mam521

Calgary was a ghost town. I remember driving down Macleod Trail on a Tuesday, which normally would have been packed with commuting travelers headed into the center of downtown, and it felt like the wee hours of a Sunday. We came across the border, on April Fools, no less, Uhaul in tow, to activate our visas. The land agents were "just like normal" and it seemed like a regular day. We had 3 hotel stays on our journey back and it was certainly a mixed bag about what was open, what wasn't and what the covid rules were. We were just so happy to finally get home because we'd been away for 18 months, waiting for the process to play out. I do chuckle about solo travelers in masks in their cars. I don't think twice about it anymore in public places when people are masked. And, well, this week I have stayed away from the office because I am sick. Sharing isn't always caring!

Thanks for asking. On the mend, but the allergies are now adding an additional layer of complexity. Kid1 actually went and found Zyrtec because I was sneezing so badly. I'm guessing brushing the cats (that I'm allergic to) didn't help 🤷‍♀️. They are just shedding so badly at the moment so it's a matter of take one for the team now for future benefit.

Crazy...5 years ago, we were in Calgary, waiting for our passports to be returned from the Consulate. We'd had our interview on the 9th, got home from Montreal after flight delays in the wee hours of the 10th, had school cancelled and the Consulate closed indefinitely, cancelling all other scheduled interviews on the 12th. We were so lucky because they'd issued our temp I-551's and had shipped them by courier on the 11th. Hubs flew up to us on Friday the 12th, with the intention of using airline status to take three 70lb bags back to Houston on the Monday to lessen the moving load. We pivoted, opting for him to stay with us because we were afraid if he left, he wouldn't be able to make it back to help me load the trailer and travel home. It ended up being the right call as everything came to a screeching halt. Our poor cats were alone for 21 days. Thank goodness our chosen family stepped up and made the trek twice a day to feed them. Still strange to think this is the week the world stopped, 5 years ago.

Petitions will be approved in their own time. You really cannot apply any logic for how quickly a case is processed, nor can you compare to another case. I know you don't want to hear it, but the sooner you accept that immigration is an ultra marathon so you must settle in for the long haul, the easier the rest will be. 16.5 months is an average processing time for 80% of the cases. Additionally, cases can get shuffled from one service center to another if there is an excessive workload so if Potomac wasn't moving, the case would potentially get shuffled elsewhere. USCIS has been hit by DOGE layoffs despite being essentially fee funded, so I'm guessing the shuffle of the workload is going to add time to case processing. Check back with your attorney if you haven't heard anything for 90 days outside of that 16.5 months. It would appear many attorneys have a tendency to work at their own pace, irrespective of how much you pay them.

You are incorrect. The OP is not applying for a K1, but are applying for CR-1/IR-1. It is a different processing path. In this instance, the DS-260 is an immigrant visa and alien registration application.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to enjoy this spectacular weather in Texas. I have picked up a cold somewhere and feel like a truck hit me. The cats and the dog all like that I've been laid up because they lay in precisely the correct spots on the bed to hold the blankets down such that I am essentially straight jacketed and cannot move.

If you actually read the fine print on the interview letter, it says you need to bring any evidence that was included in your application, so this would include the taxes. That said, they looked at exactly 3 things when I went - my interview letter with the form, my driver's license and my greencard. That's it.

It will have to come from Subaru Canada, even if you did find something online for the model. CMVSS and FMVSS are not the same between the countries. The big difference is often TPMS. If your Subie doesn't have active tire pressure monitoring, it will not be US compliant.

The car will have to be imported. This is more challenging these days than it used to be and may well be worth selling in Toronto and finding something new in New York.

Please fill out your timeline for the case you're referencing: https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=486100 As asked above, is the I-130 approved? Is a visa available?

Current average wait time is 16.5 months. You're still within the average processing time. Sorry it feels like forever - but unfortunately, it is what it is. In the meantime, have you guys been looking at what will be next when your approval comes? Things like gathering the documentation for the I-864, him gathering things like his address history from the time he was 16? Working on putting these bits together when you're this close to the I-130 approval will make the next steps easier and quicker for you. Additionally, he should look at the vaccine requirements and make sure everything is in order so his medical will also go smoothly.

Your A number is your alien registration or more commonly known greencard number. It won't be issued until after you've completed your DS-260 and are given an interview. The A # will be on your interview letter. Unless you've been issued a greencard in the past, the answer is "no" to that question.

Because the rules are the rules. He requires a US sponsor, end of story. I originally came to the US on a work visa and met my now husband. I was making well past the requirement with 5 years worth of US income tax returns to support the claim. It didn’t matter. He had to enter into that agreement with the government to assume financial responsibility for me.

Depends how rich or poor you're feeling and what you want to get out of it. We tend to stay somewhere with a fridge so we can hit the farmer's markets and local bakeries so we can pack lunches and go get lost adventuring all day. We often travel with a Kelty collapsible cooler so we can fulfill this type of adventuring. We don't typically do traditionally touristy things. We're going to go find an off beaten path, adventure and do things the locals do. That said, we have been up on a Blue Hawaiian helicopter adventure to fly over Kilauea and the old lava flows and we've done the popular things like the Thurston Lava Tube in HVO. We've hiked Rainbow Falls and Akaka falls, but we've wandered wandered out to the seawall where the locals go fishing. We've driven across the Island and stopped at little stores and shops the locals run. We had to go buy my brother the original Donkey Balls chocolates because, well, that's obligatory. We stopped at a little sandwich shop to munch on lilikoi cheesecake. We went to Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut factory. We've coffee tasted throughout Kona and Kau. Loved being up in the Cloud Forest at Thunder Mountain Coffee. We drove up to the telescopes at the top of Mauna Kea. We drove out to Pohoiki to check out the fresh lava flows after the LERZ eruption and I walked on the HOT sand at Isaac Hale beach. When we were on Maui, we went up Haleakala for sunrise. We also drove the Hana road and stopped at the Garden of Eden Arboretum to check out the rainbow eucalyptus trees. We found awesome Thai food in Maui and more good coffee and chocolate. I want to go to Kauai something fierce and go sea kayaking. The Na Pali coast looks absolutely amazing as does Waimea Canyon. The biggest thing to remember is if you are going to Hawaii, don't overplan. Pick a day to do something, but remember, especially on the Big Island, that it takes longer to get to things than you think. The aloha spirit is long and strong so you really need to just operate on island time and really just take it easy to really enjoy it.

We like Hawaii. My preference is Hawaii Island (the Big Island). It feels more authentic and less touristy than say Oahu. We usually stay on the way less touristy Hilo side, but plenty to see and do on the Kailua-Kona coast. The last time I was there, I coffee tasted across the island. It was lovely

Wait until as close to the expiration as possible to activate if you have things to tie up. Remember, as soon as you activate that greencard, you are subject to US taxes. If you sell your Canadian home, the capital gains will be taxed from the US side. Canadian investments like TFSA's are subject to taxation in the US. It's in your best interest to speak with a cross border accountant to manage these things in advance of activating your greencard. You may find the plan to save more actually negates itself.

Probably 5 months until an interview! Good luck getting your preparations underway

K1 is a fiancé visa. You still have to get married, pay to adjust status, pay for work authorization, pay for travel authorization and wait for a long time to get a greencard in hand. You can't work or travel outside of the US and are completely dependent on your partner until work authorization is issued. On top of that, you'll have to wait to remove conditions. CR1 or spousal visa will allow you to apply, go through consular processing while in Ireland, still working, still making money, and with time to make proper plans on how you intend to enter the US. When the time comes and you do enter the US, you will already have work authorization and be able to travel cross border freely. If you haven't yet been married for 2 years when you do cross with your visa, you will still have to remove conditions. You could do a quick courthouse wedding to get the ball rolling and plan a ceremony and reception at a later date. You guys have to factor in things like has your fiancé filed US income tax for the last 3 years? Who will be your financial sponsor? How are you going to take care of business back in Ireland if you can't travel? What property do you need to dispose of back in Ireland? What job does your fiancé have in the US to support the 2 of you? Where are you going to live? Do you have enough savings to pay first and last months rent and utility hook ups in the US? How are you going to afford health insurance in the US? How are you going to afford a vehicle and insurance in the US? Does she have a bank account and a positive US credit history? Et cetera... From what it sounds like, in your current situation, you are together, you're working, you're living life in Ireland. With a CR1, you can remain together, save money, plan a proper move and be prepared. Most people who come from western countries who are used to independence have a really hard time becoming 100% dependent on their partner. This can become taxing on the relationship and possibly lead to it breaking down. Immigration is not cheap, fast or for the faint of heart, so you really should take the time to consider everything before diving in head first.

Your premeditation of her coming and adjusting status is immigration fraud. Do not do this. Mexicans already have it hard enough. You do not need to draw additional scrutiny to her immigration case. If her plan isn't to come for a year, why not get married and start the process immediately. It takes about 2 years, all told, but then you're half way through your initial plan anyway. Consular processing will take longer, but it will ensure she enters the US with greencard privileges in hand, can participate in unrestricted travel in and out of the US and she can get a job and work straight away. A K1 (fiance) visa may take less time, but it it will mean she cannot travel outside of the US until her AP is issued, she cannot work until her work authorization is issued and will ultimately end up costing you more money. You will be required to provide your income tax returns for the last 3 years, irrespective of whether or not you have a joint sponsor. Please get your tax situation sorted out before you get too carried away.

That's the thing...some of these appliances aren't actually that difficult to repair!

Perhaps self employment/contractor work?

I did it through MyUSCIS account and I think it was case inquiry because the last update was a "card will be issued" and nothing more. When they issue the card, it will say that and then you'd have a case for non-delivery.

UGH! For real? That's so strange!

Yep. Verifying your identity, making sure you are who you are and that there isn't someone else with the same name that's done dodgy things. Verifying your that biometrics match. It's more challenging for people who come from countries where public records keeping is poor (think Pakistan, for example) and where people can frequently have the same name. You should help the community out by filling in your profile : https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=485696

This drives me absolutely bananas. I was in there last week, on the hunt for meat and of course, there were 3 of them parked right in front of the meat cooler I needed into and during peak hours of the store. Really, that personal shopping should be an off peak hours thing because it ruins the store experience. That depends if you can actually get in. We have passed the one in Madisonville a couple of times where the lineup on the offramp to get into the place is backed up all the way onto I-45. Hard pass. I'll mosey on up the road to Centerville, make a pit stop and hit Woody's to buy jerky that Buc-ee's would have charged 3x the price for. I'm perturbed that I have to go into Houston proper to hit a Central Market. They carry St. Viateur bagels, direct from Montreal, under some exclusive agreement. The regular, old HEB's don't. It makes me sad. Hawaiians would be proud!