Colin Wilson

Back in 2004 I called presidents choice and asked about leaving my acct open in Canada, while I resided in the USA. They said no,they don't allow that! I didnt make any further inquiries, I just changed my address to my parents in Stoon! After 6 months they do put a"freeze" on the acct due to inactivity, but I just have to phone, and they "unfreeze" it.

Hello every one... Living happy in Tennessee.. Using Canadian bank account (Plus there RBC Centrua US accounts)

All's well using them.... ( they will charge you 25 % holding on withdrawing RRSP's)

Hello to all on Can form..

Colin

DV-2009, the 2007 Green Card Lottery Begins on October 3rd

WASHINGTON, DC - The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, commonly known as the Green Card Lottery, starts at 12.00 pm on October 3rd, 2007. The U.S. Department of State continues to encourage all applicants to the 2007 Green Card Lottery (DV-2009) to submit their applications early in the two-month registration period. It is important to understand that being selected in the lottery does not automatically guarantee a green card. The requirements are strict and many applicants selected in the lottery do not receive a green card because they do not meet the educational or professional requirements. There are 50,000 immigrant visas (Green Cards) available in the 2007 Green Card Lottery (DV-2009). The odds of being selected depend on the total number of eligible entries received by the Department of State. There are also country quotas, which causes some countries to receive more Green Cards than others. Citizens of most countries qualify for the visa lottery program, however there are few exceptions. The full list of eligible countries can be found in the Green Card Lottery Application Guide.

Warning: It is important to not fall victim to Green Card Lottery scams. Many fraudulent websites claim to be the official Green Card Lottery website. These fraudulent websites charge a fee to submit Green Card Lottery applications. There is no cost to submit an application. Click here to learn more.

Download the Green Card Lottery Application Guide and submit your application today.

Hey Colin that's great, so how are things in Tennessee anyway, settling in well - missing Alberta!?

Lovin it.. (dont miss Alberta, think I was over it and the weather ) ..Great folks here, being treated very well,

Things that are different.

Health care cost ( of coarse ), Banks are behind Canada, Taxes and things costs less .. esp with Dollar near equal..

Many churches, folks are very tied to their church lifes..Then there is Football ... Friday, (high school) Sat. (Colledge), Sunday (Pro's) and of coarse Monday Night games..

There sure is a better selection here... If Wal-mart doesnt have it you dont need it.. haha

(You can buy guns in Wal-mart !!)

Been above 80 F since I left Alberta.. very dry and yet humid..

I am Blending in ( as in Rome, as they say) they love my accent .. "" my accent""..

Any way alls well...

Happy journey all.

Colin

Hey everyone... Actual LPR Card Arrived today..

Border crossing ( IR-1 Visa activation) Aug 29/07 green card arrived ..Sept 26/07. ( 26 days)

I received 4 welcome letters haha .

Happy Dance in Tennesse..

Only problem so far is the credit ( that has been a bit of a challenge ) expect for Amex .. Global transfer worked great.

Regards

Colin

Way to Go.. Congrats .. from Tennessee..

From Fellow Albertan..

Colin

Glad it all went well. Some do get the SSN by checking off the box. Didnt work for me, but have read others that did get it. Best of luck finding a house

Hey Folks....

Since my Last Post: ( here is update)

Found a House ( in The Country just what we where looking for) 12 mins from Grandkids

(they handle house sales different here)

Got pre-approved for Mortgage

(Talked bank into linking equafax canada to Equafax USA, took them a couple days but done)

Found a Calgary Accountant ( expert in US/ Canada tax) he will handle transition year..

So think I am almost a Local.. Haha

Great Journey to All

Colin

Well guys here is an update.. on our progress..

Sold the Calgary house had it packed up by Atlas Van Lines moving and put in Storage in Calgary unit we find a house.

Traveled from Calgary - thru the sweetgras Montana Border the crossing was great.. very painless as I have

previously posted..

We traveled the 5 days ( 4000km) cross the Nation pulling a 6 x 10 Trailer I had bought to Tennessee..

We have gone thru quite a Process..

I dont think any one in Tennessee has ever seen a Temp IR-1 Visa in a Canadian passport before.. ha ha

But the very first thing you have to get is a SSN.. Dont Believe the thing about checking the DS230 section.. and believing

that you would just get one.. The Lady at the SSN office said you have to come in..

It was not hard at all to get the SSN as long as you have the immigration Visa..& Certified Birth cerficate

( The SSN is the very first thing you need to get)

You will need it for Bank accounts ( Mortgage/Loans etc..) Believe people who say as a Canadian you have no credit here.

They are right.

( It takes about 2 weeks to get SSN Card in Mail, But you can go back in in 2 days to Get the Number)

Here in Tennessee you have to have a Local Bank account ( They dont like out of state checks)

but to get a bank account you Need:

Drivers Licence & a SSN Number No exceptions.....

So the Drivers Licence was Next ,, Just an eye test no exam... Nice..

Then Bank accounts, It was sure nice to know someone local here as it made a huge difference..

We set up a few accounts at a Larger bank ( no problem they said to cash Canadian checks)

and signed up to get pre-approved for a Mortgage..

(still waiting on that one, the Canadian thing is slowing it down.. they are trying to link Canadian Equifax

to American Eqiufax to get history/ Credit)

Wish us Luck ...

We are spending most of our days looking for a nice home so that brings you all up to date.

My Cell phone from Telus was terrible done here ( connections, drop calls echo etc..)

So I changed to AT&T wireless ( but as I said above they want your SSN and then of coarse no from credit on a new SSN

so I had to pay a refundable .. in 12 Months..$100 bucks to get service.. ( phone works great here 700 rolling mins/per month

for about $75./month.

Regards

Colin

Well we crossed the border today Aug 29/07 at Sweetgrass MT. ( It took all of 30 Mins)

After they asked us to go around to the office ..they stamped my (IR-1 LPR) Visa .

did not want to look at any thing I had in my trailer..or the truck, he said wasnt interested..

The border people where very nice, and efficient and asked if I had an letter form chrysler

covering the emissions approval for my Dodge Ram.. he stamped some papers for My Registering

my vechile.

Well Now its a road trip to Knoxville , TN ..

I Cant Believe its Over.. YEA YEA...

Happy Journey to everyone.. Thanks again for this site and the Canada Forum.. and it's people..

Regards

Colin

Hey all DCF friends,

After much b!tchin' and cursing MTL, we finally got an interview date. Sept 26 @ 8:30. needless to say, we spent all yesterday evening phoning everyone who would listen, all across the continent. Len's parents in Mexico, Bren's parents in WA, etc., etc., etc.

Not, the wait and the countdown begins.... I am sure I will come up with tons of questions after I get over the shock!

Question #1: what are the kinds of things they focus on during the interview? AND... is Bren needed there? He would much rather NOT attend (his anxiety gets too overwhelming!!!)

Wisdom, anyone????

Peace, L.

Congrats ...

You will be fine ...

I have a question what do I need to take with me to activate my IR-1

at the Calgary POE

I am leaving Aug 20/07 on a flight from Calgary to Knoxville, TN

I will check in with the Calgary Airport US immigration people with:

My Plane ticket showing I am Flying into the US.

Of coarse the Sealed envelope

My Canadian Visa with the GC insert.

O and of coarse MY USC wife ( sponcer)

Anything Else needed?

P.S I called them at the Calgary Airport and they said Best Time is in the early morning

on a Monday... I told the guy on the phone that I would be coming home to finish selling

my Calgary home..

Ha ha and he when into Training mode and gave me a lecture that after I activate the Visa Calgary would not be my home ...

Regards

Colin

I imported my car. No duty at the border but I had to pay Florida sales tax to register the title and get my plates.

I requested two letters

1. One From Chrysler for my 2006 Dodge Ram -- no Charge ( took weeks)

2. One from GM 2002 Blazer --- Cost $ 75.00 took two hours via fax

(but I sold this one so I will not have to pull it down to Tennessee.)

Colin

Hey guys..any Canadian import their car before or can any one give me a link to a place where I can find out how bringing a car into the US (on PR status)? I would really appreciate it. How does the US border deal with it? What are the taxes or duties I have to pay on the car? etc.

I brought with me my 2004 Honda Civic which I had since new ... had a letter of compliance that they barely looked at and was not charged any duty. (K1)

Have a Look at this..

http://www.lbl.gov/LBL-Work/HR/irss/VehicleImport.html

Importing Vehicles From Canada:

For Nonresidents of the U.S. importing a vehicle for no more than one year:

As a general rule all motor vehicles imported into the United States that are less than 25 years old must comply with Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS), or be brought into compliance with the FMVSS by a Registered Importer. However, temporary importations (up to one year) by Nonresidents of the United States are exempt from this requirement and do not have to be modified to conform to the FMVSS.

Nonresidents of the United States may import a vehicle registered in another country for personal use for a period not to exceed one year (for imports of longer than one year, see below). The vehicle cannot be sold and it must be exported within one year from the date of entry. A form HS-7 (available at ports of entry or in PDF format from NHSTA) must be completed and presented to U.S. Customs. Your passport number and country of issue are required on the HS-7 form. Use Box 5 on HS-7 form. For imports of more than one year, by Residents or Nonresidents of the U.S.:

1: Obtain a letter of pre-approval from the vehicle manufacturer.

Contact the Canadian auo dealer and have the dealer request a pre-approval letter from the vehicle manufacturer that identifies your vehicle by the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This letter will determine if your vehicle complies with all applicable U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

2: Read the letter carefully.

If the manufacturer's letter states that the vehicle complies with U.S. standards, except for minor labeling requirements, you have an acceptable letter. This letter along with your vehicle registration should be presented to U.S. Customs at the border. U.S. Customs will review the manufacturer letter to assure that the vehicle complies. (DOT approval of the manufacturer letter was discontinued as of April 8, 1997.)

.If the manufacturer letter states that the vehicle meets all U.S. FMVSS, except for the speedometer, or headlights, you may have these components replaced at a dealer authorized by the factory to repair your vehicle. In addition to the documents cited above, you must present the invoice for the speedometer or headlight replacement to obtain U.S. Customs approval.

If the manufacturer letter states that the vehicle meets all U.S. FMVSS except for FMVSS No. 208 (automatic or passive restraint requirements) you WILL NOT be able to bring your vehicle into the U.S. on a permanent basis unless it is modified by an Registered Importer (RI). If an RI is willing to modify the vehicle, it may be expensive and may change your desire to import the vehicle.

If the manufacturer will not issue a letter for your vehicle, the only method to import your vehicle on a permanent basis is to contract with an Registered Iimporter.

3. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval is also required. The EPA monitors air pollution from vehicle emissions. Call the EPA information line at (202) 564-9660 to have information FAX'ed to you automatically. Documents available include lists of vehicles approved for importation from Canada, quick overviews of importation requirements, and detailed information on temporary and permanent vehicle importation from Canada and elsewhere. You may need to submit the EPA Form 3520-1 "Importation of Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Engines" to U.S. Customs officials; this form is available by FAX at the EPA number listed above.

I can "fourth" it. I went out of US for a three-week trip only two weeks after I received an immigrant visa @ Montreal, and had it stamped @ Dorval PFI.

Thanks everyone, That is what I thought but my wife was worried, so I told her I would

ask the VJ community..

Again thanks for the replys.

Regards

Colin

I have My IR-1 Visa Now, . the insert into my Canadian Passport..That is and I would like to

go to Tennessee for a quick trip.. and return to Canada and wait for my House to Sell..

I would fly out of Calgary and I guess would activate my Visa at a POE.. and get it stamped etc..

My question is ( for those that might have done this) can I return to Canada before I get the

Plastic Green Card.. or do I have to wait until I get this card 4 weeks later?

I know there are no travel restriction on a IR-1 ( other than be out of the country for more than 1 year)

but is that after you have received the Plastic Green Card in the Mail??

Has any one returned to Canada right after or soon after crossing, and any problems?

Colin

Thanks guys, I'm going to head to the closest SSA office tomorrow morning and get this process going....I don't know what I was thinking when I thought it actually might go smoothly through the DS230 checkbox deal....oh well.

thanks

Darryl

Darryl:

Looking forward to what you found out.

regards

Colin

Hey Colin .. sorry to hear about the disappointment .. I just don't get some of their rules and regulations. Hopefully that won't take that long once to send to them the paperwork they require.

Just a question ... what is Mat's VJ name?

See Mat's review:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...st&p=987215

Thanks

Colin

IR-1 US Visa & Sealed Package arrived today .. . July 19th, 2007..

It has been a long wait since June 15/06 Calgary Application.. , I wish all you waiting

the best of luck and hang in there..

Now Have to sell my house in Calgary, think I have six months to hit the POE , any one

can copy me the link to that info it would be great..

regards and happy journeys

Colin

Congrats

Thanks every one for your kind words..

I recieved confirmation from Canada Post that the visa is on the way..

I am glad I saved the Tracking number on my Xpressspost..

Colin

Well Guys .. I have had a brief setback.. !!!!!!

They will not consider any Canadian Pensions or for that fact any Canadian Assets... only American income and American assests..

" Every one take note!!!"

My pension income alone would be six times The I864P Poverty level... and I explained to them I would have it sent to me in the US as I checked with the Pension Company and they do that ..

and I have a lot of Canadian assets trust me...

but the interviewer said sorry That I would need another USC co-sponcer that would fill out the I864

I would not need to interview again just send it ( The Co-sponcers I 864 paper work) into Montreal with my Passport and they would send my accepted visa 10 days Later..

So I have arranged for a co sponcer.. waiting for it to arrive now..

Grrrrrr

P.S I saw Mat There in line and he was still waiting when I left ..

Colin

Holly #######..... I just recieved an email from my senator...

(I got my Tennessee Senator " who has my vote forever " to send an email to Montreal)

Here is Montreal 's Response...

quote""

This visa is being printed today, it should be mailed out tomorrow. July 17,2007

Thank you

"

end quote

A money order should be fine as long as it is in US funds.

exactly what I was getting at...

go for it!

Gotp CIBC I always buy money order from them in US $ and it is always drawn at a US bank in New york. I forgot the name but i think it is Chase or city. I'm very certain of this so go over there and talk to them.

It Dosn't matter about which bank as long it is a money Order in US Funds.

I got mine at RBC.. no worries..

Colin

Thanks, Colin. Just to double check, you paid immigration fees with a money order from RBC? I know its not a problem to get a money order from any bank and cash in the U.S. but its just that fine print on the DS-230 fee bill that says U.S. money drawn on a U.S. bank. That is my only concern. But it sounds like you did that, hallelujah!

Yup , They took my money (US- RBC - money order) with a smile ...

a couple times ...

Great Journey..

Colin

A money order should be fine as long as it is in US funds.

exactly what I was getting at...

go for it!

Gotp CIBC I always buy money order from them in US $ and it is always drawn at a US bank in New york. I forgot the name but i think it is Chase or city. I'm very certain of this so go over there and talk to them.

It Dosn't matter about which bank as long it is a money Order in US Funds.

I got mine at RBC.. no worries..

Colin

whats google? whats its addy,lol I have a good idea on stuff to do, but just curious what others reccommend,lol but will look intothat googley thingy!! lol

Tim Hortons closest to you:

Langara College, Academic Building

100 West 49th Ave, 1st fl Cafeteria

Vancouver,BC CA

Tel: (604) 323-5295

0.00 kilometers

Driving Directions

Tim Hortons

865 Broadway W

Vancouver,BC V5Z 1J9 CA

Tel: (604) 872-0348

0.75 kilometers

Driving Directions

Tim Hortons

1398 Broadway W

Vancouver,BC V6H 1H2 CA

Tel: (604) 739-7715

1.64 kilometers

Driving Directions

Children's and Women's Health Centre

4500 Oak St

Vancouver,BC V6H 3V4 CA

Tel: (604) 875-2539

2.04 kilometers

Driving Directions

Tim Hortons

1205 Burrard St

Vancouver,BC V6Z 1Z5 CA

Tel: (604) 331-8769

2.35 kilometers

Driving Directions

Tim Hortons

947 Hornby Street

Vancouver,BC V6Z 1V3 CA

Tel: (604) 642-4272

2.41 kilometers

Driving Directions

Tim Hortons

1790 4th Ave W

Vancouver,BC V6J 1M1 CA

Tel: (604) 730-7889

2.44 kilometers

Driving Directions

Tim Hortons

607 Dunsmuir St

Vancouver,BC V6B 1Y7 CA

Tel: (604) 609-0865

2.51 kilometers

Driving Directions

Tim Hortons

Unit 6-555 Hastings Street West

Vancouver,BC V6B 5K3 CA

Tel: (604) 642-0348

2.64 kilometers

Driving Directions

Pender Place II

104 - 750 Pender St W

Vancouver,BC V6C 2T7 CA

Tel: (604) 632-0348

2.73 kilometers

Driving Directions

one of my favourite places is Granville Island...

and Gastown is pretty cool too.... and Stanley park is nice...

I guess Wreck Beach Vancouver is out ( google that) www.wreckbeach.org , but dont miss Granville Island, Stevenston Gas Town, China Town etc..

as far as Tim's Go ... goggle is your friend.. as I have heard on here .. haha

enjoy

Colin

From Passport Canada

Declaration in lieu of guarantor

If you have not known an eligible guarantor for at least two years, complete form PPTC 132 "Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor" available from any Passport Canada service location or Canadian Government office in the U.S.

The "Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor" form must be sworn to or declared before, and signed by, a person authorized by law to administer an oath or a solemn declaration. If completed outside Canada, a qualified official includes a Canadian or British diplomatic or consular representative, or a qualified local official.

There is a Canadian consulate in Boston. http://geo.international.gc.ca/can-am/boston/menu-en.asp

========================================

Interesting artical Calgary Herald

========================================

Friday » July 6 » 2007

Passport rules made simpler

Ottawa seeks faster process

Juliet O'Neill

CanWest News Service

Saturday, June 09, 2007

CREDIT: Patrick Doyle, Reuters

Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay

OTTAWA - Canadians applying for a passport renewal will not have to provide proof of citizenship or a guarantor as of Aug. 15 under new measures introduced to simplify and speed applications.

First-time applicants will also be able to use just about anybody with a passport as a guarantor as of Oct. 15. Guarantors, who vouch for an applicant's identity, are now restricted to a list of professionals.

Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay said Friday the government has ruled out, for now, extending the Canadian passport to 10 years from five.

The government also pledged to alleviate long lineups and other inconveniences by hiring hundreds of new passport staff, extending office hours in some cities and holding clinics in rural areas where officials will collect completed applications. Another 65 post offices and government service centres will also receive applications.

The measures were announced as Ottawa faced pressure to persuade the Bush administration to grant Canadians the same reprieve on passports as it offered American travellers.

MacKay had said earlier in the House of Commons the government is "disappointed" that the U.S. administration did not offer to alleviate passport requirements for Canadians entering the U.S. as it is doing for Americans.

Vancouver MP Libby Davies, New Democratic Party House leader, urged MacKay during the Commons question period to demand the same exemption from the United States for Canadians.

"The decision proves that the program is dysfunctional and unfairly hurts Canadians," she said. "We know that officials here are swamped with passport applications and are not keeping up."

MacKay promised to call U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. "We are disappointed that thus far it has not extended that to Canadians," he said, "and we are taking this matter up with officials in the United States in the hopes that we can bring about some greater alleviation with respect to the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative."

That initiative is a new U.S. law that required passports for all travellers to and from the U.S., including Canadians, for air travel as of Jan. 23, 2007, and will require passports or alternative approved travel documents for land and sea travel to and from the U.S. as early as January 2008.

In a written statement Friday, U.S. Ambassador to Canada, David Wilkins, said, "The U.S. Customs and Border Protection made clear that it has and will continue to exercise its current authorities in unique circumstances to allow Canadians subject to the WHTI requirements into the U.S. based on other evidence of identity and citizenship."

Canadian officials said there are about 170,000 applications being processed in Canada at this time. The average wait for a passport, they said, is two weeks for those with a correctly filled application delivered to a passport office and 10 weeks for those who apply by mail. The 10-week average is six weeks above the norm before the U.S. law created a flood of applications.

MacKay noted that by this summer close to 50 per cent of Canadians would have a passport, at least twice the percentage in the United States. At this time there are about 170,000 applications being processed in Canada.

Canadian passport officials have increased passport processing to about 20,000 a day from 13,000 a day since the start of the last fiscal year, MacKay said.

MacKay added that the U.S. rules would help Canadian tourism. The rules waive the passport requirement for Americans flying to and from Canada for travellers who have a receipt proving they have applied for a passport.

© The Calgary Herald 2007

I had already filled out the I-864, mostly, just to get a jump on the forms, however they changed it and it's now no longer fillable!

So I downloaded their new version, which is identical and I'm doing it again.

My question is about question 15 - country of domicile.

Should this be the U.S. or Canada? Currently we live in Canada and I haven't lived in the U.S., however we do have a place to live there and I do have a bank account.

From what I could find on VJ they mention that it depends on the consulate - anyway I am confused, what did you - those of you that both live/lived in Canada do?

15. Country of Domicile. This question is asking you toindicate the country where you maintain your principalresidence and where you plan to reside for the foreseeablefuture. If your mailing address and/or place of residence isnot in the United States, but your country of domicile is theUnited States, you must attach a written explanation anddocumentary evidence indicating how you meet the domicilerequirement. If you are not currently living in the UnitedStates, you may meet the domicile requirement if you cansubmit evidence to establish that any of the followingconditions apply:

A , B & C

C

C. You intend in good faith to reestablish your domicile inthe United States no later than the date of the intendingimmigrant's admission or adjustment of status.You must submit proof that you have taken concrete steps toestablish you will be domiciled in the United States at a timeno later than the date of the intending immigrant's admissionor adjustment of status. Concrete steps might includeaccepting a job in the United States, signing a lease orpurchasing a residence in the United States, or registeringchildren in U.S. schools. Please attach proof of the steps youhave taken to establish domicile as described above.

-------------------------------------

see downloadable I-864 & instruction. ( typeable)

Form

http://www.visapro.com/Download/INS-Form-I-864.pdf

&

Instructions

http://www.visapro.com/Download/Affidavit-...nstructions.pdf

Colin