POE Report

[Gypsyangel 11]

Hi,

First of all, I'd like to say how impressed I am with everyone who has done this. Having gone through the process so far, it's quite the journey. I'm also amazed by the people who move within days of getting their visas. It took me four months to get my act together. That included some personal stuff I had to take care of plus selling my home, plus packing all that emotional baggage so it was a busy four months.

We drove from Toronto on Thursday July 17th. It was also the day that the movers came to get my stuff. I thought they'd be a lot faster. If I had a do-over, I would have planned it so that the movers came the day before my closing and moving. They were slow, so we got a late start, arriving exhausted at the Peace Bridge at 10:00 p.m.

I had my own car, which I was importing and my fiance was in his car behind me. We thought they would let him come in with me or at least wait. But, no! They told him he'd have to move along down the road and wait for me on the shoulder of the road, even though he had a whole bunch of my stuff. They "permitted" us to speak for a moment but were then shooing him along. Luckily, we had booked a motel just outside of Buffalo, so he went there and waited. And waited.

Off I went to Door #1. Note to self ... don't activate K1 at 10pm at night. I waited for 1.5 hours for them to get to me. One guy had been there since 7:30 because they lost his passport and wouldn't call him. When I got there the little parking lot was full. When I left, there were about 3 cars left, including mine. Wah. Arrived at Peace Bridge at 10:00 pm, pulled out at about 12:15 am.

The actual processing of the visa was, thankfully, uneventful. He was a youngish guy and was extremely friendly and nice. He printed off something that told him what to do because he really didn't have any idea. The first step in the instructions were: confirm that the person in front of you is the person in the picture in the file. He looks at picture. He looks at me. He looks at picture. He looks at me. Check. He was joking and it was kinda funny. Address. Check. Print visa. Check. Then we were done. He told me something about going to an office to get my work authorization and some other stuff that I knew was wrong. I nodded mmm hmmm mmm hmmm, thinking if not for Visa Journey I'd be so confused (well, even more confused than I normally am). The whole process took about 20 minutes.

My I94 is underwhelming. I could have printed that document on my own printer. Shouldn't it say what it is on it somewhere? I hope I have the correct document stapled into my passport.

He didn't ask me any other questions at all. Nothing about my cat or my belongings. I asked about imorting my car. Over to Door #2. No one there, but i waited for a few minutes for someone to help me. Out comes the instruction manual as they're not really sure how to do it. But, it was the filling out of a few forms, showing them my EPA letter. Check. Nothing complicated. However, thanks to Visa Journey I knew to ask about it; otherwise, I'd never have known. The guy in there said, "So, you're marrying an American, huh. Upgrading?" LOL.

So, all of that was fine. It was just the drive ahead of us now, which was way too eventful. I was happy that my very nervous cat was fine with the drive and the hotel room. btw, about my cat, he had to wait in my car for me. while I was getting my visa. I should have asked my fiancee to take him, but didn't think of that until I saw the full waiting room. I cracked the windows and it was night so it was fine. If it was during the day when it was really hot, I don't know what I would have done. A woman I spoke to in the waiting room said they made her leave her dog in the car on a hot day, even though she really pushed them to let her take him with her. She was only gone about 20 minutes and the dog had puked from the heat. Not good. I guess it's ok if you have two people - one to check and one to stay in the waiting room. We thought we had 2 people ... It turned out fine because it was night and cooler, but it could have been a disaster if we'd been there earlier.

The next day we get to about 2 hours from home in NJ and my fiance's car starts making a really bad noise. We had to stop. It's Friday night with nothing open. Hotels are all full. Way too much driving around with poor Asbury my cat. We didn't need this!

We finally found a hotel that didn't take pets, so there was much maneouvering to sneak him in. And then, after being so good the night before, he got really agitated and started meowing around 3:00 a.m. Finally at 5:00, we gave up. I got up and packed him up and headed for home. My fiance had to stay behind and get his car fixed for a lovely $1300. I'm sitting here waiting for him. It's too bad because we pictured arriving at his place together.

Anyway, Asbury is under the bed resting. He is eating and drinking, and I hope he relaxes. He loves his sleep so I hope he's catching up on it.

I'm sitting waiting for my fiance to arrive as he's stuck in traffic. I think he'll be a little cranky when he gets here, but it's ok. The beer is cold. It's a beautiful albeit hot, hot, hot summer afternoon. And we're finally done this part of the journey.

Thanks to everyone for all your help along the way ... for answering all my newbie-type questions so patiently. A two week "rest" and then AOS begins!

The next new resident of New Jersey is Laura, I think. Can't wait to read her report!

[Sprailenes 47]

Welcome to south jersey.

You're really close to me.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Wow, what an experience. Thank you for thinking of your cat's needs! I hear you - we imported my 6 cats and that was our biggest worry - their ability to move and adapt. Hopefully Asbury will do well - and your fiance arrives safe and sound soon. I know he will appreciate the cold beer!

[thetreble 19]

Oh man. He's driving to South Jersey on a Saturday? Make sure you make him some surprises for when he gets home like maybe a nice dinner! haha. Every one that lives North in Jersey dreads the weekends if you want to go anywhere south of the Driscol Bridge. Bumper to bumper traffic pretty much from 9am to 10pm.

Good luck in NJ. There are a few of us here if you want any info or need any support.

Edited July 19, 2008 by thetreble

[Sprailenes 47]

Well I think shes moving down near me so she'd go through Philly and stay out of North Jersey.

HOWEVER you'd still have to go take the schuylkill and thats enough to drive anyone batty.

[Flames9_RN 358]

There really should be some common sense when it comes to animals and hot weather. Some bad press about a dog/cat dying due to a long wait at the border would not be a good thing!! People don't care about immigration, but they do care about animals! Glad it went sort of ok!

[JillA 2]

Wow... they don't even let the fiancee in with you? That's not good, what if you're in the car together?

[muffin 0]

Well I think shes moving down near me so she'd go through Philly and stay out of North Jersey.

HOWEVER you'd still have to go take the schuylkill and thats enough to drive anyone batty.

That's how you spell that? I thought it was something like Surekill. That road is the worst!! Hoping to avoid driving it once I get there.

I think I'll be crossing the Peace Bridge the same time of night in a couple of weeks and I'll be going the same route too. Hopefully it's not too bad.

Omg poor kitty! Glad Asbury's ok. Can't believe how insensitive they were with that! Luckily mine is going to stay with my mother until I come back on AP.

[BH45 0]

Looks like POE's have different lists obviously. Sorry to read that they wouldn't allow your fiance in with you. Sault Ste Marie had no problems with mine coming in while I was being processed. I guess that and the fact we were only there for maybe 30 minutes was a blessing.

[rae_and_scott 1]

Looks like POE's have different lists obviously. Sorry to read that they wouldn't allow your fiance in with you. Sault Ste Marie had no problems with mine coming in while I was being processed. I guess that and the fact we were only there for maybe 30 minutes was a blessing.

Actually we went through the Peace Bridge as well and I (the USC) was allowed in. In fact, they didn't even call Scott's name, they called mine!

Gypsyangel, did you get the temp EAD?

[Gypsyangel 11]

Hi Everyone!

Hey Sprailenes, once I get settled maybe we could go for a coffee. I know there are a bunch of new New Jersians so maybe we could oragnize something once everyone is settled in.

And yes, we did drive through Pennsylvania/Philly, rather than north Jersey. I reluctantly drove down the Schuylkill because the exit to the 276 was closed. It was no problem early in the morning, but I try to avoid it as much as possible. The other weird thing about this area is that everyone calls roads by certain names but there are no signs that call them such. It's probably because they can't spell it! Ha Ha. Very confusing!

Regarding my fiance coming into immigration at the border, I assume if you're in the same car that it's not a problem. It was because we had two cars.

Rae and Scott, I didn't get the temp EAD. I didn't really ask for it as I'm not planning to try to work right away - I'm taking the rest of the summer off. He told me I could go and get it once I got to my destination, but I'm pretty sure that's not true.

Asbury is doing well. Spending a little bit too much time under the bed for my liking, but he's getting used to his new digs!

Sure is hot here!

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

awww hon...I'm sorry you had such an ordeal.

I wish I could give you a big hug...I'm sorry you couldn't come home with your fiance.

Glad your kitty is ok.

Congratulations on being home and starting this chapter in your life. Now it's onto AOS!!!

Hugs

Laura

P.S. aren't you just loving the heat wave??? I loved unpacking the uhaul in it today!!! NOT!

Edited July 21, 2008 by ~Laura and Nick~

[Carlawarla 1]

Welcome to American! While it was a long and costly crossing, I'm glad you're finally home safely. All the best in your new home, and a new journey.