spar-kee

I just got back into the US by using my AP papers after visiting my family in Canada last week. It was really easy going into Canada - they didn't even ask me anything except why I was coming to Canada. I was nervous about coming back into the states but it was pretty straight forward. I had my marriage certificate and a photocopy of my AP document as well as my passport and the 2 AP originals. I showed my AP documents to the border guy before he even asked because I didn't want problems or confusion. He put my information into the computer and then told me to go to this other waiting room. Once there I sat until my name was called (about 10 minutes) and the next border guy confirmed who I was and took my 2 AP papers with my passport. He had me fill out a new I-94 form which he later stapled into my passport. I then sat down for another 15 minutes or so and he called me up again. He had trouble finding me in the system and I said I had my marriage certificate if he needed it (with my new married name). He said he didn't need it and that he eventually found me. He then explained that he was giving only one of the papers back as the other stayed there. He said that I needed to be careful to bring that one AP original back with me every time I crossed back into the states or they wouldn't let me in - so don't let anyone have it. I had been approved for my adjustment of status while in Canada and I said that to him. He said he saw that and explained that I didn't need my AP documents to travel once I got that green card. He also said that I needed to bring that one AP original and the green card the next time I crossed the border so I can hand that last AP document in. He said it wasn't for my files or anything and that I couldn't keep it if I had the green card. He was very informative and very nice about it all. It took an extra 25 minutes or so and because it was at the airport, I was worried about missing my flight but I made it. If you travel outside the US, make sure to leave yourself plenty of time upon returning especially if you are catching a plane. Also, make sure you bring BOTH AP documents with you - strange, I know, but I needed both. Happy travels!

Just got an email from CRIS that my I-485 card production was ordered today! YIPEE!!

Congrats to the most recent approvals! Hey, can someone tell me if the AP is good for one trip or multiple trips? I'm anxious to book a flight but don't want to book it if I can only use the AP a limited numbers of times.

Just got a notice this morning that my AP was approved yesterday. For those still waiting...I hadn't had a touch on it since 11/20/07 so hang in there. Congratulations for all of those approved for EAD and AP in the last few days!

Does anyone know...for AP is there a letter that you bring with you when you travel or something for the passport?

It's so exciting to see so many people getting approved! Congratulations everyone!

Just got the golden Cris email in my inbox....

EAD Card production ordered!!!!!

We are on a role here.... Yesterday we got an email from Cris saying they sent out the AP on 01/05 and then this today!!!

It seems to me that this is a trend for Nov. filers who filed in the beginning of the month.

Congrats to zzzonzo. Hope the card arrives soon!

Also congrats to spar-kee!!!

SweHurricane, it seems like the same thing also happened with you

Congrats to SanFrancisco-BKK, I bet your EAD will be issued any day now.

Hang in there sereia...

I've got my fingers crossed for you JVKn'CVO!

Congratulations to you too! I'm sure you are relieved to have both approved! It's reassuring to start seeing some action for the November filers!

I just checked my status and my EAD was approved and card production ordered yesterday! YIPEE!! Still no word on AP though...it's tough to be patient...I want to see my family!

Well, I phoned the Royal Bank, and the lady who wrote me the letter wasn't there, however her replacement was. She wanted to confirm my address, telephone number etc. I asked her why, and she said, I think it's probably about income tax codes. I said, okay...so I can have a bank account in Canada if I'm living here...and she said, hmm, I'm not sure about that...are you living there permanently? *sigh* So I told her, I'm not sure as of yet...I'm living here right now, but I don't want my Canadian account closed as I'm still doing business in Canada. She said, okay, I don't see that there is an issue there, but again, I think the other lady just wanted to confirm your address for income tax purposes. I said okay.

If this other lady has any other questions or needs clarification, apparently she's going to call me back when she returns from vacation.

Just thought I'd update.

Carla

I am also using the RBC Centura embassy account here in the US and it is connected to my RBC accounts in Canada. I was told that they (RBC Centura) can access my RBC credit history from my Canadian accounts to see about getting a credit card here in the US - just waiting to hear back the outcome of that. My area has RBC Centura branches and it's been a breeze to deal with. I've even deposited cheques in canadian funds into my RBC Centura account and they work out the exchange rate for me - so simple. I was told before leaving Canada that I must change my address with the bank for my debit card and the credit card division too so they don't flag my card since it would be used in the States from now on. No one told me I had to close my accounts and I was very forthright with them before moving to the US. I haven't received any letters, just monthly statements. I wouldn't worry too much.

Congratulations zzzonzo! That is very exciting!

I didn't get a letter in the mail regarding our case getting transferred. Do I need to get on the phone? Am I going to miss important information in the letter?

just got notice that our I-485 was transferred on Dec. 20th to California! YAY!

I'm having trouble checking my case status online at the USCIS website. Yesterday it said that explorer couldn't open the page and today it says I'm not authorized to view the page. I've checked it in the past so this is very frustrating. Anyone else having trouble?

I was wondering is there any November filers got their EAD or have their case transfered to CSC so far?

I just checked my status on the USCIS website and it hasn't changed since the day after my biometrics almost 2 weeks ago. How will I know if they have transfered my case from the National Benefits center to CSC? No EAD or travel papers yet. The National Benefits center says the processing time for EAD is 11 weeks and the processing time for travel docs is 3 months. We'll see I guess.

And here I was so happy getting "touched" today (2 days after my biometrics). Guess there is no use getting excited about it....

Back to the waiting game...

Sorry Didn't mean to burst your bubble...here's to hoping it'll go faster than expected!

I was wondering is there any November filers got their EAD or have their case transfered to CSC so far?

I just checked my status on the USCIS website and it hasn't changed since the day after my biometrics almost 2 weeks ago. How will I know if they have transfered my case from the National Benefits center to CSC? No EAD or travel papers yet. The National Benefits center says the processing time for EAD is 11 weeks and the processing time for travel docs is 3 months. We'll see I guess.

We are November filers too. I still haven't gotten the whole touch thing figured out. I just registered my cases on the USCIS site. How do I know when they are touched? Right now the last updated box shows Nov. 20 when my biometrics letter was issued. Also, I have my biometrics appointment tomorrow. What exactly is going to happen?

Thanks! These are all great pieces of advice. My husband is ready to go down there and go directly to the supervisor! THANKS SO MUCH!

I did the same thing because I got married as soon as I entered the states with no time to apply for a SSN in my maiden name. The guy at our SS office told us that I could not apply in my maiden name even though it "matched what was on the screen" because that wasn't my legal name now that I am married. He would not help us at all. We called the USCIS (I think...) and they said that I would not be able to get my SSN until after applying for my adjustment of status at which time my name will be changed in their computer and "match" with my SSN application. Now what? Is there something more we can do to get my SSN sooner?

When we crossed in a rented van packed with a week's worth of belongings, 6 cats and a number of phyto-sanitary certificated houseplants, it took about 30 minutes to process the K-1 at the border. I had all of my documents ready for me, the cats and the plants - and they weren't interested. The rest of my belongings crossed the following week in a moving van once I had faxed a copy of my proof of admission to the US. Where are you crossing?

I'm crossing probably at Peace Arch or maybe the truck crossing and my stuff is crossing the week after. I have a moving company so they are going to walk me through the paper work. I have all of my boxes totally itemized because I tend to be over-prepared so that should be ok. I don't have any animals or plants so I'm hoping things will be pretty straight forward.

Does the visa count as proof of admission to the US?

Thanks! I can't believe it's finally here! And thanks for the tips...I'll keep those in mind for sure!

I am getting ready to cross the border and marry the man of my dreams! This website has been so helpful with the visa process so...can you tell me about your border crossing experiences when crossing on a K-1 visa? How long did it take to actually get across? What can I expect from the border crossing guards? ...anything else that is applicable?

Thanks!

hmm...I was hoping to avoid that but oh well...that is the least of my concerns really. I'll gladly go the next day and pick it up! Thanks!

I have my interview at 1pm too and I'm just curious if it's possible to walk out of there that day with the visa in hand (if all goes well). Or might they ask us to come back the next day?

too true...very plain - saying they were stylish was just wishful thinking - lol. It's always tricky with those things...the ties and all of that. Luckily there were no mishaps! Phew!

Thanks! I see that you are going to be going just before me. Good luck to you too! I scoped out the consulate when I was down there. It's very non-descript like others have said but there is a small sign facing the street right by the door.

I just had my medical exam in Vancouver on the 4th of July. Here's how it went for me:

I arrived at 6 am with only one other woman there with her two kids. The "doctor's office" is located in the far right corner of the room as you come out of the elevator. The nurses started to arrive around 6:10am and other people began to trickle in too. The nurse called us up one at a time to get our medical form to fill in. She did a good job of making sure to call up people in order of how they arrived and everyone there was pretty respectful of the unspoken order. I got my papers filled in first so I got a small piece of paper with the number 1 on it. The doors to the blood clinic were supposed to open at like 6:45 am but they didn't open until 7am or so. People were getting antsy and were waiting right by the door but the numbers we were given earlier held our places so there's no need to be anxious about your place in line. They called us up in groups of 4 and the nurse I had was great about taking my blood. I told her I had never done this before and she talked me through it. She was excellent and was done taking two small vials in less than a minute. I waited for the lady with the kids and we walked back to the first waiting room to wait for our x-rays. The x-ray clinic is right beside the doctor's office and they called up people in groups of 6. Just like others have said, you will be told to strip from the waist up and put on a very stylish gown. Then you wait in line for your x-ray, which is done in like a minute. From there, it's back to the waiting room. I was done everything but the doctor's exam by 7:30 am and was told by the friendly nurse that I could go get a coffee but be back by 8 am for the doctor's exam. I was a little nervous but it all turned out ok. Oh, for the doctor's exam they will ask you to strip to your undies so keep that in mind (if you even care). The doctor was a woman and she was very nice but businesslike. She checked my breathing and all of that, made me touch my toes and walk to the corner to make sure my legs worked properly. The exam took like 5 minutes tops. I got dressed and then went out to be weighed and have my height measured. After that I was free until 1:45 when they would give me my results. Oh, a side note, as I was finishing my exam they were handing out #16 so it pays to be on the early side. My results were not ready until just after 2 because the bloodwork wasn't back yet. I had hoped to get out of there early and beat the traffic but it didn't happen. Oh well. I was given a sealed envelope that goes with me to the interview and I was given an unsealed on for me. I was also given my chest x-ray and was told by the nurse that it didn't need to come to the interview with me but that I had to keep it for 2 years (either rolled or kept flat). All in all, a very painless process. Now, it's on to the interview, which I'm so glad my fiance will be able to attend with me - it'll be great to have him to talk to while we wait.

If you get a chance, go down to the water (at the end of Bute street or even Thurlow). It was so calming to sit in the cool ocean breeze and watch all of the activity going on. Also, there's lots of shopping on Robson street - it crosses Burrard.

Hope this helps