Salnik

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this forum. I recently got my 10 Year green card and eligible to apply for citizenship.

I plan to send in the complete citizenship package by 3/1/2013.

I will be traveling to Costa Rica for vacation for 7 days on April 19th to April 27th. I believe I will get a Bio date somewhere around March 3rd week if I send my papers in on March 1st.

I need help with the following questions:

1) Can I travel after applying for Citizenship ?

2) What is average processing time to get an interview date from the time of applying. I will be applying to the Dallas, TX office.

Thank for all your help

-Salnik

Got a letter today from USCIS decision was made on 1/31/13 for approval. Card will be in the mail within 60 days. Thanks everyone for all your help

My Timeline:

Date of I-751 = 04/05/12

NOA Date = T04/11/12

Biometrics = 05/11/12

Approval Letter Decision = 01/31/13

Approved on USCIS Website: 02/08/13

GC Received: ????

How do I get a tracking Number ? On the website it does not provide me the tracking number. All it says is :

"On February 8, 2013, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283"

Did anyone have issues while boarding with Airlines when traveling outside US with the expired green card and NOA 1 letter. ??

will I have issues with the airlines. Usually they verify the green card before checking you in. They ask for the visa/Green card at the checkin counter and before boarding when you leaving US. Will they be able to verify the NOA1 letter.

Hi Everyone,

I filed for removing my conditional status on the Green Card on April 2nd 2012. I have received the NOA 1 which states I am authorized travel and employment in the country. My Green Card Expired in May.

I want to travel to Dubai in November. Does anyone have an experience regarding traveling on a expired green card and NOA 1 letter. I am really worried to travel outside USA. I will be traveling with my husband who is a US citizen.

Though I will carry all documents like Marriage Certificate, Employment Letter, lease ect to be on the safer side.

Has anyone had a hard time entering back in US at the immigration ??

I will really appreciate all the help

Thanks and Regards,

Sal

Thanks a lot everyone. I am all packed up and waiting for the big move

I am praying for you guys ...hope you find your passport.

Thank you all for the good wishes.

Hi Everyone,

I got my visa in mail today. I am so happy that this whole process is over.

I am super excited and will be moving on 24th April.

Thanks to everyone on Visa Journey for support and guidance.

Salnik

YEs This morning it has been accepted at the post office. Will get it hopefully by friday.

Thanks.

That is great news

No information of the visa package on the canadapost website. Had my interview on friday..

Is this something to get worried about, provided i know that packages of other people with the same inteview date got posted out today.

Don worry , I am sure you will get the visa this week

We got the visa and magical words " Welcome to United States " :-)

Will post the detailed review when I get back from Ottawa. Going to celebrate with family :-)

Thank you all for all the help and support on Visa Journey

Wow Two weeks is long.. I hope they mail the visa out soon. This scares me a lot.

Hi Everyone,

I also have the same question.Is it possible to pick up the passport in person at the consulate.

I will still take the express post envelope. But I live 10 minutes away from the consulate. so wpuld prefer to pick up the passport. Does Montreal consulate allow you to pick up the passport ?

Good review! My medical is coming up soon!

It will go very smoothly... Good luck with it

Hi Everyone,

I would really appreciate if someone can help me on SSN procedure. I am really confused.

I had thought that once you do your POE, you can go the SSA office and apply for an SSN the next day .

But I think I am wrong. Where do we fill in the form that we need an SSN number ? Do we need to wait 10 to 14 business days before we get an SSN number. ? Can I go the next day after my POE and apply for an SSN number right away ?

Thanks,

Sal

Hi Everyone,

How have you all been. I just wanted to share my medical experience with you all :-)

I had my appointment at 8:00 am yesterday at Medisys. I reached there at 7:45 am. The receptionist greeted me asked for the following

1) Interview letter

2) 3 Photographs

3) Passport copy

4) Vaccination record book

Then gave me a form to fill , where I had to check any previous illness or allergies. I completed that and handed that over to the receptionist.

Then I waited for half hour and was called for an x-ray. The nurse told me to undress and wear the gown. X-ray was taken in abt 5 minutes. I was told to wait in the dressing room and not to dress till the nurse confirms if the x-ray came out ok . After 5 minutes I got the ok and was told to dress up. She gave me a red slip to hand it to the receptionist.

I then went back to the waiting room. Waited for about another 20 minutes and the nurse called me again.

1) Blood test

2) Eye sight check up

3) Blood Pressure

4) Gave me the required vaccinations

Then back to the waiting room. Was waiting there for another 20 minutes. Was called by the doctor this time. He greeted me and told me to sit down . Went over my file and confirmed that I have never been ill ..ect...

Then he told me to undress and wear the gown. He the checked my lungs, heart rate, ears throat. Made me lie down and checked my abdomen, ankles .

Then he said everything is perfectly fine. You are fit and healthy. Told me to dress up and I was back in the waiting room.

I waited for about 10 minutes and was called to make the payment. I paid 213 for the medical checkup and 125 for the vaccinations.

Everything went very smoothly. Medisys is extremely efficient and courteous. I was home by 10:30 am.

I am sure Wyatt will do very well considering how well he had prepared...

Got my email as well, interesting that I was scheduled for the end of the month when everyone else around my approval date is the beginning of April...but then I am not complaining, just happy to finally have a date, now we can start planning the move for June!

I still wonder how they schedule ... :-) and what basis..

As long as we all have interview

Hi Everyone,

We also got the eagerly awaited email from NVC.

Our interview is April 9th :-)

Wohoooo

Thanks a lot for all the information everyone :-) . I really appreciate it. Made things a lot more clearer now.

I have one more question :-)

If my husband rents a SUV / mini Van from New York and drive down to Montreal , he will definitely be questioned at the Canadina border ?

What would he say , " that he is going to pick up his wife and we are moving to to US permanently". What would be the additional document he might need ?

Thanks everyone for all your replies in advance .

Is it advisable to do this moving our self , by renting a SUV or

Can we get it done through a moving company. Do you know trailmix any moving companies that do this kind of moving ?

Sal

You can import all your personal items duty free of charge when you're moving. This can be done the day you move to the US, or you can go back and get them personally after you settle in, or have them shipped down to you at a later date by a friend, family member, moving company, etc. I don't believe there is a maximum value.

I don't believe your husband can't bring your items to the US before you go- they can follow you in later, but they can't come before you do. It may be different for CR-1's, so don't quote me there!

Making a list of what you have is a good idea- sometimes the CBP wants to know what you have, other times they don't even care. When we crossed they didn't even ask!

Good luck!

Do you know any good moving company that do this kind of moving ?

Is it better to move stuff our self at the time of POE ? I think it will be much cheaper to rent a SUV and move stuff.

Sal

Hi Everyone ,

I have few questions regarding moving stuff ( clothes , kitchen stuff ) while doing our POE . We are very confused and dont know what is the best way on doing this ?

1) When we do our POE , can I take along all the stuff we have. Can we rent a SUV and can I take things like clothes ( 4 suitcases ) Kitchen stuff ( 2 Boxes ) and few paintings and books.

2) I will make a detailed inventory on what we are taking along . Though it will be mostly clothes , shoes, kitchen stuff , paintings and books.

eg : KITCHEN

1 Asst Dry Goods (100.00 approx)

2 Old plastic containers, spice jars

3 Coffeemaker, asst empty containers, oil pump

2 frying pans

5 blender, asst plastics, measuring cups

asst kitchen utensils

3) Is it advisable to do this moving at the time of your POE

4) Will they charge us at the border

5) Is it possible for me to send stuff with my husband before , when he visits me next ( in 2 weeks ) nad our POE will be somewhere in April 20th. Will he have to declare at the customs and will he be charged for it ?

6) What is the maximum value that can be taken along. Though mine would not be even more than $1500 to $2000

We are very confused and don't know what to do. Any help will be appreciated.

Please help us with any inputs you would have,

Sal

Hi Does anyone know what would be the best shipping option from Montreal to NY ?

I have a elliptical that I want to ship. Is it to expensive to ship ?

I will appreciate all the help.

Sal