preguntas

Yes, you could get this application called Fongo that would port your canadian number into it.

In other words, all calls and most* texts sent to your canadian number end up on your Fongo app (that you can have installed on your smart phone).

most*: I said most because there is this type of SMS called "SHORT" SMS that are apparently not sent to that app. That might not be a problem if you ask your other party to use an actual phone call to send you a code (as happens with CRA etc...).

You would then need to port your number to Fongo and therefore, you would NOT lose it. Yep, you can keep your canadian number.  I did that more than 5 years ago and it's still working.  I just buy from time to time a SMS international package from Fongo for a few dollars (5 $ I think, every year or 2) when I need to send SMS: even that, you don't need to buy it; I just did it b/c Fongo has been super useful to me. 

I hope this helps.

There is no such exemption from being subject to US taxes for being a resident for a short time. USCs and LPRs are taxed on status for federal taxes. Once you become an LPR, you are instantly subject to US taxes.

Actually, there is an exemption as seen here:

Foreign Earned Income Exclusion - Requirements

To claim the foreign earned income exclusion, [..] you must have foreign earned income, your tax home must be in a foreign country, and you must be one of the following:

• A U.S. citizen or a U.S. resident alien who is physically present in a foreign country or countries for at least 330 full days during any period of 12 consecutive months.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/foreign-earned-income-exclusion-requirements

So basically, I was a US resident alien in 2015 with less than 36 days on US territory (i.e. more than 330 days outside US between Jan 1 and Dec 31, 2015) since I entered the US in October 2015.

P.

Hi,

I hope I am not hijacking this post.

Since you entered the US in September 2015, aren't you supposed to file US taxes in the US for 2015? (even if you stayed only 1 day in Sept in the US and then went back to your home country).

I am in a similar boat (entered the US in Oct 2015), and since then, it looks like I am supposed to file US taxes on worldwide income.

Under $100800 earned outside the US, I have nothing to pay at the federal level (using the:

(Also, from what I checked, you should NEVER file as a non-resident at a federal level, and you should not use the "bona fide" part...)

My other question is:

I have a NY address (friend's address). Should I also file NY state taxes for 2015?

Or is just filing federal taxes sufficient?

Thanks in advance,

P.

Quick update:

An update for anyone interested in this topic:

I paid the 165$ online (on the uscis site based on my Alien number from my visa stamped on my passport) and the green card was actually sent to my US address within 2 weeks.

Thanks,

P.

Aren't you glad you didn't go to an InfoPass appointment and have to admit this in person to a USCIS officer?

You're absolutly right!

An update for anyone interested in this topic:

So basically, I paid the 165$ online (on the uscis site based on my Alien number from my visa stamped on my passport) and the green card was actually sent to my US address within 2 weeks.

Thanks for your input!

It seems that in your type of situation there is not much waiting time after the fee is paid. People have reported getting their cards pretty quickly - the actual entry still sets the process in motion even if the fee has not been paid, then when the fee is paid the mailing process is triggered.

An update for anyone interested in this topic:

This is exactly what happened.

I paid the 165$ online (on the uscis site based on my Alien number from my visa stamped on my passport) and the green card was actually sent to my US address within 2 weeks.

So, again, what SusieQQQ indicated above was super helpful!

Thanks a lot!

P.

Thanks for the link!

I went there and it asks for a receipt number, which I don't have.

This is a greencard for a DV visa and the only number I have is similar to this: 2015EU12345678.

I paid the $165 at the US consulate during the visa interview.

...

Not sure where I get a receipt number...

Thanks,

I totally missed the piece where I had to pay USCIS for the $165 (i.e. it was never paid at the embassy).

Someone pointed this out to me on another thread. This is quite embarrassing...

Bottomline is: I never paid the $165 and I did not realize it until now.

Thanks aaron2020 for your input which led me to wondering and then realizing this was never paid...

You could not have paid this fee at the consulate on the day of your interview (or any other day, for that matter) -- it is a USCIS fee, not a State Department fee, and it is not one that the consulate would have authority to collect.

Thanks a lot for confirming this!

I totally missed the piece where I had to pay USCIS for the $165 (i.e. it was never paid at the embassy).

This is quite embarrassing...

P.

Ah, that would explain it. All USCIS immigrant fee payments are online. And yes, they will not send the green card unless the fee has been paid. So, you'll probably find everything is ready and just waiting for you to pay the fee.... It seems that in your type of situation there is not much waiting time after the fee is paid. People have reported getting their cards pretty quickly - the actual entry still sets the process in motion even if the fee has not been paid, then when the fee is paid the mailing process is triggered.

I totally missed the piece where I had to pay USCIS for the $165 (i.e. it was never paid at the embassy).

Thanks a lot SusieQQQ for your helpful information, once again!

I have a question for anyone who had their DV interview at the US Consulate in Montreal.

Did you pay $165 (green card processing fee) on the day of the Montreal DV interview?

This is quite embarrassing as I initially thought I paid the $165 on that day in 2015, but I am not sure anymore.

Thanks a lot for your input if you can confirm to me that you did or did not pay the $165 in Montreal!

P.

ps: I've been wondering why I didn't receive my plastic green card after 8 months in the US... (details in another thread).

The relevant dates are when you entered the US, and that fact that you paid the fee before entering.

I am not so sure I paid the $165 for green card processing anymore!

I thought I already paid the $165 at the Montreal US consulate on the day of the interview, but I just checked my credit card and they billed me $330 which is the application fee for a DV visa, not the green card's $165... I am not sure if I paid the $165 cash...

Can someone please confirm if they paid the $165 green card fee at the Montreal consulate on the day of their interview?

Or is this something that everybody had to pay here: https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/uscis-immigrant-fee ?

Thanks a lot in advance!!!

P.

It's not normal, definitely you can schedule an infopass, or you can also call them and ask them.

The relevant dates are when you entered the US, and that fact that you paid the fee before entering. 60-90 days after entering is enough time for receiving it so something has definitely gone wrong.

It's not specific to DV btw but no harm asking here

I will call USCIS (since I am back in Canada), and hopefully I won't need the infopass...

Thank you SusieQQQ for your valuable input, as usual!

P.

https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/uscis-immigrant-fee

Click on "Track Card Status."

Thanks for the link!

I went there and it asks for a receipt number, which I don't have.

This is a greencard for a DV visa and the only number I have is similar to this: 2015EU12345678.

I paid the $165 at the US consulate during the visa interview.

The website above says:

"The receipt number is a unique 13-character identifier that USCIS provides for each application or petition it receives. The agency uses it to identify and track its cases.

The receipt number consists of three letters-for example, EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC, NBC, MSC or IOE-and 10 numbers. You can find it on notices of action USCIS has sent you."

Not sure where I get a receipt number...

Thanks,

Have you made an infopass or called the USCIS yet?

Not yet.

Do they provide information on the phone (if I give them all my private info), or is it necessary to go meet them in person?

Or should I wait?

Did you pay the $165 fee for the physical green card?

Yes, at the time of the DV visa interview in Montreal, Canada (may 2015).

Hi fellow Dv-ers,

I am not sure if I should ask this here as it may not be specific to DV visas...

My apologies if this is not the right place.

My question:

I did NOT get the plastic green card yet after 8 months of entry to the US.

Should I be worried that I did not get the plastic green card after 8 months? Is this normal?
Should I schedule an appointment with USCIS (InfoPass) to check what's going on?
Do they provide information on the phone (if I give them all my info), or is it necessary to go meet them in person?

Here is the full chronology:

may 2015: DV visa interview passed in Montreal, Canada; I paid the fees there ($165 etc...)
I provided Address1 as my US address
oct 2015: At port of entry, a temporary I-551 was stamped on my passport (i.e. valid for one year)
I changed my US address to Address2 at the POE
may 2016 (today): Social Security numbers received (SSN) at Address2 but NO PLASTIC GREEN CARD received yet after 8 months of entry to US.
I am currently back in Canada getting my things in order before going back to the US.
I can still use the stamp on my passport until Oct 2016

Thanks a lot in advance,

P.

I did NOT get the plastic green card yet after 8 months of entry to the US.

What should I do next?

Here is the full chronology:

• may 2015: DV visa interview passed in Montreal, Canada; I paid the fees there ($165 etc...)
  • I provided Address1 as my US address
• oct 2015: At port of entry, a temporary I-551 was stamped on my passport (i.e. valid for one year)
  • I changed my US address to Address2 at the POE
• may 2016 (today): Social Security numbers received (SSN) at Address2 but NO PLASTIC GREEN CARD received yet after 8 months of entry to US.
  • I am currently back in Canada getting my things in order before going back to the US.
  • I can still use the stamp on my passport until Oct 2016

Should I be worried that I did not get the plastic green card after 8 months? Is this normal?
Should I schedule an appointment with USCIS (InfoPass) to check what's going on?
Do they provide information on the phone (if I give them all my info), or is it necessary to go meet them in person?

Thanks a lot in advance for assisting!

P.

Just to update everyone on my case, finally after 2 weeks of hefty calling and emailing I was able to register my interview on the consulate's booking platform.

Yes, good luck for the interview!

That's what I just did to stay on the safe side.

Hi,

Sorry I am late to the party...

I went through the same ambiguous steps and here is the summary I posted on another thread:

<<

Posted 06 May 2015 - 10:02 AM

I am replying to myself in the hope that this could be helpful to others.

Once the interview was scheduled by KCC, and I logged on to see the actual interview date on the Entrant Status Check Web site, I indeed had to register online for the appointment in Montreal here:

https://ais.usvisa-i...ion/iv_services

At this stage:

Select IV Service:

the right selection seems to be:

"I need to an Immigrant Visa appointment"

(and not the one that says DV Lottery appointment).

You can then add multiple applicants, and select the branch for Loomis.

Then the site shows your appointment date: you don't have to enter this date as the site will find it based on your information and show it to you.

You then get a page to print out for the interview. It has all the applicants' information, interview date and Courier branch.

In summary, you do have to register your appointment (received from KCC) on the site above before you go to your interview in Montreal.

P.

>>

this is referring to my post here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/547733-montreal-did-you-register-for-appointment-online-or-just-went-to-the-interview/#entry7611607

Good luck for the interview !

P.

The status will say "Issued" on this website https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/

Once it says "Issued" you will get your waybill number immediately or within 5 days of your status changing.

Thanks a lot for the website!

I had to go the "Check Application Status" link on the page, but I was actually stuck at the "Immigrant Visa Case Number".

I used my number: "2015EU00*******" which is my Case number during the interview in Montreal.

However, the page says:

<<Immigrant Visa Case Number: __________

(e.g., MTL1999626025)>>

which obviously does not correspond to my case number...

No idea why I dont have a case number that follows the format "MTL....".

Did you have the same thing?

Thanks in advance,

P.

Where does it say "Issued" for visa on passport?

I am seeing many references to "Issued" when the passport is ready and is sent via Loomis by the Consulate.

But where do you see that "Issued" status?

Is it on this website: https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/iv/ ?

I was unable to find any status there, so maybe I need to wait.

But it would be nice if anyone could confirm this.

Thanks in advance,

P.

ps: maybe my question was not clear: I had my interview and I am now waiting for the passport via Loomis.

I am replying to myself in the hope that this could be helpful to others.

Once the interview was scheduled by KCC, and I logged on to see the actual interview date on the Entrant Status Check Web site, I indeed had to register online for the appointment in Montreal here:

https://ais.usvisa-i...ion/iv_services

At this stage:

Select IV Service:

the right selection seems to be:
"I need to an Immigrant Visa appointment"

(and not the one that says DV Lottery appointment).

You can then add multiple applicants, and select the branch for Loomis.

Then the site shows your appointment date: you don't have to enter this date as the site will find it based on your information and show it to you.

You then get a page to print out for the interview. It has all the applicants' information, interview date and Courier branch.

In summary, you do have to register your appointment (received from KCC) on the site above before you go to your interview in Montreal.

P.

Hi preguntas. Yes, they had no problem with it and accepted it.

Another question for you, if I may...

Did you have to register your Montreal appointment online (i.e. the one already scheduled by KCC)?

Or did you just go to the interview? (after completion of medical).

Thanks a lot for your input!

P.

ps:

if my question is unclear, I am referring to what the Montreal instructions say below:

<<STEP 1: REGISTER FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT ONLINE

Please visit https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/iv/information/iv_servicesand follow

instructions to register your NVC/KCC appointment online.

Select IV Service:

"I need to an Immigrant Visa appointment"

IMPORTANT:

PLEASE REGISTER YOUR APPOINTMENT ONLINE BEFORE GOING TO YOUR INTERVIEW.

IF YOU DO NOT, THERE MAY BE A DELAY IN THE RETURN OF YOUR VISA AND PASSPORT

Hi,

Once the interview date is known (from KCC), is it really required to "register for appointment online"?

Or can I just go to the interview with no further steps? (apart from the medical)

I am bit confused with the instructions for Montreal.

The instructions for Montreal say this:

<<STEP 1: REGISTER FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT ONLINE
Please visit https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/iv/information/iv_servicesand follow
instructions to register your NVC/KCC appointment online.

Select IV Service:
"I need to an Immigrant Visa appointment" (<----- not sure if this is the right selection)

IMPORTANT:
PLEASE REGISTER YOUR APPOINTMENT ONLINE BEFORE GOING TO YOUR INTERVIEW.
IF YOU DO NOT, THERE MAY BE A DELAY IN THE RETURN OF YOUR VISA AND PASSPORT>>

Bottom line is:

I don't want to mess my appointment by doing something wrong on that website and I prefer to get some advice first.

Please advise.

Thank you in advance,

P.

As to whether I've already gone to the Embassy: no, my interview will probably be this October or November. I just settled on an online translation company after reading the "if you've been selected" instructions, reading these forums, and other sources.

The translation does have a stamp (see picture), its just a printed one on the certification page. If you want to, you can find a certified translator in person and get a translation with a physical stamp, but most probably they will also just print something instead of stamping it.

Hi zuroma999,

You said you used https://www.rev.com/translation/certifiedfor the translations.

Did the consulate accept their online translations?

Thanks for confirming whether this actually worked!

P.