brocku00

if any of you are usc owning a business and have sponsored your spouse from canada please email me

Have to go work right now....but I'll email you later.

If you are a CDN PR you must remain 'physically' in Canada for 2 out of 5 years, unless you yourself work outside of Canada for the Canadian Government. Or, if you are married to a Canadian citizen you can live anywhere in the world for as long as you would like....and still maintain your residency obligation. I'm guessing though that since you have an IR1 Visa that your spouse is American.

If you applied for your Canadian Citizenship before you left you should be fine since you have been in Canada for 6 years as a PR....which A) qualifies you to apply to become a citz and B) even if you left in November....you can remain outside for a while since they take the past 5 years as of the day they receive application.

Congrats on the quick progress!! Just a question....what does a greencard look like? Is it similar to a drivers licence or is it paper or what?? Just curious and I guess I really never thought about it!

Thanks everyone! I have been checking them out and they are GREAT!! They are definetly 100% better than the sites I've been looking at. Thank you again.

What kind of work are you looking for?

I'll be living in Delaware and I was (still am) a certified teacher in Ontario for 6 years and am now working on getting certified in Delaware. I have a degree in Education and a degree in Recreation and Leeisure Studies (also a diploma in Recreation and Leisure). Since leaving teaching in 2008, I became a customs/immigration officer. So I have a lot of experience in different backgrounds. I have experience with teaching, special events, sports, admin, policies/procedures, Federal/Provinicial Laws, applications, and many more things. So when I look for a job, I have to look under many categories because my experience and education doesn't just fit under one category.

Thanks for all your help...I'll be checking out your suggestions and I'll let you know how it is going.

There isn't any sort of unified source like there is in Canada (HRDC) but Krikit posted an excellent job search engine a little while ago that you can tailor to your own needs and location quite easily: http://www.simplyhired.com/

Thank you!! I will look into it!

Hi everyone,

I was looking on the other thread's....outside our Canadian thread , and I was looking at American job search information. Well, I didn't find much of anything on there so I thought I would come back to the best thread in VJ HISTORY and ask the experts.....YOU!!! In Canada we have HRDC Job banks and Charity Village and so on of 'ligitamate' jobs but it seems that everywhere I look for jobs online for American jobs...they feel/look like scams and are not really 'professions'. Anyways, I hope someone knows what I mean and can help. If anyone knows of really good 'legit' US job search engine's, please let me know. Thanks everyone!!

Congratulations!! What a relief for you to know that there is no more waiting....and now go join your wife!!

I responded to a previous post today about today's experience, so I will just copy and paste that so everyone can see....since it might be hard to find on another thread. Overall a great experience and very quick. Hope you enjoy and here it is:

Hi there,

I just wanted to totally agree with you since I just did the process today! I called Lewiston Bridge yesterday and explained the same thing about getting the ball rolling and not moving for a few months and he said that it was fine. So today I drove 35 minutes south, hit the PIL booth and told him I want to activate my Visa. So he sent me in. Within a few minutes I was called up and AGAIN I explained what I was looking to do and the officers (3 of them) said after activation that I have a year to move down!! So he told me to sit down for a few and relax. He called me up about 5 minutes later and took my fingerprints (electronic), my picture and then the old fashioned ink fingerprint (only one finger). He told me to sit down again and so I did. About 10 minutes later he called me up, explained how to cross the border and so on and said that's it, see ya later. I took my passport and drove down the street to the SS Office and applied for my SSN and my childrens. The SSN applications took about 20 minutes and the man said I should get them in the mail next week or the following week (in Canada). ***Just to let you know when you apply for SSN, have your passport with VISA (obviously!!) and your birth certificate....you need both.

So, I am now "ACTIVATED" and will have my SSN in a couple of weeks and I must say it was the easiest process yet. I drove from home, did the border thing, applied for SSN's and drove home in 3 hours and 45 minutes!! Not bad! Just one question though, the border officer said that I will be getting my GC in the mail in approx. 5-6 months. ......is this correct??? I swear I read peoples timelines that said it only took about a month. My Visa is a temp. GC for a year anyways, so I'm not worried about it....just curious.

So, hope this helps some people.....and I'm sure that every bridge or POE is going to be different. ...this was just my experience at Lewiston.

I'm from Welland and a Brock Alum! Yay for local faces!

Congrats on getting the visa so fast! That's impressive!

YEAH!! Brock grad here too!! Hence the name Brocku00

I made a very nice 'detailed' list of 'goods to follow' since I was moving today and the officer didn't even look at it or want it...he said just bring it with you when you move down. Today all I brought with me was the 'big sealed envelope', my passport and my inventory list. Also if you are moving down with a big Uhaul but you still have a few things left to bring down another time...just make a list and tell them that there are a few things still left in Canada for the next trip.

OK

I just called the Rainbow bridge in NY about my wife's POE. I explained to him exactly what's going on, how I wanted to POE this week to start the process of her getting her SSN and all that "jazz" as I called it.

He said we can come in "at any time" and that she "doesn't actually have to move until a year." I will repeat, He said after activating her CR1, she "does" not have to actually move for a year...and she can come and go as she pleased with that stamped passport.

And contrary to the CO's disclaimer, we do NOT need a advanced parole, he said that must be if your still waiting for your packet in the mail.

This information is for myself and anyone else that has been told other wise. Id still advise to call a bridge though just to confirm. Do not "move" or "POE" on my account. I'm just telling you all what I was told. I said was anything else needed, he said no, just the packet.

Its actually quite hard to call one of the bridges. The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, which "runs" the bridges - whirlpool, lewiston queenston and rainbow bridge, is NOT the CBP. I had to google to get their numbers.

Initially I called the LQ bridge, the guy did NOT understand me, he said he thinks there's a fee, then he was talking to someone on the other line, and I overheard him say, "there's a Fee for K1 right..." DUH I DID NOT SAY K1. So I just said thank to him and hung up and called another bridge. In WNY, I have 4 bridges I cal call :-)

Hi there,

I just wanted to totally agree with you since I just did the process today! I called Lewiston Bridge yesterday and explained the same thing about getting the ball rolling and not moving for a few months and he said that it was fine. So today I drove 35 minutes south, hit the PIL booth and told him I want to activate my Visa. So he sent me in. Within a few minutes I was called up and AGAIN I explained what I was looking to do and the officers (3 of them) said after activation that I have a year to move down!! So he told me to sit down for a few and relax. He called me up about 5 minutes later and took my fingerprints (electronic), my picture and then the old fashioned ink fingerprint (only one finger). He told me to sit down again and so I did. About 10 minutes later he called me up, explained how to cross the border and so on and said that's it, see ya later. I took my passport and drove down the street to the SS Office and applied for my SSN and my childrens. The SSN applications took about 20 minutes and the man said I should get them in the mail next week or the following week (in Canada). ***Just to let you know when you apply for SSN, have your passport with VISA (obviously!!) and your birth certificate....you need both.

So, I am now "ACTIVATED" and will have my SSN in a couple of weeks and I must say it was the easiest process yet. I drove from home, did the border thing, applied for SSN's and drove home in 3 hours and 45 minutes!! Not bad! Just one question though, the border officer said that I will be getting my GC in the mail in approx. 5-6 months. ......is this correct??? I swear I read peoples timelines that said it only took about a month. My Visa is a temp. GC for a year anyways, so I'm not worried about it....just curious.

So, hope this helps some people.....and I'm sure that every bridge or POE is going to be different. ...this was just my experience at Lewiston.

So how long was it from the time you sent in the additional information?

Hey Jones,

I sent my package on January 14, 2010 and it was received by their office on January 19, 2010. I don't know if it helped or not but during the forth week of waiting, my husband called the Senator and asked for assistance. I received the Visa today, March 3 which would make it six weeks and one day since they received it until it was in my hands. How are you doing? If you ever need any help or just have questions please feel free to email me.

I've calmed down a little but still elated!! Now I'm thinking about the POE. I've asked before and read so much about it and I'll be going back into past posts to find more info but I wanted to get up to date answers.

My plan is to officially move to the US just after school lets out in June in order to let my kids finish their school year off (but haven't made up my mind yet!!) but let's say I go ahead with this plan. With my Visa IR1, I can go to the border say tomorrow to 'activate' it and then return home same day, correct??? I wanted to get things rolling such as SSN and Greencard and start applying for jobs. Also, if I went tomorrow, do I have to import car or can I do that in June/July? Any time frame on that car thing?? Also, if I went tomorrow, do I have to bring a list of "things to follow"?

Has there been anyone lately with an IR1 that has done this that I could email and chat with or does anyone know how this works? Thanks again and in the mean time I will check back on old postings. Thanks.

Seriously? That is some awesome news!! i have been reading your story from the get go and this is the best news I"ve heard all day! NOw go on, get out of here and go with your husband!

congats, Brock00.. that is awesome.

Thangs Lgg!! I noticed you POE'D in Maryland....do you live in Maryland? If so....hello neighbour or should I say neighbor...LOL!! I'll be in Delaware!

Congrats, Brocku! I was expecting your rant but got appreciation instead. You rascal you!

Sorry about that!! LOL I've had A LOT of time to think about how I would tell my VJ friends!!!

.........because I have my VISA!!!!! Thank you, thank you thank you!!! I can't explain how happy I am right now....so just believe me!! LOL

So, two years and two days later, my family can be a family again!

I found out Monday that the package was in Montreal post office and have been checking the progress since. The computer system for Canada post, said "Montreal post office" until this morning when it said that it had arrived in Hamilton at 8:00 this morning. My next thought was....okay it's in Hamilton, now how many more days until they deliver it?? Well, I called the 1800 number at 10:00 and it said, "OUT FOR DELIVERY". WOO HOO!! Then I impatiently sat in my house trying to keep busy and hoping for the best but expecting the worst (normally I don't think about the worst but if you know what I went through then you would know why). Finally at 1:47 pm (not that I noticed the time or anything LOL) the doorbell rang!!! Of coarse with my past experience, I immedeitly looked at the thickness of the envelope that she was holding and could tell that it was thick!!! I sat down and slowly opened the envelope so I could remember this beautiful day and found my passport with the VISA, a letter of explanation and the 'sealed envelope'!!

So...I wanted to let you guys know that I am once again a happy camper and thank you for all your help and support throughout this process!!

I'll be back on later as soon as I get off cloud 9 to ask a few questions regarding POE.

Thanks

Hey there,

When I checked on Monday the internet said it was accepted at Montreal Post Office at 10:25......51 hours later....DELIVERY!!! There were no other updates except for this morning it said (my town) arrived and then when I called the 1-800 number at 10:00 it said that it was sent out for delivery. Congrats and good luck!!

Can anyone tell me what the security check is for? And how do you request it with the RCMP?Do they know what it is?

RCMP security check is just a 'police check' but specifically a CPIC search. All you have to do is go to your local police station that performs police checks and tell them that you want it for Immigration purposes. RCMP have a security system called CPIC and it's a criminal database that encompasses all of Canada and not just the province. It takes about 4 weeks to get, so if you need it soon, I would suggest going soon.

Hi Everyone,

I'm just wondering if anyone knows how accurate the tracking system is for Canada Post. When I call and enter the number it will say that there is no tracking info for that number which I would take as it has not been sent yet. Is there anyone out there that has discovered this to be accurate? Has there every been a time where someone has received their expresspost and it wasn't even updated on Canada Post? Thanks everyone.

Hi everyone,

I'm just wondering if, let's say after sending in additional doc's for Visa that you have been approved. How long would it take them to process the Visa? Like how much paperwork/work/etc. is there into processing the system and generating a VISA? I thought I read somewhere not too long ago that it might take a few weeks for them to receive your package, then they go through it and then it would take a few weeks to process the approval?? Is this correct? I can't imagine it would take that long since if one goes to an interview and it's approved there, then the Visa is sent out in the next few days...right??? I'm just curious to find out...thanks!

Hi there,

I have been doing my taxes with HR Block since I've been married (8 years) with American husband and they enter his info on the system but somehow override it for tax purposes. His income does not go against mine or with mine. I go to the same person and every year when we get to the part where everything is finished and they push enter....they have to override something due to the American part to complete my taxes. I'm not sure what they do, but I could find out for you if you want. They won't take his SSN but they take his name, address (just USA not any specific address) and I think date of birth. Hope this helps but i'm sure if you go to a good tax preparer it should be fine.

Hi there,

I emailed them two and a half weeks ago and nothing yet but I wasn't holding my breath. My husbands senator emailed last Thursday so I hope to hear somthing by Friday. The Senator called for us in October and heard back from them within a week so I hope they are as fast. I read on another post that our packages that we send Montreal sit somewhere somtimes for weeks before even being picked up and the "4 weeks" that they say it takes to process you is really 4 weeks after their approval???? I'm really get depressed over this and each day I get ready for a rejection letter.

Hi Everyone,

I haven't been online in a few days and found this thread, well.......very familiar. Ironically, my husband called his Senator today and she said she will contact them today (send email..etc.). The same Senator called on our behalf in October when we had been waiting 9 weeks for our answer and within a week on the Senator contacting MTL we got our 2nd denial. So, now it has been 4 weeks and 3 days since MTL received our 3rd package and I figured it was about time to ask for help. My husband and I applied for the I130 two years ago today and we are still not together!!! Maybe it would have been quicker to divorce my husband, visit him in the US, get married again and then adjust status???? JUST SAYING?? Well, I wouldn't have done that, but it sure upsets me to here how some people easily obtain fraudulent VISAS!!

Hi everyone,

I'm just on here to let you know that I am still waiting for my 'hopeful' approval from Montreal!! On Tuesday, it will have been 4 weeks since they recieved my package. I sent it on Thursday, January 14 but it was received by the Consulate on Tuesday, January 19. I was hoping to get it back in their '4 week' promised time frame...but I kinda knew that I wouldn't be so lucky. It's getting harder on the kids, not being able to see their Daddy but we do what we have to and we Skype every night so that my husband can talk to and see the kids. My twins are in JK this year and since my husband left one of the twins has turned very aggressive. He is getting in trouble at school and daycare for acting out and getting very angry at little things. He wasn't like this before and after trying to figure it out, I can only assume that this is how he is reacting to my husband's absense and the big changes in his life. I really didn't think 4 year olds could be effected this much by something like this....at least I am learning from this! Hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day and family day for all in Ontario!!