POE-Activated Visa Today...Bye Bye Canada!!!

[Sprailenes 47]

Yay congratulations on making it across.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

You know when you work somewhere and there is some particular order or piece of work that you HATE. I think that is what someone presenting a K1 or IR visa is to border patrol

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Yes I am comparing visa activation to making a chicken salad sandwich. The chicken wants to fall out and then you cut it and the whole sandwich falls apart!

Honestly, I'm a little worried now. 14 days!

[TimandJoyce 1]

About the Clipper subject, I used to take that from Victoria to Seattle quite often during the immigration process since I found I got hassled there alot less.

Before you board the Clipper in Vic, there will be a US customs agent standing there (when I last went through, they didn't even have a desk, the officer just checked people's passports one by one as you walk by.) Easy day.

On the Clipper, you can have breakfast or lunch if you want, but I always found them overpriced and not tasty enough to bother. Breakfast will usually be a bagel with a cream cheese, a wheel of cheese on the side, juice and some gummy snacks lol.

DO take the dramomine (not sure if I spelled it right, but it's basically Gravol,) if you or your SO are prone to motion sickness. They offer it onboard, and it's only 50 cents or something like that. They also have a duty free magazine on there, just like airlines, and you can purchase alcohol, etc for a cheaper price.

After you arrive in Seattle, you'll go through a more thorough customs inspection, much like you do at the airports. If you're heading to the airport right from the Clipper terminal in Seattle, there will be taxis lining up and fighting each other basically to take you there, hehe. Last time I went it was $30 or so, and if you haven't been in Seattle traffic yet, Kriket, snap your seatbelt on tight, those Seattle cab drivers are craaazy!

All in all, the Clipper is a pretty relaxing, fun ride, and I think you'll enjoy it.

PS-If you have extra room in your suitcase, do you mind stowing me? I miss Victoria!

Wow. Great information, Misty. Thank you.

I just took a look at the Clipper site. They don't take cars. Any recommendations on who does?

That is true about the Clipper!! Don't order food!! Way to pricey...

The first immigration you pass is through ask's where you're going...when you'll be back..that sort of thing, then you do the same thing in Seattle...strange I know. Because on the return, you only go through it once, AND with the Canada customs card!! ( you don't fill one out on the way to the US..)

And your right, it's passenger only. You can get the Black Ball, but it goes to Port Angeles. You basically catch it around the same area as the Clipper, down by Victoria's harbour!

I'm glad your sightseeing Poprocks!! We did hijack this thread somewhat...Sorry!! Hope you're having a great time!!

Edited May 30, 2009 by TimandJoyce

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

No worries on the highjack LOL!

Sightseeing, I wish!

One word of advice....GPS!!!!!!

I have been on that steady since I got here!

We're still waiting on deal for house to go through...but I did get to do a drive by yesterday LOL! I love the street....it's a winding road with mature trees....forestry and even a creek with an old one lane bridge....so cool! It's so secluded! I really hope it all goes through... If so, we get it on the 15th. Foe now, we are living in the road! Lol'!

And I tried applying for a Target cars again today...total bust! I must be unlucky as they never know how to process a Canadian app. I even made them call in, still no go. And I know it's not my Canadian credit cause it's good....

I'll try Macys tmrw and then I'm done! Lol'!

[Misty1979 0]

If all else fails, Capital one will be victimizing you, err mailing you a CC shortly after you establish residence

Edited May 30, 2009 by Misty1979

[July09Bride 1]

Thought I'd post this as a seperate thread, as it may help others with POE...sorry for spelling I'm on my phone

Ok, the good part....I'M HERE!!!!! FINALLY!!!!!

Exhausted!

I'll post a more detailed update on my timeline when I get a chance.

What an experience!!!!

I was more nervous about the interview, wasn't sweating the POE....the interview was waaaay less stressful looking back now!!!!!

First if all, what contents/inventory list?!?! They could care less, never even asked!

Crossed at 5am, and even though we were one of three families in there...try 2 hours later!!!!! Man, you guys were not lying about them being 'non enthused' to help you at 5am!!!!

They were giving priority to people catching flights in Buffalo...#######! How about first come first serve, with a 5 year old in his PJ's rudely awaken to be dragged inside, in lockdown....yes, they do not let anyone outside, where the bathrooms are located by the way...without a CO escort, and they were short staffed cause someone called out sick

Talk about having to refer to manuals and not knowing what they were doing! I get called up, tell him it's a K1, he looks at me annoyed, and says it's almost the end of their shift at 8am, and if we can wait...ah it's 6 flipping AM!!!!!! #######!!!!! I finally get a young guy to start the car import...I start filling the form, and it asks for 'health' of my car?!?!? Only to find out that I'm applying to import horses!!!!! Lol'! Ok, we get over that...then some wise butt walks outta the back room, sticks his nose in the situation, and tells my guy that I have to pay duties in the car $3500!!!!!! I lost it!!!! Half an hour if back and forth, im telling this guy that I did my homework on their site, and I shouldn't have to pay...15 mins later...he's like 'no worries' and the duty cost disappears?! Whatever, THANK GOD! they told me to use address if where I will be staying, soooo I start writing out our DE address....

Then they want to send me back to the lazy guy...I beg for this guy to please not send me back to the other side LOL! He was young and kinda funny, so he said they would get us started.... Him and some other guy start plucking at computer....then I mention that DE is our new address for now...he says he notices a PA address on the system...then he talks me out if changing my address, if I ever EVER want to see mail from them....so now my car import went through with a diff address than my Visa LOL! We figured it wasn't a big deal, as long as we register it etc...

The best part...he tells me after we marry, we 'physically take our AOS package to local CIS office and change my address at that time I know...at this point, I just wanted my I-94 and just wanted outta there!!!! They didn't even bat an eyelash at my moms passport, and could care less as to how long she was staying...they handed it back to me...finally got our I94's...nothing written on back?!

At this point, I looked at my vehicle contents list and thought, I already mentioned this twice and no one cared to do anything about it....God forbid I pull it out and we are here another hour!!!!

We finally got our stuff....and they gave me a little info on 'not being able to work' and EAD....he says any questions? We just sat there with our lips sealed! Lol'! I was like ' I just told YOU how to process half this stuff, I should be asking YOU, if you have any questions'! Haha!

Thank goodness that crusty guy who wanted to charge duty on my car disappeared! Oh, the best part, he walks back out while my guy is filling out the forms, and says in a loud voice 'you need to charge duties buddy...toy wanna do it the right way, or your way?!' I was like 'disappear you crab apple, your cramping my game!' LOL!

I will say, the two guys that did end up helping us, were super super nice...

I just found the Lewiston POE very unorganized at 5am in the morn! Lol'!

Now I'm even more confused as to how and when we should change our address. I'll deal with that in a couple of weeks....I'm gonna take a break from forms and ####### until after wedding.

Next couple of weeks I will focus on, wedding, SSN, and bank account.

At the end of the day... The POE experience was not as 'smooth sailing' as I expected

The best part....I asked why the embassy sent our 'entire file' out of curiousity, and he said 'DOS' grants Visa saying they found our case legit...but POE has final say as to whether they find me suitable and admissble into the US... You should have seen my face when he said that! I nearly passed out! My fiancé starred laughing and says 'and you thought you were 'in'' LOL!

GLAD THATS OVER!!!!!

I will say that my first offical day is mixed with excitment and nervousness...

Thanks to all for the well wishes

Ps. Sorry for typos, I have no computer...restricted to iPhone for a while

Holy cow! What an experience!!! I sent you a text message at about 6:30AM wishing you well, and the tried calling to see how it all went but got a message instead saying that there were technical difficulties and my call could not be completed in both English and French! lol

Glad you're finally HERE!!!!!!!!

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

Haha! I already got rid of my Canadian cell phone. I no longer have that number. Kinda sad, cause my phone doesn't even ring anymore! Lol'!

I'll text you my new number to have. Thanks for the well wishes.

So my fiancé took me to this really nice little historic area, and we had dinner tonight at this little cozy restaurant in a Historic restored Century home. It was recommended to us by one of his good friends...well it was our official 'I've arrived' dinner/date. My mom watched my son. So we had a great time, in the end, the owner brings out a dessert plate that has a pastry in it, and written in chocolate on the plate it says 'Welcome to America' we were wondering how he knew?!?!? He then said that my fiancés friend, called the restaraunt, and told them to do that....plus gave his card over the phone and paid for our entire dinner!!!!! I was so shocked! It was really sweet of him!

I felt like such an immigrant! Or should I say, not even! A 'non' immigrant! Haha!

[TimandJoyce 1]

Haha! I already got rid of my Canadian cell phone. I no longer have that number. Kinda sad, cause my phone doesn't even ring anymore! Lol'!

I'll text you my new number to have. Thanks for the well wishes.

So my fiancé took me to this really nice little historic area, and we had dinner tonight at this little cozy restaurant in a Historic restored Century home. It was recommended to us by one of his good friends...well it was our official 'I've arrived' dinner/date. My mom watched my son. So we had a great time, in the end, the owner brings out a dessert plate that has a pastry in it, and written in chocolate on the plate it says 'Welcome to America' we were wondering how he knew?!?!? He then said that my fiancés friend, called the restaraunt, and told them to do that....plus gave his card over the phone and paid for our entire dinner!!!!! I was so shocked! It was really sweet of him!

I felt like such an immigrant! Or should I say, not even! A 'non' immigrant! Haha!

That's so nice!! What a great welcome!!

[Sprailenes 47]

Macy's is an easy card to get, I had my wedding registry there and got a cc from them soon after.

[July09Bride 1]

Haha! I already got rid of my Canadian cell phone. I no longer have that number. Kinda sad, cause my phone doesn't even ring anymore! Lol'!

I'll text you my new number to have. Thanks for the well wishes.

So my fiancé took me to this really nice little historic area, and we had dinner tonight at this little cozy restaurant in a Historic restored Century home. It was recommended to us by one of his good friends...well it was our official 'I've arrived' dinner/date. My mom watched my son. So we had a great time, in the end, the owner brings out a dessert plate that has a pastry in it, and written in chocolate on the plate it says 'Welcome to America' we were wondering how he knew?!?!? He then said that my fiancés friend, called the restaraunt, and told them to do that....plus gave his card over the phone and paid for our entire dinner!!!!! I was so shocked! It was really sweet of him!

I felt like such an immigrant! Or should I say, not even! A 'non' immigrant! Haha!

That is such a sweet touch! How nice of him!

[Krikit 1,164]

And your right, it's passenger only. You can get the Black Ball, but it goes to Port Angeles. You basically catch it around the same area as the Clipper, down by Victoria's harbour!

Oh cool. We had planned on returning to WA a day or two early so we could do some sightseeing. This might be a nice way to do that. Thank you.

We're still waiting on deal for house to go through...but I did get to do a drive by yesterday LOL! I love the street....it's a winding road with mature trees....forestry and even a creek with an old one lane bridge....so cool! It's so secluded! I really hope it all goes through... If so, we get it on the 15th. Foe now, we are living in the road! Lol'!

Oh wow. That sounds so lovely.

So my fiancé took me to this really nice little historic area, and we had dinner tonight at this little cozy restaurant in a Historic restored Century home. It was recommended to us by one of his good friends...well it was our official 'I've arrived' dinner/date. My mom watched my son. So we had a great time, in the end, the owner brings out a dessert plate that has a pastry in it, and written in chocolate on the plate it says 'Welcome to America' we were wondering how he knew?!?!? He then said that my fiancés friend, called the restaraunt, and told them to do that....plus gave his card over the phone and paid for our entire dinner!!!!! I was so shocked! It was really sweet of him!

AWWWWWWWWWWWW. That's so nice! What a thoughtful person. Is he married?

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

I know it was a nice welcome. Krikit, I can totally understand how you say your first year was a struggle and you did a lot of crying (I think I saw that on a credit card discussion).

I've only been here a few days and it's so frustrating! I can't even get a hold of my Canadian bank by phone!

Most people think that because Canada is connected to the US and so similar, that we transition the easiest. U don't find that too true. We still have many different cultural differences and it is gonna be a struggle to adjust. You get so caught up in wanting to be with your SO, that you don't anticipate the difficulty of adjustement. And because we ate Canadians people are not sensitive to what we go through.

[JillA 2]

I know it was a nice welcome. Krikit, I can totally understand how you say your first year was a struggle and you did a lot of crying (I think I saw that on a credit card discussion).

I've only been here a few days and it's so frustrating! I can't even get a hold of my Canadian bank by phone!

Most people think that because Canada is connected to the US and so similar, that we transition the easiest. U don't find that too true. We still have many different cultural differences and it is gonna be a struggle to adjust. You get so caught up in wanting to be with your SO, that you don't anticipate the difficulty of adjustement. And because we ate Canadians people are not sensitive to what we go through.

So true! I remember trying to cancel my RBC auto insurance in Dec, and they only had a toll free # accessible from Canada! It took DAYS just to call them, good lord!

[ruby_mtl 0]

Thought I'd post this as a seperate thread, as it may help others with POE...sorry for spelling I'm on my phone

Ok, the good part....I'M HERE!!!!! FINALLY!!!!!

Exhausted!

I'll post a more detailed update on my timeline when I get a chance.

What an experience!!!!

I was more nervous about the interview, wasn't sweating the POE....the interview was waaaay less stressful looking back now!!!!!

First if all, what contents/inventory list?!?! They could care less, never even asked!

Crossed at 5am, and even though we were one of three families in there...try 2 hours later!!!!! Man, you guys were not lying about them being 'non enthused' to help you at 5am!!!!

They were giving priority to people catching flights in Buffalo...#######! How about first come first serve, with a 5 year old in his PJ's rudely awaken to be dragged inside, in lockdown....yes, they do not let anyone outside, where the bathrooms are located by the way...without a CO escort, and they were short staffed cause someone called out sick

Talk about having to refer to manuals and not knowing what they were doing! I get called up, tell him it's a K1, he looks at me annoyed, and says it's almost the end of their shift at 8am, and if we can wait...ah it's 6 flipping AM!!!!!! #######!!!!! I finally get a young guy to start the car import...I start filling the form, and it asks for 'health' of my car?!?!? Only to find out that I'm applying to import horses!!!!! Lol'! Ok, we get over that...then some wise butt walks outta the back room, sticks his nose in the situation, and tells my guy that I have to pay duties in the car $3500!!!!!! I lost it!!!! Half an hour if back and forth, im telling this guy that I did my homework on their site, and I shouldn't have to pay...15 mins later...he's like 'no worries' and the duty cost disappears?! Whatever, THANK GOD! they told me to use address if where I will be staying, soooo I start writing out our DE address....

Then they want to send me back to the lazy guy...I beg for this guy to please not send me back to the other side LOL! He was young and kinda funny, so he said they would get us started.... Him and some other guy start plucking at computer....then I mention that DE is our new address for now...he says he notices a PA address on the system...then he talks me out if changing my address, if I ever EVER want to see mail from them....so now my car import went through with a diff address than my Visa LOL! We figured it wasn't a big deal, as long as we register it etc...

The best part...he tells me after we marry, we 'physically take our AOS package to local CIS office and change my address at that time I know...at this point, I just wanted my I-94 and just wanted outta there!!!! They didn't even bat an eyelash at my moms passport, and could care less as to how long she was staying...they handed it back to me...finally got our I94's...nothing written on back?!

At this point, I looked at my vehicle contents list and thought, I already mentioned this twice and no one cared to do anything about it....God forbid I pull it out and we are here another hour!!!!

We finally got our stuff....and they gave me a little info on 'not being able to work' and EAD....he says any questions? We just sat there with our lips sealed! Lol'! I was like ' I just told YOU how to process half this stuff, I should be asking YOU, if you have any questions'! Haha!

Thank goodness that crusty guy who wanted to charge duty on my car disappeared! Oh, the best part, he walks back out while my guy is filling out the forms, and says in a loud voice 'you need to charge duties buddy...toy wanna do it the right way, or your way?!' I was like 'disappear you crab apple, your cramping my game!' LOL!

I will say, the two guys that did end up helping us, were super super nice...

I just found the Lewiston POE very unorganized at 5am in the morn! Lol'!

Now I'm even more confused as to how and when we should change our address. I'll deal with that in a couple of weeks....I'm gonna take a break from forms and ####### until after wedding.

Next couple of weeks I will focus on, wedding, SSN, and bank account.

At the end of the day... The POE experience was not as 'smooth sailing' as I expected

The best part....I asked why the embassy sent our 'entire file' out of curiousity, and he said 'DOS' grants Visa saying they found our case legit...but POE has final say as to whether they find me suitable and admissble into the US... You should have seen my face when he said that! I nearly passed out! My fiancé starred laughing and says 'and you thought you were 'in'' LOL!

GLAD THATS OVER!!!!!

I will say that my first offical day is mixed with excitment and nervousness...

Thanks to all for the well wishes

Ps. Sorry for typos, I have no computer...restricted to iPhone for a while

Wow what a day!!! I'm glad that you're there and can focus on the wedding and ALL the stuff you have to do!

I think that now I will really expect anything at the POE and will make sure that I know my stuff so i can coach the poor POE staff! LOLOLOL

Congrats!

[TimandJoyce 1]

Macy's is an easy card to get, I had my wedding registry there and got a cc from them soon after.

Really, before you established credit? Macy's is a little far from where I'll be, thank God!!, but I could try there, plus maybe TJ Maxx. I worked at Winners here so I'm hoping that when I can work, I can try at TJ as it's the same store, different name. Maybe they'll give me a break on the CC if I'm an employee. (by break I meant receiving it)