Canadian DCFs Waiting for Interview in Montreal

[AMERICAN/CANADIAN 0]

haha, thats hilarious. i think i might do the same.

hmm well i plan on flying out to the states next week to do the following:

a) register to vote

b) get a drivers license from the US again

c) gather all tax records for the last 3 years

d) try to re-register my car and get car insurance in the US (although my car is still in canada, so i might not be able to do this)

e) try to find a job (although i find this one highly unlikely since i only have like 2 weeks to do this)

my worry is that (d) and (e) are gonna be hard to do so im assuming those wont be on my list.

also, we live with family in canada, and we plan on moving back in with other family in the states. so there really isnt any official lease agreements with either side.

i suppose i could draft up documents stating i would leave the 1st family, and enter an agreement with the 2nd family, but ive read somewhere on this forum that the immigration officer might just see it as a family arrangement, "mother will do anything for her child."

other than that, i don't own any properties that i would be selling, and i really dont want to sign a lease on a place in the states without a confirmed job offer.

Heres what I have gathered so far (granted Im still behind you in the que).

a) my voters registration cards from the US

b) last three years tax records

c) got an insurance quote from my insurance broker. She said she couldnt give me a one hundred percent acurate quote until my husband (the canadian) gets a US license. But at least having a quote shows some iniative. They didnt say anything about the vehicle being from Canada so I assume that parts not a problem.

D) a lease signed by my dad myself and my husband. (hes my step dad so I hope they dont look at that as he would do anything for me....even if he would)

e) Proof of an american joint checking acount with my husband. (this one was tricky, bc technically with the patriot act its hard to add someone even as joint with out a SSN) but my credit union was fine with it, so who knows?

f) moving quotes for ABF Upack, and Uhaul, etc (even though we arent going to use them bc we are just getting rid of everything except the sentimental stuff and clothes and just hoping in the truck and going)

Things we are going to get

a) a letter from our current landlord saying that she is aware of us moving to the US and when our lease is terminated.

b) a letter from our current work saying they are aware that we are moving to the US and when our last day is.

c) a letter from our future employer from the US saying we are "conditionally hired". (we are doing a transfer essentially but since its two different countries its not technically a transfer so work isnt guaranteed)

d) the letter from dodge saying our truck meets us EPA standards (this is required to cross the border. It may not help but it cant hurt to have this)

e) maybe a couple of pamphletts from apartment complexes in the town where we will live. (even though we will be staying with my dad for a bit it wont be forever)

f) a copy of the route we plan to take when driving down to the US (map)

I cant think of anything else right now, but Ill let ya know if I do.

[sammy060382 1]

Hi everyone,

Congrats to all those who 'passed' the interview. It's great to hear all the success stories.

My husband booked his interview for March 4th next year. It's a bit far out I know, but we decided it was for the best for the both of us.

Take care,

- Sam

[Christi85 86]

Heres what I have gathered so far (granted Im still behind you in the que).

a) my voters registration cards from the US

b) last three years tax records

c) got an insurance quote from my insurance broker. She said she couldnt give me a one hundred percent acurate quote until my husband (the canadian) gets a US license. But at least having a quote shows some iniative. They didnt say anything about the vehicle being from Canada so I assume that parts not a problem.

D) a lease signed by my dad myself and my husband. (hes my step dad so I hope they dont look at that as he would do anything for me....even if he would)

e) Proof of an american joint checking acount with my husband. (this one was tricky, bc technically with the patriot act its hard to add someone even as joint with out a SSN) but my credit union was fine with it, so who knows?

f) moving quotes for ABF Upack, and Uhaul, etc (even though we arent going to use them bc we are just getting rid of everything except the sentimental stuff and clothes and just hoping in the truck and going)

Things we are going to get

a) a letter from our current landlord saying that she is aware of us moving to the US and when our lease is terminated.

b) a letter from our current work saying they are aware that we are moving to the US and when our last day is.

c) a letter from our future employer from the US saying we are "conditionally hired". (we are doing a transfer essentially but since its two different countries its not technically a transfer so work isnt guaranteed)

d) the letter from dodge saying our truck meets us EPA standards (this is required to cross the border. It may not help but it cant hurt to have this)

e) maybe a couple of pamphletts from apartment complexes in the town where we will live. (even though we will be staying with my dad for a bit it wont be forever)

f) a copy of the route we plan to take when driving down to the US (map)

I cant think of anything else right now, but Ill let ya know if I do.

Although my husband and I are doing DCF in London, we're all in the same boat. Do you mind if I ask you something? Where did you get your voter's registration card and how? My husband never recalls having such a card, although he's voted in every election and he's done absentee ballot in the past 3 years that he's in the UK. The only thing that can prove that he's registered to vote is logging his name and (US) address on his County's online system, and then his name appears and the party he's registered with. He doesn't think he's ever had a voter's registration card though. Weird!

Oh, and congrats on your approval!

[birdnerd 5]

Hey all,

I haven't abandoned y'all, ust been busy - husband is visiting this week, I've had my medical, starting to wrap things up at work, etc.

We are going away for the long weekend, but I will post the list again soon. Too bad we haven't heard back from Adichiwa or pinguino.

T-minus 12 days, I can't wait!

Edited October 8, 2010 by birdnerd

[AMERICAN/CANADIAN 0]

Although my husband and I are doing DCF in London, we're all in the same boat. Do you mind if I ask you something? Where did you get your voter's registration card and how? My husband never recalls having such a card, although he's voted in every election and he's done absentee ballot in the past 3 years that he's in the UK. The only thing that can prove that he's registered to vote is logging his name and (US) address on his County's online system, and then his name appears and the party he's registered with. He doesn't think he's ever had a voter's registration card though. Weird!

Oh, and congrats on your approval!

Let me look into it this morning and Ill try and remember how I got mine. Do you have an address in the US already where he could possibly have one mailed and then turn around and have family mail to to yall in England?

[Christi85 86]

Let me look into it this morning and Ill try and remember how I got mine. Do you have an address in the US already where he could possibly have one mailed and then turn around and have family mail to to yall in England?

Thanks, it will be awesome if you can remember how you got yours.

Yes, he does have a US address where it could be sent to and family to send it over to us in London, so that's not a problem!

[housewife 1]

Morning all

I agree big thank you to birdned for gathering all of us and giving us valuable info. This forum has helped me a lot.

Thanks to someone here (maybe birded) who posted a link to the checklist which I retyped and sent it signed by my husband which I hope will surfice since I said there was non availalbe nor did I get one.

Big congrats to all who got approved and the very very best of luck to those who have appointments and are waiting.

Also best of luck to those who are like me waiting for pkt 4 and appointment.

When I applied in Montreal in person, they gave me a paper re domicile. It's pretty much what you see on line what consititues domicile. Since I'm a permanent resident of Canada. I am also a housewife here. They guy even joked when it came to pay the $355 I said do i have to pay legally for him and he said no, let him pay.

They said they judge each case individually and I believe it's on the paper that it's on a case by case basis.

I will have a lease on a new apartment. I believe that is going to be the key. I've gottent he lease in the mail, all we need to do is sign it and have it notarized and send it back. I also opened a US bank account in my name only. The bank refused to put my husband on as a joint account without a US ss# and they should understand that with the patriot act they should commend the bank for complying.

I will have utility in my name (need a SS# ) and insurance on the apartment. I will have proof by the time the interview comes up that we listed our condo for sale. I'm waiting till I know when the interview is. I don't want to show before it's empty. I can't be bothered to have people in and out while I live here and I'm not the type to make it all nice and neat for visits. But I will list it as it will go on the market the min we move so i will have that.

I am going to call the moving company. I called a moving company so I already know how much it will cost me but he can come and do it so i have the offical paper. But again it will be when the interview is scheduled.

DH went to ask for his police clearance and he should have that by next week as it's already been a week and they said 7 - 10 business days and he went last thursday.

For support, we are using assets. I will bring a bank statement, retirement savings accounts for both of us and a bank statement from here but it's in US funds on what's in the account. That should cover it. I'm busying a business, if the deal goes through before that's fine if not, well then I won't have the papers, but in any case still no tax return on that. Since I live here and I don't work, I filed US tax with -0- just to comply and I'll bring it.

That should take care of that.

Medical, well he will have his flu shot from his office in November they have a doc come to the office they pay for and give it to everyone who wants it.

At his age, what he will most likely need is the tdip or whatever it's called. I have a paper from the US hosiptail that he had a booster about 6 years ago. He can verbally decalare he had chicken pox I think, and if he needs any other shot they will give it to him.

Our doctors are all in the USA. Even though we live here we do US healthcare. We are seeing our doctors in a month so maybe he can give him a paper for tests there and they an fax me a copy. They have a lab there and will do the tests right there and I can have the results fast I suppose, they give us lab tests back in 24 hours. If not he will get the shots but at his age judging from the chart I dont' think there are many for him.

I have all the papers required, traslations etc. I think they will realize that I didn't change my drivers licence till I am officially moved and that I'm not moving till he moves. As it says, it's on a case by case basis and I think given our age and and the fact that I have no family at all in the US, that I'm staying here till my husband can go with me.

I think if I can show the support proof (with assets) and the lease for the new apartment and the utility bills they will see I'm serious. After all who pays rent on an apartment starting Nov. 1 if they are not serious, who would waste that kind of money at our age. If I have the business docs that would be great.

I'm trying not to stress to much over it. My bigger stress is buying the business and getting that all done and approved. Actually that is what we personally are stressing about and my upcoming medical checkups. I'm the american so it's not about that, but I am a cancer survivor so I'm always nervous. My friend is not doing well. Sorry off topic.

I check here too almost everyday. So it's nice to have others to talk to. thanks for listening. If I can help just let me know.

[superspur 0]

Got my passport and visa package back from Montreal earlier this week - was about 2 and half weeks after my interview. The visa is stuck in my passport and counts as a temporary green card for 1 year.

Stupidly I forgot to note the tracking number of the Expresspost envelope I gave to them so I wasn't able to track it from Montreal I think they have switched to DHL or something now though, but this may still be relevent to those who were asked to take an Expresspost envelope with them.

[dabigbass 0]

American/Canadian:

Thanks for your list of documents for the domicile. It really gave me hope! I might just have to borrow some of those ideas

Superspur:

Thanks for that update and congratulations!

But 2.5 weeks? Man! I was under the impression it was like 3 days. That's sadly going to change our moving plans and push them back even more! (that is, if our case is approved)

[AMERICAN/CANADIAN 0]

American/Canadian:

Thanks for your list of documents for the domicile. It really gave me hope! I might just have to borrow some of those ideas

Superspur:

Thanks for that update and congratulations!

But 2.5 weeks? Man! I was under the impression it was like 3 days. That's sadly going to change our moving plans and push them back even more! (that is, if our case is approved)

dabigbass are you using an express mailer or the new DHL system? I dont know too much about the new system but I sent my P3 back via the DHL system and it arrived there the next day (from calgary!). The lady at DHL explained it to me as its different than other mailers bc the waybill items are all put together in a big red bin to be sent to MTL (or the respective city) each day! SO the waybill is only touched by the person logging it where you drop it off (goes strait into the red locked bin bc of confidentaility supposedly), then the person on the otherside takes it out and gives to embassy rep! Im hoping it will be faster than two and a half weeks as well but only time will tell what the new system will bring:)

[dabigbass 0]

to be honest, i have no idea. i've been seeing people talk about express mailer vs DHL but i've been a bit confused about what they're talking about.

how would i know what system im on/using? would it be in the packet 4 they sent?

the letter i received never said anything about bringing an express mail envelope with us when we go to the interview.

[AMERICAN/CANADIAN 0]

to be honest, i have no idea. i've been seeing people talk about express mailer vs DHL but i've been a bit confused about what they're talking about.

how would i know what system im on/using? would it be in the packet 4 they sent?

the letter i received never said anything about bringing an express mail envelope with us when we go to the interview.

I would think it would say something in your P4. You did schedule your own interview via the new system didnt you? If you did you should have had to choose a DHL location closest to you before you could schedule your interview. If thats the case my best guess would be that you are using DHL.

[dabigbass 0]

you know what... you're right, i completely forgot about that... we scheduled our own and it did ask us for the DHL location

[AMERICAN/CANADIAN 0]

you know what... you're right, i completely forgot about that... we scheduled our own and it did ask us for the DHL location

tada problem solved:)

[sammy060382 1]

Hi everyone!

Quick question for those that have leased an apartment down in the States: how hard was it to lease a place? I know this sounds like a very general and maybe dumb question, but i've been a bit bothered by the fact that since I have no credit down in the States, it may be hard to rent an apartment. What has everyone else's experience been. I know a lot of people used a lease agreement with their family to prove domicile, but for those that didn't, i'm wondering if finding a place was a challenge at all given the fact you may not have lived down in the U.S. for years.

Thanks,

- Sam