redBlue

Well checking on the USCIS site today, i saw that my case has been updated. My case was transfered to CSC on April 1st, and it says that on April 27th "we ordered production of your new card."

that sounds like pretty good news to me. how long should i expect before i get it, does that mean its in the mail, or that it'll take another month for it to finish being made??

and i guess it means we dont need to go to an interview

can I ask what web site you are checking for your status?thnx

Hello all,

Well, we've just sent off our DS-230 and checklist to Montreal, we're doing DCF. We are hoping to hear soon of course, but I doubt it will be in time for a family wedding we have at the end of June in the US. The USC can go to the US at any time right? But can the Canadian applicant/beneficiary travel while the immigration application is still in process? Could we be denied entry? I'd have a return ticket, show the wedding invite, get a letter from the boss verifying return to work, but even then might it not be enough? I know the official answer - the customs officer has right to deny entry as he/she feels fit, but I'm just wondering if any of you have any experience or recommendations about this. I can stay back and let my wife attend alone if needed, but of course I prefer to go too if I can...

Thanks in advance.

I've travelled several times during the process,never had an issue.But u still have to prepera all the doc.s(there is a list here VJ somewhere) just in case

if you plan on using that name legally then yes you need to change your signature...

thank you.I always thught no matter what u never change your signature for consistincy..never thought of changing it...

If we change our last name due to marriage,do we also have to change our signature to include the new last name?

Thnx

Just wanted to let everyone know a little tidbit of information I learned today that will hopefully come in handy (for you and me!).

TD Bank (US) can pull and use your Canadian credit history using your TD Canada visa to apply for a card here in the US.

I've been trying everything (short of a secured bank card) to get approved for a credit card - department stores, banks, gas cards. Nobody wants me, haha. American Express, for whatever reason, sees my account as being activated in June of last year, so I haven't hit the full twelve months they require to transfer it. So I figured I'd give TD Bank a call and see if they could do anything for me.

The woman at their credit card center said they they can pull our Canadian history and apply for a US card based on it if we go into a branch and speak with one of their reps. Well that didn't work for me, as Orlando isn't close to any branches. So she suggested I call up my nearest branch and see if I couldn't persuade them to do it over the phone. Called them up, explained my difficulties and he was more than happy to take down all of my info and send it their the powers that be to pull my credit history and see if they can approve me.

What I needed:

-TD Canada Visa account details (account holder name, SIN, address listed on account, account number and card type)

-Current details (married name, US address, SSN, employment details [didn't have any], phone number)

I was told that, in 5-10 days I can call the credit card center (first place I called) and see if I've been approved. If they require any other information, they will call me. Hopefully it'll work out for the best, as it's truly, truly frustrating to know that I've got nothing working for my credit score right now.

Should note that, although I used my TD Canada visa, I don't see why it wouldn't be worth a shot to have them pull your credit history regardless and apply like that.

Anyhow, just thought I'd share.

I was so excited about this solution since I've been banking with TD 12 years in Canada.Now I've moved to California and wanted to get a credit card with TD here,but just found out that they don't operate in California,most of their locations are in east cost

My fiance crossed the border from Canada 3/27/10 in Port Huron in his car filled with his belongings. He activated his K1 and he received his I-94. He also told the CO that he was importing his car, for which he had the letter of compliance. The CO said he didn't need to see it and didn't give him any paperwork for his car.

Now we are trying to register his car in the state of Utah, but they say he needs form CF 7501 completed by CBP to do so. We went down to the Salt Lake City port office and was told he owed 2.5% duty. He said he'd do some research and get back with them, as we thought we read that he could import his car duty free as long as it was less than one year from entry. The CBP officer stated that is correct, however if he wants his car to remain in the states permanently, which we do, then we need to pay duty. He said that duty free was only if the car would be in the US temporarily. Also, it's a BMW...German made, so again, it would incur duty.

My questions: Is the information the Utah CBP officer gave me ragerding duty correct? Should he have received paperwork from Port Huron regarding the importation of his car when he first activated his visa? Any help on the subject would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

BV2116

I've crossed the border on Apr 14,2010 with my car.

1.They did the paper work and gave me the copy of everything for importing my car

2.I've also registered my car here in california two days ago,I did NOT pay any duty for it.It was very smooth registration

3.I did take my car to the smog place which is required for registratrion

U gotta know ur stuff before u go to these places.

Thnx

Hi!

I went for my CA drivers license back in January. You have to take both the written AND road test. For the written test, I recommend listening to the podcasts of the Drivers Handbook that are on the DMV website. I did that, and I got perfect on the written test!

The podcasts are here:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/audio_hdbk_toc.htm

Good luck!

thanks so much for the link.it will be so handy....

how was ur experience with road test?should i be worried about it?should i practice for it? I was driving in Toronto almost everyday.I'm not sure what they look for in here during the road exam..

thnx again

Now that I'm here,I'd like to know what to do to get a California driver licence.I have one from Canada.

So do I have to take the written exam as well as the road exam?

Is there a website that I can study for multiple choice written exam?

I'm sure it's been asked million times,but I would appriciate for any info.

Thnx

I've read here that If I have no plans of returning,I can actually request a refund of all my CPP contributions and close my CPP account.

I was wondering if anybody has done this and what is the process?

I'm not retiring anytime soon either.

Thnx

thank you!

I'll do the same thing then..

It's also good to have a list in case if anything is stolen.

So I'm taking my personal belongings (kitchen stuff,cloths etc) to the USA. I know that I'm supposed to provide a list at the border what ever I'm taking with me..I'm not sure how detail it is supposed to be but I was wondering if there is any sample one around here...

My son-in-law has had his work authorization card for 2 months now. He has been looking for a job but no luck. He is 24 and has no work experience at all (has been a college student in Egypt but no degree). As he is a devout muslim, he won't consider anything haram such as food service (pork & alcohol) or banking/finance jobs. Does anyone have any suggestions for first jobs in America?

he is very young.i would suggest him to get some college education so he can apply to the above suggested jobs...

if he needs job immidielty,then there are still some jobs out there where he doesnt need to work with money or food...

good luck

I've contributed to CPP all these years that I've worked in Canada.Now that I'm emigrating to USA,can I claim those contributions although I'm not retiring any time soon or is it something that I can claim once I retire in USA?

Hey there

I just had my interview on the 26th, and I'm hoping to leave by April 6th. With that being said, I was wondering who I NEED to contact regarding my move. I know I need to sign up for something on the CDN government as aboard and I think I have to get in contact with Social Insurance and what not..but I'm really confused!

So if anyone could please enlighten me on what preparations I should be making, as far as what government agencies and what not to call.

Thank you so much in advance.

The following government website has all the info. that u need.

good luck

I also used WES to translate my transcripts. You have to take the TOEFL exam and GMAT (General management admission test). If you are a resident for 1 year and you want to go to a University in the same state it will be cheaper. Admission usually starts 1 yea before the school starts if I'm right.

does everyody need to take the TOEFL exam?For ex:I'm Canadian where English is the official language in Canada.Then ,do I have to take it too?

The real reason I went to the SSO was........because I have spent two years on this website and have learned that even if you check that box, you're not getting one! You'll just sit around waiting for it and nottin! So, I figured I would go and apply and take my chances!! LOL And it paid off! I just don't think that check box and the whole application thing is actually connected to SSO, I think at one point it might have but not now! Hope this helps!

I better gotta do the same thing then!

Thnx

I received my GC today. I POE'd on March 4 and applied the same day for SSN. I received my SSN on March 17 and my GC on March 22!! Pretty quick! Now I don't have to do anymore Immigration application/procedures until I apply for Citizenship in 2.5 years!!! WOO HOO I think I would suggest for people who checked off "Send SSN to me" on original application (like I did), to go directly to SSA office and apply!! Good luck everyone.

Congr.!

A quick question..if i go to the SSA office and apply for a SSN#,wouldn't that confuse the office overall since I've already checked off on the original form...

Why did you need to go to the SSA office at the first place ?if you've already checked off the box on ur form,you were supposed to get it in three weeks right?

I just don't wanna end up having two SSN#....

Thnx

you can also get a "money order"(this is what we call it here.u go to ur bank in U.K and they give u a certified money order..when u arrive to the U,u go to ur bank and cash in using the money order....it's just an alternative to wiring the money up) for the money that u need to transfer if u don't wanna wire up

Hi friends,

i am in U.S since last 4 months..I am a doctor by profession and writing my boards presently. I got married in nov, 09. I live with my in laws..I thought and had an impression that they are nice people..But now, its getting hard to live with them..My father in law is home all the time and cribbing about things all the time. My husband is a doc too and super busy in his schedule. Even am in library all the time..But when i get home, my father in all starts complaining about this and that..'

I belong to a very good and reputed family in India..There is a huge difference in living standards. Most modestly saying, i was living a luxurious life back home. But i adjusted to lifestyle here because i love my husband & wanted to be with him. But how can you live with someone, if all you get back is anger..My husband knows this, but he is too gentle a soul to say anything to them..

It may sound like a typical story but trust me, i am unhappy. Haven't told my parents yet. i want to work and get work too, but my hubby is persistant that i study & clear my boards first..

Don't know what to do..

it must be hard to live with in-law...is there any reason as to why u guys live with them...i understand that ur husband works so is it possible to get ur own place

does anyone know

how hard or EASy it would be to change to my married name after i move to usa

i was told by NVC not to change to my married until later due to the reason that the last name filed for i130 must match my canadian passport

now i am worried i might not be able to change to my married name after i move to usa

worried

if anyone has info on this please send my way

thank you

I've read in previous posts that the easiest and the less expensive way is to change it when you go obtain ur US citizenship..there are some people who've done this in VJ..hopefully soe one will reply it for you

thank you all!I think I know what to do now...

I don't mean the service;I mean the phone itself..or perhaps can the SIM card be changed and be used some how?

Thnx

I'm looking forward to having lots of sun since we don't have enough in Toronto,but lots in California : )

To file jointly, he reports your income. That doesn't mean that he is fully taxed on it. That's what the income exclusion is all about. (Exclude = to shut or keep out, to shut out from consideration, prohibit, omit). It figures what the US taxes would be on your portion and subtracts that from the total tax bill.) You would need in ITIN number which is applied for (Form W-7) along with mailing in a paper return to an address in Austin TX that processes the ITIN request returns. Those items are left blank and when they issue the ITIN they wlll take care of attaching it to the return you sent with the W-7. If using TurboTax online, you're going to have some confusion and hangups because it lacks the flexibility for your return. I buy the cheapest installable version (around $24) TurboTax Basic.

He can file Married Filing Separately and leave you out of it. I was just saying it's worth a try to do both ways because including the Canadian income and then excluding it is often a better deal when you get to the bottom line. Another reason to install Turbo Tax. You fill in all the info for him and call the file "John Separate." Then you do a "save as" and save it as "JohnMary Joint" and modify it to include you. That way you don't muck around with his stuff he already entered and you've got two scenarios to examine.

Head of Household is kinda the single mom category. It is for an unmarried person (or one considered unmarried) who maintains a home for children who live in that home. That's over simplified, but because you did not live in the home, he could qualify for that "considered unmarried" part and "head of household" if he has children who make that their home over half the time...not just weekend visits with non-custodial parent. He could not claim any benefit from exemptions or extra standard deduction for you the wife, which he could filing jointly.

He should just try the two ways (or three if kids live with him) that he can legally file and see which is best before you get worked up over already paying your taxes. The IRS doesn't force him to file with you and report your income, but many people find it actually works out better. It's a choice. Filing Single is no longer a choice. And claiming the extra exemption and standard deduction of a spouse without reporting her income isn't an option.

thank you.we will try that

How difficult or is it even possible to use an RRSP for a portion of the downpayment for a home in the States? How would we go about having the RRSP transferred to the US?

Lily

These days ,I'm also trying to figure out what I should/should not do about my RRSPs..Talked to my instituions/CRA/banks and read the stuff....

Here are some stuff that I've learned....

There is no such thing called RRSP in US and also you can't transfer your RRSP into IRA(US retirement account).. They are completely two different systems and they do not recognize each other...

You CAN keep your RRSPs in Canada once you become a non-resident.BUT u can't make any changes..Also you will be hit by 25% non-residency tax.This may increase in the future since it did in the past..

Depending on how much you have in ur RRSP .it might be better to withdraw AFTER u become non-resident of CA.If u withdraw before ,u will pay

taxes up to 30% depending on the amount...so you really have to do your own math or perhaps ur accountant.

I've learned some of these stuff hard way,by loosing the money...

good luck