Eenerz

I don't believe anything has changed since June, but as of June, you didn't need anything like a signature from the petitioner. All the information they sent in to start the K-1 is forwarded to Vancouver for the interview. Just bring what is on the checklist, and send what they ask you to send, lickysplit.

Hope that helps.

Thank you for this information guys. I didn't realize that I could expect the biometrics appointment so soon after recieving the NOA, so we weren't really worried about it.

After calling the USCIS, they've advised that they recieved my change of address but that they couldn't confirm whether an appointment letter had been sent out. I explained the situation to the representative, and she seemed to be interested in helping as much as she could. They have sent an electronic notification to the processing office (which may be Atlanta or Charleston) and hopefully they will contact me soon.

So here's hoping that the potential employer is OK with waiting just a little longer for me if that's the case. Between biometrics and EAD approval/card in hand, what do we think? 2 weeks? 3 weeks?

Thanks again guys

Eenerz

So, being optimistic, and thinking about corporate hiring cycles, I started applying to jobs about 6 weeks before I thought my EAD would be processed. Based on the (oh-so-awesome) timelines here at VJ, my EAD should be processed sometime in the next 2 weeks.

I got a call back, for what I believe to be a perfect position in my somewhat-specialized field (like 3 or 4 openings in a city of 4 million kinda specialized). I've let the potential employer know about my current status, and that it's only a matter of time before I get word back from the USCIS.

What I'm worried about is a potential delay between 'approval' and holding the card in my hand. Oh, and getting a SSN. I wanted to wait to get my married name on my SSN and forgot about my I-94 expiring, so I am without both a EAD and a SSN.

I've ballparked mid-November to the potential employer, my question is, with a process date of say November 4th or November 11th, am I being too optimistic for the biometrics, card, redirect on the mail (we moved), and the wait at the Social Security office.

Thank you in advance VJers

Eenerz

Indeed! You need your medical done before the interview and the medical is good for 1 year I believe (you'll use it for your AOS too).

If you live in Vancouver, you can go ahead a book in with the clinic.

To give you an idea of timeline...well look at mine. Vancouver was ON THE BALL.

I faxed my packet 3 checklist and DS forms and I e-mailed them the next day and they provided me my interview date. It's about 5 weeks from packet 3 sent to interview atm.

Oh and make sure you have your police certificate before you send in your packet 3 checklist...that's the only thing I'm still waiting for (was supposed to get it April 29) and I'm starting to be a wee bit anxious since Craig (USC) is coming with me to the interview and everything's already booked.

Good luck!

Woot! Always glad to see a happy poster! USCIS Family Immigration peeps: Bringing people together since...um..sometime after the NOA2.

How did you guys/gals get marry within 90 day? I got fiancée from apply to arrival in 5 months, much faster then I had planned. So fast, that I had not planned out every detail. Now she is here, I am scrambling on getting married with in 90day. Did you guys just go to a church and get marry, in normal cloth, so you can get the marriage certificate ASAP. Then the REAL marriage with banquette later? A proper marriage planning and execution takes much longer then the given 90 days.

Thanks

I am so happy!

CONGRATS!!

I guess it really depends on what you want out of your ceremony. I've seen some VJers do a civil ceremony and then a second family/celebration ceremony later. I've personally never wanted a huge wedding. We were able to plan out everythingwithout paying and explain to our vendors the flexibility we needed in dates.

Now that we have the interview date, we actually had to move everything up because the process was quicker than we expected!

So yes it's possible, but it depends on what you want it to be.

Well I'm new to custom house and i have yet to pay any ridiculous fees..in fact i haven't paid a single fee yet :S as long as you do eft transactions its no problem..no fees

They advised over $2800 in fees to move my balances over to a US account (which was way over what I was expecting to have to pay)

Well I would suggest you "NOT TO LEAVE ANYTHING BLANK" on the checklist as they go through the checklist before scheduling you for an interview. Just go ahead and check everything relevant on the list and send it back. You do not need to go for your medical exam before you send in P-3, you can do it after you send it.

KnR aka slider100

What about this direction from the consulate?:

About your medical, because you are from Alberta, we could schedule your visa appointment first, then you call the medical office to arrange an appointment with them. It is possible to do both the medical and interview on the same day or next day. To request for a visa interview appointment, you will need to fax your completed DS-230 and checklist (you may leave the medical examination box unchecked).

Granted this is Vancouver...but still. You don't check off the boxes for divorce certificate if it doesn't apply...

Now I'm confused.

Bank Accounts are fun...as are the transfer of funds.

You can keep your Canadian account as long as your bank doesn't have any non-resident rules. Depends on who you bank with. RBC, Credit Unions etc are good with you being out of the country. Be sure to check out their account closing rules (do you have to be there...can you do it over the phone) and the border rules for carrying cash and other monetary amounts.

Now for the question you might ask yourself when you actually get to the logistics...how do I move my money?

Some VJers have recommended CustomsHouse (Western union) however you pay some pretty ridiculous fees. Also, Paypal has some pretty ridiculous fees depending on how much you are transfering.

RBC has a USA Access account through their American subsideriary, RBC Centura. You can have a Canadian account, an American account (in US dollars with ability to pay bills etc etc) and access both from the same login. This will allow you to keep an eye on Canadian pensions, RRSPs, stocks etc without liquidating everything (which in the case of company pensions is pretty overly complicated).

Bonus...you can leverage your Canadian credit when you eventually apply for an American mortage! Pretty neat eh? They can help you with credit card (bank ones) and loans and lines of credit etc and get your American credit established sooner!

Although they are mostly just in the SE portion of the US, you could really use them anywhere as you can apply for accounts, loans etc all over the phone or online.

one other tip...if you already have an american account you can ask your workplace to move your eft to that account so you don't have to transfer quite as much when the time comes to move down.

Hi All,

Just got my Packet 3 (have been watching the mail iike a hawk this week!!)

On my Checklist...it lists all the normal stuff (passport, photographs, birth certificate etc.), then at the bottom just above the date/signature space it states

"Medical Examination", written in by one of the consulate staff. Does this mean I need to get the Medical Done BEFORE I send in the checklist??? I thought that I had to get it done before the interview.....

Thanks!

It depends on where you live. If you are in Montreal (or surrounding area or Toronto or surrounding area) you can go ahead and schedule in your medical interview and on the checklist you would checkoff/provide date. If you are outside these areas and commuting in for your interview, you will wait for packet 4 before booking your medical interview so that you can do them in the same trip. So leave it blank and include on your coverletter that you are waiting for interview date before booking medical.

Hope that helps!

Lolz.

Deep breathes MeggyMo....deep breathes.

Since we sent them into Vancouver on almost the same day I'll let you know when I get my packet 4 or interview date, whichever comes first.

We are a K1/K2 case. I will be bringing my daughter with me to my interview in Vancouver. She is 6. Have others brought their children with them as well? I know that bringing them to the interview is not mandatory but I am not fortunate enough to have someone to keep her over a day or two while I fly to Vancouver for the Interview. I'm secretly hoping we will be lucky enough to get interview and medical dates close together so we only have to make one trip. Just wondering how the interview goes with a kiddo in tow.

TIA

Normally the consultate/embassy makes it quite easy to complete the medical and interview in the same trip (often the same day), and are especially congnicent of this when you are from out of town/province. The forms you fill out when you get your packet 3 will ask you about the children for the K-2s and whether they are accompanying you to the interview. As this question makes it seem like it is optional, I suppose it is..

However, I would bring the little one along with you anyway. Just in case...

If you check out the sample DS-230 there is a spot for information on accompaying children. And if you checkout the checklist for packet 3 packet 3 vancouver it asks about accompanying children.

I think it really depends on the country and the current relationship between the beneficiary's nation and the petitioner's nation. Having a quick peek through the forums, beneficiaries from G-7 nations rarely get this request (GB, Canada, Germany, France etc.) Perhaps this is the consulate/emabssy's method of ensuring that there is a real relationship and attempting to prevent immigration fraud?

Do the instructions for your Consulate say to Fax DS-230 Part 1. DS-230 Part 1 needs to be signed with an original signature for the Consular officer. It should not be faxed unless the consulate instructions are telling you to do so.

Um...there is specific instructions on the DS-230 that say 'Do not write below the following line'.

It gets filled out and signed when you go for your interview. You sign it in front one of the consulate employees.

So I really hate that this is even a possibility, however have you talked to your husband about any possible predijuces his family may have?

Frequently in conversation with my American friends and aquantainces the issue of 'illegal immigrants' comes up. And sorry to say, but the picture most people have in their heads is a person of latin decent. When I pipe in with the 'um you know I'm an immigrant too' speech, they are momentarily confounded.

It's troubling that anyone can be so stereotypical or close-minded or so willing to accept the whole 'immigrants are stealing our jobs' rhetoric, however when you listen to it every night on the evening news it's gonna creep in there somewhere. On top of this is the balcklash we (the beneficiaries) sometimes get about trying to 'marry' our way into the American Dream. I'm sorry, but I like my country and if it weren't for the weather and my fiance's family, he woulda been coming to Canada instead of the other way around. Some people just want to believe we are trying to steal something instead of just trying to be with the person we love.

I would perhaps talk to your husband about your concerns and find out a little more background. As a few VJers posted, it's hard for family/friends to understand how powerful our relationships can be when we don't necessarily see each other everyday. My hope is that they will come around and begin to trust you.

It might just be me, but being able to fit it in the box might raise red flags in the adjucator's mind. I'm sure they are used to seeing long narratives about people's relationships and the unique circumstances of how they met, how their relationship progressed and why they are putting themselves through hell to be together (ok it aint all bad...but still).

The last thing you want is an RFE to explain all this evidence you provided. So if you are able to be together, explain that (even though it's obvious with the J-1 visa).

You don't have to write a book certainly...but if it was me and I was adjucating an application and the answer to question 18 was able to fit in the box I'd be asking myself some questions.

Oh the two other forms you are talking about it does not say to fax those it just says to bring two copies to the interview.

It only says to fax the form I said before and the checklist

The packet 3 instructions were changed recently. Don't stress (I just sent mine in today too! Maybe we'll see eachother at the interview?)

All you need to send in is the faxed DS-230 and the instruction checklist completed for what applies to you.

Take the signed DS-230 with you to the interview.

okay finally my Canadian Fiance has received her Packet 3. we have some questions.

1. We received a checklist which says to fill out forms DS-230 PT1, DS-160, DS-156K, DS-156 and a comfirmation receipt regarding DS-160. Do we have to make copies of all these forms and send it to them with the check list?

2. also can my fiance schedule to go to the physician medical exam right away or does she have to send those along with the check list?

3. How is everyone sending digital pictures with form DS-160?

4. Letter to marry, can I just put that I <John Doe> am marrying <Mary Jane> and live together in <USA> at this address?

5. I'm unclear of Evidence of Support, is this to show that I can afford my Fiance in USA?

6. Evidence of Domicile will photographs of our engagement party in Canada be sufficient?

thanks for all your help.

I assume you are going through Montreal? Vancouver seems to me anyway to be much less complicate in the paperwork. Does it ask you to fill these out AND send them? Or just to fill them out? My packet 3 consisted of the DS-230 and the completed checklist only. Everything else you bring with you to the Vancouver interview.

1. Go with what the instructions tell you. If it only asks for DS-230, just send DS-230 and bring the rest with you (original signed docs) to the interview. They have a lot of paperwork to deal with already, so go with what the packet instructions say.

2. Does the instructions give you information on this? Normally if you are in the city with the panel physician (or reasonably close by) you can get the medical done whenever and the interview date will be scheduled later. If you are travelling then you (quote from a consulate inquiry email);

"About your medical, because you are from Alberta, we could schedule your visa appointment first, then you call the medical office to arrange an appointment with them. It is possible to do both the medical and interview on the same day or next day. To request for a visa interview appointment, you will need to fax your completed DS-230 and checklist (you may leave the medical examination box unchecked)."

3. Does it ask you for digital pictures?? My assumption is you just bring these to the interview (as per the instructions)

4. There is a sample letter on the K-1 guidelines page - click the link for sample forms

5. Please see the K-1 guise it will give you LOTS of information about the affadavit of support, but essentially the petioner (UScitizen) needs to show they can support the beneficiary so that they do not become a public charge. Please read the guide, fill out the i-134 based on the instructions and poverty guidelines for the i-184. You will submit the i-184 once you marry and are applying for your change of status (from non-immigrant to immigrant).

6. You could use bills to the USC, a lease agreement, a title, mortgage papers etc. You are essentially proveing that the USC lives in the US.

6. Did you mean evidence of an ongiong relationship?? cos that's something different...

Hope this helps!

Good Morning Everyone,

I thought I would post this so no one has to spend the same 3 hours I spent on trying to find this information.

Required Vaccines for Canadian Citizen aged 19-26:

MMR

TDap (Adacel)

Chickpox (either vaccine or the verbal confimation of the exact year you had chickenpox)

If you don't have your Immunization Records call the Health Region where you resided when a toddler. This will provide you with the record of your MMR.

Most Canadians will HAVE NOT ever recieved a TDap/DTap. We may have recieved a tetanus/diptheria but we are usually not immunized for Pertussis (Whooping Cough).

As an aside, the Dtap/Tdap has to be current (within the last 2 years) so more than likely you (lucky you) get to get a poke.

For myself (in Calgary) no one seemed to understand what/where/how to get this immunization. I called a private travel clinic, a regular clinic, the healthlink (regional information from the health services), a hospital, an urgent care centre....you get the idea.

In Calgary, there is only ONE place that is licensed to provide this vaccine to Adults (apparently its normally only given under 18). The International Travel Clinic downtown as part of the Health Region (1233 4th St SW 403-955-6777). They are super quick at getting people in for this vaccine and the appointment itself is very short (I was in and out in 10 mins). Cost for vaccine and administration is $50.

I am still at NOA2/NVC stage, however I figured since I have to bring this paperwork to my medical I might as well get on it right away.

On a side note, please be SURE you are getting the right vaccine, as there is one just for tetanus/diphtheria that doesn't count.

Thank you very much, that's helpful and good to know. So is it a standard the 14-day thing? I mean, there wouldn't be some companies who allow less than 14 days for a grace period? Do I have to call my insurance company to tell them or just wait until I get the insurance transferred and then, obviously, they will know our policy with them is being cancelled? Thanks again. I prefer if we don't have to pay it off before we get a US insurer, but at least there are only about 3 months left owing on it, so that's not a big deal.

I'm not sure exactly what you are asking with regards to the cancellation. Standard is 14-days. Some companies will offer you more, however they don't have to, and it's normally taken on a case by case basis. If you've moved and you haven't told your insurance company and you get into a claim and you still dont tell them or you lie, it's called misrepresentation. This is a case where your policy is essentially wiped for the duration that you have been living somewhere else...that means no coverage for your car or anything else (the other car(s), people injuried etc)

When you do get a policy through another American company you will have to call your Canadian Insurer to cancel your policy. Our systems don't talk to each other (even within Canada for that matter) so they won't know you've obtained new insurance. You'd just be paying twice.

For 1 thing, one has to make sure one is talking oranges to oranges, as the rules differ from State to State. And it is something you definitely want to check out, as insurance companies are here to make $$$$ and not loose it, so if they can find away in not paying out they will!!

*sigh. I really wish that this wasn't the prevailing opinion about Insurance Companies. They are just like every other business in that they owe a duel responsibility to both stakeholders/shareholders/employees to make a profit and to their clients to provide peace of mind. Believe me it is a tightrope to walk...make money but not too much. Most insurers (American companies included) will do their best to find coverage for their clients withint he wording of the policy, even if that means bending some rules or interpretting wording differently. And policies are written by provincial and state governements.

This is interesting to me as I just called my insurance company (Wawanesa) and my broker told me that I have 3 months to get my car registered/insured. She told me to call right before I move and the 3 months would start then.

I guess I'll have to call back ...

I would perhaps suggest calling the Wawanesa Claims Department and talk to an adjuster, or a examiner. Often brokers don't give out the correct information about the policy, as they are not as experienced in adjusting claims as someone in the claims department is. Insurance companies have to write and execute based on the Auto policy, and this means the rules in each province are followed in the same way by each company.

If you get the same answer from the claims adjuster, then get confirmation in writing of this statement. As a broker is not an employee of the insurance company, just an agent, you can then pursue the broker should a potential claim get denied.

That being said, some companies try to find coverage for their clients. I just wouldn't want a potential $20-30k (not even factoring in a potenital bodily injury claim) to think about while I'm driving down an interstate somewhere.

Welcome to Georgia - and I agree, Savannah is wonderful! I would love to live there.

Be sure to carry a copy of your full I-129f/K-1 package as well with your evidence as it is proof you are going through the proper immigration process.

Good luck!

OO! Great idea! Thank you...I have the packet we sent in and I'll have the NOA2 soon (original right? would a copy be OK?) so I'll bring that with me too!

I guess I was just really worried about being unemployed and I don't want to lie to them...cos that's rule #1.

I hate to be a downer, but you'll be interviewing in Vancouver and your interview might be in less than 2 months. Something to keep in mind for your trip.

Yup that's the whole idea. I'm moving down early. I have no intention of actually coming back to Calgary, I'm just starting my life in Savannah a bit early.

Hopefully I get packet 4 and the interview date before I leave (*crosses fingers) as Vancouver seems to be going pretty quick. If I don't I'll have the return already booked for Vancouver with lots of room to spare and change the flight date if I need to.

I can't answer all of this, however I can answer some.

Your Canadian insurance WILL NOT cover you if you have moved your residency to another country. You are only permitted 14 days to move your insurance to a company that is licensed to write in the US. If you have lived in the US for longer than 14 days, and you get into an accidend you will not be covered.

Insurance will cover you if you are travelling in the US, but not if your territory of residence has changed. So if you went for a 2 month road trip touring the country you would be fine, but not living/immigrating there.

I work for a National Canadian Insurer in claims, and although this isn't an everyday occurance there are many claims denied for exactly this reason.

Hope this helps!

Well, how will they know that you have a loan on it?

As for the registration and insurance, I suppose this differs from company to company and perhaps even state to state, but you don't have to have a driver's license to own a car (so in theory you should be able to both register and insure it without one). You can't register it without having insurance first, generally - so it seems to me that shouldn't be too difficult, unless their are California specific laws that prohibit it.

First you are going to need to import the car though - but you probably already know that.

The insurer will know as they are obligated by law to complete a leinholder search on every vehicle they insure, as leinholders are considered joint policyholders.