hollycenations

So we filed for the removal of conditions of my husband's green card in November of 2018. He had his biometrics appointment in October 2019. Noticed that our case status was updated to this today, so I guess no interview? Are we almost there??? :D

So we filed for the removal of conditions of my husband's green card in November of 2018. He had his biometrics appointment in October 2019. Noticed that our case status was updated to this today, so I guess no interview? Are we almost there??? :D

So we filed for the removal of conditions of my husband's green card in November of 2018. He had his biometrics appointment in October 2019. Noticed that our case status was updated to this today, so I guess no interview? Are we almost there??? :D

Update for anyone interested: My husband did end up using two 28" suitcases to transfer his belongings to Oklahoma. He stored some computer parts in boxes, wrapped in anti-static bags, and then packing foam/bubble wrap. Others were just in anti-static bags, and then padded with clothes and wrap. Everything made it here just fine! We were so relieved.

Update for anyone interested: Once we got my husband's SSN, we scheduled an appointment with the driver's exam station. We explained our situation, "We'd like to get my husband an Oklahoma license, here is his Canadian one, what is our next step?", left out the probably crucial detail that it was a G1 license (I mean, it's written on the card, but they probably just assumed it was a full license), and they just took his information, and he got a full Oklahoma license. A little scary, a little broken, but I won't complain. It's less hassle for us.
 
Definitely still gonna do some practice drives with him before I turn him loose though, haha.

Just to update everyone in case it's helpful to others, here is what we decided to do. We're just going to deconstruct his computer, and pack all the parts separately in his suitcases, and not bring his tower. We'll just get him a new one here. The most important parts (GPU, SSD, etc) will be in his carryon.

My case got updated to "in transit" three days after I got CC. Then, 3 days later, my case was updated to "ready", meaning it had arrived at the consulate. I'm sure there's some variance between cases/consulates/countries/etc, though. But that was my experience!

I was not there with him, sadly. But I'm on Skype with him now, and he's approved!!! Everything went very smoothly!! YAY!!!

I can summarize what you need to do. EI is Employment Insurance, very similar to 'Unemployment' in the U.S. and will allow your husband to receive EI payments in lieu of a paycheck while he looks for a job in the U.S., thus making financial decisions a bit easier on both of you as he'll have at least somewhat an income despite no job. What he will get paid depends on what his income was previously and the unemployment rate of his region. Payments are 55% of your regular weekly pay up to a maximum of $537 a week, and for how long he receives payments all depends on the unemployment rate. For example, I myself will be receiving $537/week for 36 weeks when I get my EAD. There's other eligibility requirements too and can all be found online.
 
Step 1:
Apply for EI within 4 weeks of leaving your employment, preferrably after POE into the US. You can do that here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-apply-online.html

If you do not apply within 4 weeks, you may be penalized from EI benefits. If you have a good reason for filing late, be sure to fax an Application to Antedate, located here:
http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/fi-if/index.jsp?app=prfl&frm=ins2987&lang=eng
The Antedate, if approved, will treat your late EI application as if you filed on-time. I recently had success with an Antedate appeal myself as I thought I couldn't file until I had my EAD, but I was wrong.
 
Step 2:
You will eventually receive a questionnaire by postal mail (hence why it's a good idea to start the process AFTER moving) as well as access codes. Read the instructions carefully, complete and mail back. They require a response within 10 business days, so you'll have to act fast on this step. I've heard some people fax back their responses, however I can't speak towards that but I can tell you I had no issues mailing it back physically.
 
Step 3:
At this point you'll have found out if your EI claim was approved or denied. If denied, well...not much you can really do. Maybe appeal it? Otherwise, congratulations! If you were a K-1 visa, you will be required to wait until you have your EAD before you will receive EI benefits, however with IR-1/CR-1 visa applicants, because these applicants can work immediately the moment they cross the border they will not hold EI payments and can issue payments right away as you are 'willing, ready, and legally able' to work. Keep your Canadian bank account handy, you're going to need it to receive payments.
 
Step 4:
The process here on out I believe is the same as a regular EI claim. You can always call the EI Out-of-Canada office at 1-877-486-1650 (phone number listed here: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-outside-canada/apply.html) if you have any questions. It seems for the Out-of-Canada office, they're a very small team, so there's a high chance that you'll get the same person multiple times when calling, and they're all super nice and can explain every step of the process to you. I've personally dealt with Patrick twice.

Hmm, interesting! I do remember the practical here (sadly, I took it 5 times because the guy I took it with most of those times was a real curmudgeon), and ours were on city streets as well. I took most of them in a small town (where the curmudgeon was, and where I lived), and my winning one was in a nearby mid-sized city. We went on busier streets there, but no hardcore highways or anything.

And a lot less expensive. 

Worse comes to worse, he may need to do a drivers test.  The tests down here are significantly easier than Ontario drivers tests

My guess is they might catch it and give him the learner's equivalent.
 
With that said, it might be worth it for him to pass the drivers test just for the safety of himself as well as others on the road, as he hasn't yet before.  He's lucky though, I had a drivers license in Alberta and GA didn't even recognize it and I had to do the learners and drivers all over again, however there's no time restriction between learners and full drivers in most states it seems (unlike Alberta, ugh, 1 year limit as a learners regardless of age), so if he really wanted he could do them back-to-back!

Looks like if hes over 18 it doesnt matter. It would be the same as having a full license
 
https://www.ok.gov/dps/Obtain_an_Oklahoma_Driver_License_ID_Card/Transfer_a_Driver_License_from_Another_State/Transfer_a_Provisional_or_Graduated_License_from_Another_State_(Age_of_18_or_Older).html
 

DS-261 is for choice of agent, yes. And as far as I know, you're correct that there's really just one package. I just sent in one package for our visa process, and then completed the DS-260.
I don't know why they are separate on our tracking system. I'm guessing that maybe they used to be separate, but they aren't anymore.
You aren't the only one who was confused!

Right, W2's are only needed if you are coupling them with copies of your tax return. If you are submitting a transcript, they are not required.

Transcripts are preferred and that is all you need, don't worry about obtaining W2 forms.

I was able to get my husband on my Arvest bank account with not too much effort. Just in case that's an option for anyone!