theanswerisdance

Western Canadians!

Share your stories! What was the interview like? What was in packet 3?

I have been ready for this interview since January 2015 - ready in that I have almost everything on that check list (except one form that I can't fill out before I get a case number). How long did it take you to see a doctor and do the medical?

Is anyone from Alberta? How did the embassy contact you? What were their timelines for booking you in for your interview from the time NVC sent them the paperwork?

Anything helps!

Thank you!

Here's the link to my medical and interview experience from March 2015. I tried to be as in-depth as possible. I'm from Alberta so hopefully that gives you something to go on! Note that as of March, the only interviews were on Tuesdays, which meant you HAD to go to Vancouver prior to the weekend to do your medical, because the medical results won't be ready until after 3 PM the business day AFTER the exam...meaning you can't get it done on the Monday, since it wouldn't be ready till late Tuesday, and the interview is on Tuesday. This may have changed, but it was a huge annoyance to have to fly in on Thursday night, for a Friday morning medical, wait all weekend, pick up the results on Monday afternoon, then go for the interview on Tuesday morning, and fly out Tuesday night. Maybe this has changed though! Message me if you have any questions. Good luck!

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/view-dos-cis-reviews.php?entry=16373

I'm guessing your state follows the same protocol as mine. The temporary paper ID is for you to carry until you receive your normal plastic ID card in the mail. Some states are moving away from giving IDs on the spot in order to reduce fraud (corrupt employees printing fake IDs, identity thieves getting a real ID with fake documents, or by posing as someone they're not).

I knew they would issue me a paper copy for today and that it's usually about 2 weeks before the "real" one came in the mail. But what they told me today is that they won't issue me a renewal until I bring it my proof of LPR, which posters have said is the EAD...so I guess I'm just wondering whether AFTER I show them the EAD, whether they'll send me a real card at that point? Or will I continue to receive "temporary" paper ones for a year or more until my GC is issued?

Thanks so much for sharing, theanswerisdance. I had actually been worrying about the taxes since Hyundai is Korean but I haven't really seen anybody else pay taxes on their car! I'm sorry that happened to you! I will be crossing at either Queenston-Lewiston or the Peace Bridge which are fairly large POEs so hopefully they know what they are doing. Was your emissions sticker okay? And did you get a Canadian letter of compliance from Hyundai?

The emissions sticker was fine as was my Canadian letter of compliance. Since he wasn't totally familiar with the process I basically just cut to the chase for him. I explained before I handed him the letter, "This is a letter of CANADIAN compliance. I wrote Hyundai USA and they were unable to give me a letter of compliance since the car was not manufactured there, however, I was assured that this Canadian letter, coupled with the emissions sticker, would be sufficient." He took my word for it I think because I sounded knowledgeable and prepared, so it didn't seem like I had no idea what I was doing.

To be honest, it seems like hit-or-miss depending on the officer you get as to how much trouble you get, and what rules do apply, since it seems like some don't even know the laws themselves. But like I said before, call 2-3 days ahead, tell them what day and approximately what time you'll be coming through, give them your name and the info that you're coming on a K1 visa and importing a vehicle, and that way they have adequate time to read up on the procedures and to be prepared for your arrival. It also makes you look more like you know what you're talking about because you have the wherewithal to call ahead and come prepared.

Let me know how it goes!! I hope your experience was better than mine!

You did not have to pay tax on the car. What a mean spirited woman. I would have made a complaint. (You should!!!)

That's what I thought. I wondered who I'd even make it to? And what is my evidence that I don't have to pay? I've been really on top of every detail throughout this whole process, but that day was honestly so frustrating that I've been scared to even think about addressing it and possibly doing more damage!

Thanks everybody! For those who have experience using the EAD as proof till you get the GC, did they issue you a *real* photo ID license when you provided the EAD? All I have is the temporary paper copy and I am wondering if that's all I'll keep receiving renewals of until I get the GC? I was looking forward to having government photo ID once I got my license so I wouldn't have to keep bringing my passport as my only form of photo ID everywhere I go. I asked today if I could get a California photo ID today (non-DL) until I got my license issued but that's not allowed because technically I do have a California license so I can't have both). I just hate carrying my passport around for so many things, I'm always afraid of something happening to it.

Hey! I was wondering if you were able to share your experience with your Hyundai if you have happened to make your POE yet? I would love to hear another personal experience from someone with a Hyundai.

Hey! I don't know if my story will help or not...to this day, I still don't know if they were in the wrong at POE or if I was.

I entered on May 5th at Eastport, ID with my car. I had called ahead (call ahead!!) the previous week to tell them the day and time I'd be there. They were somewhat expecting me and had the manual for how to process a K1 ready. It's a small crossing so you could tell they clearly don't do it much. After he did the K1 he told me I was good to go and I had to remind him and say, "uhh...don't you have to import my car?" and he said "oh yeah, that's right" and had to find another manual for that.

He inspected the car, checked the emissions sticker under the hood, copied my compliance letter, and all was good. Then all of a sudden one of his co-workers stood up from her little cubicle behind him and said, "well make sure you charge her taxes".

I explained to him that I was allowed to import my car duty-free under NAFTA, when she popped her head back up again and said "well that's only if it's Canadian MADE. I highly doubt your HYUNDAI is Canadian made." She then basically ordered him to charge me for importing it, to the tune of about $800. She was incredibly rude and after a long day of driving it pushed me over the edge. I was in tears as I explained to HIM (I ignored her) that my fiance and I had budgeted every detail of this process carefully and that I didn't have $800 to waste. His nasty co-worker kept basically egging him on to charge me, and I think she was his superior, because he finally whispered to me and said "Sorry, I think I have to charge you something, but let me see what I can get it down to." He went to the Blue Book to find the value of my car and charged me based on that, though she kept saying to him "When I imported my car from such and such a state to here, I had to pay tax, and so should she. They didn't do it off the Blue Book for me, so you shouldn't do it for her."

He finally came back and said "How's $166 sound instead of $800+?" I said, "It sounds like $166 too much, but I guess I'll take it." At this point I was so tired and fed up that I just wanted to get out of there without any more trouble. So I paid the $166 (he also charged me $6 for a paper I-94, why I don't know, considering you can get it online now) and got the heck out of there with the import paperwork.

Maybe someone here can clarify as to whether I was wrong or they were, but I really didn't think I had to pay tax on my car. I still feel wronged and wanted to appeal it but was afraid to do so and open up a whole new can of worms...so I left it. I know it was only $166 but it's the principle behind it. I think more than anything I was frustrated by the sheer rudeness of the female officer who had NOTHING to do with me and my entry, and yet seemed to have it in for me. I felt like saying "Trust me, I don't want to be in your country with people like you anyway" and turn around and leave...lol.

SO! To sum up...pick a border crossing where they actually know what they're doing and how to process K1s and vehicle importations. The bigger crossings might be busier, but I suspect they also have a bit more knowledge in some cases, or at least officers with some more experience. Call ahead and tell them when you're coming so they can prepare for you in case they haven't done K1 or vehicles in a while.

Hope that helps!

I'm wondering if anybody has any advice on how to proceed with a DMV issue. I arrived in the USA on May 5 on my K-1, married my husband on May 9, and filed for AOS, EAD and AP on May 12. I have already been to my biometrics appointment, received my SSN, registered my Canadian car at the DMV, and obtained my learner's permit.

Today I went back to the DMV to take my driving test which I passed, however, when I went inside to get my license, the guy at the counter took my passport again to verify my identity and when he did so, started examining my paper I-94 (which expires Aug 2, 2015) and my K-1 visa very extensively (the guy who issued my learner's and registered my car last week didn't seem to have any problem with it). He then informed me that I only have 2 months left in the country legally based on the I-94 and that because of that, they won't issue me a real license until I have proof of LPR. He issued me a temporary license but it will expire on August 2, the same day as my I-94, and they will not renew my license if I don't have proof of LPR by that time.

I'm really worried because I don't see how my Green Card will be issued in two months (I've barely been here a month already) and when I asked to speak to a supervisor, they repeatedly told me the same thing -- "we need proof of legal permanent residence" -- but would not give me any options as to how I could prove that besides the actual Green Card. I don't want to have my license suspended and have to go through this process all over again, not to mention, if I get my EAD by that point, I'll need to be able to drive for work.

Can anybody tell me if they've had experience with this, and what other proof I can show that I AM here legally and that my AOS is processing? I don't want to go back to the DMV to argue my case until I can be confident that I'm showing them all the right proof...

Thank you in advance!

According to this link, you have to import it a POE to get it registered:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/425/~/registering-a-foreign-registered-vehicle,-car-or-motorcycle-in-the-u.s.-with

Before you can register a foreign registered vehicle, car or motorcycle in the U.S., you must be able to prove that you or someone else filed an entry with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will not register a vehicle that has been imported into the U.S. without proof an entry was filed with CBP and proof the vehicle conforms to U.S. emissions and safety standards. If the vehicle does not conform to U.S. emissions or safety standards, you will not be able to register it in the U.S. You will either have to bring it up to U.S. standards or export the car.

That's what I thought, too. So does that mean that if you have a year to import it, you therefore also have a year to register it, and so can keep Canadian plates and registration for up to a year? Because if you can't register without importing, but are allowed to wait 12 months to import, then by default doesn't that mean it remains registered in Canada for that year till you import it?

Another car question...

I know the CBP states that you have up to 1 year to import your vehicle when moving to the U.S. However, California law states that you have a mere 10 days after establishing residency to register your vehicle, and I would think I can't do that without importing the vehicle, can I? So I'm still really confused after all the reading I've done about whether I need to officially import my car at POE, or if I can wait I would go ahead and just import it, but I'll only be in America a total of 2.5 years before returning to Canada, and during that 2.5 years, I'll be spending several months per year back in Canada, so I don't want to pick the option that will ultimately cause more of a hassle (especially "importing" the car back into Canada in just a couple of years. So how does it work? If I have 1 year to import the car, what happens if I drive my car back up to Canada 6 months from now, spend a month or two here, and then go back down to California? Does the "clock" start over again at 1 year to import it? This is probably the most overwhelming step in the whole visa process thus far for me because it seems like there's so many grey areas with vehicle importation and state-specific laws.

Thanks for any advice!

I have a 2010 Hyundai Elantra that I'll be importing at the beginning of May...I obtained the letter of compliance from Hyundai Canada, which specifically states that they can't speak to whether it's compliant to U.S. standards, however, I thought it wouldn't hurt to have it just in case. I also have the compliance stickers under the hood, though. So I can't help you much now (though Bonnie&Bob has amazing info above, wow), but I will certainly post once I've imported my car in 3 weeks' time and let you know what issues I had (I'm praying none!).

3 days from Vancouver - interview on Tuesday, picked up passport on Friday.

Hey LORIEandPHIL,

Are you in California or another state? If California, what specific steps did you take to get your California DL? Did they ask for your previous DL at all? One post I read stated that you could avoid being asked to surrender your old license by starting at the bottom, getting a California Learner's and working your way up as though you are a brand-new driver, but I imagine that would skyrocket your insurance.

I am moving to California on a K-1 visa next month and want to import my car. I have the compliance letter and the emissions sticker under the hood, so do not anticipate problems there. However, I intend to return to Canada for approximately 4 months each year (not all at once, in separate trips) to take care of my mom who has a chronic illness. During my 4 months in Canada, I have a second vehicle here which I would drive and so I do need to keep my Canadian insurance for that.

I have read up on California's laws regarding registering the car within 10 days of "residency" or else you will be subject to fines/prosecution. However, I do not want to surrender my Canadian driver's license, because I don't want to give up my Canadian insurance on the second vehicle that I have here....so I'm assuming that means I can't get a California driver's license without surrendering the Canadian one, based on the experiences I've read here...

My question is: Once I have legally imported the car at POE with my K-1, can I legally give/sell the vehicle to my fiancé so that he can register it in his name, he can have the title transferred to California, it can get California plates and he can put it on his California insurance? Or, does the car have to be registered in a state first BEFORE it can be given/sold to him? My Canadian insurance company will not allow me to insure my second vehicle (that's staying here in Canada) without a valid Canadian driver's license, so I have to ensure that I keep my Canadian license at all costs.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!

I didn't do fingerprints, so a name and date of birth check is sufficient. One thing I've read of some other people's experiences is that you need to make sure it's a nationwide search, not just local to your city/province. For my police check, it said that "a search based on the above name(s) and birthdate has not disclosed a record of criminal convictions in Canada's National Repository for criminal records. This search was conducted from identification and information provided by the applicant and not through the submission of fingerprints." So when he goes to his local police station in Vancouver, just clarifying that he needs a nationwide search should get him what he needs. In Alberta, there's an option to check off a box that states it's for immigration purposes on the application form as well.

Hi all,

I've posted my review here for anyone who's looking for details on the Vancouver experience for K-1 medical and consulate interview. Hope it helps. Good luck to you all!

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/view-dos-cis-reviews.php?entry=16373

Hi everyone,

I've searched through many of the consulate/medical reviews on VJ, but I'm not really finding many detailed answers to my question and am hoping to get some feedback from anybody who has done their medical with Dr. Cheema in Vancouver. I have read that the medical is "pretty basic" and such, but I had a traumatizing experience as a teenager when it came to a pelvic exam and since then physicals of any kind have been really stressful for me, even with a female doctor, let alone a male one. My medical is next week on the 6th and interview on March 10th, and I honestly haven't even thought to worry about the interview itself because I'm so afraid about the medical. Could anybody shed some (detailed) light on what exactly the medical entails so I know how to be prepared? Are you required to fully strip, do you wear a gown, etc.? I've read different standards from different doctors so am looking for answers specifically regarding Dr. Cheema.

Thanks in advance for any specifics. I'd just like to be prepared mentally so I'm not caught off guard.

This may sound like a silly question, but I just want to make sure I don't make any premature assumptions. I work as a dance instructor in Canada and the sessions each run 8 weeks, one in the fall from Sept - Nov, and one in the winter from Jan - Mar (so I usually get a second job in the "off-season"). It's taken a long time to build this dance business and I am wondering if it's possible for me to maintain it while living in the States on my green card. To clarify, I'd be spending a total of 4 months staying and working in Canada, broken into two separate 2-month stays, and the other 8 months of the year living in America. My primary residence would be America, so I understand I'd be paying American taxes as well. As a Canadian citizen, am I legally allowed to work in Canada still while residing in America once I have my green card? And does the green card allow for a period of time living and working outside of the U.S., provided that I don't exceed a certain number of days spent out of the U.S. each year? Financially, it would be worth it for my fiancé and me to go this route, but I'm afraid of breaking any kind of immigration or residency restrictions.

Thanks!

Appointments are now available for March for Vancouver. Did anybody else receive the "appointment letter specifying the exact date and time of your appointment" that they refer to on the booking page, above the calendar?

Hi all,

This is my first post on Visa Journey, as I have tried to avoiding posting in the past so that I don't accidentally repeat the same questions a million people have asked before me! However, I have turned to this site many times for the wealth of knowledge, so thank you for that.

I have managed to make it through the K-1 process thus far with pretty smooth sailing, however, with the upgraded appointment booking website, I am completely confused. My account from the old booking site was successfully carried over, as was my payment and receipt of payment and so on, so there were no issues with that. However, when you go onto the new site to look at the calendar of availability, this disclaimer is on the calendar page:

Do not continue with this process if you have not received a Consular appointment letter from the National Visa Center (NVC), Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) or the Consular Section.

Enter the Consular location and exact date from the appointment letter you received from the NVC, KCC, or the Consular Section.

You are not scheduling an appointment, you are only registering your appointment information from the received appointment letter.

The Consular Section will not process applicants who enter false or different information than what is on your appointment letter.

I wrote to the Vancouver consulate 3 times since the upgrade to clarify this disclaimer, as I had received my instructions to book the appointment last year, before the upgrade, when you could go onto the old site and self-schedule; additionally, I had paid the appt. fee of $265 USD in December, before the upgrade as well, and had been attempting to book an appointment before they started their upgrade but there was no availability at that time. I have even included screenshots in my e-mails to them to clarify what my question is -- do I still use this calendar page to SELF schedule an appointment, since I did not receive an appointment letter from the NVC with an exact appointment date? -- and they have been absolutely no help. Their last response to me instructed me to phone the call centre, which I did last week. The lady on the phone assured me that yes, I should just disregard the warning and go ahead and self-schedule my appointment.

Today, dates became available for March (heads-up for those of you who want to book dates!), so I went ahead and selected one. On the "instructions" page is this note:

Please attend your Consular interview at the date and time assigned to you in your appointment letter. You must print this instruction page and bring it with you, along with the appointment letter, to the Consular interview.

For additional information on the Immigration Visa process and required documents, please refer to your appointment letter or visit the Consular Section Website at http://montreal.usconsulate.gov/visas/visas/immigrant-visas.html.

My question is: does anybody know what appointment letter they are referring to? The only letter I have ever received in the mail was the letter from Vancouver instructing me to download packet 3 from their website. I am really afraid to proceed with this and book hotels, flights, etc. then arrive in Vancouver for my medical or for the interview and have them turn me down for not having "the" appointment letter with an EXACT appointment date as it states in bold. I have my DS-160 confirmation page, and the instruction sheet which has my Loomis location, appointment date and time that I just scheduled myself, etc., but not sure what constitutes the appointment letter they say I need to already have in hand. I have written Vancouver again for clarification and in previous issues they have been really helpful, but it seems like they are as unsure as anybody what the new procedure is now with the upgraded website. Any ideas?

Thank you in advance!