americag1234

Hi Everyone, sorry I haven't been on here for a while, just been really busy since I got to GA. My POE was on August 29/2008 and I haven't received a welcome letter or my green card as of yet. Does anyone know how long it usually takes? Also, does anyone know about this new US immigration legislation that was on Sept. 30/2008?

Ok thanks LInda for the info.

Normally ur in the system by 10-14 BUSINESS days after POE

I hadn't received my SSN by Aug 15th (POE July 25) so went down to the SSN office, I wasn't in their system yet but I wasn't able to submit my application that day because I didn't have my marriage certificate with me. I didn't have a chance to go back again until yesterday and was still not in the system so I submitted my application. The clerk said I will receive my card within 2 weeks. Make sure you bring your passport, permanent resident card if you have it already, birth certificate and marriage certificate.

Thanks a lot flames for the info.

U may or may not receive ur SSN, even if u checked of the box! many do not! Al lon ehas to do is take ur passport and other ID (some take marriage cert if ur name isnt the same as in passport) with u to the SSN office and re-apply!! One can also download the form from SSN.gov.

So, my flight was on August 29th,2008 at 6:45a.m. I got to the airport at around 4:00a.m. because I wanted to make sure I had enough time for clearance through customs. I was waiting in the customs waiting area for about half an hour and when the customs officer called me up I had to take my fingerprints and then I went to the washroom to wash my hands of think that was on my hands. When I came back he explained to me that the stamp on my visa shows that I am eligible to work, go to school etc. He also mentioned that I should receive my SSN in about 6 to 8 weeks or maybe earlier. It really depends. Other than that my POE into the US was very smooth. Praise the Lord, thank you God.

Ok, and when you went through customs how long did it take to get through customs at the airport? Did you fly out of Pearson International Airport. I was just wondering because I want to know what time to get to the airport since my flight is at 6:45a.m. tomorrow.

Sister, I actually lost it in the MTL airport while we flew back to Edmonton. As in I didn't have it when I crossed the border. No mention of it at all.

Should I bring it with me or should I leave it at my moms

You don't need it, but I wouldn't toss it, either. At least for the first little while.

Have a safe trip.... and welcome to America!!!!!

Does anyone know if we need to bring our chest x-ray that we got when we did our medical when going through Port of Entry to the US? Just wondering if I need to bring this big chest X-ray.

Congratulations on your visa being approved and receiving your visa.

I just wondered how long it took you to get your visa in the mail. I had my interview on the 15th. I was thinking I should have had the visa by today, but so far no. When did yours come in?

Don't worry your interview will be well and smooth. The people at the US Consulate in Montreal are very nice.

God will be with you on your interview.

Wonderful and informative review! Thanks so much for writing it. It helps me calm my nerves before our interview. Hope you have an uneventful move!

Moos

Hi Linda,

Congratulations on getting your welcome letter. I also checked off on my DS-230 for my SSN as well but hopefully I will get it not to long after my POE. Let me know what happens when you go to the SSN office.

I just received my "Welcome to the United States" letter in the mail (actually got two of them)! How long does it usually take to get your "Permanent Resident" card after you receive that letter?

I am off work tomorrow so heading to the SSN office to apply for my SSN card (even though I did check off the box on the DS-230 to apply for one)

Thanks everyone.

Thanks everyone. Thanks for all the information everyone posted on here.

I am so excited, I got my Visa today in the mail. Praise the Lord, God is good all the time.

Thanks for the info.

The SSN in the US is different than the SIN in Canada. You may want to look up some of the differences between them both.

And no, the Social Security Administration is not really concerned about your Canadian Credit nor does it want to go out of it's way to find out. You will have to build credit again in the US like you are a kid all over again. However, there are ways, which many will explain on here, to make your Canadian credit known to US companies if you want to establish credit and you want them to look at your pre-existing credit in Canada.

When you get your SSN number from US, do you know if they look at your credit from Canada at all? Or is it like you are getting new credit in the US with your new SSN?

Thanks Carla,

Just wanted to get an idea of what to expect.

Hi Carla, is the Naturalization test written or verbal? Do you know if there is a forum on "Naturalization Interviews and tests"?

Also, when you apply to have condition removed, do you have to do an interview for that as well? And for instance, let's say you fail the Naturalization test, do you loose your permanent residency?

nope, wont loose ur cdn citizenship!! One has to do a lot more paper work to loose it,lol

Has one has to do an interview to become a citizen! The test has just been changed, but they do ask up to 10 questions. I havent really looked into that yet,lol

You might have to have an interview to have your conditions removed, you might not. I'd think because you were so recently interviewed, you wouldn't. And if you fail your Naturalization test, you don't lose your PR, you just have to do it again. There might be time frames that you're allowed to do it in as well...like waiting periods for reapplying...and don't forget, that if you fail the test, you'd have to reapply, and repay the fee again!

The Naturalization test is quite simple, and there is a booklet that you can read that has all the answers on it. I think there are 10 questions you are given, and you have to get so many right. I don't want to say 8, because I'm not sure. Then, you have to write in English, something the tester gives you verbally, and then read something to the tester in English. I believe it's only a few lines.

The test is written. In fact, I believe it's multiple choice. Here's a link that you might want to see.

http://uscitizenshiptestguide.com/text/newtest.html

There is a new citizenship test starting Oct 1, 2008. It has some example questions here, and the written and verbal part of the "English"part. Yes, check out the other forum and see what they say there. Unless I'm mistaken, you have to be a permanent resident for 3 years before you can apply for US citizenship. You're jumping the gun a bit! Take a deep breath!

Hi Carla, is the Naturalization test written or verbal? Do you know if there is a forum on "Naturalization Interviews and tests"?

Also, when you apply to have condition removed, do you have to do an interview for that as well? And for instance, let's say you fail the Naturalization test, do you loose your permanent residency?

nope, wont loose ur cdn citizenship!! One has to do a lot more paper work to loose it,lol

Has one has to do an interview to become a citizen! The test has just been changed, but they do ask up to 10 questions. I havent really looked into that yet,lol

You might have to have an interview to have your conditions removed, you might not. I'd think because you were so recently interviewed, you wouldn't. And if you fail your Naturalization test, you don't lose your PR, you just have to do it again. There might be time frames that you're allowed to do it in as well...like waiting periods for reapplying...and don't forget, that if you fail the test, you'd have to reapply, and repay the fee again!

The Naturalization test is quite simple, and there is a booklet that you can read that has all the answers on it. I think there are 10 questions you are given, and you have to get so many right. I don't want to say 8, because I'm not sure. Then, you have to write in English, something the tester gives you verbally, and then read something to the tester in English. I believe it's only a few lines.

Also, when you apply to have condition removed, do you have to do an interview for that as well? And for instance, let's say you fail the Naturalization test, do you loose your permanent residency?

nope, wont loose ur cdn citizenship!! One has to do a lot more paper work to loose it,lol

Has one has to do an interview to become a citizen! The test has just been changed, but they do ask up to 10 questions. I havent really looked into that yet,lol

Thanks for the great Info Flames. When you apply for Naturalization, do you have to go through and interview again and do you know if they ask questions about US History? So, you were saying that if I was to apply to become a US Citizen I won't loose my Canadian Citizenship?

Hi Flames,

I was looking at your timeline and I see "Biometrics" took 10 minutes. What exactly is that? Also, it says you sent in your naturalization paperwork, what is that? Also when you got your US drivers licence, did you have to give your canadian drivers licence to them?

I-751 very easy form to fill out. As well send in some evidence of the marriage, instructions are on the I-751, comes up on a google search!

On your greencard will be an expiration date, you can send in the I-751 90 days before it expires (doesnt have to be exactly days, you just cant send it earlier than that), just don't do it AFTER the expiration date,lol

Very easy form to fill out. http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-751.pdf

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00048f3d6a1RCRD

Driversl license: Yes i handed over my Cdn drivers license. Keep in mind "United States" isnt really "United" every State has thier own rules, especially when it comes to automobile licensing!! In VA, it was a simple one for 1 exchange with NO road test or written exam, too easy! BUT thats not the case in many other States! Some you just do a written test, some make you do both! crazy! check out DMV.org of do a search on here for Georgia licensing, I'm sure others have stated their experiences or check out DMV.org

BIOMETRICS: After you mail in the I-751, you will get a letter stating that they have recieved your 751 form, AND it states they have now extended your "greencard" 1 more year. You will get another letter giving you a Biometrics appt. Gives you the place and time. You go there, and they take your picture and finger prints,thats it! Very painless. Down the road hopefully you do not have to do an interview,many do not,they just receive the 10 yr greencard in the mail!

Naturalization: is becoming a USA citizen. No you do NOT have to become a USA citizen, you can just keep renewing your 10 yr greencard--which of course costs $$$$,lol. if you do decide to become a USA citizen, You do NOT loose your Cdn citizenship. When can you start the naturalization paperwork? Since you are coming in on a cr-1, it is 90 days prior to the 3 year anniversary that you entered and activated your cr-1 visa. You wil notice when you get your Greencard, the expirary date wil be 2 years from when you entered/activated the cr-1 visa, at least thats the way it worked for me! I entered the USA dec 18 2004, and it expired dec 18 2006. So i was eligible to file for naturalization 90 days prior to Dec 18 2007 (sometime in sept) But I was in no hurry and didn't file till like May 2008!! It is a pretty easy form to fill out, lots of info on VJ.

But now, your next big paperwork with the USA govt will be the I-751!! But you have a bit of a break,lol Just remember any time within that 90 days window of your greencard expiring, it has to be mailed in! day 90, day 23, day 9 is fine, but not past it,lol

Thanks, that's a great idea.

What you can do in the meanwhile is to have -maybe you already do- a file folder labeled "Removal of Conditions" and start adding stuff to it. You know, bank statements, tax transcripts, health insurance in both your names, utility bills, blah, blah, blah. This way you won't have to try and gather stuff when the date gets close.

Good luck!

Thanks everyone for the info. I was hoping that I didn't have to do all the testing all over again.

I can't find the information where it says the OP is in Georgia, but here is the info: If you are in Georgia you will have to surrender your Canadian Driver's License :-(. You will need to have proof of your immigration status - so you will have to wait until you get your green card in hand. You also need to have your Social Security Number and proof of your Georgia Residency (ie copy of bank statement addressed to you, etc.). You will need to do the written test, the eye test and the road test all over again. You should be fine driving on your Canadian license until you get your green card as you have 30 days before you need to get your Georgia license - officially.

Hi Flames,

I was looking at your timeline and I see "Biometrics" took 10 minutes. What exactly is that? Also, it says you sent in your naturalization paperwork, what is that? Also when you got your US drivers licence, did you have to give your canadian drivers licence to them?

I-751 very easy form to fill out. As well send in some evidence of the marriage, instructions are on the I-751, comes up on a google search!

On your greencard will be an expiration date, you can send in the I-751 90 days before it expires (doesnt have to be exactly days, you just cant send it earlier than that), just don't do it AFTER the expiration date,lol

Very easy form to fill out. http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-751.pdf

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00048f3d6a1RCRD

Hi everyone, I just got my CR1 visa approved yesterday, the US consular officer did mention that I needed to file something before my 2 year anniversary date of wedding? Does anyone know what the process of this is?

I will be moving the last week of August and I'll be moving to Georgia.

Very excited.

Congratulations americag!! When are you moving and where are you moving to?

Thanks Linda, I am so happy and excited.

Congratulations....I am glad all went well!

Thank you.

congrats!!

So I stayed at the Econolodge Hotel on Rue St. Dominique. I don't recommend the hotel at all. It wasn't that great. I got to montreal on Thursday afternoon at around 2:15p.m. at the Berri Bus terminal. From the bus terminal I took a taxi to my hotel. Checked in the hotel and dropped my stuff off and went to my old workplace in montreal and then had dinner with a friend at Le Commensal(vegetarian restaurant). Went back to my hotel and went to sleep. So, on Friday morning I got to the US Consulate at 6:30a.m. I was the first one in line, so I decided to go to the cafe in the front of the building to get a green tea and walked back to wait in line. At around 6:45a.m. another lady showed up as well. By 7:15a.m. the security guard opened the door and asked me for my appointment letter and directed me to walk up the stairs and then their were the security guards wanting to check my things. You can bring a small purse but if you have a lot of loose change they will check that but it wasn't really anything. The security guard did check my paperwork in my clear accordian binder as well. After the security guard checked all my things, He then asked me to walk through the metal detector then he directed me to walk downstairs and sit in the waiting area and he gave me back my appointment letter with letter A clipped on my appt. letter and said to hold it up when the security guard comes downstairs to get me. He told me it would be about 15 min. before someone will come and get me. So by this time it was 7:35a.m. a lady came down and said that she is only taking up the applicants with letters, so their was me another lady. We went up to the 19th floor and sat in the waiting area and she took our appointment letters and brought it inside. At around 8:00a.m. I got called in to window 9 and the lady asked me for my medical results and my Xpresspost mailer(make sure it's the regional 314x394 mm size) The lady said that most times the applicants bring in the wrong size, she was glad I brought in the right one. She then asked me to sit down in the waiting area and then she was going to call me back to have my finger prints done in a few minutes. So went back to the waiting area and their was definately a lot more people now in the waiting area. At 8:35a.m. I got called back to window 9 and the same lady got me to do my fingerprints, I had to do it more than once because the first time for some reason my fingerprints wouldn't come up. After that, she then asked me to sit back in the waiting area and someone will call me by my name. At, 9:00a.m. I called in to Room 8 and I had an older gentlemen with glasses. He asked me how I was doing and then he asked me if I will be living at the address where my husband is at, he then asked me if I got married in March of 2007 and then he asked me how me and my husband met and while he was asking me he was typing something into the computer and that was it. He then congratulated me on the approval of my visa. He explained to me that I should receive my visa in 5 to 10 days and that my visa will be in my passport and medical results will be in the envelope along with an information sheet as well. That was pretty it, I was out of their my 9:20a.m. He didn't even ask me if I'm working, he didn't ask me where do I plan on working. They didn't ask to look at my X-ray and my paperwork I had. It didn't feel like an interview at all. Thank God, my interview went very well.

Reminders

1. Follow the security guards instructions.

2. Bring the right size Xpresspost envelope with signature required stamp on it.

3. You can bring your cell phone but when you go through security you would have to put it with the front desk and they give you a ticket to retrieve it when you leave and your cell phone has to be turned off. I didn't bring my cell phone because I didn't want to delay my waiting time to have everything done. I did see some people do that.

4. I brought a small purse and it was fine, but I did see other women bringing purses that were bigger than mine in the waiting area.

That's my review, visa has been approved. Thank u Lord.

Thanks to all of you that posted your reviews previously with the good information.