lincoln81

See, that's what i don't get. K-3 has multiple entries I thought.....

Hi everyone. I already posted this but have not gotten a response in the other forum. I should have posted here first, I always get a faster response from you guys anyway!!

So, am I allowed to go back to Canada while my AOS or EAD is pending?? I noticed on the back of my I-94 that is says you have to surrender it anytime you leave the US. That number is what is on all my forms though.

Please help!!

Thanks:)

Hi Everyone. If my AOS and EAD is pending, am I allowed to go back to Canada to visit my parents? I just looked on the back of my 1-94 and it says you have to surrender it when you leave the US. That I-94 number is on all my forms.

Thanks:)

Hi All,

I've been searching for an answer to this question for a while, still with no solid answer. This is for those of you who entered the US on a K3...

I tried to activate my K3 at the US border but was turned down because I wasn't actually "moving" at that time. I was allowed into the US but not for my K3 to be activated. Does anyone know if that is correct, you have to be moving at the time to have it activated? It is a multiple entry visa so I'm not sure why it would matter.

The reason for this is that I need to be able to work in Canada for a little while longer (husband is in school), but we would like to start the EAD process now. I am the only one working so I can't move down there right away and neither of us work for three months while we wait for my EAD.

Thanks:)

So no one knows if the rule is: You have to be physically moving to your new US destination to activate your K3?

I just really want to have the right answer so if I try again at the border I will be correctly informed.

Thanks:)

Yes possibly if I worded things better they may have activated my visa. I decided I'm going to try again this week, perhaps it depends on the officer you are talking to as some know more than others about the visa process. The man that I had was quite unfriendly as well so that didn't make things any easier when trying to explain our situation.

Yes, I realize that K3 is multi entry which is why I was so confused that the officer said he could only activate it if I was staying down there. That doesn't make sense to me.

I am unsure about the whole CR-1 thing. I have just planned and stuck with K3.

Hi Everyone,

Its been a long time since I posted on here but I need your input. Last time I posted was when my purse was stolen and my newly issued K3 was inside. After retreiving all my documents and making new appointments and explaning etc I was issued my new K3. I had intended on moving down with Zach in September when this happened, but then I had to wait for everything to be re-issued. I ended up promising my job that I would stay until the end of the year. SO, as I've mentioned, Zach is in school down in KC and I am the only one who works so at least one of us having a job is an issue. I was planning on activating my K3 but staying in Vancouver and applying for my EAD. I thought I would travel down to see Zach and have my biometrics appointment and then when my EAD finally came, then I would move permenantly with Zach so I could start working right away and support us. Me moving down there now and waiting approx 3 months for my EAD is not possible since then neither of us would have a job.

I am pretty sure that I've read about other Canadians doing it like this here on VJ. I drove to the border yesterday and told them I wanted to activate my visa. They asked when I was planning on moving permenantly and I told them whenever I got my work authorization. I explained our situation. The officer didn't even really understand about the whole process and I found myself having to explain how long things took and what I had to do. He finally said that he couldn't activate it and they only would when I was entering the country permenantly. I was quite upset.

I don't understand because when the K3 is activated I am allowed to come and go out of the country as I please so what does it matter if I'm still living in Van for a couple months? Wouldn't they rather us be responsible when we realize that we can't live for three months with no or little income that instead of possible becoming a burden we want to ensure that our relationship has some financial support the whole way? I am a little (a lot) frustrated because of all the snags Zach and I have had. But maybe I'm wrong and you can only activate your Visa when you're moving. Sorry for the long post, but anyone know the answer to that?

Thanks everyone. Hope your journey's are going well.

I've done a little more research and I think if I take out the money in 09, I will get taxed around 20% withholding. Then the amount of my RRSP's will become taxable income. Since I won't be making any Canadian income in 09 except the amount of my RRSP's, I don't think I will be taxed much more. The amount will be only around $10k. So if my taxable income for 09 is around $10k then theres not much tax on that I don't think. I hope not!!

Thanks guys:) I think I might just cash them out then...in the new year as suggested so it won't get tacked on to this years income. Thats a good idea.

I was just reading that post about Canadian debt when you move to the US. I've been thinking about money issues a lot lately. I have some Canadian debt too, but I'm still going to pay it when I move down. My question is though..what did those of you who have moved, do with your Canadian RRSP's? I was going to cash them and use the money to pay my Canadian bills until I get a job, but it seems like such a waste with the heavy tax on it. I've read that you can take them out to pay for school or a down payment on a house untaxed but does that count if the school or property is in the US? Is there the option to move it into a US RRSP without being taxed big time?

This has happened before. Take it one step at a time. You're going to need to get a new passport, so focus on getting that. You're going to need a new visa in the passport once it's issued. Did they take the brown envelope as well. If not, you'll likely need to send the brown envelope back to the consulate so they can reissue the visa. If they took the brown envelope, you're going to have to try to recreate everything that was in it. Hopefully, you made a copy of each piece of paperwork that you send to USCIS...

No, they didn't take any of the envelopes or anything. Just the purse. So at least I still have all the stuff I need, just not the passport. Thanks guys.

I think this would be one of those situations where i'd be really tempted to put an ad in the paper with a reward for the return of my purse and it's contents...

That's a good idea. To everyone else it's just a missing purse but to me there's so much work, waiting, time and missing my husband in that purse! Thanks everyone for your kind words. I'm sure everything will work out, just really frustrated at this point.

I've done everthing. Talked to the golf course. Filed police reports. Searched the area. Another woman had her purse stolen as well. I figure someone must have been watching me since there was nothing in my car and my purse was in the trunk. My wallet was with me so they got nothing valuable except my camera. I am just praying they dump my purse somewhere where a nice person will find it and contact me. Slim chance though I bet.

I am so devastated. I had a work golf tournament on Friday in Surrey. Since the course is less than 15 minutes from the border I was going to activate my K3 that night. I had my passport with my K3 visa in it in my purse and my car was broken into and my purse was stolen from the trunk. All that work and waiting and my visa is gone. I emailed the consulate but have heard nothing yet. It's all I can think about and I'm so scared this is going to take forever to get sorted out. Anyone have any info about what might happen? Dam punks, probably threw my purse in a dumpster and it's long gone. That didn't mean anything to them, but everything to me. :(

I am used to Vancouver prices too which are also WAY out of my budget. In Missouri housing prices are really cheap so I'm excited about that. What I pay for an aparment here will get Zach an I an apartment twice as big and twice as nice in MO. I'm sure I'll be making less than here (hopefully not), but I bet MO has a low cost of living compared to most of the US.

Must be frustrating to take a big pay cut though for those of you who have.

Oh how could I forget the summers in Missouri....I used to have to play soccer in that heat!! Craziness, espcially when you're coming from Canada. But yes, KC is nice too, friendly midwestern mentality, low living costs (coming from Vancouver I'm looking forward to that again) winters aren't too cold. Oh yeah, and my husbands there! lol. Of course, you'll have to give a heads up if your ever heading to KC.

Going to Kansas City! Been to St. Louis many times though. I lived in KC while going to Uni. How do you like it?

Ok, so I know I've been asking a ton of questions lately, but I have another one. I so appreciate everyones congrats and assistance by the way. I love the Canadian forum!

I have my K3 in my passport now and I know I have to activate it at the border. However, I am not going to be able to move to Missouri with Zach until I have my EAD. He is in school and I have some debt so we would not be able to afford the move and then two months of neither of us working. So when I activate my K3 and send away for my EAD can someone explain to me how the biometrics works? Do they send you an appointment date when they send back the NOA1? Or do you make your own appointment date? I was planning on going down for a visit and get my biometrics done and then coming back to Vancouver to wait until it arrives so I can move and work right away. I am going to have to be the suger momma for a while Thanks guys!

So cute. Even when they're bad theyre cute. My dog always tries to go through the trash and god it's annoying when he gets it! But that pic is priceless...

I didn't have a vaccination record either, but I knew I had had vaccinations. I called the London Ontario Public Health Unit (where I grew up) and they had my record there. The lady faxed it to me. I had to have one updated shot but that was it so it helped a lot.

Ok, so I know I've been asking a ton of questions lately, but I have another one. I so appreciate everyones congrats and assistance by the way. I love the Canadian forum!

I have my K3 in my passport now and I know I have to activate it at the border. However, I am not going to be able to move to Missouri with Zach until I have my EAD. He is in school and I have some debt so we would not be able to afford the move and then two months of neither of us working. So when I activate my K3 and send away for my EAD can someone explain to me how the biometrics works? Do they send you an appointment date when they send back the NOA1? Or do you make your own appointment date? I was planning on going down for a visit and get my biometrics done and then coming back to Vancouver to wait until it arrives so I can move and work right away. I am going to have to be the suger momma for a while Thanks guys!

Hey guys,

I was approved for my K3 today, yay!!!! I went to the consulate to show them my medical, I had my interview like 2 weeks ago. So everythings all good, but just a quick question. I have to go back tomorrow at 2 to pick up my visa and was wondering how long that takes? I have a meeting late afternoon and don't know whether to cancel or not.

Thanks:)

Brad,

I can totally identify with you. I left Canada (ontario) when I was 19 and moved to the US to go to school. At first I was so homesick and couldn't wait to go back, but slowly I adjusted to my life and ended up loving it there. That's where I met Zach and things were great. Eventually my student Visa ran out and I had to move back to Canada. (Zach wanted me to stay then but I thought we were too young to get married). I ended up moving to Vancouver for work and the first year I lived here I was miserable!! I wanted to be back in the US so bad and missed my old lifestyle and Zach so much that I wasn't even myself for a long time. Well we obviously got married and started this visa process a year ago. I couldn't wait to move back and be with him. Now though, a year later, I've grown back accustomed to Canadian ways and I love Vancouver. After I get my Visa I was planning on moving in September and though I used to pray for that day to come, I'm more reluctant to leave Canada now. I've even asked Zach about thinking about living here for a while. It's hard because there are pros and cons about both places.

The one thing we should tell ourselves is....isn't it great that we have the choice? Our spouses and us have the luxury of being able to live in one of two great countries which isn't the case for most people.

You will find what's right for you and your family, good luck:)

Thanks A Team!!! I'm hoping for that to happen:)