Canadian Adjusting Status From Visitor To Permanent Resident

[Torontoborn 0]

Hello VJ members, first of all let me complement how awesome this site is and I have been an avid reader of this site for sometime now. This is my first post in this forum, so I am hoping to get to know some people in here and hope to learn more about the AOS process and other peoples immigration journey.

Here's a little bit about me and my story: I am born and raised in Canada to be exact, I am from Toronto, Ontario, and my wife is born in Williougby Ohio and raised in Fairport Ohio. I met my wife on myspace and we chatted for a year before we decided to turn it into a realtionship. I visited her in Ohio a few times and she would come to Toronto to visit me also, we have been together for a year and 2 months and married for a month and 3 weeks, My last visit to Ohio was March 2008 and we talked and decided we couldnt be away from one another anymore and we love each other, so we didnt want to go the finacee visa route as it would take too long and it would be too hard to be apart from one another. Anyways I had no intention on my last visit to stay in Ohio as I had a round trip ticket back to Toronto on a Sunday as I had all my friends, responsibilites, my family and my job back in Toronto, so on that Sunday I didnt end up going back to Toronto and stayed in Ohio. My intention was to stay abit longer and go back to Toronto, but spur the moment we decided to get married May 10th, and I havent been back to Toronto ever since.

This question is directed specifically to all Canadians and people who adjusted their status from a visitor to permanent resident. The majority of the people in this forum are K-1 visa holders, so adjusting of staus is totally different. How many of you guys decided to use a lawyer and is it necessary to use a lawyer? Did having a lawyer help process your application faster? I am asking because we are possibly using a lawyer and wanted to know the fees and what kind of things do you have to turn over to them? What are the things needed to start the application? What kinds of documents are needed for me being the Canadian to fill out the paperwork? How much does it cost to file? How long does it take to get an interview?

I am sorry that this post is lengthy, but I am a sponge in this situation and I want to soak in all the information I can about what to expect and the process. Thank you in advance and hope to get responses.

[bluegreen 0]

Hello VJ members, first of all let me complement how awesome this site is and I have been an avid reader of this site for sometime now. This is my first post in this forum, so I am hoping to get to know some people in here and hope to learn more about the AOS process and other peoples immigration journey.

Here's a little bit about me and my story: I am born and raised in Canada to be exact, I am from Toronto, Ontario, and my wife is born in Williougby Ohio and raised in Fairport Ohio. I met my wife on myspace and we chatted for a year before we decided to turn it into a realtionship. I visited her in Ohio a few times and she would come to Toronto to visit me also, we have been together for a year and 2 months and married for a month and 3 weeks, My last visit to Ohio was March 2008 and we talked and decided we couldnt be away from one another anymore and we love each other, so we didnt want to go the finacee visa route as it would take too long and it would be too hard to be apart from one another. Anyways I had no intention on my last visit to stay in Ohio as I had a round trip ticket back to Toronto on a Sunday as I had all my friends, responsibilites, my family and my job back in Toronto, so on that Sunday I didnt end up going back to Toronto and stayed in Ohio. My intention was to stay abit longer and go back to Toronto, but spur the moment we decided to get married May 10th, and I havent been back to Toronto ever since.

This question is directed specifically to all Canadians and people who adjusted their status from a visitor to permanent resident. The majority of the people in this forum are K-1 visa holders, so adjusting of staus is totally different. How many of you guys decided to use a lawyer and is it necessary to use a lawyer? Did having a lawyer help process your application faster? I am asking because we are possibly using a lawyer and wanted to know the fees and what kind of things do you have to turn over to them? What are the things needed to start the application? What kinds of documents are needed for me being the Canadian to fill out the paperwork? How much does it cost to file? How long does it take to get an interview?

I am sorry that this post is lengthy, but I am a sponge in this situation and I want to soak in all the information I can about what to expect and the process. Thank you in advance and hope to get responses.

I did exactly this and I am about to have my AOS interview in a few hours!! So, maybe tonight or tomorrow I'll help you out with some answers! Sure someone else will come along in the meantime. I didn't use a lawyer. It costs just over $1360 for the filing fees. Don't leave the US. Gotta Go!!!!

[bluegreen 0]

Okay well I guess my husband is not ready to go yet. So I can add a few things here.

I am sure you have already ready the guides. If you have not, then do. Canadian specific things you need:

1) The long form of your Birth Certificate. I ordered mine fro Ontario and it came in three days via courier. The plastic card is not sufficient

2) Everywhere on the forms where it asks for your I-94 #, I put "none issued - Canadian visitor"

3) On either the AP form or the EAD form (I can't remember which) it asks what your "class of entry" was. This one is tough but I put B2, since Canadians enter under a "presumed" B2. I also wrote Canadian visitor" next to this.

4) If you have any vaccinationrecords from home, have them sent. I didn't, so I had to have them all again

read the guide: Concurrent I-485 and I-130

There is nothing more helpful. It tells you absolutely everything you need to gather. You need passport pictures for BOTH sets of applications. Treat them separately but file them together. Make this mega-package very organized.

Get your name on as much joint stuff as possible immediately. Start gathering evidence of your relationship rpior to marriage and now. I wrote separate letters for the petition AND the application stating that I had specifically NOT intended to stay. Probably not necessary but I am just paranoid like that.

Did I say read the guide yet??

[bluegreen 0]

Okay well I guess my husband is not ready to go yet. So I can add a few things here.

I am sure you have already ready the guides. If you have not, then do. Canadian specific things you need:

1) The long form of your Birth Certificate. I ordered mine fro Ontario and it came in three days via courier. The plastic card is not sufficient

2) Everywhere on the forms where it asks for your I-94 #, I put "none issued - Canadian visitor"

3) On either the AP form or the EAD form (I can't remember which) it asks what your "class of entry" was. This one is tough but I put B2, since Canadians enter under a "presumed" B2. I also wrote Canadian visitor" next to this.

4) If you have any vaccinationrecords from home, have them sent. I didn't, so I had to have them all again

read the guide: Concurrent I-485 and I-130

There is nothing more helpful. It tells you absolutely everything you need to gather. You need passport pictures for BOTH sets of applications. Treat them separately but file them together. Make this mega-package very organized.

Get your name on as much joint stuff as possible immediately. Start gathering evidence of your relationship rpior to marriage and now. I wrote separate letters for the petition AND the application stating that I had specifically NOT intended to stay. Probably not necessary but I am just paranoid like that.

Did I say read the guide yet??

BTW you will have to gather and do practically all of this if you have a lawyer anyways. It is a personal choice but if you have nothing wierd or questionable in your history, I would think you'd be fine w/o one. Your marriage WAS very soon after you entered, so make sure you have evidence that you intended to return home.

There are people on here that will tell you that this is very risky and to consult with a lawyer right away. I tend to disagree, but that's just me. Do what you feel comfortable with:) My timeline from start to now has been about 4.5 months, and consistent with al the other applicants of a similar filing time.

[Torontoborn 0]

Hello VJ members, first of all let me complement how awesome this site is and I have been an avid reader of this site for sometime now. This is my first post in this forum, so I am hoping to get to know some people in here and hope to learn more about the AOS process and other peoples immigration journey.

Here's a little bit about me and my story: I am born and raised in Canada to be exact, I am from Toronto, Ontario, and my wife is born in Williougby Ohio and raised in Fairport Ohio. I met my wife on myspace and we chatted for a year before we decided to turn it into a realtionship. I visited her in Ohio a few times and she would come to Toronto to visit me also, we have been together for a year and 2 months and married for a month and 3 weeks, My last visit to Ohio was March 2008 and we talked and decided we couldnt be away from one another anymore and we love each other, so we didnt want to go the finacee visa route as it would take too long and it would be too hard to be apart from one another. Anyways I had no intention on my last visit to stay in Ohio as I had a round trip ticket back to Toronto on a Sunday as I had all my friends, responsibilites, my family and my job back in Toronto, so on that Sunday I didnt end up going back to Toronto and stayed in Ohio. My intention was to stay abit longer and go back to Toronto, but spur the moment we decided to get married May 10th, and I havent been back to Toronto ever since.

This question is directed specifically to all Canadians and people who adjusted their status from a visitor to permanent resident. The majority of the people in this forum are K-1 visa holders, so adjusting of staus is totally different. How many of you guys decided to use a lawyer and is it necessary to use a lawyer? Did having a lawyer help process your application faster? I am asking because we are possibly using a lawyer and wanted to know the fees and what kind of things do you have to turn over to them? What are the things needed to start the application? What kinds of documents are needed for me being the Canadian to fill out the paperwork? How much does it cost to file? How long does it take to get an interview?

I am sorry that this post is lengthy, but I am a sponge in this situation and I want to soak in all the information I can about what to expect and the process. Thank you in advance and hope to get responses.

I did exactly this and I am about to have my AOS interview in a few hours!! So, maybe tonight or tomorrow I'll help you out with some answers! Sure someone else will come along in the meantime. I didn't use a lawyer. It costs just over $1360 for the filing fees. Don't leave the US. Gotta Go!!!!

Thank you bluegreen and I just want to say good luck to you today on your AOS interview and I hope you kick butt. Thanks for the cost to file and I definately wont leace the US. What did you do since you couldnt work or visit at that time while waiting for your AOS?

[Torontoborn 0]

Okay well I guess my husband is not ready to go yet. So I can add a few things here.

I am sure you have already ready the guides. If you have not, then do. Canadian specific things you need:

1) The long form of your Birth Certificate. I ordered mine fro Ontario and it came in three days via courier. The plastic card is not sufficient

2) Everywhere on the forms where it asks for your I-94 #, I put "none issued - Canadian visitor"

3) On either the AP form or the EAD form (I can't remember which) it asks what your "class of entry" was. This one is tough but I put B2, since Canadians enter under a "presumed" B2. I also wrote Canadian visitor" next to this.

4) If you have any vaccinationrecords from home, have them sent. I didn't, so I had to have them all again

read the guide: Concurrent I-485 and I-130

There is nothing more helpful. It tells you absolutely everything you need to gather. You need passport pictures for BOTH sets of applications. Treat them separately but file them together. Make this mega-package very organized.

Get your name on as much joint stuff as possible immediately. Start gathering evidence of your relationship rpior to marriage and now. I wrote separate letters for the petition AND the application stating that I had specifically NOT intended to stay. Probably not necessary but I am just paranoid like that.

Did I say read the guide yet??

Thank you thank you blue green for your wealth of information, I will definately take this info and run with it. You are truly a big help and I truly thank you for your time as to respond to my post as you should be preparing for your AOS interview thank you. Did you have your long form birth certificate mailed to the US address or a Canadian address. Do you need a grantor to sign it for you if your in the states?

[Torontoborn 0]

Okay well I guess my husband is not ready to go yet. So I can add a few things here.

I am sure you have already ready the guides. If you have not, then do. Canadian specific things you need:

1) The long form of your Birth Certificate. I ordered mine fro Ontario and it came in three days via courier. The plastic card is not sufficient

2) Everywhere on the forms where it asks for your I-94 #, I put "none issued - Canadian visitor"

3) On either the AP form or the EAD form (I can't remember which) it asks what your "class of entry" was. This one is tough but I put B2, since Canadians enter under a "presumed" B2. I also wrote Canadian visitor" next to this.

4) If you have any vaccinationrecords from home, have them sent. I didn't, so I had to have them all again

read the guide: Concurrent I-485 and I-130

There is nothing more helpful. It tells you absolutely everything you need to gather. You need passport pictures for BOTH sets of applications. Treat them separately but file them together. Make this mega-package very organized.

Get your name on as much joint stuff as possible immediately. Start gathering evidence of your relationship rpior to marriage and now. I wrote separate letters for the petition AND the application stating that I had specifically NOT intended to stay. Probably not necessary but I am just paranoid like that.

Did I say read the guide yet??

BTW you will have to gather and do practically all of this if you have a lawyer anyways. It is a personal choice but if you have nothing wierd or questionable in your history, I would think you'd be fine w/o one. Your marriage WAS very soon after you entered, so make sure you have evidence that you intended to return home.

There are people on here that will tell you that this is very risky and to consult with a lawyer right away. I tend to disagree, but that's just me. Do what you feel comfortable with:) My timeline from start to now has been about 4.5 months, and consistent with al the other applicants of a similar filing time.

Yeah I read your time line and it sure was quick to me, wow and was it hard for you to get a job once you got your EAD card? Yeah I know my marriage was very soon and I am worried about that they may think I had intention to stay which isnt the case. Thank you again for the info and I know I may be bothering you again for more info LOL. Good luck again.

[bluegreen 0]

Thanks for the congrats - it was really smooth. And it was a lot better sitting answering your questions than freaking out about my interview!

I ordered by birth certificate online (I goggled for the link, it is easy to find), and they couriered it to my US address. They did want some pretty specific info, like what hospital you were born at, etc., and sometimes they ask you for more information after you apply. I have a very unusual name so I think it was easy to locate mine.

I spent the last six months learning to cook (I am still terrible), skiing and snowboarding a LOT, helping my husband with work (he works from home quite a bit), exploring the area, and being periodically bored out of my brain. I had planned a three month trip here to hang out with my then-fiance and ski, so I tried to do a lot of that, but we were also really broke with ony one income, and there is only so much you can do for free. I got my work authorisation pretty quickly though.

I forgot to mention, that as well as the filing fees, you will have to pay for a full medical. They range from $250-$700. Call as many of the civil surgeons on the list as you can stand to get the best price - I could not believe how they varied.

Good luck with your application! Gathering everything you need can be a full time job too! Let me know if there is anything esle Canada-specific that stumps you:)

I just saw your last post too. No, it was not hard for me to get a job. I am pretty resourceful:) It helps to have a great, well written resume, make lots of contacts, and not be shy to talk yourself up.

Good luck!

[Torontoborn 0]

Thanks for the congrats - it was really smooth. And it was a lot better sitting answering your questions than freaking out about my interview!

I ordered by birth certificate online (I goggled for the link, it is easy to find), and they couriered it to my US address. They did want some pretty specific info, like what hospital you were born at, etc., and sometimes they ask you for more information after you apply. I have a very unusual name so I think it was easy to locate mine.

I spent the last six months learning to cook (I am still terrible), skiing and snowboarding a LOT, helping my husband with work (he works from home quite a bit), exploring the area, and being periodically bored out of my brain. I had planned a three month trip here to hang out with my then-fiance and ski, so I tried to do a lot of that, but we were also really broke with ony one income, and there is only so much you can do for free. I got my work authorisation pretty quickly though.

I forgot to mention, that as well as the filing fees, you will have to pay for a full medical. They range from $250-$700. Call as many of the civil surgeons on the list as you can stand to get the best price - I could not believe how they varied.

Good luck with your application! Gathering everything you need can be a full time job too! Let me know if there is anything esle Canada-specific that stumps you:)

I just saw your last post too. No, it was not hard for me to get a job. I am pretty resourceful:) It helps to have a great, well written resume, make lots of contacts, and not be shy to talk yourself up.

Good luck!

I can imagine how nerve wrecking anticipating your AOS interview because your life is in the palm of their hands. I do hope to hear how the interview went and what things they asked. What kinds of things do they require specifically when you request a long form birth certificate? So your saying it doesnt cause grief if you use an US address? I am so nervous about using a US address because in my mind I think they would think I inteded to move to the US. Thank you for guiding me inregards to what to expect inregards to the long form birth certificiate.

You said you spent your time cooking as I also spent my time cooking as well as before I would have never see a kitchen back in Canada and the only thing I would be in the kitchen is to make a pizza or something LOL. I spend my time on the web surfing, talking to family, watching tv. playing video games that kinda stuff. I am anticipating the day that I can work and do things as staying in the house all day is not the spot at all. It sounds like you did preoccuipy yourself while you were waiting for your green card. I can relate to us being broke and living off of one income it is tough and I feel terrible being dependant but my wife never makes me feel bad about being dependant.

I will make a mental note about the medical situation and isnt it crazy that you have to pay to get your medical done here its just such a trip. My wife is so amazed on what we get ingards to medical coverage and stuff and when she explains the whole medical stuff here I get so confused LOL.

Thank you bluegreen for your advice and I will definately ask more questions if I need more assitance. I am annnocing that I am gonna be under your wing and I just dont want to be too forward nor do I hope it is too soon to ask but I wondered if I I can correspond with you through email or something if I have a question about the whole AOS process. My wife was so glad to learn that there is someone that was in my situation. You are absouletly awesome and thank you again bluegreen you are great.

I do hope it wont be too hard to find work as I am planning to find work in customer service for now and planning to go to school as well. I will take your advice and run with it.

[bluegreen 0]

Thanks for the congrats - it was really smooth. And it was a lot better sitting answering your questions than freaking out about my interview!

I ordered by birth certificate online (I goggled for the link, it is easy to find), and they couriered it to my US address. They did want some pretty specific info, like what hospital you were born at, etc., and sometimes they ask you for more information after you apply. I have a very unusual name so I think it was easy to locate mine.

I spent the last six months learning to cook (I am still terrible), skiing and snowboarding a LOT, helping my husband with work (he works from home quite a bit), exploring the area, and being periodically bored out of my brain. I had planned a three month trip here to hang out with my then-fiance and ski, so I tried to do a lot of that, but we were also really broke with ony one income, and there is only so much you can do for free. I got my work authorisation pretty quickly though.

I forgot to mention, that as well as the filing fees, you will have to pay for a full medical. They range from $250-$700. Call as many of the civil surgeons on the list as you can stand to get the best price - I could not believe how they varied.

Good luck with your application! Gathering everything you need can be a full time job too! Let me know if there is anything esle Canada-specific that stumps you:)

I just saw your last post too. No, it was not hard for me to get a job. I am pretty resourceful:) It helps to have a great, well written resume, make lots of contacts, and not be shy to talk yourself up.

Good luck!

I can imagine how nerve wrecking anticipating your AOS interview because your life is in the palm of their hands. I do hope to hear how the interview went and what things they asked. What kinds of things do they require specifically when you request a long form birth certificate? So your saying it doesnt cause grief if you use an US address? I am so nervous about using a US address because in my mind I think they would think I inteded to move to the US. Thank you for guiding me inregards to what to expect inregards to the long form birth certificiate.

You said you spent your time cooking as I also spent my time cooking as well as before I would have never see a kitchen back in Canada and the only thing I would be in the kitchen is to make a pizza or something LOL. I spend my time on the web surfing, talking to family, watching tv. playing video games that kinda stuff. I am anticipating the day that I can work and do things as staying in the house all day is not the spot at all. It sounds like you did preoccuipy yourself while you were waiting for your green card. I can relate to us being broke and living off of one income it is tough and I feel terrible being dependant but my wife never makes me feel bad about being dependant.

I will make a mental note about the medical situation and isnt it crazy that you have to pay to get your medical done here its just such a trip. My wife is so amazed on what we get ingards to medical coverage and stuff and when she explains the whole medical stuff here I get so confused LOL.

Thank you bluegreen for your advice and I will definately ask more questions if I need more assitance. I am annnocing that I am gonna be under your wing and I just dont want to be too forward nor do I hope it is too soon to ask but I wondered if I I can correspond with you through email or something if I have a question about the whole AOS process. My wife was so glad to learn that there is someone that was in my situation. You are absouletly awesome and thank you again bluegreen you are great.

I do hope it wont be too hard to find work as I am planning to find work in customer service for now and planning to go to school as well. I will take your advice and run with it.

Of course, ask anything you want! You can just PM me through the site and I'll help out as best I can. I'll be checking in here a lot -there are many Feb filers to be approved still and I want to stay around at least till they are through. Sometimes it's great to ask in the wider forum too because then everyone can benefit from the answer, but some stuff is just waaaay too specific to a particular situation!!

You are already married, so having the Birth Certificate sent to your US address will not raise any red flags - you do intend to immigrate now! They need it b/c it includes the parents' names. I have heard of some people being fine with the plastic ones, but others have received Rfe's. There was one couple who got an RFE for it at the interview.

Here is my interview review: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=135992

Good luck!

[Torontoborn 0]

Thanks for the congrats - it was really smooth. And it was a lot better sitting answering your questions than freaking out about my interview!

I ordered by birth certificate online (I goggled for the link, it is easy to find), and they couriered it to my US address. They did want some pretty specific info, like what hospital you were born at, etc., and sometimes they ask you for more information after you apply. I have a very unusual name so I think it was easy to locate mine.

I spent the last six months learning to cook (I am still terrible), skiing and snowboarding a LOT, helping my husband with work (he works from home quite a bit), exploring the area, and being periodically bored out of my brain. I had planned a three month trip here to hang out with my then-fiance and ski, so I tried to do a lot of that, but we were also really broke with ony one income, and there is only so much you can do for free. I got my work authorisation pretty quickly though.

I forgot to mention, that as well as the filing fees, you will have to pay for a full medical. They range from $250-$700. Call as many of the civil surgeons on the list as you can stand to get the best price - I could not believe how they varied.

Good luck with your application! Gathering everything you need can be a full time job too! Let me know if there is anything esle Canada-specific that stumps you:)

I just saw your last post too. No, it was not hard for me to get a job. I am pretty resourceful:) It helps to have a great, well written resume, make lots of contacts, and not be shy to talk yourself up.

Good luck!

I can imagine how nerve wrecking anticipating your AOS interview because your life is in the palm of their hands. I do hope to hear how the interview went and what things they asked. What kinds of things do they require specifically when you request a long form birth certificate? So your saying it doesnt cause grief if you use an US address? I am so nervous about using a US address because in my mind I think they would think I inteded to move to the US. Thank you for guiding me inregards to what to expect inregards to the long form birth certificiate.

You said you spent your time cooking as I also spent my time cooking as well as before I would have never see a kitchen back in Canada and the only thing I would be in the kitchen is to make a pizza or something LOL. I spend my time on the web surfing, talking to family, watching tv. playing video games that kinda stuff. I am anticipating the day that I can work and do things as staying in the house all day is not the spot at all. It sounds like you did preoccuipy yourself while you were waiting for your green card. I can relate to us being broke and living off of one income it is tough and I feel terrible being dependant but my wife never makes me feel bad about being dependant.

I will make a mental note about the medical situation and isnt it crazy that you have to pay to get your medical done here its just such a trip. My wife is so amazed on what we get ingards to medical coverage and stuff and when she explains the whole medical stuff here I get so confused LOL.

Thank you bluegreen for your advice and I will definately ask more questions if I need more assitance. I am annnocing that I am gonna be under your wing and I just dont want to be too forward nor do I hope it is too soon to ask but I wondered if I I can correspond with you through email or something if I have a question about the whole AOS process. My wife was so glad to learn that there is someone that was in my situation. You are absouletly awesome and thank you again bluegreen you are great.

I do hope it wont be too hard to find work as I am planning to find work in customer service for now and planning to go to school as well. I will take your advice and run with it.

Of course, ask anything you want! You can just PM me through the site and I'll help out as best I can. I'll be checking in here a lot -there are many Feb filers to be approved still and I want to stay around at least till they are through. Sometimes it's great to ask in the wider forum too because then everyone can benefit from the answer, but some stuff is just waaaay too specific to a particular situation!!

You are already married, so having the Birth Certificate sent to your US address will not raise any red flags - you do intend to immigrate now! They need it b/c it includes the parents' names. I have heard of some people being fine with the plastic ones, but others have received Rfe's. There was one couple who got an RFE for it at the interview.

Here is my interview review: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=135992

Good luck!

Well thank you blue green and I totally appreciate your kindness in willing to help me along the way with my process. I will definately PM absouletly. I am actually planning to file in late August to 1st week in September so its some time away but I just want to know what to do when that time comes around and to gather all the evidence and stuff. I absouletly agree it is very nice to ask questions in a wider forum as you get many opinions and answrs from different people. I do think again its very nice of you in willing to help not only me but others in here.

Thanks for clarifying that up, I was just nervous about having a birth certificate sent to me to my US address as I thought it would raise red flags. Thanks for the verification. I definately dont want to get RFEs. I did cross into the US with my passport, my birth certificate with no lamination LOL, my drivers licesnce, health card that kinda stuff. It was kinda funny when I was going through the US customs, the guy looks at my passport and says are you really from Canada LOL because I am black and I guess he couldnt believe black people are born and raised in Canada. I will PM you though and congrads again and hope you have a good weekend.

[Stillness 0]

Another Canadian adjusted from a visitor visa here.

Should have no problems with the birth certificate, I ordered mine from Alberta shortly before we sent off our AOS and had no problems whatsoever.

As far as the lawyer question, we hired one, and I don't regret it for a moment. Aside from the visitor visa and overstay, there was nothing really remarkable about our case, but at the same time, we both felt much more secure having the lawyer handle all the paperwork for us. The main issue with a visitor visa adjustment is the intent on entry, any documentation you have to prove you fully intended to return to Canada at the end of your visit will help you there.

I think bluegreen answered everything pretty well so I won't ramble on, (and congratulations on your interview!), just thought I'd throw in a few words of support as well.

[pegbert64 0]

Yet another one of my late entries to a thread

I'm also a Canadian who came to the US as a visitor, met future hubby, got engaged and married, applied for AOS, now have GC in hand.

We hired an attorney; just like Stillness, we also don't regret it at all. Perhaps we "could" have done it on our own, after some initial consultation, but we just felt better with a knowledgeable immigration attorney steering things in the right direction (and she's one of the top in the state.) We still had to do all the legwork in gathering the documents, but she was great at advising us when it came to documents for the interview - what to take, what not to take, what not to mention, etc. We were very well prepared for the interview, and it was very easy and successful!

I'm also happy to help answer questions or share what I learned on my AOS journey. Ask away!

Good luck, congrats, and welcome to the group!!

[Torontoborn 0]

Another Canadian adjusted from a visitor visa here.

Should have no problems with the birth certificate, I ordered mine from Alberta shortly before we sent off our AOS and had no problems whatsoever.

As far as the lawyer question, we hired one, and I don't regret it for a moment. Aside from the visitor visa and overstay, there was nothing really remarkable about our case, but at the same time, we both felt much more secure having the lawyer handle all the paperwork for us. The main issue with a visitor visa adjustment is the intent on entry, any documentation you have to prove you fully intended to return to Canada at the end of your visit will help you there.

I think bluegreen answered everything pretty well so I won't ramble on, (and congratulations on your interview!), just thought I'd throw in a few words of support as well.

Hey Stillness thanks for the reply back and sorry it took so long to reply back. Thank you for the advice and I want to ask you how long did it take you to receieve your green card, and was your case an easy one or complex one? What kind of legwork did you guys have to do? Can you share if you dont mind what your interview experience was like? Hearing experiences like bluegreen, yours and others who responded to my thread and my appology if I didnt get your name but it does truly help my wife and I out very much this wealth of information you guys are sharing with us and makes us very hopeful of my process. Thank you.

[Torontoborn 0]

Yet another one of my late entries to a thread

I'm also a Canadian who came to the US as a visitor, met future hubby, got engaged and married, applied for AOS, now have GC in hand.

We hired an attorney; just like Stillness, we also don't regret it at all. Perhaps we "could" have done it on our own, after some initial consultation, but we just felt better with a knowledgeable immigration attorney steering things in the right direction (and she's one of the top in the state.) We still had to do all the legwork in gathering the documents, but she was great at advising us when it came to documents for the interview - what to take, what not to take, what not to mention, etc. We were very well prepared for the interview, and it was very easy and successful!

I'm also happy to help answer questions or share what I learned on my AOS journey. Ask away!

Good luck, congrats, and welcome to the group!!

Thank you pegbert64 for your reply and sorry for the late response. I want to ask you what was the consultation like and did it help consulting a lawyer? How long did it take you to receieve your green card and what was your interview experience like? Congrads on receiving your green card and all of this info sure does help out my wife and I tremendously thank you.