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Hi all, I'm 38 year old male from the UK who's just been scheduled a visa interview date for the IR-1 visa, and looking to arrange the medical examination before I attend the interview, which will take place Jan 2025.
When checking the vaccine requirements with my local doctor, he seemed unsure what I'll need exactly as he said the list is too generic. This has left me at square one and quite confused.

When cross referencing this link with my vaccine records, it appears I'll need the following:

- Covid

- Influenza

- Hepatitis B

- Tdap/Td (last time I had the DT/Polio booster was Apr 2000)

My question is, does anyone have recent experience with the medical examination, including which vaccines are absolutely required regardless of how young/fit you are? i.e. how case-by-case basis is the decision on each required vaccine? For instance, Hepatitis B in the UK is only recommended when travelling to a high risk country, have liver disease, HIV, or a job that puts you at risk. Is this not the case for the US?

Hoping someone can give me some insight so I can be as prepared as possible.

Thanks!

Hello,

I am a U.S. citizen asking a visa question on behalf of my fiance that lives in Nanjing (and is from Hunan province).

She returned to China earlier this year, voluntarily expiring and leaving early to do her dissertation for PhD at Nanjing university.

Being under the J1 visa that has now expired, it is our understanding that she has to stay in china for 2 years under a residency period. See restrictions: (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/exchange.html)

However I would like her to apply and see if she could do a K1 visa. Under the K1 visa page, I do not see any inelegibilities (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration/nonimmigrant-visa-for-a-fiance-k-1.html#12). Specifically section 212(e).

In addition to this information she has a CSC scholarship that may affect her status (not too sure on this), unless she pays it off before applying for a visa.

I was wondering if you could help me clarify the laws on if it's possible in her sitaution to get approved for a K1 visa after having the J1 visa and a CSC scholarship.

If it doesnt work, I think she will just apply for J1 again. There is a researcher that wants to work with her back in the U.S.

Thanks!

Trevor

I just wanted to asked after getting married and my husband file for Form 1-130 and got a acknowledgement receipt of application, will he then file for Form -129F. If form I-129F is approve first before I-130, does it mean I-130 will be gone and they will just use form I-129F instead? why will we file for Form I-130 if we can jump in filling I-129F? If they invited me for interview after receiving I-129 F does it mean I can go to the US to live and work afterwards?

Hi Everyone,

I am trying to get my ducks in a row for the upcoming 2024 tax season and was hoping someone could point me in the right direction on where to look and any other helpful resources.

Background:

- I'm a Canadian Citizen who recently immigrated into the US on Oct 30, married on Nov 5 and filed for the AOS/Work Permit and SSN on Nov 8.

- I believe I will be considered as a non-resident alien as I don't meet the green card test nor the substantial presence test.

- I received my last paycheque from my Canadian employer on Oct 31

- I still have an RRSP with more than $10k in it (it has mainly Canadian but some US ETFs that occasionally pay out dividends), but I did liquidate my TFSA and Non registered accounts before moving to the USA.

- I didn't have any property or substantial assets that I had to sell before moving.

My Understanding of the process:

- My understanding is that I have to file my Canadian taxes first and let the CRA know that I am no longer a Canadian Tax Payer and have moved to the USA. My first question is does this still apply based on my Visa status. Secondly, how do I go about paying my departure tax/if the departure tax is relevant to me?

- Once I have my Taxes filed in Canada, I then move onto filing them in the USA with my partner. I know there are two options to file, Married jointly or Married but separately. The overall consensus is that it is generally better to file jointly, but depending on circumstances that may not always be the case. My yearly income was <$100,000 CAD, so I am wondering if there is a tool where I can see how to maximize our returns.

- Since I am a non-resident alien, I would not be required to file an FBAR.

Other Questions:

- Has anyone been in my shoes, and if so, was the filing process straight forward or am I better off hiring tax help?

- My fellow Canucks, which tax software did you use when filing and how did you go about navigating the departure tax?

- Would my investments that I liquidated count towards my income when I am filing in the USA? Even if they were in a tax protected account?

I am all ears and would love any help I could get!

Cheers!

Based on my I-20, our lesson is going to start on March 3, 2025. Does it seem reasonable to schedule my F-1 visa appointment for January 2 or 3?

help me