Cm84

Hi! I'm sorry I have no advice to give you, but I do have a question for you.....

When you imported your car, what paperwork were you missing that the DMV wanted?

I'm about to move to the US, and don't want to get hung up on registering my vehicle.

I'm waiting on my EPA compliance letter from my local dealership, and I know there are a couple of other forms that need filling out, but I'll down load them before I go.

The DMV wanted an original compliance letter (I used a faxed copy to import and had no issues at the boarder). I'm currently waiting for that to arrive (Nissan told me it will be 4-6 weeks to receive in mail). In addition the supervisor wanted more proof that I owned the car - since my ontario owner registration didn't have the word 'title' on it. So I had a bill of sale and a letter from Nissan Finance stating that the lien on the vehicle has been released. Again she wanted original signed documents so I'm also waiting for those to arrive. None of those documents were listed on the official NJ DMV website for registering imported cars. I'm not sure if this supervisor/agency was being picky or what not.

I imported my Canadian car back in January when I entered the US on CR1 Visa. Without getting into all the details, I'm still waiting for additional paperwork requested by DMV to register my car/get NJ license plates. I was planning on visiting family in Canada in a few weeks and don't know if I will have my car registered/NJ plates by then.

Am I able to drive my Ontario plated car into Ontario for a visit and then back into the US? I will have the original US import paperwork with me but didn't know if it was allowed/will be an issue trying to get my car back into the US. I guess I'm just worried the US Customs Officer will hassle me about the plates. Any advice or knowledge would be appreciated! I haven't been home since I moved to the US so I'm really hoping there won't be any issues to visit.

I'm glad to hear others have similar feelings as me. I didn't think it would be an issue moving to the US - as I had lived here before with little issue (albeit I did kinda live in a bubble being here on various exchange and J-1 camp counsellor experiences). Regardless I felt that moving 7 hours away from home in Eastern Ontario to Northern New Jersey wouldn't be a big deal but I am struggling trying to find a way to be more comfortable here. Yes driving scares me in NJ too! There is a bit of culture shock for me, dealing with less friendly people and a more urban environment.

I've only been here a few weeks, so I know I really have to give it some time. I'm hoping once I get a job that things will be better. I can't imagine what this would be like for someone moving across the world or someone who doesn't speak english.

I travelled with my USC spouse in separate cars, earlier this month crossing at the thousand islands bridge (ON/NY). I went first and besides letting them know that I was planning to activate my IR-1, that my spouse was in the car behind and had some of my belongings. Apparently it's not very common to travel together because when she got to the window, the CBP officer didn't know what to do. Eventually she was allowed to park with me and enter as I had my paperwork completed. But I would suggest having a meet up place just in case your fiancé isn't allowed to wait with you.

As for bringing the car - all I had was a compliance letter. I got a compliance letter from Nissan by calling the customer service number. The compliance letter states that the car meets all US regulations - if there are any recalls or issues with your model. If there are any recalls you will have to fix them before crossing. There will be a note about running lights (Canadian cars have them, while US models don't) - I didn't bother fixing this based on what I had read here and they was no issues when I crossed. When I got to the boarder I let them know that I was importing my car and they filled out all paperwork for me. I did not have to pay any taxes on the car (but from my research, would be taxed if I sold the car within a year).

Woohoo!! It was issued!

How long until I should get my tracking number? I am hoping that I get it by tomorrow, I am in Kingston so I am only a few hours away... BUT, a big snow storm hit so I hoping it doesn't delay the post office lol!

I don't remember how long it took from issued to get my tracking number, but I did use Kingston as my pickup. I got my tracking number on dec 8 and got the ready to pick up email on dec 10.

Yes Ottawa has U.S. customs and if it is a direct or connecting flight to the U.S. He will be able to clear customs before flying and activate his visa. If he is connecting through a Canadian hub like Toronto or Montreal, he wil need to clear customs at that airport, so you would need to plan extra time in that layover. Ottawa is my home airport and I have cleared customs there many times (even activating visas to work on cruise ships).

Hi all, got my tracking number on 12/8, and visa in hand today (12/10)!! Done and done!!

Good luck to all!

Congrats to you and your wife! And good luck with the move! I got my email today for pickup, just couldn't swing it with work. I will be picking it up tomorrow!

Thanks, all for your input! She had her interview yesterday, and we were approved!! There were no questions specific to our same sex marriage.

Cm84 - how'd it go??

So glad to hear it all went well for your wife! Mine was approved as well, no problems (although the interviewer first used the term husband and I had to correct him, he was very apologetic though). All my questions were the same/similar to the examples I've read on VJ and nothing specific to the fact that our marriage is of the same sex variety.

Congrats again, and good luck with the big move!

Cm84 - Awesome! Good luck to you two!

Thanks to everyone for the quick replies!

Thanks! Good luck to you two as well!

Well she won't be the only one that day.... I have my interview on dec 1 in Montreal and my wife and I are a same sex couple too! So I can't really answer your question, but helps knowing we are not alone in this process.