sroberts3000

We crossed the border several weeks ago and had no problem with immigration or customs. In fact, so little problem that now, when we are ready to register our car in North Dakota, we are told we have to have the import paper (that we should have got when we crossed the border) in order to register. We are travelling back to the nearest port to get the paper for the car in the next week or so.

Here is my question:

I have a US EPA sticker under the hood, but I do not have the US DOT sticker on the door. How do I get the letter from GM (2001 Sunfire) to indicate the car is certified in the US? I know I saw some stuff on this a way back, can anyone help me with information, phone number, something???

Thanks

Scott

Men's final is over. Alberta wins - great game and it is a great game. Like chess on ice, only you can't just put your chess piece where you want, you have to throw it there. It takes both intrecate strategy and effective execution. Great game.

SR

Saskatchewan lost 8-7 in extra end . Great game.

SR

I know there have been mixed reviews about the La Tour Hotel (literally across the street from the Consulate). We found it adequate, clean, not fancy. It was OK.

However, could not regulate the water in the shower....flashes of VERY hot water, it was funny after a while. Took forever to shower.

Anyone else with similar experience or was it just our room.

SR

PS it was neat to SEE everything I had been reading about for months. Thanks to all for your reviews over the months, they were helpful. In case you missed it, mine was posted earlier today.

Well, we travelled to Montreal on March 10th. Arrived late, close to 1:00 AM before taxi dropped us at La Tour. Checked in. Walked to Tim's (1.5 blocks) and went to bed by 3:00 AM.

Up on the 11th, breakfast and walked to Old Montreal (4 blocks). Hired horse and carriage for 1 hr ride ($75), but history was great, saw much more than we would of on our own, well worth it. Back to hotel at Supper time. Ate, TV, to bed.

On the 12th - at consulate by 8:30. Sent back to hotel and told I could not bring brief case in. Gave Cindi paper work and ran back, left her in line, luckily remembered the money in the brief case before leaving the hotel room. Sent to front of the line. After security arrived on 19th floor at 9:10, had number C18 by 9:15. Had 10 people in front of us. We were called at 10:55 AM. Paper work handed over, all looked good. Cindi sent to pay the $400 (by lady at the window, not by me, I don't tell Cindi what to do ) while handed paper work over. Sent to waiting room to wait for another call. 15 minutes later called to get finger prints. Sent back to waiting room. 10 mintues later called to room 7 for interview.

Hello. Please raise your right hand, do you swear to tell the truth - yes.

You have have been married for 27 years? Yes. Married in Montana? Yes. How long did you live in Montana? Six months. What was your status in the US? I was on a student Visa. And you have both lived together in Canada since then? Yes. Why are you moving to the US? (Cindi) My parents are aging and we would like to be close to them for a few years. (To me) I see you are a Minster of Religion, is that what you will be doing in North Daokota? No, I have been offered a job with an oil company and will be doing that for a few years, I will be returning to ministry in a few years. How did you get an offer for this job? We have a friend who owns an oil processing business in Williston, ND and he said if we moved to Williston he would have a job waiting for me, his letter is in your paper work. Ok, thank you, you have been approved for a Visa, congratualations.

Interview was less than two minutes.

We were on our way down the elevator by 11:40.

Back to Old Montreal - went to Eggspectations (Incredible restaurant, 5 minutes from Hotel). Went to the Market and shopped in Old Montreal for the afternoon. Back to Hotel. Ate, TV, Bed...

Thurday the 13th. Bought one day Metro passes - ($18) for the two of us. Went to the Olympic stadium, Botanical Gardens and Mount Royal. Fun day.

Back to downtown, Bell Centre for the Canadiens and Senators game. Tried to buy scalpers tickets, couldn't find anything under $125 each, too rich for us. But it was fun to be in the atmosphere for a while, even though I hate the Canadiens. Probalby saved our lives not getting tickets as I would have booed the Habs anyway.Returned to Hotel, day on the metro was done. Went to chinese restaurant in the Hotel, amazing good food, but expensive.. but worth it.

To bed early, up at 4:30 for flight out at 7:00AM. Home in Kelowna, BC airport by 11:30 AM.

Now we wait for the Visa in the mail. Plans to move in two weeks.

Wow - who read all this mess???

SR

Thanks again, again helpful and appreciated.

Yes the individual income is supported (for the joint sponsor) with the W-2's, no problem. But would they record on line 25, just his individual income (which is not reported like that on their income tax form, or would you jsut record what is on their 1040, which is their joint income and then make a note to that fact and submit the W-2's so they can see his income is sufficient on his own?? I am assuming that since line 25 and their 1040 numbers need to match, that I should probably record the joint income on line 25, then make a note to the individual income on the w-2's. What do you think?

Thanks again

SR

Thanks, very helpful. I had received a note from you some months ago about the Line 22/line 21 problem, so we made sure to record that properly on my wife's I-864 (she is the primary sponsor and likewise her income is "technically" zero, but we recoreded the amount from line 21, not the amount on line 22 - "0").

Are they actually looking for line 23 and line 25 on the I-864 to match? My in-laws (one of them the joint sponsor) - filed a joint return, but only one of them is needed for a sponsor, so the figure on #23, will not match what is on their line 22 of thier 1040 anyway. I guess I will just ad another note for their information, hopefully they get it right. The nice thing is that we are DCF so we will be right there at the consulate if they have any questions. Appointment is next Wednesday, just trying to dot my i's and cross my t's.

SR

They just told me that my line 25 and my income on my transcript had to match. I don't think that line 23 necessarily needs to match 25 - if the sponsor had an increase in salary in the current year they wouldn't match. Yes, you should be fine, the fact that you are on the spot to explain everything is great.

(D) Federal Tax Return(s).

"If a sponsor filed a joint tax return with a spouse, but is qualifying using only his/her own individual income, the sponsor must submit evidence of that individual income. This evidence would include, for example, the sponsor’s own W-2(s), Wage and Tax Statement, and if necessary to reach the income requirement, evidence of other income reported to IRS which can be attributed to him/her, usually on Forms 1099". link

Thanks, very helpful. I had received a note from you some months ago about the Line 22/line 21 problem, so we made sure to record that properly on my wife's I-864 (she is the primary sponsor and likewise her income is "technically" zero, but we recoreded the amount from line 21, not the amount on line 22 - "0").

Are they actually looking for line 23 and line 25 on the I-864 to match? My in-laws (one of them the joint sponsor) - filed a joint return, but only one of them is needed for a sponsor, so the figure on #23, will not match what is on their line 22 of thier 1040 anyway. I guess I will just ad another note for their information, hopefully they get it right. The nice thing is that we are DCF so we will be right there at the consulate if they have any questions. Appointment is next Wednesday, just trying to dot my i's and cross my t's.

SR

Does anyone understand my problem. Here is a summary: Line 23 and 25 on the I-864 do not match and the latter amount is below the required standard.

Question 1 - does that matter?

Yes, I think it does.

Question 2 - since he does have enough income, should we include his SS benefit to his total income on line #25?

You can do that or perhaps you can note it beside the 'actual line' income they request. You know like "plus 30,000 non-taxable social security benefit".

I know what you are talking about because I did run in to something similar. As I am the sponsor and my only income is Canadian, technically my 'income' as described in the I-864 is zero. I got an RFE for this from the NVC. They did not actually want me to state what appears on line 22 - they wanted my income on the I-864 to match line 21 basically - to match what appeared on the IRS transcript.

Or Question 3 - should we actually record the amount on line 22 of his tax form and just hope the consulate figures out what his real income is on line 25 of his I-864?

As above, I would spell it out.

My joint -sponsor, who is retired, filled out the I-864 for me and mailed it to me. I have it in hand. Here is the problem.

His "current individual annual income" (from #23 on the I-864) is well above the required amount needed for sponsorship. But in #25, the figures he provided from his income tax, does not match the figure from #23, and it is below the required amount needed for sponsorship. Here is why it is below: His "total income" on his tax form does not include his Social Security benefit. The SS benefit can be counted in the total I know, (checked on Department of State info already), so he technically does have enough income, but his tax form doesn't acutally show it. On line 22 of his 1040 tax form, it has the reduced figure, which is what he put into line 25 of the I 864. Two lines above (on his 1040 tax form - line 20b) he has his SS benefit, which is not added to the total because it is non-taxable.

Does anyone understand my problem. Here is a summary: Line 23 and 25 on the I-864 do not match and the latter amount is below the required standard.

Question 1 - does that matter?

Question 2 - since he does have enough income, should we include his SS benefit to his total income on line #25?

Or Question 3 - should we actually record the amount on line 22 of his tax form and just hope the consulate figures out what his real income is on line 25 of his I-864?

Pretty technical question I know, but surely someone has run into this before. Any help from those who have gone through this???

Thanks in advance.

The difference with the Saskatchewanite might be that there is no Doctor listed for Sask, so Calgary when have been the next choice. It seems it probably doesn't matter though, I will keep checking to be sure, hopefully get an email back from Montreal with an OK.

SR

1) I know there are only certain Dr.'s that are appoved to do the Medical. There is only one in BC (Vancouver), Two in Alberta (one in Calgary and one in Edmonton)

2) I am from BC, but am closer to Calgary than Vancouver. Does anyone know (definitively) whether I can go to the Calgary Doctor despite the fact that I am from BC. (Calgary Doctor is also $100 cheaper and he is closer to where I live).

I sent this out yesterday, but was not very clear on what I was asking. Does anyone know how I could find out definitively? Or, is there anyone from BC that can tell me what your Interview letter said about the Dr.'s appointment? (My letter was returned to the consulate by my post office, long story, so I do not have it in hand yet, but need to get this done ASAP).

Thanks

SR

We live in the interior of BC and there is only one doctor for BC in Vancouver. But it is actually quicker and easier to get to Calgary to the approved Doctor there. I was just hoping they would allow a choice between "approved" doctors and not force us to go to Vancouver just because we live in BC.

On another note, all our documents are ready, but is there anything else in the letter (like the medical exam) that may be time sensitive when I finally get my late arriving letter?

Thanks for the info.

SR

Len_and_Bren is a DCF. Hopefully she'll come along soon to help you out.

Interiror of BC - Salmon Arm

I finally got news today after several emails that the post office had returned my letter (long story already told regarding an address correction they apparently did not get... ). Anyway, we have a March 12 interview, that is the good news.

Bad news is, I got the news via email rather than letter so I still don't know what the letter says. I am a "Direct Consular Filing" so all my documents come with me anyway, but I am concerned about the Dr. appointment. I don't have any information on who I am to see, or anything about my medical, we are less than a month now until the interview.

Are there any other DCF filers out there who may know what is in that letter. I will try to call tomorrow and see if they can fax it to me, or email it or something, or at least, make sure they have the correct address so they can mail it (again), but I am getting concerned I may hit the wall for time.

SR

We filed in Calgary but actually live in the interior of BC. My wife's parents (living in North Dakota) wrote to Congressmen the other day so maybe something soon.

Has anyone phoned the embasssy with any luck. They list a fax number on the letter but I don't have much hope for that either.

SR

Yes, I have been putting my case # in the subject line. It is disconcerting that I get nothing back at all. For all I know, I have already had an appointment and missed it. That may explain the long wait.

SR

Yes, I thought so too. In fact I have sent three emails because I had made a mistake on my change of address (put SE instead of NE) . All I got was "THE" automated response (promising me a response in 3-4 business days) and no other word has come. I can't even get them to confirm they have the correct address.

Not sure what to do? I am afraid I may have missed correspondence from them but they won't tell me anything. I assume that means I haven't missed anything but it would be nice to know.

SR

Hello, I am wondering if anyone who has filed directly with a consulate in Canada, could respond with your timeline, especially if you have already received your appointment date (but other timelines are fine as well). I have noticed that the "timeline" forum, here on Visa Journey, is exclusive to filers at the NVC in the US. I am wondering what the DCF timelines are looking like.

Here is mine

SR

Has anyonge called Montreal before? I am wondering if I should.

I sent in an address correction to them in late September and just realized in December I accidently put (SE) on the address instead of (NE). I sent in an email and got back that very long "automated" response many of you have received. It basically said, "this is an automated response, we will get back to you within 5 days". After 8 business days and not hearing from them, I wrote again, this time I got nothing back. I decided to conclude they got the email and it was all OK, stop bugging them. But now it is eating at me, wondering and worrying they may have tried to send me something and it went to the wrong address.

At this point we are waiting for an interview date, everything else is done. Should I call them to be sure they have our correct address? Advice anyone? And if I do call, has anyone had any luck talking with anyone there? What is the number?

Thanks.

SR

Sorry for my ignorance, but I am trying to figure out of any of the timelines listed are related to a DCF or not? Can anyone help me out?

SR

Hey, I am wondering if anyone out there has done a direct consular filing for an IR-1 (or CR-1) and is now either waiting for the interview or had it? I would love to see your timeline. Anyone??

SR

Corner Gas was released into 35 million American homes this season. Should be interesting to see how it fares in the USA. It will be an aquired taste, but we love it.

SR

One question for your SR,

Since you are filing DCF - at what point do you give the I-864 to Montreal?

Sorry Trailmix, I was just reviewing this and realized you had asked me a couple of questions a couple of weeks ago and I missed it.

With a DCF filing you take the I-864 with you to your interview.

I have a few more questions about the form if you are up to it.

SR

Sorry if I am rehashing an old topic, I did see something on this a few weeks ago.

However, has anyone done any reasearch on quick, cheap ways to get cash up to Canada when needed. We are leaving our kids in Canada in School and will need to be sending them money. I guess the question is two-fold. 1) is there a quick way just to get cash up to them directly, or 2) is there a way to get money into their bank accounts. Typically here in Canada we e-mail the money directly from our Candian bank, anything similar to that in the US???

By cheap I mean: Western Union is $15; E-mail money transfer is $1.50. (I like the latter much better).

SR

Directions on the checklist to be sent to the consulate say that documents "must bear the seal of the bearer"....

All our documents have a raised seal on the paper (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc), but the police certicate does not have a raised seal, just the RCMP logo and the signature of the Sargeant that did the search. Is that like the sheets all the rest of you received and had accepted at the consulate, or do I need to return to the RCMP station to get a raised seal on this document?

Just wondering......

SR

Thanks, very helpful and done!!!!