CitizenUS

Off topic type of comment has been removed - please don't derail this thread, ok?

As mentioned by Warlord, it is a lot easier to do without experiencing unexpected repercussions after he has his US citizenship. Once he is a US citizen he is no longer under USCIS jurisdiction. Until then he needs to have a permanent address that he can access and use for the next stage of the process. As long as he is a permanent resident he is supposed to file a change of address with USCIS whenever he moves so they know where he is and can get in touch with him, if necessary. That will be very hard to do if you are moving around every 6 months or so and living in an RV. Working and living outside of the US without a permanent address in the US may create all sorts of problems crossing the border as well as cause them to question his actual 'residency'. Wait until he becomes a citizen before you put this plan into place.

Thank you for the wisdom, Warlord and Kathryn41. Our plan is to use a mailing service out of North Dakota and USCIS would be notified of that address. If we stayed in the US and traveled around working, I would think USCIS would be fine with that?

What do you think about that?

Please let me know.

A shorter time in Canada might be okay too, I've rarely seen 6 months in a row without snow.

Sounds like a wonderful idea though and I hope you get it all figured out so that it works for you.

My husband just got his unrestricted permanent residency card good for 10 years!!

In the welcome brochure, it says you must contact USCIS if you will be out of the country for more than one year.

This tells me he does not have to become a US citizen in order to leave and work in Canada for 5-6 months!!!!

This is good news since this process was extremely expensive and if we do not have to fork over more money for citizenship, then even better!!

my aunt and uncle do this, its a lot of work but they travel back and forth and live in an RV.

You just have to call around and ask insurance places and get the best coverage that you can. You also cant always rely on entering with the intent of staying that long all the time. Sometimes their trips were cut short because the USC was not allowed by the CBP to stay longer than a couple months etc. It always depends on the border guard.

Boy do I wish I could talk to your aunt and uncle!!! Thanks for the answers so far!!

Hello I am a US citizen and my Canadian husband just became a permanent 10 year resident of the US. We are planning on gaining US citizenship for him.

Our plan is to travel full time in an RV. We want to travel to Canada in the summer for 6 months and my husband will work. Then in the winter we want to travel to the southern US where my husband and I will both work.

We realize we would have to file taxes in both countries. We also know we would have to have RV insurance that would be good in both countries.

Is something like this feasible? Or is it more trouble than it's worth? I would appreciate hearing from anyone who is doing this.

Oh my gosh! That is a huge difference...where do you live? I thought ours would be bad as I live near Washington, DC ... I think the most expensive price I got was about 350. I dunno what I would do if they come back saying the bill is 1000.

Do all the civil surgeons perform the same battery of tests? It seems to me that some require only a small amount and then others do more. Does USCIS accept whatever comes back from the civil surgeon as ok or might they look at it and be like hmmmm... you didn't have X test so we're denying you?

We had our exam done about an hour north of Green Bay, WI in a little tiny town. It isn't like there's no other "civil" doctors around....the one in GB wanted $310 but couldn't accommodate us on the appointment.

They are supposed to test you for mumps, std's hiv, TB Zoster, etc, etc....it's all on the form.

The medical exam cost (doctor) doesn't cover the testing. Only if they do their own testing at the lab. Some doctors may give you an all inclusive price. But most doctors send the blood out to a lab for testing. And of course the doctor gives the lab your name and address for billing.

Incidentally, the lab will get paid $25-$50 a month. I don't care if it takes 3 years.....

your hubby probably had most of the necessary vaccines as a baby/child: TB, polio, rubella/mumps/measles, diptheria, a whole bunch of others. his family doctor from his childhood should have records.

for a doctor visit, all the tests (HIV, syphillis, TB) plus a rubella shot and tetanus shot (and a pregnancy test before getting the rubella) it was about $300.

we went in on a friday for the basic exam and blood tests, as well as the TB skin test, came back on the monday and they gave me the shots and all my completed forms and test results.

definitely shop around: we found HUGE differences from place to place.

(also: if he can't get the vaccine records, your husband will have to get the tests for the vaccines - not sure how much these cost)

This just shows the differences between the examinations in different parts of the country and with different doctors.

I was ranting here the other day that our exam cost $260 and the tests cost another $750 for a total of about $1000 complete. My husband brought his entire original vaccination record to the exam.

They tested for HIV Mumps STD's Zoster and TB. No vaccinations were given.

"Civil surgeons" use the experience to pad their salaries without paying taxes.

It's a complete and total racket.

Thanks so much to both of you. Yes I-765 and Affidavit of Support was all sent with the package. Plenty of G325's too. Even included the sealed medical exam from the civil surgeon.

We used the guide here which was extremely helpful.

So they notify us about biometrics? Where to go, what to do....or is this something we are on our own with?

Our field office is Milwaukee. Our home city is Green Bay, WI. Is there a possibility the biometrics could be in Green Bay?

Filed the complete I-485/I-130 package to the Chicago lock box on June 2.

Our interview will be 100 miles away in Milwaukee.

What comes next?

Do they want the biometrics before the interview or at the same time? Will we get a temporary work permit in 30 days? When do we go in for a SS number?

Any enlightenment on what happens after filing would be most appreciated !!

Not sure what you mean but I was asking in general if the civil surgeon accepts insurance. Technically you do not go to the civil surgeon until after your married and in my case my company's insurance will be effective for my spouse the day of our marriage.

They do not accept any insurance for the immigration exam but you can do 2 things to reduce the cost. First talk to the civil surgeon and find out which shots u need [they vary from age to gender] then,

1- go to your public health department and get all the shots u need.......they are so much cheaper over there....and take your shot card with u to the civil surgeon.

2- use your family doctor who accepts your health insurance to get the shots, and some of the blood work done. Then take this documentation to the civil surgeon

Also make sure you call as many surgeons as you can to compare pricing....even if it means driving to a different town or city. [the one in my town costs $250 and the one in next town costs $150]

I don't know what you mean when you talk about shots. My husband did not get any shots. His immunizations are up to date and he has proof. He did get a TB test and he did have to go back for a check of that test so it's not necessarily a good idea to drive a distance to see a "cheaper" doctor.

He also had to go back and give another vial of blood because the lab didn't have enough to do all the tests the doctor ordered.....can you imagine that ?!!

Anyway, I'm just ranting. This process is bad enough with all the forms, fees and items you need to submit. Then you get your bill from the lab and your blood pressure rises again.

Thanks for listening. Do you think USCIS is listening ?

Oh by the way I forgot to mention that my husband had his entire immunization record with him at the exam time. It was complete and up to date.

Yet the cost to process the I-693 was $1000.00 US !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a racket !!!!!!!!!!!

WOW!! I really hope you did NOT pay that much!

I paid $160 for the CS also and I had my blood drawn at a clinic for free! It's so important to call around to as many CS as possible even if it means you are going to have to go for an hour drive to get there when there is one 5 minutes away. The prices vary SOOOO much I was quoted for $300 for the civil surgeon and then an additional $360 on top of that for blood work. I called several that were similar prices or more. I then called the one that I went to and they suggested that I went elsewhere to get my blood test AND gave me a list of places that did it for free. They also gave me suggestions of where I would get the HPV vaccine for free however, I ended up not having to get that as I got a letter from a doctor stating I was allergic. Then their fee was $160 for the TB test and the two visits.

If you are able to add your spouse to your health plan after marriage (which I am) can you use health insurance benefits at the civil surgeon or do you have to pay out of pocket?

How can I get insurance to pay for something that happened BEFORE signing up for insurance?

HUH!!!! That is TOOO much! I paid $160 to the Doctor, cash ofcourse, which he pocketed, tax free, ofcourse. In my case, I had to undergo the full vaccination course, since i didn't have records from my country. I don't think Lab tests are supposed to cost that much, if ever needed.

That was the cost for us here in Wisconsin, USA for my Canadian husband. We looked online for a CS and used the one that was the less expensive......$260 vs $310.

The doctor ordered a myriad of tests and we just got the bill. Zoster, HIV, Mumps, Rubella, etc, etc, etc. She ordered tests that she didn't even report on the I-693 !!! Some Civil Surgeon !!!

I am steaming angry. The "lab" is going to get their money $50 a month and not a penny more.

What a racket is all I can say.

I am going to attach the bill from the lab to the sealed envelope from the surgeon just so immigration knows what we paid for "tests".

$260 US cash for the "civil surgeon" and another $750 US to the lab for tests.

What a racket !!!

I am a US citizen who married a Canadian in the US while he was here as a visitor. Now we are filling out forms and looking forward to him being able to work here.

On the I-485 form, Part 2 it asks why he is applying for permanent resident status and none of the boxes to check are relevent. Box H is "Other basis of eligibility" and gives you a line to fill in.

Does anyone know what the best thing to write here would be?

"If your attorney advised you to do this, hopefully he understood your fiance was already in the US and prepared to stay until the status adjustment process was complete. Under those circumstances your plan will work. If your fiance leaves the US and then enters again with the intention to immigrate, that's visa fraud. So, whether this will work depends on specific circumstances. I suggest you read the guide again substituting "Canadian Visitor Privilege" for "tourist visa" etc."

Yes my fiance is in the US and has been as a visitor since the beginning of the year. (He's currently laid off from his seasonal job).

So you are saying then, because of this we "qualify"? That it's a certain amount of "time in the country" that makes one "qualify"?

What do you know about "qualifying"? How does one "qualify"?

What if he leaves for a week to do his taxes and comes back? Does that ruin the situation?

When you go to the guides here at Visajourney and look at what a married couple residing in the us must do to attain permanent residency for one spouse, you get this warning:

"You must qualify to file for an I-130 in the US. Not everyone does, and in some cases doing so can be considered fraud and result in being deported and banned from re-entry into the US for a period of time. If you attempt to file and you do not qualify your legal status in the US can be placed in jeopardy. J1 Visa holders will almost always require a waiver and should consult with an immigration lawyer or the USCIS for more information. If you have any doubt, consult an immigration attorney.

If your fiance/fiancee came to the US on a tourist visa with the intent of immigration and marriage, and you are not yet married, then he/she should return to his/her home abroad, and the K-1 visa should be filed (using an I-129f) instead of the I-130 to avoid a denial, deportation, or even being banned from re-entry to the US.

If you are already married, and your spouse came to the US on a tourist visa with the intent of immigration and marriage, then he/she should return to his/her home abroad, and the I-130 (or along with an I-129f for a K-3 Visa) should be filed with the relative outside of the U.S. to avoid denial, deportation, or even being banned from re-entry to the US.

The above conditions are serious and can result in the separation of families for many years if not taken seriously."

None of the above is relevant to a Canadian (doesn't need a tourist visa) husband of a US citizen.

My fiance (Canada) and I (US) were just told by an immigration attorney to get married in the US and immediately file a I-130, I-485, I-765 and the I-864. He will get a temporary work permit within 90 days and in 4-6 months, permanent residency.

Our interview would be in the US in my state. The attorney also said if we tell the truth about how long we've known each other (almost 2 years) and how even though he came here as a visitor, we couldn't wait any longer and got married. That Canada was a special case because the border is loose and a tourist or visitor visa is not required for a Canadian to enter the US.

Has anyone ever heard of this? What about the warning "qualify to file for an I-130 in the US"?

Please tell me what you know about this subject.

Thanks for the replies.

To summarize what I read:

So I can assume there would be no income taxes paid to the "home" country if a person is a permanent resident of Canada or the USA?

A USA citizen who is a perm resident of Canada and working in Canada would have to file USA income taxes, but wouldn't have to pay any taxes to the USA?

A Canadian citizen who is a perm resident of the USA and working in the USA would not have to pay taxes to Canada?

Am I reading this right?

I was wondering......

If a Canadian citizen immigrates to the USA and becomes a permanent resident with a green card and has a job in the USA, does the Canadian citizen still pay income taxes to Canada?

Also if a USA citizen immigrates to Canada and becomes a permanent resident and has a job in Canada, does the USA citizen still pay income taxes to the USA?

I was actually wondering this as well, as Ive been back and forth from Columbus to Toronto...

So....I'm not the only one.

My personal opinion is that the "number of days" is lax. I don't think they care if you can show them you still have ties (job, home address, memberships). It is dependent upon the person you have contact at the border and how they are feeling that day.

Correct. But did you not say you/he is being laid off because he is a seasonal worker? So how can you have proof of employment? Again, most people don't have the ability to go to another country for 4 or 5 months and say they are still employed.

He is taking a voluntary layoff because his work slows down in the winter. His layoff status is temporary with a call back date by the construction outfit.

If a Canadian crosses into the USA and the patrol person doesn't scan the Canadian's passport, then how can the patrol person register a date of entry?

Maybe the patrol enters the license plate number as a person approaches the patrol shack and then ties that information to the date of entry.....I don't know.

That's why I'm here. To hopefully get answers.....hence the title of this thread. I am very interested in Canadian's stories on crossing the border into the USA .

I was actually wondering this as well, as Ive been back and forth from Columbus to Toronto...

So....I'm not the only one.

My personal opinion is that the "number of days" is lax. I don't think they care if you can show them you still have ties (job, home address, memberships). It is dependent upon the person you have contact at the border and how they are feeling that day.

2. You could ask but by asking he's most likely going to raise suspicion. What will be more suspicious to them, though, is how he is spending so much time there without employment in Canada. What kind of ties to Canada does he have if he has no job? Does he own property?

He works 10-14 hour days Apr-Dec in Canada and makes good money. During this time he has taken 3-5 days off to meet me in Duluth approximately once a month. He also came for 10 days in Aug to help me move. He has been living in the same house his uncle owns for the past 8 years.

The information on the length of stay in the US by a visiting Canadian is very obscure. The USCBP web site says 6 months but it does not say if that's in a calendar year or if that is in a one time visit and if you go back to Canada, the time starts over.

We are under the impression (from what our friends say) that a Canadian can visit the US for 180 days in a calendar year even though there are 182 1/2 days in 6 months.

Is there anyone who has experience in crossing the border (land) who will please tell me what the law is on visitation to the US?

Both he and I are upstanding citizens of our respective countries. Why would there be any suspicion from the US border people if he simply asked them how many days he has left to visit in the US in the year 2008?

Greetings from the US.

I met and fell in love with a Canadian. We met in the US when he was here for a golf outing put on by his friends that were also my friends. We've been going back and forth across the border at Grand Portage (land) to see each other since Oct 2007. He spent last Jan, Feb and Mar here (he was laid off from construction) as well as meeting me in Duluth for 3-4 days at a time all summer and fall.

At no time did the US Customs and Border Protection stamp his passport or give him an I-94 Arrival-Departure Record. So my Canadian boyfriend has no idea how many days he has left to visit the US this year. If we are to base it on 180 days, then he has about 25 days left in 2008.

He wants to come here again in Dec of this year and then stay through Mar as he will be laid off from his job again. But he's paranoid about the US Border Protection and thinks they could come get him and kick him out of the US for 2 years because he may have overstayed his visitation.

So I have a few questions to Canadians who are familiar with land crossings and dealing with the USCBP.

1. Is there a reason the USCBP do not give out Arrival-Departure Records to Canadians visiting the US?

2. Can a Canadian who visits the US on pleasure ASK the US border people how many days he may have left to visit the US without sending the wrong message or raising flags?

If you have knowledge in this area, I sure would appreciate some answers. I may have more questions if I can get some conversation going.

Thanks

Does anyone know what is faster to get?

CR-1/IR-1 or K-3

Hi Patrick

Your tips are very helpful. However you said:

"5. Pay Delbros ASAP"

What is Delbros?

Nevermind I see it !!!