ANY OTHER SURPRISES I SHOULD BE AWARE OF???

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

ok, after finding this site, I have discovered things I never knew... I would have gone obliviously to the boarder and likely created more work for myself!

I learned that I need a compliance letter for my car!

I should apply for credit now, while I am still in CA

I should register with the post office with I get to PA

I have about 60-90 days to trans my car papers etc...

I need med insurance to cover the gap until hubby adds us...

Any other surprises that you guys encountered that I may not have listed, please feel free to throw at me... I prefer now, rather than at the Consulate or Boarder, worse yet after I get there....

I know I also need an experience letter from my car insurance co, so hubby can add me...

Bring it on

[bowflex 0]

Other than trying to teach yourself to remove the old English u from certain words I think you've got a good list there Good luck!

[TayL 0]

I'm not removing the U no matter WHAT anyone says. It belongs there!

[Emancipation 2]

Hey.. remember that thread from a while back.. things to do before leaving canada or something? Wouldn't that be helpful here? I can't search on VJ to save my life

[JillA 2]

I'm not removing the U no matter WHAT anyone says. It belongs there!

Damn right! And CHEQUE not CHECK

Hey.. remember that thread from a while back.. things to do before leaving canada or something? Wouldn't that be helpful here? I can't search on VJ to save my life

We need Tmix for that!

[JillA 2]

Apply for your SSN as soon as possible.... And apply for EI like the DAY you arrive!! The 90 day countdown is on the day you cross. If you're eligible, of course. Don't forget getting US car insurance and notifying your Canadian company of the move, as if you don't and something happens here you may not be covered if you didn't advise them.

[warlord 72]

Other than trying to teach yourself to remove the old English u from certain words I think you've got a good list there Good luck!

Yes by removing useless vowels like u from words, spelling Check rather then "che qu eee" and always remember to put the er back in the proper place at the ends of words like center and enter etc.

Ha ha.

Seriously though, does credit in Canada help you in the US at all? I know there's been several people recently talking about this and how they're coping trying to get a credit rating. I didn't think Canadian credit would count towards any credit history in the US, even if you are using something well known like Visa or Master Card etc?

Think some others that have been through this could clarify on if that would help or not...

[bowflex 0]

Other than trying to teach yourself to remove the old English u from certain words I think you've got a good list there Good luck!

Yes by removing useless vowels like u from words, spelling Check rather then "che qu eee" and always remember to put the er back in the proper place at the ends of words like center and enter etc.

Ha ha.

Seriously though, does credit in Canada help you in the US at all? I know there's been several people recently talking about this and how they're coping trying to get a credit rating. I didn't think Canadian credit would count towards any credit history in the US, even if you are using something well known like Visa or Master Card etc?

Think some others that have been through this could clarify on if that would help or not...

I actually work for a bank and while we do look at international credit reports, it's usually just to see late payments or defaults. We don't actually review the credit scores unless it's an American credit report.

When my wife was in Canada I did get a Best Buy card, bought a tv, and then added her to the account. While I was paying on the tv she was actually building credit and two weeks after she got here (about 6 or 7 months later) she actually had a score in the high 600s and she was able to lease a car in her name only.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I found it useful to make up a 'form letter' that contained my old address, my new address, information about the effective date of leaving, effective date of cancelling accounts (utilities, insurance, phone, etc.), then leaving a space where I would write in the account number and the name of the recipient (hydro company, ISP provider, etc.). I made photocopies of each completed form, then sent them either enclosed with the bill or to a separate address if the bill said 'do not send mail'. It made it much easier to notify everyone and proved useful when the cable company insisted I didn't notify them and wanted to charge me an extra 3 months worth of bills. I sent them the photocopy of the notice that was sent with the cheque and the bank statement showing the date the cheque was cashed. They backed down. I also got refunds on my last telephone bill and my different insurances so that was nice.

Get copies of your medical records from your doctor and a letter from your employer's health coverage verifying that you are insured so you can provide it if requested by your new medical insurer. If you have any prescriptions see if you can get several months worth filled before you move as it may take some time to get into see a US doctor to get a US prescription (Yes, there are long wait times in the US too!).

Have a neighbour still check your mailbox of your old apartment or house even though you send a change of address notification to Canada Post. They 'missed' re-directing a months worth of my mail and my neighbour collected it for me and sent it to me. I did get a refund from Canada Post for the non-redirected mail but it was a nuisance. Having someone check as a precaution is a good idea.

[Gypsyangel 11]

That list was really good. I made my own list from it, but I'm not sure where it is right now. Here are some other things I've thought of, in completely random order:

Before you Leave:

- get a copy of your medical file from your doctor

- make sure any pets are vaccinated

- cancel OHIP and any Canadian health insurance

- bring your visa! and the envelope from your K1 interview. Keep important papers separate so you can find them when/after you move.

- make a list of things you are bringing over the border (it doesn't seem like anyone really gets asked that). If you're using movers, make sure you go over the border first and fax back your I-94.

- make sure you understand car licensing and driver's licensing in your state. In NJ you need a green card before you can get a driver's licence. If I'd known that I would have managed some things differently. Even though it says on the web site that you just need your passport and the I-94 and a few other things, it's not true in NJ!

- set up an account with Custom House if you have $$$$ to transfer.

- leave your old bank account open for awhile and maybe give your bank card to someone locally so they can do any banking that you need.

- change of address to the post office (costs $200 to the U.S. Yikes.)

- until you get new credit in the U.S. leave a couple of your Canadian credit cards open rather than cancelling them. They might come in handy until you're up and running credit-wise in the U.S. You might need a Canadian address to send them to. I have mine sent to my sister.

- bring comfort food you may not be able to get it in the U.S.

After you get there:

- file for AOS as soon as you can after you enter. It took me 3 months to file, which meant I couldn't go back to Canada for 6 months. I was more homesick than I thought I'd be and it would have been nice to go home sooner. Expect that you'll be homesick and keep it in perspective.

- when you get married, ask in advance about how long it takes to get the marriage certificate and what the procedure is. I've heard some people waiting months to get their marriage certificate because someone was on vacation or something. Which delayed their AOS.

- get a GPS!

- get a new place together if possible, rather than moving into your spouse's place.

- remember that although it's exciting it's not without stress for both you and your partner. Give each other support and understanding.

- When you get there, find your peeps! Don't rely completely on your partner as it puts a lot of stress on them. Join a running group, do yoga, take classes, go to the library, etc. Meet people. Get a long distance plan.

- Make sure you start comingling finances so you have evidence when/if asked for evidence at AOS: get your name added to utility bills; after you get your SSN, get added to the bank account; get your name added to the home insurance; (at our AOS interview they asked only asked us for bank account info and insurance info); get a cell phone by being added to his account; get your name on the lease of your home; etc.

Whew! That's enough for now. I'm sure there are other things!

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Wow I honestly never thought of any of this until just now. I was so caught up in getting everything done with the petition, the actual move hasn't really been in my mind. I guess i'm lucky though: i'm not bringing my car over (its a 1995, whats the point?), I live with mom and dad still so no getting out of rent contracts or canceling utility bills (anything I forget to change will be sent to them anyways), no pets, I don't have much stuff so I can just fit it all in my fiance's grand prix... But health insurance? I know my fiance has good coverage, but he probably can't add me until after the wedding can he? And a drivers license... I'm not so sure that's going to be easy for me either (I only have a G2, I'm going to have to take a test I bet...)

I guess all this time I was thinking that my stress is over once the k-1 petition is approved but... not so much!

[bowflex 0]

Wow I honestly never thought of any of this until just now. I was so caught up in getting everything done with the petition, the actual move hasn't really been in my mind. I guess i'm lucky though: i'm not bringing my car over (its a 1995, whats the point?), I live with mom and dad still so no getting out of rent contracts or canceling utility bills (anything I forget to change will be sent to them anyways), no pets, I don't have much stuff so I can just fit it all in my fiance's grand prix... But health insurance? I know my fiance has good coverage, but he probably can't add me until after the wedding can he? And a drivers license... I'm not so sure that's going to be easy for me either (I only have a G2, I'm going to have to take a test I bet...)

I guess all this time I was thinking that my stress is over once the k-1 petition is approved but... not so much!

My wife was actually in much the same situation as you. We just loaded up my Commander and moved her over. I have Blue Cross insurance and I was able to get her added onto my insurance within a week of her coming back. We did do a CR-1 visa so not sure if that had anything to do with it but hopefully your husband's carrier can do the same, good luck!

[OBX 51]

- make sure you understand car licensing and driver's licensing in your state. In NJ you need a green card before you can get a driver's licence. If I'd known that I would have managed some things differently. Even though it says on the web site that you just need your passport and the I-94 and a few other things, it's not true in NJ!

Excellent list!!

Regarding NJ driver's license: For the 6 Point ID verification did they not accept your passport with the visa stamp? Do they just require a written test? Any idea how long I could drive in NJ with my Ontario license before I would need to change it?

So many questions!!!

[IndustriousAnt 0]

- bring comfort food you may not be able to get it in the U.S.

Coffee Crisp.

Stock up on Coffee Crisp.

And Kit Kat's.

They just don't taste the same south of the border.

M.

[JillA 2]

- bring comfort food you may not be able to get it in the U.S.

Coffee Crisp.

Stock up on Coffee Crisp.

And Kit Kat's.

They just don't taste the same south of the border.

M.

And ketchup and ketchup chips and kraft dinner Actually check out this:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pmZ...1CPIAopHsCBq5OA

Not sure who started that or if it gets updated?