NinoniAndBoosBoos

Steps to Canadianizing your wedding:

1. Write the invitations in English and in French

2. Serve jos louis for appetizers and poutine as the main course

3. Have the groom dress up like a lumberjack

4. Give out maple-leaf shaped toques to the guests

5. Instead of a chocolate fountain, get a maple syrup fountain

6. After dinner, go to an arena to play a game of hockey

too funny....but where is the timmies coffee and pecan maple pie and tortiere?

Well, August is over and I'm glad to see aside from some delays we all got approved! Lots of POE and AOS stuff to deal with now, though!

Yes, apparently they're are new threads to check now..like "moving here" ...got so use to the K1 thread, didnt' think anything else existed

You do not need to have your x ray with you at all put it in your luggage not carry on and don't roll an xray it is for your keeping is all.

yikes...rolled it loosely, hopeufully it wont get too destroyed in my carry-on. All packed so have to carry it with me..thanks everyone for your replies.

You do not need to have your x ray with you at all put it in your luggage not carry on and don't roll an xray it is for your keeping is all.

yikes...rolled it loosely, hopeufully it wont get too destroyed in my carry-on. All packed so have to carry it with me..thanks everyone for your replies.

Got Approved today.....was first to get to the consulate at 6.30 am....Got out of the consulate at 9.10 am. Will write the review in detail....

I would like to thank all the people here who has put their experience and comments for others for guidelines. Thank you all for all the great help. Good luck to all whose interviews are coming up.

Now the wait for Passport and DHL........

Regards,

Sue

way to go.....

I have never heard of a CBP officer asking to see the x-rays at the POE. Never. You should keep them anyway. They might come in handy if you end up seeing a civil surgeon for the I-693, and if the civil surgeon insists on a TB skin test, and if the test ends up being borderline positive. This happened to my step-son. The civil surgeon reviewed the x-rays he had taken at Cho Ray hospital in Vietnam and concluded he had a small scar from a previous infection, but was clear now.

glad you step son is fine...thanks I guess I have to keep it with me ...

Those who have their medical at St. Lukes in Manila, Philippines will get a CD with their x-ray on it. The people at Chinook's POE didn't want to see it.

Chinook used her x-ray CD when she was hired as a registered nurse here in the States. The company allowed her to skip their mandatory chest x-ray since she already had a current x-ray on CD.

nice

Those who have their medical at St. Lukes in Manila, Philippines will get a CD with their x-ray on it. The people at Chinook's POE didn't want to see it.

Chinook used her x-ray CD when she was hired as a registered nurse here in the States. The company allowed her to skip their mandatory chest x-ray since she already had a current x-ray on CD.

unfortunately mine is the uber huge x-ray film..I might roll it up and keep it on my carry on..wish I didn't have to. I can just imagine if I put it in my checked luggage and they ask to see it, you just never know...better safe than sorry

Hello,

I only see a thread on this topic from 2008- Do I bring my X-ray with me to the POE? do I keep it in my luggage or carry on? thanks in advance. I will POE at the PEACE BRIDGE

He is finally home with me!

We crossed yesterday at the Ambassador bridge in Detroit. It was kind of busy so we had to wait for about an hour but otherwise everything went smoothly. The only thing he was asked is if he was considering that to be his official move and when we were getting married. So glad this is over even though it feels like the stress is just beginning.

How Nice!!! I will POE at Peace Bride on Sept 6, and praying all goes well and the movers will take care that all my household effects will arrive sound and safe soon after my arrival. I do worry though, that we don't have an actual date for our marriage yet, I am hoping it will happen the same day he proposed: Sept 26. I hope this will work for the Immigration officials should they ask...keep our fingers crossed.

That's great...apparently a neighbour set up a generator. Happy to have heard from her too...

Sending prayers and well wishes to everyone on the EAST COAST - especially JeannieL who just went through an earthquake too, please lets pray together for their safety and all their loved ones.

I'm pretty sure you won't forget Good luck with your plans.

thanks so much

As several of you know, we talked of a Vegas wedding. The logistics made sense as it's cheaper to fly my adult children there and I didn't want anymore stress in our lives....this whole process was stress enough. Then Jeff suggested Disneyland (LA) as he and his kids love it there. We toyed with that. Now that the dust has settled and we've enjoyed our 18 days of bliss together, it looks like we may be doing a small wedding afterall (and his mom's comment about wishing everyone could be together for it...gotta love guilt lol). We own a beautiful home in Washington with a perfect courtyard for a wedding. It looks like he's going home to freshen some paint, possibly build a gazebo and let the planning begin! lol We're looking at an October wedding (trying to coordinate 4 adult children is not an easy task) and possibly themed. As of this hour, we haven't chosen the them yet, but costumes are abundant that time of year...I may see the bride of Frankenstein in my future hehe.

All I know for sure is the calm in my soul now. We've been 'married in heart' since the day we met and this is a mere formality... so we're going to have some fun with it

What a lovely post, bride of Frankenstein too funny.....I can't wait for the calm in our spirits and souls to arrive, been a long haul indeed, and more to come yet. I wish I knew our wedding plans, I think a civil service in the State Capital will be topping on the cake, seeing we had to endure this process, and it would be so official to have the nuptials there...quess we will both need to plan something once we are finally together, I just pray we dont' get so enraptured finally being together we forget to get married...YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As several of you know, we talked of a Vegas wedding. The logistics made sense as it's cheaper to fly my adult children there and I didn't want anymore stress in our lives....this whole process was stress enough. Then Jeff suggested Disneyland (LA) as he and his kids love it there. We toyed with that. Now that the dust has settled and we've enjoyed our 18 days of bliss together, it looks like we may be doing a small wedding afterall (and his mom's comment about wishing everyone could be together for it...gotta love guilt lol). We own a beautiful home in Washington with a perfect courtyard for a wedding. It looks like he's going home to freshen some paint, possibly build a gazebo and let the planning begin! lol We're looking at an October wedding (trying to coordinate 4 adult children is not an easy task) and possibly themed. As of this hour, we haven't chosen the them yet, but costumes are abundant that time of year...I may see the bride of Frankenstein in my future hehe.

All I know for sure is the calm in my soul now. We've been 'married in heart' since the day we met and this is a mere formality... so we're going to have some fun with it

What a lovely post, bride of Frankenstein too funny.....I can't wait for the calm in our spirits and souls to arrive, been a long haul indeed, and more to come yet. I wish I knew our wedding plans, I think a civil service in the State Capital will be topping on the cake, seeing we had to endure this process, and it would be so official to have the nuptials there...quess we will both need to plan something once we are finally together, I just pray we dont' get so enraptured finally being together we forget to get married...YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We're more than halfway through August, I've got to ask the K1ers amongst us: What are your wedding plans?

We were initially planning on marrying as soon as possible and doing a reception or first year anniversary party or something else separately. Alas, my fiance's family joined forces with my roommates and convinced us to have a small wedding. Fortunately the timing worked out, though I fought tooth and nail against confirming dates in case there was some sort of horror-story situation getting my Visa back. (Don't plan until Visa in hand and all that). So on September 17th we're having a small ceremony/reception combo at a hotel with my fiance's friends and family here in Grand Rapids, some of my friends driving over from Kitchener (since I'm so fortunate to have only moved 6 hours away) and some of our friends from the site we met flying in from a few places (which is a huge surprise, I'm so touched!). All told, it's turning out to be 50ish people, which is so much more than I ever imagined we'd be able to do in our situation.

That's just us though and I know my situation is a lucky one all things considered. I'm curious what other people are doing for their weddings?

How great for you...I am so busy packing and arranging and working out the logistics can't think of anything else, however I did bye a "wedding Dress" in Montreal, it will be for the civil ceremony once we have some time to catch up.. 6 months apart is c r-a-z-y!!!!!!! I am flying out on Sept 6 and hope we can do the civil marriage on the 26th, same date he proposed. Once you get to be my age Ralyse, sharing the same anniversaries will be a lot easier...heck I wish he proposed on my birthday...giggle giggle...so for now the plans or lack of plans will have to be addressed when we are finally together. Deciding on the Rainbow or Peace Bridge POE..hmmmm. Do HAVE THE MOST WONDERFUL CELEBRATION!!!!! you both deserve it so much.cheers my dear!!!!!!!

Hey guys Just wanted to update you all that my husband did POE in Winnipeg yesterday and we got married this morning. We'll have a reception/vow ceremony in September/October (TBD). Good luck to you all -- it'll be here before you know it!

congratulations!!!!!!!

congratulations!!!!!!!

Way to go BMCanada...all the happiness always

we had to

Sadly, its rather hard to say with Montreal. I was lucky in that I only had to wait about a week as well, but then my interview was scheduled 3 months out.

we had to wait 82 long grueling days...but the outcome was fantastic

How long did it take you to schedule an interview from the time you got your interview letter? I keep trying and it says NO APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME

did you pay the MVR? I noticed as soon as I paid an appointment became available, coincidence?

Ah I see... I read someone's experience with this in the other thread. I see you can call DoS though and they can tell you if it's been printed at least. Things are efficient as always! Thanks for the help. No sense in driving myself into anxiety when it hasn't even been 2 business days yet!

Hope you get an email soon...keep positive

I don't know about the airports, but at the bridge it's always US cash (possibly credit card? I know there's no Canadian cash or debit because I've been in there while they've had to send someone back for not having an acceptable method of payment.)

Great to know!!! Arghhh Aeroplan Reward System Sucks!!! all this traveling for 7000 points? I know this has nothing to do with DHL and Visa pick-up, but trying to book my flight and POE.

" The officer also reminded us to bring cash to pay the visa fee."

lucky you he didnt' make you pay..good sign of things to come

but do you think it would've have been in US or CDN Funds?

Yup! Undeliverable just means they're not taking it to your address and it's now okay to go in and pick it up! Make sure to call DHL and check the hours at your location before going in though, the Kitchener/Waterloo one is closed from 1230-230 every day.

And since we're all a big happy August interview family I figured I'd share my POE review here:

Bluewater Bridge - Sarnia/Port Huron

We arrived at the bridge at 9:15pm and it was really dead. When we pulled up to the first inspection, before we even said anything the officer grinned and said "You guys have to go inside!" We were confused for a minute but I realized the "do not open" packet was on the dashboard of the car, so he could clearly see it as we drove up. So he had my fiance put the hazards on, joked with him a bit about getting himself a wife and sent us over to secondary.

We got the standard reminder not to bring in anything but our paperwork and to leave purses in the car. The officer also reminded us to bring cash to pay the visa fee. We went in with the packet and my XRay (since the instructions say they might ask for it at POE) and were called right up since there was only one other group in there at the time.

The officer asked what my XRay was, I told him, he said he wouldn't need it and opened the packet. Right on top was a big yellow post-it with "You must have applicant sign page 2 of the DS-230" and I realized they'd never asked me to sign it at my interview, whoops! At least Montreal didn't delay me over that, just had me sign it at POE. So I did that and the agent started silently going through the packet. After a few minutes he asked when the wedding would be and how we met, then asked what was in the car.

He had us fill out customs declarations and started to question me on the process for AOS/EAD/AP. He said he was glad I knew the process, but told me I was allowed to come and go from Canada as much as I wanted *until* the wedding. I'd never heard that, but I didn't question it and have no plans on testing it out. He took my fingerprints and picture and issued the stamps/stapled the piece into my passport.

He handed us back the keys and wished us luck. We were about to go when I realized he's never had us pay the 6$ visa fee, so I asked him about it. He just shrugged and said not to worry about it this time.

We were out in about 20 minutes

What a great review!!! thanks, I am still unsure if I will POE out of Pearson or Buffalo. But it might be Pearson, seeing I can't use my Airmiles points in the US..boo hoo...so happy you arrived safely and everything went so smoothly. All the Best on your journey..but strange about travelling to come and go from Canada as much as your wanted until the wedding.. smart not to test it, so more fingerprints and another picture...SO HAPPY FOR YOU...you deserve all the happiness now after all this.

Ours said the same thing, so my fiance called the DHL branch in the morning and they confirmed it was there ready for pick up. I'd do the same before you drive to get it, but it should be there! Congrats!

Congrats to you tooo.....I will pick it up monday thank you.

Betty....I just gave all my stuff to the moving company 2 days before I left. They did not charge me for holding. I filled all the customs paperwork out (unaccompanied goods) On the bottom of the forms I wrote my visa number as there was no place on the forms. Once I got through my POE I called the shipping company and told them to release my shipment. It all went without a hitch.

Hugs

Thanks so much JeannieL, getting closer to the move and I guess I am getting nervous and overwhelmed..you always keep me calm!!!! You are soooo wonderful THANK YOU

K1 doesn't get an I-551 as that is for IR1/CR1 entrants (and others). I-551 serves as temporary green card. K1's have to marry and adjust status in order to be a GC holder.

Thank you for the clarification!!!!

"You need to cross the border and activate your visa before your unaccompanied belongings will be allowed into the US. Once you get the I-551 stamp in your passport you need to fax a copy of it to the moving company so they can show it at the border and prove that you are authorized to have your personal belongings enter the US."

Hello I found this comment by a fellow VJ'er, and have a question re: I-551 stamp, our K1 was approved, waiting to get the ok to pick up the VISA from DHL, and would like to depart end of August, early Sept to save on fare of flight. I am a bit confused on co-ordinating the actual move with the POE date. I would like to avoid paying the mover for "holding my goods" until I am safely thru customs, the moving company didnt say anything about the 1-551 stamp. I wil double check this with them, but how would I fax it to them from the airport? Do airports provide faxing services? I am not sure where I will depart from, either Pearson in Toronto, or Buffafo. Any advice would be most helpful.

Got my visa, POE in a few hours! :D Good luck to the rest of the August interviews, may you all have a speedy passport return

How great....I got the Loomis/DHL tracking number, clicked on the link,but says undeliverable as the last line item..not sure what to do now? any suggestions anyone? Is it safe just to show up on MOnday?

I was approved on Thursday! :dance: Will write a detailed review later. I need to decompress after that long train, subway and bus ride!

Congrats to everyone else!

How great