Canadianmade

What's up everyone?!! Just wanted to let everyone know that Val received her EAD Card in the mail on Friday the 23rd. Very exciting!!! Now we wait until the interview on February 24th! We can't wait! For those still waiting for your cards or interview letters....stay positive and busy! They always seem to arrive when you least expect them!!

Hey hawkeye52, very cool and very glad that Val receieved her card Good luck to you guys on your interview, and very positive advice on what you said for those still in limbo with USCIS.

Our 90 days since filing is up this next week. We got the A/P Travel Document and nothing else. Not even a Biometrics Appt. letter. We phoned to find out why and they said call us back in 45 days if you haven't rec'd the appointment letter yet!!!

We made an Info Pass Appt. for next week. Does anyone know if there is anything that can be done to move this process ahead? I read somewhere that after the 90 days is past you can ask for a Temp EAD from the local office, but I can't find that info anywhere (now that I need it!)...

90 days and still no Biometrics Appt. seems toooooooo slow...

Thanks for any info...

Congrads on getting your AP approved Karamella, and inregards to your EAD and Bio appointment, you need to make an infopass appointment and put in for a service request for your EAD and Bio appointment. Good luck to you in the rest of your process.

OMG I am an IDIOT! I went to the apartment office to copy the BIO Appt letter and I think I left it there which means its either there or lost forever! ( I dont know what to do.....Do we NEEEEEEEEED it for the bio appt or can they look it up with his Passport and Alien # (A#)? I am feeling so terrible! After all this time and I mess it up DAYS after we get it!

Hope you found your letter- they actually scan it to bring up your info on their system and then stamp it to prove you kept the appointment.

YAY I FOUND IT! WHEW! I went first thing in the morning....(one of the office staff had barely gotten there) I went to check the copy machine and it was still there. YAY! Even though the copy I got is shitty.....Do I need to get a copy of it? I was going to just incase but will I need it?

I am very glad you found your bio appointment letter phew. You wont need a copy of it, you fill out a form at the bio appointment and on your appointment letter is a bar code they scan to put in the computer to say you have showed up for the appointment and they stamp it afterwards and give back to you.

hello everyone, want to share my news with you guys.

I got my EAD card on Jan 12; and I got my interveiw letter in mail today, the interview date is March 10, 11:30AM.

WOW, much sooner than what I expected.

Happy Happy Joy Joy!

Eileen Ho

Hey Eileen how are you? Nice to hear from you and congrads on getting approved for your EAD and getting your interview letter as well, fantastic news . I knew you would hear something from USCIS. Now you got to go and get your SSN card and prepare for your interview.

howdy everybody and HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

so panic has officially set in...my husband's interview is tuesday morning and i'm petrified...can anyone offer some reassurance

for our evidence i have:

bills in both names, comcast bundle, at&t mobile, pg&e and credit cards where we are both on the same account

lease agreement

evidence from travel together for a couple of weekend getaways

cards addressed to both of us

med/dental info (he is on my insurance)

what we don't have is much in the way of photos since i DESPISE having my picture taken but i do have some wedding photos, some photos of us over the years w/ each other's family and attending functions both formal and informal for my work.

anything else i should bring?

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Hey Kang Lang how are you guys? Oh wow this Tuesday coming up is your big day, and I definately wish you guys good luck, and I know you guys will be fine. Bring back an approval for us Oct filers. The evidence you guys have stated sounds really good to me, and I dont think you both will have any problems. Good luck. My interview is the next Tuesday so I am quite nerved up as well.

Hi all,

I have my interview in March and the one thing that has been floating around in my head is my 20-month old daughter! Do you think there would be any drawbacks to taking her to the interview? It's really a case of necessity since I stay home with her and we have no other care whatsoever for her. She HAS to come - and I want her to as well but I keep thinking of possibilities of things going wrong! Do you think I'm over-worrying it or is it a real concern? Anyone have any thoughts?

Hi Beantownbabe, I have read many threads in here that people who have kids were allowed and did bring their kids to the interview. I am sure it wont be a problem since you mentioned you dont have a babysitter, and I am sure they will be understanding to your situation.

Thanks Canadianmade. I don't think it should be a problem either, like I said I have no choice in the matter really! I'll be sure to bring lots of bribes with me...

How are everyone's interview documents coming along? I have begun putting together my file and am waiting for our first joint bank account statement which I will include. Everyone else doing okay?

Your welcome Beantown and I can only imagine it will be fine, and plus it will definately show that you have a real marriage, not saying you didnt if you didnt have a baby, but you know what I mean. Did you know bribing an IO is against the law LOL j/k, I know what you mean though.

Our interview documents is coming along very nicely actually, and we are pretty much done putting everything together, the photo album, documents etc etc.

The evidence we are bringing to the interview: Photos of my wifes and I wedding, random photos of the both of us on holidays, memorial day, independance day, birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, photos of us at friends and familys house, pictures of us at my mother in laws b-day in the nursing home. Our certified copy of marriage license, joint bank account, life insurance papers, medical, vision and dental forms and insurance cards, afadavit from our friend stating we are living with them, all necessary IDs( passport, birth certificates, my EAD card, both of our SSNs), my wifes divorce decree, my step sons emergency contact form from school stating, I am an emergency contact, 2 months worth of paystubs from wifes job, wedding, birthday and christmas cards to both of us, income tax, my round trip bus ticket proving I had no intentions on staying the last time I enetered the US and a copy of the entire AOS package.

Do you guys think this is good evidence?

Very cool post Ldora, and thank you for sharing your story and experiences being in the US. Thanks to all the other Canadians who have replied to this thread as well and shared there stories thank you. I am a Canadian as well, and originally from Toronto, born and raised. I obviously came here to be with my lovely wife, and love her to death. Anyways, I am living in a small town in Ohio about 45min away from Cleveland, and people are generally surprised when they find out that, I am Canadian because I am black, and without anyone knowing, people wouldnt bat an eyelish to think, I am African-American, but the things that gives it away that, I am not American is obviously the way I talk, and pronounce words such as about, eh, you know the rest my fellow Canadians. People automatically change their demeanor towards me and are very friendly to me. I havent really come across anyone negative or rude about me being Canadian or anything, but they are more interested on what is it like in Canada, how do I like it in Ohio etc etc. People are also shock to know that, I use to live about 4.5hrs away driving. I do love it here and people are always so nice to me because its such a small place so you are bound to see the same people in the variety stores, grocery stores etc etc. The other day, I went to the BMV to inquire about getting my temps, the lady at first had a bad demeanor towards me, I guess she thought I was going to talk ghetto, and use ebonics and all that good stuff, and then my wife was talking to her about how do you go about getting a temps while going through immigration, my wife said I was Canadian blah blah and what kinds of evidence is needed to obtain it, the lady that works at the BMV then all of a sudden started talking to us really nicely and was helping us out and laughing, and told us it wont be a problem. I did think it was funny how everything changed when my wife told the lady, I was Canadian. At the end of the day, I kinda dont blame the lady for being quite leary about me at 1st which doesnt make it right to stereostype a race of people and I never ever thought she was being racist or anything, but they are and have been some interesting people who go there. People tend to be quite rude to me on the phone though, but not in person, its really strange.

THANK YOU! Yeah hopefully no more pauses from then on. Lucky I actually have that day off of work so I dont have to ask for it off of anything. and TY Rosie aswell.

Your welcome, and I do hope everything will be good from here on in.

Congradulations viper on getting approved for your green card

Thanks! Wow you got your interview notice fairly quick. Best of luck.

Your welcome and yeah I did get my interview notice very quickly actually and till this day, I am very surprised. Thank you for the good luck. How long did it take you to get an interview from start to finish? Another question what kind of evidence did you have to present?

Congradulations viper on getting approved for your green card

Yayyy got our Bio. appt yesterday in the mail. Jan the 29th at 12:00 pm. FINALLY! Hopefully its smooth sailing from here on. We plan on getting there atleast an hour early. Well given I dont get lost since its in Ft. Worth hahaha! We live about an hour away and the drive there is a pain in the you know where. Heehee!

Congradulations Love on getting your bio appointment, and at least now you know that everything is gong to be good from there.

Well, today was my interview and it was in Atlanta. I was soo stressed out and worried for nothing. The lady who interviewed us was very nice. She didn't even look at all the paper work that I brought with me. The only thing she asked for was my passport and asked me questions from the I-485 form. And that was it. I was APPROVED!!! I'm sooo happy!!! It's finally OVER!!

Congradulations Sweetpea79 for getting approved Thank you for sharing your story with us all and now its your time to go and celebrate.

Congradulation Taminatress for getting approved for your green card Thank you for sharing your story and interview experience with us all, and it gives me tremendous hope because, I am in the same situation as you were and my interview is coming up in a week and a half. You should definately celebrate with some molson canadian beers . My wife and I are planning to visit Toronto once I get my green card.

thanks canadianmade for starting this thread. i have started looking for jobs since my EAD was approved but i haven't gotten any call yet. i have been feeling frustrated these past days. last monday i cried when i received an email from the company where i applied as administrative assistant telling me that i was not being considered blah blah blah. i cried because this is a job that's already beyond my skill and yet they won't even consider me for an interview. i started to miss my job back home and the other opportunities that are waiting for me if i stayed there. i began to question my capabilities and all. i thought that i was not good enough but after reading some of the posts here i realized that maybe the reason why they are not calling me for interview is that I don't have a US work experience and not because I am not capable or what. anyway i won't stop looking for job and i will also befriend some of the ppl at our church and maybe they could help me find a job. it is indeed hard to be in a foreign country but having our loved ones by our side eases all the pain and frustration. i think you have good chance since your primary language is also English so just keep looking and i'm sure you will find one soon.

Hi pinoy_pinay your welcome for starting this thread, and I personally feel that it is very important to have this discussion because all of us have to go through the same stuggle to find work in the US, and hear other peoples advice and experience does help. I am sorry you are having a hard time landing a job, for one thing the US economy is terrible right now, so there isnt much work out there, and the work that is out there now, they are making tough for everybody US citizens and immigrants to find work. I think it sucks that, US employers dont consider foriegn work experience and high education credentials because, I personally believe they would benefits tremendously. The problem is alot of the US employers have no idea about the whole immigration and legal status stuff. I am in the process of looking for work and will be more after my interview. All I can say is keep looking for that job and dont give up, you will find something, eventhough it may not be something you did before, but it may be close to it and it will lead you to where you want to go in the future. It is hard and frustrating when you dont get the results you want, but it will be all good in the end. Its all about having US work experince and contacts. I agree that having your love ones by your side here does help ease things. Thank you for your word of support, and I hope it wont be too hard for me to land a job, we will see I guess. Good luck to you and let us know when you find something.

AP approved without notice from cris.. grateful still..

How did you know that your AP was approved without notice from CRIS? Guys, if your EAD and AP were approved, does your case online change?

Hey jhunjhun the only way that is possible is, if the member didnt ask for emai alerts on the USCIS site and the member went to the USCIS site and saw an update on their file for their AP or EAD. jhunjhun if you asked for email alerts, you will get an email from CRIS notifying you that your EAD was approved along with 3 other emails they send you about your EAD/AP.

I've heard that they don't always update your case online and then you'll just receive things in the mail w/o prior warning.

Hi mentinil that is true, and my appologizes for not stating that, I guess a small few people dont get the notifications about being approved through email and just get a notice in the mail so that is definately a possibility.

AP approved without notice from cris.. grateful still..

How did you know that your AP was approved without notice from CRIS? Guys, if your EAD and AP were approved, does your case online change?

Hey jhunjhun the only way that is possible is, if the member didnt ask for emai alerts on the USCIS site and the member went to the USCIS site and saw an update on their file for their AP or EAD. jhunjhun if you asked for email alerts, you will get an email from CRIS notifying you that your EAD was approved along with 3 other emails they send you about your EAD/AP.

Do you mean that a lot of employers do reference check to decide if they want to hire me or not?

Definitely. Potential employers usually don't check references until after the job interview and a good/bad reference check can no doubt determine whether you are offered the position or not

I think only professional references should be included.

Do you mean you get a job through people you know?

Yup! Networking is very important in the workplace.

I agree with you kaffy very true indeed what you said here.

Hi everybody how are you? I just want to ask you guys, for the people in the process of finding work or to the people who are working right now, where did you look for work, and how long did it take you guys to find work? I also want to ask and for us immigrants, we have no US work experience or references here, so did it make it tough for you guys to find work and what kind of jobs were you aiming for?

Here's a little background on me: I am in the process of looking for work here in the US, and we all know that the economy is terrible right now. I did get my EAD in the mail last friday, and I am waiting for my SSN to come in the mail. My work experience is in Customer Service, so I am trying to aim for jobs in that area. I am willing to take anything right now, to gain work experience, and to make money. I do have a 2yr diploma back in Canada in Accounting, but I have no desire to persue it at all. I do plan to go back to school to become a social work while working to get a bachelors degree because nowadays you have to have an education. Can you guys share any tips and info about your stories on finding work in the US?

Thank you in advance.

Hi CandianMade,

If you are in Ohio, as ur profile says, Honda goes nuts over any kind of a college degree (Doesn't matter what it is). You can also try a Home Depot or Lowes near you. The bigger retailers and home improvement stores also love college degrees of any kind. (mentality being that you are more mature and more social, and will be nicer to customers). Give it a try, chances are they won't start you at the bottom either.

Hi SteveandTiff, thank you for sharing your tips with me, and you know what, I will consider whatever company and job I can get, so I will absoueltly take your advice and look into the companies you mentioned above. Yes I am in Ohio. How did you find your first job and what kind of job was it? Thanks again.

It seems like my last post was deleted.....so lemme try again.

Hi Canadian

I'm the USC so I'm the one with the more solid foundation. I've worked a fantastic array of jobs since childhood from potato chip fryer to steam presser. I'm now in the field of Criminal Law.

My wife Tiff, came here as a visitor, and she fell in love with the land. She ran out of $$ and had to take a part time job. Being in NYC, jobs are always available as long as one's not picky. She's now going to school to be a cosmotologist.

We are indeed in trying times on a global scale. But America is very resilient as a whole, and we will get through it. We are in a dip in a long trend cycle of our economy.

My further advice to you is, look everywhere, look hard, the more you look, the more chances you'll get. This afterall, is the land of opportunity. And it's there. Goodluck, and let us know how you make out.

Thanks again SteveAndTiff for the advice and wow you sure do have worked at all different kinds of jobs. I respect people like yourself because you worked hard to get to where you are at and do you like working in the Criminal Law field?

I came to the US as a visitor as well and that is where I came to be with my wife. NYC definately has plenty of jobs compare to Ohio LOL, but it is true what you said, if you want a job, you cant be picky. Good for Tiff for going to school and hope she gets a job in her field.

I will definately take you up on your advice and everything you said is very true. Thank you for the advice.

I can't stand my job Canadian......lol I'm thinking about opening an immigration service.....

Damn that sucks that you have a job you hate and WOW that would be cool if you did open an immigration service, theres always a need for immigration services. I have definately learned a whole lot about immigration that I never knew about at all before as well as my wife is learning about it as well, before it all, I knew the basics but not in such detail.

hi there

i just passed the written driving test in Ohio...they are asking 40 questions u have to answer correctly 30... its easy.. took me about 15 min...

click on this link:

http://bmv.ohio.gov/pdf_forms/HSY-7607.pdf

thats all you need to do is study this book "digest of Ohio motor vehicle laws"..the link above:)

Good luck...with everything...

Hi Olesea thank you for sharing the info and I did actually get the book at the BMV last weekend, so I have been studying it. So the test consists of 40 questions well at least that helps and you also mentioned that its everything in the book. Thank you once again for this info.

my husband is from Morocco with little to no work experience even there

not to mention that no matter what credentials and experience you may have from abroad, it is no guarantee that once here you will be able to get a job in your field or any job at all for that matter.

i worked for a security company and left on excellent terms

my boss knew my husband would come and need a job and he told me that he was welcome to apply when he came

when the greencard came we went there and NO QUESTIONS asked.

it was an easy "in" for him, a way to make money and establish his work history here

it may not be the best job but for him it is just fine for about 6 months until he can search and find something better

i am so proud of him

we are blessed

Hi sandrila thank you for sharing your husbands story here and I am glad that he was able to find work once he got here. I tell you these days its not what you know, its who you know that gets you the job. I agree with the statement you said about having all the credientals and work experience from abroad verus someone with little to no work experience, when you come to the US, you are starting from sratch.

I think that is so cool that you left your previous employer on good terms, its always helps and it may even be benefical like in the case for your husband it was.

Hopefully down the line he will find work he enjoys and it sure is all about building experience on the resume and building up those references.

Hi everybody how are you? I just want to ask you guys, for the people in the process of finding work or to the people who are working right now, where did you look for work, and how long did it take you guys to find work? I also want to ask and for us immigrants, we have no US work experience or references here, so did it make it tough for you guys to find work and what kind of jobs were you aiming for?

Here's a little background on me: I am in the process of looking for work here in the US, and we all know that the economy is terrible right now. I did get my EAD in the mail last friday, and I am waiting for my SSN to come in the mail. My work experience is in Customer Service, so I am trying to aim for jobs in that area. I am willing to take anything right now, to gain work experience, and to make money. I do have a 2yr diploma back in Canada in Accounting, but I have no desire to persue it at all. I do plan to go back to school to become a social work while working to get a bachelors degree because nowadays you have to have an education. Can you guys share any tips and info about your stories on finding work in the US?

Thank you in advance.

Hi CandianMade,

If you are in Ohio, as ur profile says, Honda goes nuts over any kind of a college degree (Doesn't matter what it is). You can also try a Home Depot or Lowes near you. The bigger retailers and home improvement stores also love college degrees of any kind. (mentality being that you are more mature and more social, and will be nicer to customers). Give it a try, chances are they won't start you at the bottom either.

Hi SteveandTiff, thank you for sharing your tips with me, and you know what, I will consider whatever company and job I can get, so I will absoueltly take your advice and look into the companies you mentioned above. Yes I am in Ohio. How did you find your first job and what kind of job was it? Thanks again.

It seems like my last post was deleted.....so lemme try again.

Hi Canadian

I'm the USC so I'm the one with the more solid foundation. I've worked a fantastic array of jobs since childhood from potato chip fryer to steam presser. I'm now in the field of Criminal Law.

My wife Tiff, came here as a visitor, and she fell in love with the land. She ran out of $$ and had to take a part time job. Being in NYC, jobs are always available as long as one's not picky. She's now going to school to be a cosmotologist.

We are indeed in trying times on a global scale. But America is very resilient as a whole, and we will get through it. We are in a dip in a long trend cycle of our economy.

My further advice to you is, look everywhere, look hard, the more you look, the more chances you'll get. This afterall, is the land of opportunity. And it's there. Goodluck, and let us know how you make out.

Thanks again SteveAndTiff for the advice and wow you sure do have worked at all different kinds of jobs. I respect people like yourself because you worked hard to get to where you are at and do you like working in the Criminal Law field?

I came to the US as a visitor as well and that is where I came to be with my wife. NYC definately has plenty of jobs compare to Ohio LOL, but it is true what you said, if you want a job, you cant be picky. Good for Tiff for going to school and hope she gets a job in her field.

I will definately take you up on your advice and everything you said is very true. Thank you for the advice.

CanadianMade,

Dont be nervous, you gotta represent us, Go with confidence! and God! Everything will be fine.

CanadianMade,

Congrats on getting your social security card. Dats great. Keep it coming everyone ..I start my new job tomorrow. God is great y'll..36 more days till my interview..

HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYONE. :dance:

Hey guys, I receieved my SSN in the mail on Saturday and I applied for it last Monday.

Thank you SweetnSexc and just another thing done and the next thing is to get my drivers license. Congrads on the new job SweetnSexc and hope you have a good first day tommorow. I have 2 weeks left till my interview, I am nervous as hell.

I will definately represent the october filers dont worry about that, its more of the anticipation of it all.

I moved in 2006 & got a job within 1 month of moving. It was different job market back then so if you do not find a job soon enough, it is because the job market sucks big time nowadays. We are in north Indiana and it is the capital of unemployment these days

First job was through temp agency - for 7 months. Then the company offered permanent employment. I was also sending out cold apps & I had another job offer. The company checked my references with my ex colleagues through email.

So yes, there are some decent stories about finding work in US. Good luck!

Thank you tom&tata for sharing your experience. Most defiantely the market was different in the US in 2006, but hey I have faith and belive I will find a job no matter how long it will take. What do you do for work?

Accounting/finance. Well...some days I even get to surf the net

Network or temp agency usually works for office type of job. I was not happy about the temp employment but hey.....we gotta start somewhere.

Oh ok very cool and seems like to me that you like your job and its quite flexible. Will definately take your advice, I am taking whatever advice I can get.

Hi guys, I just want to ask, for those of you who are from Ohio, has anyone recently taken the written drivers test and I just wanted to ask what kinds of material can be expected on the test? Thank you guys in advance.

I moved in 2006 & got a job within 1 month of moving. It was different job market back then so if you do not find a job soon enough, it is because the job market sucks big time nowadays. We are in north Indiana and it is the capital of unemployment these days

First job was through temp agency - for 7 months. Then the company offered permanent employment. I was also sending out cold apps & I had another job offer. The company checked my references with my ex colleagues through email.

So yes, there are some decent stories about finding work in US. Good luck!

Thank you tom&tata for sharing your experience. Most defiantely the market was different in the US in 2006, but hey I have faith and belive I will find a job no matter how long it will take. What do you do for work?