope your interview goes well!! Let us know how you do and keeping all my fingers crossed for a speedy and easy process!!!! It's almost done!

super duper!!!! so very happy for you....relief! your shift will be a breeze and fly by--no that you;ve got a load lifted and, yah, i bet your focus has be elsewhere, how could it not? and as for your man....wowser!!! that's awesome--guess we won't be hearing from you during this time

haha… that is a strong possibility;)

Hi all… ok. waybill came too. Maybe I can finally relax. Got another one of my super awesome (not) 16 hour shifts tomorrow, so will FINALLY be able to focus on work. My past few shifts have been difficult to focus on work. My awesome, handsome, wonderful husband is flying in June 13th, yay!!! Haven't seen him since Christmas… high time!! Love and hugs to all. M

Glad you are home NAT!!!!! Be safe and enjoy the nice long sigh of relief;) Home is best.

Just a quick update on my situation. As of today (June 3) my visa application appears to have moved from 'Ready' to 'Administrative Processing'. While this certainly has brightened my day considerably, I will not get my hopes up as I have read on here people who have been stuck in the AP phase for months on end. Here's praying that this is a sign of good things to come. Wishing everyone else in this thread good luck as well.

Hi Trenz, my visa showed up as "issued" this morning thank goodness. I think K-1s go to AP temporarily before they get issued. I expect yours to be issued very shortly. Take good care!