SoCal-Canuck

Like others have stated you need to do some research on how long you can stay out of the USA for, eve with a re-entry permit. Sometimes you can't have ur cake and eat it too,lol

Yeah, it seems like I will be SOL if I stay out of the country for as long as this project will last. It just stinks to have to do the entire GC process again.

A friend of mine had to surrender his GC last year because, although he had made regular visits to the US since returning to live in Canada, he was planning to stay in Canada permanently.

On another note, has anyone ever taken a car that was purchased in the US to Canada that was not paid off? I am thinking of replacing my wife's car with an AWD car that will deal with the snow better and it seems the prices are significantly better here, even considering the duties.

Thanks for all of the info.

Unfortunately I don't have time to apply for citizenship as I just had the conditions removed from my GC and the move would hopefully occur in the very near future.

I plan to file US taxes and maintain a US bank account and credit card accounts while in Canada. I was even thinking of buying a new car prior to the move so I would have a long term credit account while away but I fear the complications of importing a car into Canada that is not paid off. Does anyone have any experience with that?

I will probably also rent a mail box so I have a US mailing address for bank statements and such although it is easy to go paperless these days.

One thing is for sure...it will be a tough move from Southern Cali to Canada...especially come February! :-)

Guys,

I am a Canadian citizen and have lived in the US legally for 13 years. I was originally a TN visa holder and eventually married my wife and obtained a green card. I just had the conditions removed from my green card a few months back and as fate should have it, I am expecting a very nice job offer in Canada that would require me to relocate there with my wife and two young children for 4-5 years. Our goal would then be to return to the US permanently once the work assignment is completed.

This particular work assignment is very appealing to our family for both professional and personal reasons so it would be too good an opportunity to pass up.

I have read that as a GC holder I can file for a "leave of absence" from the US whereby I maintain my GC holder status but my understanding is this is only for two years (max.) with US visits not more than 2 years apart and that I will have to file a tax return in the US while I am away. None of these stipulations is a problem as my wife has family in the US so we plan to return regularly. Can I extend my "leave of absence" for more than two years?

I will be applying for proof of Canadian Citizenship for my children via the US consulate prior to the move. What do we need to do to get myself, my wife, and kids covered by the Canadian health care system?

As well, are there any other barriers to our move to Canada besides following the required immigration procedures for my wife?

Thanks in advance for your help.

W.

Hey guys,

a few weeks ago I received my notice to remove conditions from my green card. I just filed the I-751 package last week. How long does it typically take to get the green card after this is filed?

Thanks,

W.

Thanks a million, Warren!

That was just incredibly helpful. The process as a whole so far has gone very smoothly, but whenever I try to explain to anyone what the hell I'm doing, their eyes glaze over and they eventually shake their heads and say either, "Wow, I'm glad I'm an American" or "Wow, I'm glad we got the lawyer to handle all that."

/cry

Katie and I got married on Tuesday down at the Ol' Courthouse. We're in New York, in Manhattan.

I went for my medical today. He took a blood sample, listened to me breathe, and gave me the TB #######; I was able to get my records faxed from Eastern Health, but they only go up to 1996, when I graduated from high school. I know I got a couple of other shots in 2003, when I was in Toronto before I moved to Taiwan. I think I got Twinrix and a Tetanus shot, but I don't have any of the paperwork from then (I think I gave it all to the Taiwanese government with my visa application). I called my doctor in Toronto, but he can't remember which Travel Clinic he sent me to for the shots (and neither can I, ha ha ha). I've called the ones he thinks are most likely, but no confirmations yet. Oh, well, the Civil Surgeon said that he really just needed something for Tetanus, or he'll give me a Tetanus shot (Td, I think) on Monday. The consult cost $135, with $60 for the bloodwork, and whatever the Td shot will be on top of that (hopefully less than $100).

After I get all this in the mail on Monday, then I need to try and get an Emergency Parole so I can go home in March-April for a week to see my grandmother!

Thanks again for the answers and your cover letters, such a big help. I'll be sure to let you know if I hit any more snags along the way!

Adam

Hi Adam,

Congrats on the marriage bud! I would definitely get the AP in hand prior to leaving the country as your TN implies that you are not planning to stay but in the meantime you will have a green card application pending!

As for the help, no worries. I have learned a lot through this process and I am glad to pass it on.

Take care,

Warren.

This happened to a friend of mine.

He was in it for the right reasons and presumably she was as well. They had bought a house together and lived together for a couple of years before getting married. A few months after the marriage they were done and got divorced. With the joint home ownership, traditional marriage, etc. he was able to prove a bona fide marriage and keep his GC even though the conditions were not yet removed.

Just my two cents.

Later,

W.

Hi Adam,

I am from Terrenceville on the Burin Peninsula but I have been in San Diego for 10 years now. I did the TN Visa thing for a long time but got married in 2008 so I just went through the green card process and got my GC last week. I'll add what I can to your list of questions below:

Thanks!

More clarification and questions:

•With regard to who should file each form, I just want to make sure that I'm doing this right:

- I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is signed by Katie (my American fiancee)

YES

- G-325a, Biographic Information, is signed one by me and one by her. (But I include a second one by me in the I-485 package.)

YES, MAKE SURE TO SIGN AND SEND ALL 4 COPIES OF EACH.

- I-864, Affidavit of Support, is signed by Katie, since her income is enough.

YES, MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE ALL OF THE CHECK STUBS, LETTER FROM HER COMPANY, AND TAX INFO REQUIRED TO VERIFY HER INCOME.

- I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, is signed by me.

YES

- I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, is signed by me.

YES

- I-131, Application for Travel Document, is signed by me.

YES

- G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, is signed by Katie, since she's the "petitioner."

I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS ONE.

•As for the cover letters, I can find no indication of who is supposed to sign them (one for the I-130, and another for the I-485). I presume that Katie has to sign the first, because she's filing the I-130, and that I have to sign the second, because I'm signing the I-485, but I don't want to _presume_ anything, so if someone could just verify that I'm thinking rightly here, that would be great!

SHE SIGNS THE I-130, YOU SIGN THE I-485.

•A fairly important one: In Part 2 of the I-485 (Application Type), which option do I choose? Is it (a) "An immigrant petition giving me an immediately available immigrant visa number that has been approved"? Is that statement a reference to the concurrent I-130 we're filing? I think the "...relative...visa petition filed with this application" is the I-130, right. Again, sorry, I just want to make extras sure I'm doing this right!

I CHOSE (a)

•Also in the I-485, Part 3, it asks for my Nonimmigrant Visa Number. I'm on TN-1 Status currently (not technically a visa). I have a stamp in my passport with TN written on it in pen, but no number visible. There _is_ a number on my I-94 card, is that the number that they want entered here, or should I fill that cell as "None"?

I WROTE "N/A"

That's all for now; thank you so much in advance for any help!

Adam

BELOW ARE MY I-485 & I-130 COVER LETTERS FOR YOUR REFERENCE.

October 10, 2009

USCIS

P.O. Box 805887

Chicago, IL 60680-4120

RE: I-485 petition

Dear Sir or Madam,

Enclosed please find the form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status for “My Name” and supporting documents.

The contents of this package are as follows:

• Application Fee: $930.00 + Biometrics Fee: $80.00 = $1,010.00

• Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

• Copy of Form I-797C, Notice of Action – Receipt Of I-130 Notice.

• Copy of all pages “My Name”’ Canada Passport.

• Copy of “My Name”’ valid I-94 (front and back)

• Copy of “My Name”’ Birth Certificate (front and back)

• Certified copy of “My Name”’ and “US Citizen Name”’s Marriage Certificate.

• Form G325A, Biographic Information (all four pages) with photo of “US Citizen Name”.

• Form G325A, Biographic Information (all four pages) with two photos of “My Name”.

• Original Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record in sealed envelope.

• Form I-864, Affidavit Of Support Under Section 213A of the Act and supporting documents;

- Copy of year 2008 US Federal Individual Income Tax Return (“US Citizen Name” & “My Name”).

- Year 2008 W-2 and Earnings Summary “US Citizen Name”.

- Transcript of year 2007 US Federal Individual Income Tax Return (“US Citizen Name”).

- Transcript of year 2006 US Federal Individual Income Tax Return (“US Citizen Name”).

- Letter verifying employment ("US Citizen Name”).

- Five recent check stubs (“US Citizen Name”).

• Form I-765, Application For Employment Authorization with two photos of “My Name” and a copy of “My Name”’ Canada Passport Biographical Page.

• Form I-131, Application For Travel Document with two photos of “My Name”, copy of “My Name”’ Canada Passport Biographical Page, and a copy of “My Name”’ valid I-94 (front and back).

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. Thank you very much for your help.

Sincerely,

“My Name”.

September 24, 2009

USCIS

RE: I-130 petition

Dear Sir or Madam,

Enclosed please find the form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative for “My Name” and supporting documents.

The contents of this package are as follows:

• Application Fee: $355.00.

• Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.

• Documents establishing petitioner’s US citizenship:

- Copy of Birth Certificate (front and back).

- Copy of all pages of non-expired US passport.

• Copy of Beneficiary’s Birth Certificate (front and back).

• Copy of all pages of Beneficiary’s Canada Passport.

• Certified copy of “My Name” and “US Citizen Name” Marriage Certificate.

• Form G325A, Biographic Information (all four pages) with photo of petitioner.

• Form G325A, Biographic Information (all four pages) with photo of beneficiary.

• Evidence of bona fide marriage.

- Copy of Apartment Lease Agreement.

- Copies of two affidavits.

- Year 2008 US Federal Individual Income Tax Return

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. Thank you very much for your help.

Sincerely,

"US Citizen Name".

As for the medical, you will need to get you vaccination records from the provincial government. They will fax it to you if you request it. I can dig up the contact info for you if you'd like. You then take this info to a doctor that is qualified to do Immigration Medicals. You can probably google "civil surgeon" to get a list of doctors. Health insurance does not cover it so you need to pay out of pocket. Mine cost $400 due to some vaccinations I had to get.

So where are you living in the US?

If you have any further questions feel free to send me a PM.

Take care,

Warren Myles.

When I got home from work on Friday I found that my Green Card had arrived!!!!

Thanks to everyone here that provided me with guidance when I needed it. This site definitely made the process much more clear and saved me mucho $ in lawyers fees since I was able to do the whole thing on my own.

Take care,

W.

Hey Guys & Gals,

My wife and I just completed our interview today. We did not start the interview until an hour after our appointment time but fortunately our 3 month old daughter (evidence of bona fide marraige :-) ) was cooperative and my green card was approved after a very easy 5 minute interview. All in all it was a very pleasant experience.

Thanks to all here for your help with my questions and concerns early on. I hope everyone else has it as easy as I did today.

Take care,

W.

So it is ok to bring our daughter to our interview?

Hey guys,

I received an e-mail today that my EAD production was ordered as well!

Regards,

W.

So I arrived at the Chula Vista service center this morning at 7:20 am. There was a huge line for the citizenship ceremony but for biometrics I was third in line!

When they opened at 8:00 am the lady reviewed my biometrics appointment letter, politely asked me if I had a cell phone (which I had intentionally left in my truck) and asked me to please step aside to give first priority to the people with 8:00 am appointments. This was no big deal since there was only 4 people behind me (kinda like the airport scene in the Meet The Parents Movie) One guy had his cell phone and the lady merely asked that he keep it turned off while there.

Anyways, they did not even comment on the fact that my appointment was not scheduled until Dec. 1 and processed me very quickly. I was actually out the door at 8:45 am. Everyone was very polite and efficient and I was very pleased with my service so I reflected this in the customer service questionnaire I was provided on my way out.

Hopefully this will expedite the receipt of my EAD or at least my AP document.

Regards,

W.

Thanks!

Guys,

I live about 20 minutes from my service center in Chula Vista, CA. I have a biometrics appointment scheduled for 12/01/09. Is there any merit in trying to walk-in earlier than my appointment to do the biometrics?

I am really hoping to get the I-130 (Advance Parole) or EAD approved by 12/22/09 so my wife and I can return to Canada for the holidays to show off our new baby girl. Will walking in early help speed up the process as noted by some others here on the forum?

As well, the website states "appointment only" for this location. Has anyone else tried to walk-in for an early biometrics appointment at the Chula Vista, CA location before?

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.

Regards,

W.

I'm right at two weeks today. Hopefully I'll get the NOA for my I-130 package shortly.

Whoa.. did you read the instructions on how to file the I-130? I guess not.. it says if you file I-130 and I-485 concurrently send the address to..

I got this from the USCIS instructions manual:

"NOTE"

If the Form I-130 petition is being filed concurrently with Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, submit both forms concurrently to:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services P.O. Box 805887 Chicago, IL 60680-4107

For couriers/express deliveries:

USCIS Attn: FBAS 131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor Chicago, IL 60603-5517

Submit all forms together.

Oh #######! I followed the instructions from the USCIS website I-485 page and sent it to P.O. Box 805887 but I sent my I-130 package to the "stand alone" address, P.O. Box 804625!!!

Now what do I do? I guess I wait for the NOA and then re-send the I-485/765/131 package? How long until I receive the NOA for my I-130 package.

Thanks for the clarification KM24. Seriously, I did read, re-read, & re-re-read the instructions but I was so focused on filling in the forms correctly that I tripped over the easy part.

Sometimes even I can't believe the things I do!

Regards,

W.

visacheck,

I submitted two separate packages concurrently. I submitted the I-130 package to one Chicago address but at the same time I submitted the AOS package (I-485/I-765/I-131) to the other Chicago address as directed in the instructions for each form.

I did not include an I-130 in my AOS package because I did not realize that I had to.

Upon review, however, there is a section in the I-485 instructions (Page 5, section 18) that states that I must provide documents proving I am eleigible cor this classsification. I guess that means they want to see the I-130 I filed?

Regards,

W.

Thanks for the quick response!

Guys and Gals,

My AOS packet was just returned to me with an I-797, Notice Of Action attached to each of my I-485, I-765, & I-131 packages. They state that I am to submit my original I-130 with the I-485 package and it appears that my I-765 & I-131 packages were rejected just because the I-485 was. My questions are as follows:

1. Can I just add an original I-130 that is signed by my wife (petitioner) again even though the signatures and signed dates will be different than the I-130 package I submitted?

2. It looks like they did alot of re-organization of my package. Should I re-assemble in the order in which I submitted it or just copy the I-797 forms attached to each package, add the new original I-130, update the cover letter, add a new check (they tore the first one I sent) and re-send?

I think I'll try to get this taken care of today as I have airline tickets booked for an X-mas trip to Canada and need the I-131 approved before I can leave.

Thanks for your help,

W.

Thanks guys!

Yes, you need to treat each application form as a separate application and include the listed attachments for each. Even though you submit the applications all together in the same envelope, they are actually broken apart and processed at different locations so each application needs to be able to stand on its own.

Thanks Kathryn,

I did not get a response yesterday so I went ahead and supplied an additional copy of my passport biographical page for the I-765 and an additional copy of my passport biographical page and I-94 (front and back) as supporting documentation for the I-131...Oh, and I also included 2 copies of my mug shot with each of the I-765 & I-94. Is there anything I am forgetting?

Thanks!

Not because of the AOS application but for your own consideration you should renew your Canadian passport as soon as you can. You can do that from the States - here is the link to applying for a Canadian passport while living in the US: http://www.ppt.gc.ca/cdn/form.aspx?lang=eng&region=USA. You have a choice of waiting until it expires and renewing then without having to send the expired passport back, or applying before it expires, sending the valid one back and requesting it back so you still have it (highly recommended). Either way you will not be able to travel while waiting for it to be processed. Once your AP is processed you will be able to travel so you may wish to use the time waiting for the AP to renew your passport as well.

I agree, I do plan to renew my passport in the next few days. I have done so by mail in the past and it was a relatively painless process. I think the rules are even more relaxed now. When I renewed previously I had to have an MD sign my photos and stuff. I don't think that is a requirement now.

Guys,

I am submitting the I-765 & I-131 concurrently with my I-485 application. Do I have to submit another copy of my I-94 and other supporting info for these documents that I have already included in my I-485 package?

Thanks,

W.

Guys,

is there any requirement for I-130/AOS/AP filing for the passport expiration? I plan to submit today but my Canadian passport expires in early December.

What do you think?

Thanks,

W.

Guys & gals,

I am about to send out my I-130/485 packages today. Yesterday I checked the version of each of my forms against the latest on the USCIS web site as I initially filled these out in May of this year. They were all still the latest except the G325. No biggie, I just downloaded the latest version and began completion for my wife and myself last night by typing everything in. The problem is that the formatting of the later version is terrible. I can't even fit some of the information like my employers' information in the form without some serious abbreviation and using two lines for each employer. In the old form I was able to do so. I also don't think I can change the text size so that does not seem to be an option. Does anyone know how to do this?

The USCIS web site states that "Edition Date: 6/12/09. Previous versions accepted".

Can I just use the earlier version of the form without worry about it being rejected?

Thanks again for all of your help,

W.