NOA2 Recieved... Next Steps Now

[seekersharer 0]

Hi...

This is my first post on VJ but have been a diligent seeker and learner from the boards for the last 6 months. Thank you immensely for all your help and community expertise. It made a huge difference in our application and more importantly our confidence in doing it.

We sent in our 129f application on October 31st and got our NOA2 last week. We were extremely surprised and were not expecting a 66 day turnaround on that. Yippee!!! Very excited.

Which leads to the next round of things to prepare and some questions based on my own situation.

1. I have two teenage sons. The oldest is 18 and attending university in the fall of 2009. My youngest is 16 - going on 17 in April (grade 11). I fully expect that my oldest will not follow... so I expect that he will not be included as such in my application. But my youngest... it's still uncertain with him. If I get my K1 by April or May, he is required to get his K2 within one year of my K1 approval... and then be in the US within 6 months of his K2 being issued. Thus I am planning on including him as one who will follow me.

My question relates to "will follow you" options.

a. If my son is expecting to follow me, am I required to submit all his documents etc at this time to Montreal with my P3...or do we wait till he goes for his K2 within a year? Is he required to have an medical and interview at this point? Or does that all wait till later?

b. Despite the fact that my oldest will likely not follow me, would it be prudent for me to at least keep the option open for him by saying he will follow me? (on the DS156 and DS230-1)

c. If neither son makes the decision to accompany me within the one year period, how easy is it to have them come at a later date? I have read that my youngest son, being under 18 when my fiance and I will be married has privilege that my oldest son will not have being that he would be 18 at the time we are married. Please help me clarify this if you can.

2. I am scheduled to speak at couple of pretty high profile events in the US that I cannot miss. One the first week of April, the second the second week of May. My concern is this... is there any possibility my interview will fall on either of those dates? I realize there is no answer to this question officially and it changes all the time ( 66 days for our NOA2 for example).

I notice that the Montreal interview is scheduled based on how quickly or slowly I return my packet 3. (is that right?)

Thus, based on the current average timeline from day packet 3 sent and the interview being 101 days (which is a sample of 10 recent K1 Montreal interviews from the time they sent their P3 in) if I receive my packet 3 in early February and return it mid to late February, does it seem reasonable to assume I wouldn't get an interview till mid May or later? The math works. But are there instances when it ends up being one month turnaround?

Bottom line, I can't afford to have an interview in Montreal and a speaking engagement in New Orleans on the same day. That would not be good. They are both first thing in the morning. Might not be able to do both. :-)

Which leads to my question. Should I postpone sending my P3 packet to Montreal to ensure I don't risk conflict with the April speaking gig? Or just send it ASAP and hope for the best. The possible worst case scenario means I'd have to change a consulate appointment? Has it been done? Are there consequences?

What is a better approach... respond later with P3 package or change the interview date?

3. I promise this is my last question tonight... but likely more to follow in the days ahead.

I travel to the US frequently for business purposes and also to visit my fiance. Can I start taking my personal things every time I cross the border? Nothing significant, but I do have books, picture, clothes and other personal effects that would easily fill a suitcase every trip. What do you think? Should I keep taking stuff across every time I go? Am I at risk doing this?

Thanks again for all your thoughts and advice. I appreciate them in advance.

Cheers!

Tom

[TimandJoyce 1]

Tom that's great. Congratulations!!

Can't help out as far as the children are concerned. Sorry. My son is 22 and will NOT be moving with me...

As far as interview?? Well, I thought I read somewhere that you can call to change date if necessary, but don't hold me to that!! I'm still real new myself!!

And moving things...hmmmm. I was planning on shipping down things myself, and telling Tim to leave them and if things fell through he could ship them back!! LOL. Then I thought I read that I should wait about that too....like after the visa is granted. But small things that you mentioned? I can't see why not as long as it's fitting in a suitcase. Maybe I'll try that. I'm HOPING like mad I can go and visit Tim for the month of April. That's a long time and I'm sure it would look suspicious at the border, but if I bring evidence of returning back here...I really hope they let me go down.

I hope you find your answers. (and maybe I'll find a few of mine...lol)

[raymaga 25]

I would definitely include your sons as a possibility of following-to-join later. If either of them decides not to, that's fine, but if you don't include them, then they won't be able to.

They must have their K-2 visas in their hands within one year of the date you received your K-1 visa. They will do their medicals and interviews later, closer to the time they will be coming to the U.S.

You can see my timeline (the "Long Story") in my story to see what the steps were for my daughter who followed-to-join me more than a year after I came to the U.S. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Good luck.

[SapphireDreams 71]

In terms of timing, if you're not in a huge rush to actually move, I would just delay sending back your packet 3 slightly and then aim for a late May interview.

I actually have a work thing that I cannot miss on March 2, so I'm waiting impatiently to see when my interview is. I'm REALLY hoping it is any day but that day (or the week before since its a huge event we're planning). If i'm not lucky and that is my interview day, I'm going to have to reschedule, which will probably slow things down a couple of months... so we shall see... I'm in a similar position...

I may also have to travel for work to the US before I move with a K1 in my passport, so I hope that's not a problem either...

[Flames9_RN 358]

With regards to #3, in my opinion, you don't want to give the POE officers any ammo to deny you, thus I would not risk bring to many personal items down to the USA with ya, otherwise they may think you plan on staying

[Jenni and Bo 0]

In terms of timing, if you're not in a huge rush to actually move, I would just delay sending back your packet 3 slightly and then aim for a late May interview.

I actually have a work thing that I cannot miss on March 2, so I'm waiting impatiently to see when my interview is. I'm REALLY hoping it is any day but that day (or the week before since its a huge event we're planning). If i'm not lucky and that is my interview day, I'm going to have to reschedule, which will probably slow things down a couple of months... so we shall see... I'm in a similar position...

I may also have to travel for work to the US before I move with a K1 in my passport, so I hope that's not a problem either...

Sapphire, I would look into this...for some reason I dont know if you can do that. Maybe someone else has had experience with it, but it would seem like an iffy situation?

[JillA 2]

In terms of timing, if you're not in a huge rush to actually move, I would just delay sending back your packet 3 slightly and then aim for a late May interview.

I actually have a work thing that I cannot miss on March 2, so I'm waiting impatiently to see when my interview is. I'm REALLY hoping it is any day but that day (or the week before since its a huge event we're planning). If i'm not lucky and that is my interview day, I'm going to have to reschedule, which will probably slow things down a couple of months... so we shall see... I'm in a similar position...

I may also have to travel for work to the US before I move with a K1 in my passport, so I hope that's not a problem either...

Sapphire, I would look into this...for some reason I dont know if you can do that. Maybe someone else has had experience with it, but it would seem like an iffy situation?

I also remember seeing on VJ this come up (someone had an important family thing in the US before they wanted to move) and they explained that to the interviewer.... they advised them that the K-1 has to be activated upon the next time the person was going to cross the border, you couldn't come back then go back and activate it. So they didn't get the Visa issued that day, they had to go back after the family thing. I wish I could remember who it was now.... but just be prepared that you may not be able to go back to the U.S. on a trip and come back to Canada after being issued the K-1.

Edited January 19, 2009 by JillA

[Emancipation 2]

We did start sending stuff with hubby back when he went across the border in the months leading up to me moving to the US.. It was mostly summer clothing and items I didn't need again. I remember when we went to the interview in Montreal I sent all my clothing back with him.. as I'd be joining him in a couple of weeks.. I dunno.. it made some sense.. and we knew there would be questions if a guard found lingerie in hubby's suitcase.. but it was just odd items.. nothing of value.. That's what we did, and it's probably not "legit", but meh.. we took the chance.

Edited January 19, 2009 by Emancipation

[Krikit 1,165]

Welcome to VJ, seekersharer. I delayed sending in my P3 for over 3 months so if you're concerned with conflicting schedules that's how I would approach it. You can bring in some items and leave them here if you like. I did that with my clothes so I wouldn't have to keep carting them back and forth. But I wouldn't make it look like you're actually moving things here because that'll be a big red flag if you get hauled into secondary and they search your belongings.

[Krikit 1,165]

In terms of timing, if you're not in a huge rush to actually move, I would just delay sending back your packet 3 slightly and then aim for a late May interview.

I actually have a work thing that I cannot miss on March 2, so I'm waiting impatiently to see when my interview is. I'm REALLY hoping it is any day but that day (or the week before since its a huge event we're planning). If i'm not lucky and that is my interview day, I'm going to have to reschedule, which will probably slow things down a couple of months... so we shall see... I'm in a similar position...

I may also have to travel for work to the US before I move with a K1 in my passport, so I hope that's not a problem either...

Sapphire, I would look into this...for some reason I dont know if you can do that. Maybe someone else has had experience with it, but it would seem like an iffy situation?

I also remember seeing on VJ this come up (someone had an important family thing in the US before they wanted to move) and they explained that to the interviewer.... they advised them that the K-1 has to be activated upon the next time the person was going to cross the border, you couldn't come back then go back and activate it. So they didn't get the Visa issued that day, they had to go back after the family thing. I wish I could remember who it was now.... but just be prepared that you may not be able to go back to the U.S. on a trip and come back to Canada after being issued the K-1.

I'm one of the people who crossed with a K-1 in their passport but didn't use it. They questioned me about it but I told them I intended to use it at a later date as I still had a house to sell and a job to resign from. They were pretty good about it but they were definitely uncomfortable with the situation. If it's only a "may" have to travel then I'd go ahead and get the visa and bring all kinds of evidence that you're planning to return. But be prepared for them to refuse to allow it. If it's a definite that you do need to travel, ask them at the consulate to delay issuance of the visa until you've returned.

[SapphireDreams 71]

^^ I may potentially just cross the border by car and fly from Buffalo is I absolutely have no choice but to travel for work and use my birth certificate. However, I'm pretty sure that my co-worker can go instead of me if I don't want to travel.

Or, depending on when my interview is and if I know I have to travel, I'll just ask them to delay the issuing of it.

Although, looks like I don't have to travel right now... the recession is really affecting our clients budgets and travel expenses! Works out for me

[Krikit 1,165]

^^ I may potentially just cross the border by car and fly from Buffalo is I absolutely have no choice but to travel for work and use my birth certificate. However, I'm pretty sure that my co-worker can go instead of me if I don't want to travel.

That's a really good plan.

[seekersharer 0]

Thanks for your feedback.

1. I'll add both boys in my forms as "will follow later" - just to give both the option.

Follow-up question: After a year, does my youngest (not yet 18) have easy access to the US despite missing the time line on the K2 option?

2. Still uncertain as to what to do here. I did a spreadsheet calculation to see how soon i should respond based on the quickest turnaround I had seen of 73 days. I wanted to ensure I don't have an issue with my April speech. Thus if I return my packet 3 even early in February, I don't think it will be an issue. Once I cross the border with my K1, I'll be happy to stay till I get my Advanced parole.

Didn't get a sense from anyone that it;s easy to change an appointment. So I'll assume it's difficulty and not beneficial.

3. I'll be careful in taking my things across the border. I have strong ties to Canada still. Lease on house and car. Ownership of a business. Separation agreement with shared custody of my kids. Thanks for your input.

Any other thots on 1 and 2 would be appreciated.

Tom

[Krikit 1,165]

There have been a few who have changed their interview dates. It can be done, though I believe it's a bit of a pain sometimes.