jessiewu

Just had my interview today, thought I would share my experience since I have been away from here for so long!! Our interview was at 10:45am, but weren't called till 11:15am. She was friendly, and the whole interview was more like chatting than an interview, here is what we talked about:

How we met

When did we start dating

How he proposed

Our financial arrangement (we don't have joint account, but we showed her our bank statement to prove that he gave me "allowance" haha since I don't have my EAD yet)

Our wedding (showed her pictures, she asked why our parents weren't there we explained that they are planning something in Asia in July, and showed her our plane tickets)

Who is the better cook

other documents we have to prove relationship (we showed her car insurance, health insurance, phone bills that have our names together)

She didn't ask for anything that are on the appointment letter, we even offered to her but she said she didn't need to see them. Eventhough she didn't quiz us, but I think she was paying attention to how we interact with each other instead of what paper we have. Then she went throught the list of questions like being a communist or terrorist. She was going kinda fast and mummbling, maybe because she knew it's standard proceedure and people just say no anyways? So at one point I didn't realize she had finished asking one question that I didn't reply no right away (I think it was about exporting drugs or something, really couldn't hear her well ...) Hope that's not a biggie. At the end, she said that she need to review the file more, if we don't hear any request for info within a week, then we can assume that we are approved. So guess still need our fingers crossed!!

Hope this helps

This may be a stupid question, but I was wondering -- since I'm already approved for a Green Card but don't actually HAVE it in hand, would I still be able to travel to Portland to Vegas on a plane using my Canadian passport? I'm not too sure if I'll be getting it yet (I received a notification that it's being produced, but I don't know how long that is going to take) but since I'm only traveling in the US, would it be okay?

Within US is fine. We were told today by USCIS that for international travel if green card is in production, I have to wait to have it in hand before leaving the country even if I have AP, so annoying!

Wondering has anyone heard of that? or was charged for it when they import their car from Canada to US? The transporting companies are telling us we need to pay for that (1% of car value) and also need someone's SSN to accept the car if I havne't get my SSN yet. We tried to find information on it, tried to talk to a US custom agents, but no clear answer on it. Please help!!

i'm... measuring everything. so far, 79 ft³

whatever that means

I'm trying to purge. I have 2 smallish boxes of books, and a box-ish of personal things and candles. so far. I'm going to look at what U-Hauls cost, but I also will be moving my cats. I think my dreams of fitting it all into a hatchback (including cats and 2 people) are dashed. Although, anything I don't really want immediately, my parents said they'd drive down at a later time. So technically... it's possible. I moved for 5 months down there and fit everything i brought back into my hatchback. Including cats.

I might be able to do an SUV this time. This seems better than a cargo or cube van, for transporting the animals, and based on what I think I can whittle my possessions down to.

it's sort of.. liberating. B)

So liberating that's turning me green with envy!!!

I'm moving 4000+kms. Haven't decided how though. We're tossing around some ideas. I'm mostly worried about the fact that I have a cat, and that if I move on Dec 30th, we want enough time to get over there and have some time to prep for the wedding if we want it on Jan 10th. I'm lucky enough that my parents might be driving over most of my stuff with me, and the rest could probably fit in carry ons. I dunno though. I often have more than I think I do. I am hoping to not exceed 10-15 medium to large boxes or bins. I'm not taking any furniture.

It all depends on the situation I guess.

4000+km!! Guess mine is not that scary after reading yours and another one that's 500+km Lucky you have your parents to help!! Cats can be scared on a car, my fiance's cat got out the cage once while he is still driving and was running around like crazy!

I definitely under estimated the amount of stuff I have so really try to start packing early. I am packing everything in boxes and pack one suitcase for the clothes I need to wear for the next month before I am flying out so that I have a good idea on the amount of stuff I am moving.

Moving Your Belongings

CBP FAQ's - Moving

Thanks Krikit, you are always so helpful! You must know this forum inside out~ after reading the other link in the forum where trailmix got a quote for 5' * 8' *9' for around $800 in 2007 I gave upack another call for the same size...it's about $1,500 now! Crazy comparing to 2007, but still better than the quote I got before. Thanks!

Yeah, I definitely looked into it. A trailer is the best bet for me, since I won't have any furniture etc. to speak of (my wife has her own furniture and that will suffice). I won't have a definitive moving date for awhile (my case is still at the NVC level), but early next year looks likely.

I'm not at all concerned about the drive, actually. I've driven the 2000 kms or so to and from Los Angeles before without incident, and I truly enjoy driving to begin with. I've got a 2007 car with a strong V6 engine, so I expect that it will be up to the task as well.

As for your situation though...I really don't know what to suggest, other than possibly keeping most of your stuff in storage until you get settled in Seattle and can afford to have it shipped after the fact.

You have a good car to start your move! My 4 cylinder engine takes forever to push over the 60km/h point, really noticeable.

We might have to bite the bullet and move it all at once...we talked about it last night and I called Upack again, they say if I can limit my stuff to 5'*8'*9' then it will be $1,496 and $39 for each extra foot in a trailer, but again I will have to do the loading myself, time to call for some favours!!

That sounds like the quote for a van. I was talking about an actual trailer, which you hitch up to a trailer hitch (which depends on what kind of car you drive, of course). Provided you've got a mid-sized sedan or larger, you can probably tow a couple thousand pounds or so...but you'll have to look into it.

Sixty boxes sounds like more than you can safely tow with a car though...so a trailer like this might not be the best option for you.

Haha, you must have shopped around a bit too. Yes that quote is for a van becuase I have a small Civic and it won't be able to tow that much without wearing it out during the 4-5 day drive.....can't imagine how you will drive the 5,000km!! When are you moving? Good luck on your move

I just downsized everything and mailed four medium sized boxes, ( about 50 pounds each) with things I wanted to keep...pictures, books, extra clothes, etc. Then I had two big suitcases on the plane, and a box holding my wall pictures, ( kinda costly but worth it) when I crossed. I didn't have any problems receiving the boxes.

I wish I can downsize to 4 boxes...That would be sooo nice!! The packing alone is driving me crazy now, I made so many trips to Salvation Army and Value Village

Someone will probably have mroe info, but I think the company needs proof of your VISA, so you'll provide photo copies of what the Consultae staples into your passport.

I personally accompanied my belongings in the Uhaul so I didn't have quite the same experience. The trucking company should know what is needed in the way of documentation from you. some people have used Pods.com as well. everyone's experiences and recommendations are different.

After the quote from u-pack I didn't call pods.com since they are about the same concept....maybe I should give them a call anyways, thanks Udella & Wiz!

There is a thread about this in the Canada forum.

We used U-PACK and it was awesomeness. Some folks use U-Haul.

U-PACK also quoted me about $2,000 and I have to move the boxes myself

Just wondering how everyone is moving or had moved their stuff across to US? I have problem figuring out the logistic of it all , because right now I want to fly to Seattle on 11/27, and we are leaving for Hawaii 12/5 for our wedding (trying to leave work as late as possilbe).

I have tried to find posts here to see if anyone is moving as far as me, to Seattle 3300km away! From what I have read, the trucking company can't cross the border with your belongings until you have send them the proof that you are in US? Yet my trucking company tells me that I can have the stuff start travelling before me as long as I give them enough proof that I am crossing soon? Does that make sense? Thanks in advance!

Well, I'll be moving from Vancouver to Alexandria, Virginia (i.e.: Washington D.C.) which is about 5000km. I plan on renting a U-Haul trailer and simply getting rid of as much stuff as possible beforehand, then driving there myself. I'd rather not face the hassle and uncertainty of getting a trucking company to cross the border without me...

Unless you have a lot of valuable furniture and big stuff, I suggest trimming the stuff you're shipping down to the basics: clothes, books/music/movies, irreplaceable personal items, and anything that your fiance doesn't already have that you both need. When you think about it, most of the basic necessities of life can usually be fit into a fairly small U-Haul trailer. It's just a balance of what matters to you most versus convenience.

P.S.: Len, this IS the Canada forum!

I checked with Uhaul before and they told me it will be about $2,000, plus gas and hotel , it will be more than I combine my stuff with another shippment with the trucking company. I have about 60 boxes (because we sold our home here, I have to move my parent's clothers with me too), no furniture at all as it is! Do you think they somehow not giving me a right quote???

Just wondering how everyone is moving or had moved their stuff across to US? I have problem figuring out the logistic of it all , because right now I want to fly to Seattle on 11/27, and we are leaving for Hawaii 12/5 for our wedding (trying to leave work as late as possilbe).

I have tried to find posts here to see if anyone is moving as far as me, to Seattle 3300km away! From what I have read, the trucking company can't cross the border with your belongings until you have send them the proof that you are in US? Yet my trucking company tells me that I can have the stuff start travelling before me as long as I give them enough proof that I am crossing soon? Does that make sense? Thanks in advance!

What I did was take the list to my family doctor, hehelped me clarify what's needed for my age and what is not. Then he gave me the shots that I didn't have (which were 2 and they are covered by OHIP). As for HepA, he said it's not necessary, but since I have medical coverage at work, I decided to get it anyway since I will only need to pay for family doctor to administer the shots (2 shots in total, $20) and it's good for my future travels to places that will need to guard against HepA =)

Oh I hate needles too, I always turn my head away. Make sure you tell the nurse/doctor about your fear, they will tell you how to relax and makes it easier...I had a horrible nurse that didn't give me clear instruction and made me suffer when I was taking a blood test to see what immunization I have in my blood

Thanks MUFFINTOP.....I nearly had a heart attack

Hahaha, we all had a few of those! Good luck!!

Sorry I wasn't clear there with my question. I filled out the DS-160 online and printed out the application and confirmation pages to bring to the interview.

I filled out the DS-156 by printing out the form and filling it in by hand.

I also filled out the DS-156k by printing out the form and filling it in by hand for the interview.

So my question really is: Is the DS-160 the ONLY form you need to fill out electronically online and submit that way?

Yup, DS-160 is the ONLY form you need to fill out electonrically online and submit it that way.

Hello all!

My visa was approved!!!!!!!

Finally time to get ready for the big move. Should get my visa this week and I'm leaving on the 16th so it gives me time. I will not write a review since it's the same as everybody, but will keep saying ARRIVE EARLY!!! it is sooo worth it! I got there at around 7am, 1st in line, left at around 9am. All went smoothly, people were very nice, etc.

Thanks for all the help and support! see you in other threads!

I'm looking to be a September 2009 AOS filer so hope to see some of you there!

Congratulation ruby_mtl!! So happy to see everything went smoothly..isn't amazing how easy it seems now that it's done? Congrats again and have a good move!!

I think there has been cases where EI is denied because one quits their job too early before moving down to US, Service Canada see it as unnecessary for one to quit months before moving. Most suggest to quit one week before moving down to safely claim EI.

My Fiance got his visa today YEAH!!! The move for next week is a go, I can't wait!!

Wow...that's awesome!!! hope the POE goes smoothly!

So fast! Guess it's good to live right across the "bridge" .

Can't track my package yet.

we checked it around 1030 AM and it was in Toronto, out for delivery! SWEEET! (we weren't back here in time to get it, so we will have it tomorrow or Monday, whenever TG gets to the Postoffice !!! YAY!1!!

Great news! So I guess your travel plans will work out perfectly...that's great!

Great News!! We picked up the visa at the post office today! OMG!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY! It was really cool for me to experience receiving the visa with TorontoGuy - Fiona was there too. POE countdown! 4 days! :dance:

Congratulation everyone!! I think I am the last one that get the visa for the July 8ers, just got it this morning at work. It shows that the visa was issued on July 10 and mailed out on July 13 Wish everyone a smooth move and a wonderful wedding!!

My Fiance got his visa today YEAH!!! The move for next week is a go, I can't wait!!

So fast! Guess it's good to live right across the "bridge" .

Can't track my package yet.

I arrived around 6:50 and saw 2 couples and a little girl there, so I knew must be fellow VJers! Because they knew exactly when and where to start lining up (the side of the door that has security camera) hahaha. Since I am on the same interview date as TorontoGuy and KristinL, I will just write what’s different.

-The officer that let us in to the building was all serious, but the guy at the security screening did smile when he told me to empty all my pockets and I replied that I only have garbage(plastic bag from my breakie) in my pockets. He still put the tray with my garbage through the x-ray machine then helped me throw it out, haha.

-KristinL/TorontoGuy, hapycloud, myself, amberL and this elder couple were the first group to go up to 19th floor. In the elevator, the officer asked us to give him our waiting number, the list and our passport, and keep our paper work to ourselves until get called to the window.

-I kept my x-ray and xpress envelop as is, but later found out that I could’ve folded the xpress envelop in half because that’s what they did to fit it in their file.

-Questions that I was asked at my interview:

• How we met and when was the first time we met in person

• Was it love at first sight? (I answered, not really, hahaha because we only communicated online and even though have seen his picture but still didn’t really know what to expect)

• Where he is from and where I am from originally

• How long has he lived in US

• Where do I plan to live

• How many times has he visit me and how many time have I visit him

• Have I committed any crime

• Am I under any prescription medicine or do any drugs

• Told me that I can’t really go US for just a short visit once my visa is issued, it will be considered as activation of my visa and will need to get married within 90 days. (Guess no more shopping in Buffalo!)

That was it. It is not too bad if you have your entire document prepared and follow their instructions (however weird it is, such as amberL’s experience). Oh and KristinL, Fiona is adorable and she is such a good girl the way I see it, not running around or crying like other kids there.

Yay for all of US getting a July interview!!!! That's right i said it US Just called DOS after seeing all these May people with interview and mine is July 31st!!! YAY!!!!

It's gonna be a busy day for me as I'm leaving for Toronto for carnival on that day, but hey! I'm still happy!!!!

You posted as I was typing the last message, Congratulations on your date!

Congratulations to the next "batch" of Interviews!!! YEA!

EDIT NOTE:

Isn't it AMAZING how much easier life is just KNOWING the date?? Nothing has physically changed... but just mentally knowing you HAVE a date, makes things so much easier.

You are soooo right!! lol I think for me it's just the fact that I can finally plan and start the closure with my loved ones...I never imagined having such conflicting emotions! On the one hand I'm thrilled that i know exactly when I'll finally have my family under one roof, no more travelling back and forth all the time. And on the other hand, I know it's gonna be sooooooo hard to say goodbye to everybody....I'll miss them all soooooo much! Oh well I made my choice and I'm sticking to it! New challenges ahead and I'm ready!!!! :)

CONGRATULATION ruby_mtl!!! Have been checking back here to see whether or not you got your date yet, so happy to see that you can have it before your August move!! Congrats!!!!!!!

Congrats Sapphire!! Must feel like honeymoon already!!

Like July09Bride said, it has to be very clear. Other than sharpening the photo, make sure you took it with flash light or under very bright condition. I had the same problem, the picture we took under indoor light looked fine on our computer, but DS160 won't accepted it. Took another with flash light eventhough we don't seem to need it and then sharpen the photo a bit and it was fine

Actually Muffin, California is the fastest service center right now! It seriously took you 8 months to get your NOA2? That's insane. Any idea why that could be the case? It took us a little over 3, that's it.

On the government website they posted that they have received doubled of application during month of July 2008, from the usual 1.2million to 2.4 million

REALLY???? Holy cow. And to think, we applied (got our paperwork in) during September 2008. Sheesh.

That's crazy...now that I look at your timeline, you applied after us at the same office but actually got it all done before we did! Geez...we should've send in our application later, instead of got overwhelmed in all those application in July!