Where do we file?

[dawnlinnet 0]

We are living in northern Manitoba, husband is the US Citizen, I am Canadian. We are planning to to DCF. From what I have read on here, we should be able to submit our application in person in Calgary. We have flights booked to go there next week. SO just to make sure that we are doing it right I decided to call and make sure we are doing it right. THe only phone number I could find is a toll number. So I called there and the guy tells me that we have to go to Montreal to submit out application. I asked him about Calgary and he says no, Calgary does not accept immigration visas. But I've read on here that people have applied in Calgary.......HELP!!!!!

Does anyone have a number I can call to make absolutely certain we are doing it properly, or a website that explains it. I've been going around in circles for awhile now, and getting very frustrated.

For those of you that did go to Calgary, where did you get the information from?

We really don't know what to do now...should we still go to Calgary?

[trailmix 77]

It is too bad you wasted your money on the toll line - I called them once about something and spent $ 36 explaining it to them.

Yes, you can file your I-130 at the Calgary consulate.

What he was talking about is that the interview will actually be held in Montreal - which will be a few months from now.

Information about what you need to bring to Calgary can be found on the consular web page here:

http://www.consular.canada.usembassy.gov/i...sa_relative.asp

Also, just a heads up, once your I-130 is filed and you start thinking about your affidavit of support etc - you will also want to have a look at the U.S. citizen proving intent to reestablish domicile in the U.S. - the Montreal consulate is taking a hard line on this at the moment.

Check out this thread for more information:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...164618&st=0

Someone has been sent away from their interview today, with a request for more proof of reestablishing domicile - you might find that thread helpful too:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=223016

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Exactly right. You file the I-130 in person through Calgary; and the interview is done in Montreal. Trailmix provided excellent advice.

[dawnlinnet 0]

Thanks Trailmix

This makes sense to me, and the guy I talked to really didn't seem to know what he was talking about.

About the domicile issue, we already have a home in Florida which we are planning to move to, and will possibly be using assets when we file, unless hubby has a good job already lined up.

So, it looks like we're going to Calgary again.....this is too stressful hahah

It is too bad you wasted your money on the toll line - I called them once about something and spent $ 36 explaining it to them.

Yes, you can file your I-130 at the Calgary consulate.

What he was talking about is that the interview will actually be held in Montreal - which will be a few months from now.

Information about what you need to bring to Calgary can be found on the consular web page here:

http://www.consular.canada.usembassy.gov/i...sa_relative.asp

Also, just a heads up, once your I-130 is filed and you start thinking about your affidavit of support etc - you will also want to have a look at the U.S. citizen proving intent to reestablish domicile in the U.S. - the Montreal consulate is taking a hard line on this at the moment.

Check out this thread for more information:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...164618&st=0

Someone has been sent away from their interview today, with a request for more proof of reestablishing domicile - you might find that thread helpful too:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=223016

[trailmix 77]

Yes, it's a lot of info and it can certainly be stressful!

That's great that you already have a residence in Florida, however keep in mind that they will want other proof that the U.S. citizen is intending to 'reestablish' domicile - I doubt a house alone will be enough proof.

And you may already know this but for assets, since it is just your an your Husband, you need 3 x's the 125% of the poverty guidelines for the two of you - which equals $ 54,636.00 U.S. dollars.

When you say 'a good job already lined up' - that will fly if he is already working there and has recent pay stubs to prove the income, a job offer will not be accepted as proof for the I-864.

Good luck - oh and wear your snow boots to Calgary!

Edited October 14, 2009 by trailmix

[dawnlinnet 0]

Yes, we are a little worried about the whole proof of domicile issue. We do have a bank account there and are also getting a US credit card when we go down in November. When I mentioned him getting a job there I was referring to proving domicile, not for the I-864. We are most likely going to use assets only, and we are more than covered for that.

I did read the post about the couple that was just denied for lack of proof of domicile, which is actually the same couple that posted on going to Calgary for the application.

Anyway, thank goodness for this forum or we'd really be hooped with all the contradictory information out there.

So, we're off to Calgary on Sunday and will be at the Consulate bright and early on Monday morning...with our snow boots on haha... although we're from northern Manitoba, so snow doesn't scare us lol. It will probably be warmer there than it is here. Which is part of the reason we're moving to Florida. I can't wait until the day I never have to see snow again, and knowing this will probably be our last winter here is making it a little easier

Thanks for your help.

Yes, it's a lot of info and it can certainly be stressful!

That's great that you already have a residence in Florida, however keep in mind that they will want other proof that the U.S. citizen is intending to 'reestablish' domicile - I doubt a house alone will be enough proof.

And you may already know this but for assets, since it is just your an your Husband, you need 3 x's the 125% of the poverty guidelines for the two of you - which equals $ 54,636.00 U.S. dollars.

When you say 'a good job already lined up' - that will fly if he is already working there and has recent pay stubs to prove the income, a job offer will not be accepted as proof for the I-864.

Good luck - oh and wear your snow boots to Calgary!

[trailmix 77]

You're welcome!

We also moved to Florida for the weather - we moved to just outside of Orlando, lived in a nice area called Lake Mary. However, after 15 months there we decided we liked Calgary better, so moved back here in August

Another VJ member who is from Canada but currently living in Florida (Mt. Dora) is krikit.

[dawnlinnet 0]

Ok, so I have one more question...well, maybe a few more, but one for now haha.

We're putting in our application on Monday...will this cause any problems for us going to the states now? We have a trip booked to Florida at the beginning of November. Will something be flagged when I go through customs now? I'm not sure if it will be any different now that we are starting the process. Do I just say I'm going there on vacation like usual? It's not like I am going there to visit my husband since he lives in Canada also, and has a Canadian passport.

You're welcome!

We also moved to Florida for the weather - we moved to just outside of Orlando, lived in a nice area called Lake Mary. However, after 15 months there we decided we liked Calgary better, so moved back here in August

Another VJ member who is from Canada but currently living in Florida (Mt. Dora) is krikit.

[trailmix 77]

You shouldn't really have a problem, some border guards do take a hard line on people with pending visa applications crossing the border to visit, by and far the majority do not.

Can't hurt to take some proof of ties to Canada with you, you will probably not be asked for them - however it will probably make you feel more secure. If you have a mortgage or lease, take that, maybe a copy of your last bank statement - just a few things that are easy to have that say hey - we live in Canada.

One other thing, save your tickets - wouldn't hurt to include that with your evidence to reestablish domicile - since you are moving to Florida!