mika__

Hi everyone

I just moved from  Canada on Nov 22/2020 to the USA on a CR1 visa. I have been self employed in Canada and still currently am in the USA still.

The day after I moved out of Canada I called my canadian bank account ( RBC ) and updated my address to my new address in america as this is what my accountant told me to do (im still keeping my canadian account open for abit to pay off some canadian debt)

However, it completly slipped my mind and I did not update my address on the CRA website (I never go on the CRA site, I pay my tax installments at the bank on a slip and thats as much as I do). On the CRA website in my account it still lists my previous canadian address even though ive been in the USA since Nov 22/2020. I only realized this address thing the other day, and im finding it impossible to call CRA to change my address, they dont let you change it online anymore either.

I need to file my Canadian taxes soon, and im concerned if me not having updated my address is going to be a massive issue or not? have any of you been in a similar situation?

hi everyone
I just recently moved to the USA from Canada on a IR1 visa. I still have no bank account here in the USA. I just got a check in the mail from my home country canada of my security deposit from my apartment I moved out of before I moved to the USA. I have no idea where I can cash it since its in Canadian dollars....and its about $900 CAN so its quiet abit of money, I also need to cash or deposit it within 2 weeks or its expires (thats what it says on the check which I find odd). Does anywhere know where I can cash a international check without having a bank account? im in CA

I dont have a bank account in the USA to go and deposit it, im not even sure if banks deposit international checks?

The reason Ive been having massive trouble opening an account here due to issues with a SSN. Every bank ive tried to apply to wants a SSN or the physical SSN card (which I dont have). I used to live in the USA on a k1 visa to my ex husband back in 2012, and I had a ssn then under my married name. But when we divorced in 2014 I went back to my home country and back to my maiden name. So now that im back in america my name is legally my maiden name but my previous social security is under my previous married name. Which is causing issues opening a bank account. I dont have my old physical SSN card, I just remember the number. All SS offices are closed to try and resolve this and when I do get ahold of SS office they tell me to mail them my greencard to them in the mail which im uncomfortable doing as it could get lost...im struggling to bring my Canadian funds over to USA since I cant open a bank account. Ive tried, Wells fargo, Chase, Bank of America, Redwood credit union etc...and all wont except me because my social security card doesnt match my current maiden name on it as the card has my previous married name on it. Ive tried making the neccessary changes on the SS site to fix this but a SS agent on the phone said I cant do it online because im not an american citizen and that I must mail them my greencard to fix the name change and get a new card. I have no idea what to do, im weary mailing my greencard but I have no money because I cant open a bank account to transfer my funds that are in my canadian bank account still
 

30 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

Chase is on the list of banks that do not require a SSN to open an account.

ill give it a go, thank you so much for your help I appreciate it alot!

36 minutes ago, betzzymathew said:

Proabably not the exact answer you are looking for, but maybe it will help in your original problem. 

 

Can you try opening a bank account online ? I opened a Chase and BoA account checking online and had my debit cards sent to my home in 5 business days. Maybe that will help. 

 

If I were you, I would not send GC physical card in mail. Its not that you cannot trust SS, just that in the middle of pandaemic, with rules and procedures changing constantly, its more probable that things might go a-miss. 

I actually have Chase near me, I havent tried them yet. You had no issues opening with them you said? You did it all online no problem?

34 minutes ago, betzzymathew said:

Proabably not the exact answer you are looking for, but maybe it will help in your original problem. 

 

Can you try opening a bank account online ? I opened a Chase and BoA account checking online and had my debit cards sent to my home in 5 business days. Maybe that will help. 

 

If I were you, I would not send GC physical card in mail. Its not that you cannot trust SS, just that in the middle of pandaemic, with rules and procedures changing constantly, its more probable that things might go a-miss. 

ya I tried online, but they ended up calling me and said because im not an american citizen that i need to make an appointment and come in and finish the rest of the account setup. And at this point they wouldnt let me finish opening an account without a physical ss card 😟

I tried doing it online the last week but it keeps suspending me. When I called SS# they said it suspends me on purpose because im not a US citizen (just a permanent resident) and because of that I have to do it in person (which I cant now because offices are closed) so she said my only option is to mail them my greencard and visa. They said the online is not available for non US citizens

I only have my permanent resident card that I just got the other day and my passport with my IR1 visa in it and thats all I have for US ID

hi everyone

I moved to the USA November 22 on an IR1 visa. 

I used to live in the USA on a K1 visa back in 2012 to my now ex husband, divorced and moved back to my home country in 2014....and now im here again since Nov 22 on a IR1 visa to my new husband. 

Since I used to previously live in the USA back in 2012 I had a SS# here, however since I moved back to my home country in 2014 its been about 6 years since ive had the  US SS# physical card (I dont have it anymore, havent in years, have no idea where it went and I know thats not good) but I remember the number, just dont have the physical card so I need a replacement one

I need my SS# to open a bank account here. Tried multiple different banks and they require the physical SS# card. I need a bank open asap because I need to transfer my money in my Canadian bank account to a bank that I open in america. We are currently relying on just my husbands income until im able to transfer my money from my home country Canada into an account I can open here in USA. (Ive been trying to transfer my money to my husbands account but we are having issues)

Now heres my problem.

Social security offices arent open to fix this. I called them and was told I have to physically go into an office to get a replacement card, but since they are all closed, the agent told me I must Mail them a SS# replacement card application AND my actual physical copy of my greencard they said and my visa. Do they mail my greencard back in the mail with the replacement SS# card? how do I get my documents back?

Im not comfortable AT ALL, mailing my actual greencard/visa in the mail to them. If I could make copies and send it sure, but they want my actual passport/visa in the mail mailed to them.

When they say greencard thats my passport with my IRI visa in it right? (just to be sure)

I guess im more curious if any of you have recently been in this situation of having to mail your visa/greencard/passport in the mail to a SS office to get your SS# card and if you had any issues? (how long did it take to get your card in the mail?) did they send you your documents back?

hi everyone

I finally moved to the USA about 2 weeks ago now (been here since November 22) on my IR1 visa.

Im not exactly sure what happens now, do I wait for something in the mail? (if so I havent got anything yet) Do I need to fill out any forms or do anything?......When I had my interview I wasnt told anything or given anything telling me what to do once I got here, nor did the border patrol who took me into secondary custody at the airport when I flew here

If anyone can let me know what the next steps are for a IR1 visa is after coming to the USA would be appreciated thank you

removed the last 2 digits and it worked :)!

thanks for your help everyone, appreciate it lots.

2 minutes ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

At the interview, they gave you a form that gives instructions on how to pay.  That shows how to retrieve your DOS Case ID number from your printed visa.

yes that is what im looking at  my number is still too long though

I do notice though

if i go into my emails where it shows me my appointment confirmation for my interview i recently had, it shows for my case # it shows 3 letters and 10 numbers 

but in my passport I got back from the consulate where my visa is, there is an extra '01' at the end of my case # which makes it too long for me to fill out the DOS case ID on the immigrant fee page.

Do I just leave out the extra 01 at the end of the case#  in my passport where my new visa is?

Hi everyone

Im trying to pay my $220 USD immigrant fee online. The website that was given to me by the consulate on where to pay is a broken link, this is the link they gave me-----> http://uscis.gov/uscis-elis 

I found this and im assuming this is the correct site to pay my fee-----> https://my.uscis.gov/uscis-immigrant-fee/enter-data

^ I am trying to fill (second link page) out but where it asks for me "DOS Case ID" it only lets me put in 14 characters where as my DOS Case ID is 15 ( 3 letters and 12 numbers) so im not able to put my entire DOSE Case ID in to continue with the process.

I tried calling USCIS but got a automatated robot lady who was of no help and then she hung up on me. I couldnt get to an actual agent as there was no option?

Im moving to the USA November 22, so I hope I can get this figured out and paid for before I leave, however it seems like ill be ok to go to the USA and  pay it when im there as its not necessary to cross the border it seems?

Anyone know what to do/call? or been in this situation?

Thanks alot

Hi everyone

I hope im in the right forum posting this, if not apologies

Im moving to the USA from Canada on my IR1 visa at the end of November here.

Now abit of a back history, I used to live in the USA under a K-1 visa back in 2012 (to my ex husband). At that time living there I had gotten a U.S Social Security # card.

However I moved back to Canada in 2014 and abandoned my greencard as me and my (now ex) husband got divorced. Since then ive been living in my home country Canada again.

I dont have my U.S  SS# Card anymore (I honestly have no idea where it went and it slipped my mind since I havent lived in the USA all these years and did not plan on remarrying someone from there again)

Given this info, Do I have to apply for a NEW SS#? or just apply somehow to get a new card with my PREVIOUS SS#? (I also cant remember the entire SS# I had either there)

when filing for my current visa (now my IR1) we ticked off something on our paperwork that I will not apply for a social security # (think it was a question on the DS-260 near the end of the application)

how does this work?

Thanks so much in advance

36 minutes ago, mika__ said:

Hi everyone

 

 

I am moving to the USA to California near the end of November here on my IRI visa I just got recently. Ill be moving there from Canada.

 

 

My question is that I am completely  confused on how to go about doing is:

 

• How do I bring my funds with me to America? Im currently with RBC bank in Canada here and I dont know how to bring my money when I move. 

 

• I obviously dont have a bank down in California yet so when I cross the border to the USA do I open up a bank account down there asap and then wire transfer myself from my RBC bank (while im in the USA) all my money to my new bank ill have in America? (if I can do that?) Can I do that/should I do that?

 

• Should I leave my RBC bank account open/leave some money in there for awhile while im living in the USA?

 

 

Im curious to know what some of you did/experiences

any advice would be highly appreciated because I have no idea what to do in this area at all. (I have an appointment with my bank coming up but I just want some advice off here too)

 

Thanks!

I have about $46k in Canadian I need to bring.....I dont really feel comfortable bringing all that cash with me. But im not sure if this is what people do, pull out all there money in cash, convert it and then bring it to america to deposit in there account when they open up a bank account there.

Hi everyone

I am moving to the USA to California near the end of November here on my IRI visa I just got recently. Ill be moving there from Canada.

My question is that I am completely  confused on how to go about doing is:

• How do I bring my funds with me to America? Im currently with RBC bank in Canada here and I dont know how to bring my money when I move. 

• I obviously dont have a bank down in California yet so when I cross the border to the USA do I open up a bank account down there asap and then wire transfer myself from my RBC bank (while im in the USA) all my money to my new bank ill have in America? (if I can do that?) Can I do that/should I do that?

• Should I leave my RBC bank account open/leave some money in there for awhile while im living in the USA?

Im curious to know what some of you did/experiences

any advice would be highly appreciated because I have no idea what to do in this area at all. (I have an appointment with my bank coming up but I just want some advice off here too)

Thanks!

hi everyone

Just went to the post office to pic up my CR-1 visa (which actually says IR1 in my passport, I hope thats correct, we got married April 2018 so I guess I am IR1 now?...) anyways, when picking it up the post office lady helping me was asking me about my passport/visa I was picking up from there, and she asked me when I was gunna move to the USA. I told her I was going to move at the end of November here next month. She said to me "are you sure you can even cross the border?" and I told her "spouse visas are allowed to cross right now as far as I know" and she kept telling me that shes pretty sure I wont be able to cross and kept telling me to look into it.

I would imagine when I had my interview at the consulate last week in Montreal that they wouldve told me if I could not cross, but none of that was brought up. The only thing the consulate asked me is "how" im planning to cross and I said by plane.

Im not missing something am I? Im almost certain I can cross the border (coming from Canada, vancouver YVR is where im crossing from to the USA), its just the mail lady was SO adamant I could not cross and now its making me question if things have changed that im not aware of?

If anyone can let me know that would be great!

15 minutes ago, mika__ said:

Hi there

 

 

I have my interview tomorrow in Montreal for my CR1 interview. I just want to make sure (or if anyone can link me somewhere, because im having trouble finding the answer) are we allowed to bring our purse/phone in the consulate with us?

 

 

I ask because back in 2012 I had to go to the US consulate in Vancouver B.C for a previous K-1 visa interview (to my ex husband) and the consulate would absolutly not let me come in with my purse/cellphone and that was for everyone. I had travelled on bus+skytrain+walking and it took my 2 hrs to get there and I had to resort to leaving my stuff with a manager at a restaurant across the street from the consulate. It was an absolute NIGHTMARE and dont want to go through that again.

 

 

Any help would be appreciated!

 

 

like how do people bring there money in with them? like I need to bring my debit card/cash in my purse so I can get my cab when I leave the consulate....I guess thats what im not understanding

Hi there

I have my interview tomorrow in Montreal for my CR1 interview. I just want to make sure (or if anyone can link me somewhere, because im having trouble finding the answer) are we allowed to bring our purse/phone in the consulate with us?

I ask because back in 2012 I had to go to the US consulate in Vancouver B.C for a previous K-1 visa interview (to my ex husband) and the consulate would absolutly not let me come in with my purse/cellphone and that was for everyone. I had travelled on bus+skytrain+walking and it took my 2 hrs to get there and I had to resort to leaving my stuff with a manager at a restaurant across the street from the consulate. It was an absolute NIGHTMARE and dont want to go through that again.

Any help would be appreciated!

54 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

Your lawyer is correct.  NOT required.  The consulate has access to FBI records and will check the information themselves.

 

Here's what the Department of State says: "Present and former residents of the United States do NOT need to submit any U.S. police certificates."

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-5-collect-financial-evidence-and-other-supporting-documents/step-7-collect-civil-documents.html

 

Thank you so much!! very helpful I greatly appreciate it!!

Hi everyone

I have my medical tomorrow and my cr-1 interview october 7th.

I was just going over my interview checklist that was given to me in the interview confirmation email I got and it says:

Quote

Police certificates from each country in which the visa applicant has resided for one year or longer. The certificate(s) must be issued within one year of the date of the visa appointment. NOTE: An applicant must present a police certificate from his/her country of current residence and country of nationality, if residence in such country exceeds 6 months  

Now, im a Canadian living in Canada. I have my Canadian police certificate that was uploaded and accepted at the NVC stage. However, after reading this above, im confused and ill tell you why.

I used to live in West virginia USA, as I was previously married to my ex husband (was there under a K1 visa at the time back in 2012). I only lived there for a little over a year.

For my CURRENT cr1 visa me and my new husband filed with a lawyer. And our lawyer said I did not need a police certificate for when I lived in west virginia. I remeber asking the lawyer multiple times at the begining of our CR1 filing stage if I needed a police certificate from there and they insisted no.

I feel otherwise though, and this doesnt sound right to me

Would anyone know if I would need one from there?

Hi there

Im setting up my medical exam as my CR1 interview in montreal is Oct 7. I read on here you are supposed to get your Flu Shot done aswell, thats true correct?. Which I was not aware of, I just randomly saw that on here the other day...... Where does it say we need to get the flu shot? (did I miss something?). I honestly dont think in my entire adult life ive actually ever got the flu shot.

Do you have to get the flu shot before your medical exam? or anytime just as long as its before your interview?

Can someone please let me know? sorry if this is in the wrong forum or if I missed it somewhere else on here

I can go to any pharmacy offering them (like Shoppers Drug mart?) and ask for one and just ask for proof from them I got one right?

Can I please be added too? My interview was for April 23 at Montreal but we got cancelled until further notice

does this effect cr-1 visas??

I was supposed to have my interview in montreal April 24 for my cr1 visa and now this ban...

I was supposed to have my CR-1 interview April 24. It got cancelled because of covid.

this immigration/greencard ban applies to us that were just at the interview stage?

Or applies to new people starting a petition to get to USA???