Heather&Matt

Congratulations!!

Sammy, if the movers are packing your belongings there is nothing you have to list. They will do it. If you are doing the packing and they are doing the loading, then you will mark each box as to the generalized contents. For example, "Kitchen - Pots and Pans"; "Master Bedroom - Clothes"; etc. Again, the movers will tell you how to label the boxes. The movers will have you sign off on Form 3299.... you don't need to fill anything out on that form.

Is that true in my case as well? I was unsure when looking over this form as to who fills it out. I was told that my husband will need this form...even though he will be driving the UHaul behind me.

Thanks everyone!

Let me rephrase question 3: knowing my situation (American and Canadian wife and Canadian husband with immigrant visa), what do you feel would be the best approach for what to give the movers as far as documentation?

Thanks,

- Sam

When I talked to a Customs Officer about 3 weeks ago about my POE, he said that my husband would only need his identification, a copy of my passport, and the 3299...as he was he one driving the moving truck. So I would say that the movers would just need copies of both your IDs (probably just your US passport) and the form.

From what I've read around VJ, label your boxes like crazy! If they feel like it, they may want to tear into the boxes. Be specific as to what's in them (it'll help you when you unpack too )Also have his paperwork from the medical/xray, the unopened envelope, passport, etc. Just bring all documentation that says he is who he says he is!

Good luck!

The X-ray is not needed for POE. The consulate officer told us when we asked about it at our interview. Also, in the package you receive from DHL it specifically states that you do not need the xrays for the POE and just keep them our records.

Labeling the boxes is good, just make sure they match with your 3299 addendum.

Hi folks,

My husband (the intending immigrant) and myself (the American citizen) are currently in the process of movers and looking to move permanently in the United States within the next month or so. Just so we're not caught with any surprises, I thought I would ask the following:

1) Apart from my husband's immigrant visa and the unopened envelope that was sent with, what do we need to bring at the point of entry?

2) What do the movers need when they cross the border? Based on my research, they need a copy of my American passport, a copy of my husband's immigrant VISA and form 3299. Is there anything else?

3) The movers we have talked to have advised me to have the moving shipment under my name since I am both an American and Canadian citizen and only list my husband as accompanying household member on form 3299. Is this an advisable thing to do?

4) What types of things will be taxed at the border? We're moving our furniture, electronics, dishes, books, cd's, dvd's, paintings, bedding, clothes, etc.

I think that's it for now, but knowing me, i'm sure i'll come up with more questions.

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help out.

- Sam

Hi Sam,

Looks like we are both at the same point in our journey. I am moving on March 19th.

1) Other than the Visa (passport) and the unopened envelope...thats all that is needed for the immigration part.

2)You should have an addendum listing all the things in the moving truck (unless you can fit it all on the 3299)

3) Not sure about this...sorry

4) Nothing should be taxed, they are all personal belongings. Maybe that answers question #3, if you're husband is immigrating than they should be all his belongings.

Is your husband bringing his vehicle across the border? If so, then he will need a letter from the manufacturer stating that it meets Safety Standards. This is also his personal belonging and will not be taxed on it.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

We just got an email from the NVC that our case is complete. Now we are waiting to get an interview date assigned.

Does anyone know how long they take to assign an interview date after the NVC part is complete?

We are hoping to have my wife fly back for a visit in between now and the interview date. But we want to have the interview date scheduled so that she can bring that, as proof of ties to Canada, to the airport with her when she tries to fly. Hopefully the fact that she has an interview date and a return ticket will be enough for them to let her through!

We got our interview date the day after our case was completed at NVC. Although, I know this is not typical. Our interview date was 2 months from the day we received the email. Your wife should have plenty of time to visit between the time of interview date assignemnt until she has her interview.

Does she have other ties she could show as proof? Rent receipts, pay stubs, utility bills?? Showing the interview letter might not be strong enough to prove ties to Canada, although the return ticket is a good start. Has she ever been denied entry before?

Thanks! You too! I see you are in the Ontario area and yours came quickly as well. We are on the Vancouver side of Canada (wife) and Washington State for myself. So, I was very surprised when I checked today to see it already there. It almost beat us back with the nasty weather we had leaving Montreal Wednesday night!

I couldn't believe it came so fast...I was preparing for a week wait, hence making my POE date for 2 weeks later. Had I known it would have taken 2 days, I would have planned my POE for this weekend. However, it's nice not to have to rush to pack everything.

We had very nasty weather for our interview day (monday), but likely stayed in Montreal til Tuesday and had a nice weather for our drive home.

That will be correct!

We don't post on here that much at all, but wanted to let everyone know that my wife's VISA was delivered this morning to the DHL office she chose. Her interview in Montreal was on Wednesday. Montreal seems to be slow at everything except when you are at the consulate for the interview (25 minutes total) and shipping the passport/VISA back (one day)!

Good luck to everyone waiting!

We put a review up in the review section on our experience...and sorry, it is kind of long.

Congratulations on your approval and quick Visa return!

Good news, Heather

Visa page has some key info. Do you see your Alient# there?

Picture will be of course yours

Loto

Is the alien# the 'registration number' that is on it?

You can enter the reference number on www.DHL.ca, and if no record then it hasn't shipped yet.

I received mine 3 days after my interview. I did go through DHL and I checked status last night and it said it was in Dorval. DHL called me at 8:30 this morning to tell me I had a package to pick up at my city's location.

Sorry you are waiting a longer time, maybe it's due to registering for DHL late. Did you select the location for pick up to be Montreal?

Picked up my passport today, Immigrant visa page looks great in there!

I have my passport in hand (very quick)....this whole thing ending is really starting to feel real. POE in 9 days!

Just picked up my passport! 9 days til POE!!

Congratulations Binny!

I was there too at my interview that early, but I took the chance even though my appointment was for 10am. I was out of there by 8:30. Since I also sent in all originals during my process with NVC that all they did was give them back and took my fingerprints plus the interview that was for 5 mins and Voila! I could've gotten the letter A card but I let the mother with her daughter in before me because it was -27 degrees at that time.

Just a thought, what was everyones reaction while you guys where in the elevator going down after your approved? I was by myself and I got very emotional that I started to think they might be watching me hahahahaha so silly!

That was our experience too. Got there at 7:50am (later than expected due to the blizzard). My appointment was at 9am. We got down the stairs and there was a whole room of people waiting for the elevator. The elevator then showed up and a family walked to the back then we did (knowing it opens at the back), everyone else packed to the front. We were 2nd in line to get a number. Same deal with the originals and we were out in the car by 8:45.

We kept saying 'thats it?' while in the elevator then noted that there are only 3 buttons to push in the elevator...yet there are 19+ floors. Interesting.....

Congrats CBM!!

Thanks Heather & Matt!

Also, any idea if a National Identification Number is the same thing as our SIN?

It is not. N/A works here too.

Thank you for the information. Does anyone know what the "type of visa" I should list on question #35 of form DS 230. I've never actually had a visa since Canadians don't need one.

Just put N/A

Approved!

Excellent ! Congratulations ! When you get some time, please write up an embassy review in yer timeline, TIA !

and...

are you on a poutine tour in Montreal for the afternoon?

Review to come for sure. Poutine is delicious here, they don't make it right where I live now.

APPROVED!!

Interview was a breeze, time to celebrate with some Montreal breakfast with my hub!

APPROVED!!!!!!

As many of you have said, the whole process was a breeze and the interview was very anti-climatic. It literally took less than 10 minutes. I'll give full review later on, time for breakfast and maybe a nap.

Weather is awful here, to those traveling Be Careful!

Awe, well my interview is on Tuesday! But I look forward to seeing your approved post!

I'm sorry, that's right...I wasn't paying attention. Good luck then!