Venting...

[dukeandduchess 141]

What kind of idiot am I to agree to stay until the end of the year at work? I manage a retail store and they asked me to stay until Christmas was over. My visa was approved on Oct 7th, and I am so freaking antsy to leave I can't even stand it.

I know it's dumb to complain when others are waiting to know whether their visa is approved or for NOA2.... (I'm sorry!)

Did anyone else wait a while before you moved? Advice on how to cope? I keep saying well if things get bad I'll just leave. I also keep telling myself I'm saving tons of money for when I can't work waiting for EAD. I couldn't just up and leave though but it sure is annoying and stupid of me to agree to stay.

Edited November 8, 2011 by dukeandduchess

[MalaysianGirl 26]

Aww, don't bonk yourself on the head! I don't personally think you are stupid to agree to stay; just think, this period will only last for less than 2 months. After this you will be with your future husband forever! Keep positive and you will sail through the remaining months of your stay in Canada.

{Sorry, I mistakenly typed UK instead of Canada!}

Edited November 8, 2011 by MalaysianGirl

[SapphireDreams 71]

I know the exact feeling. I got my visa in March 2009 and didn't move until June 2009. It was a LONG 3 months, almost longer than waiting for the entire process!!

I don't regret it thought at all. I saved a ton of money, got to spend a lot of time with my family and friends in Canada and just in my case waited for better summer weather for the move and then had the summer off while I waited for my EAD. It was glorious. Timing wise it was also a lot easier to find a job once I got my EAD because I got it in August and September is the busy season for my industry.

Hang in there for sure! The Christmas season will get a lot busier for you so hopefully that will help take your mind off of things and then you can move knowing that you left your employer in a good place and they'll give you a really good recommendation because of it.

Try to just make the best of Canada now while you can and save as much as possible!!

If your fiance can visit, try to do that. My fiance visited me almost every month while we waited and it helped make the wait easier!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I waited over 2 months after I got my visa before I moved as well. I needed to give a months notice to my landlady and I needed to help train my replacement at work and that meant allowing time for them to locate and hire someone and I had to sell my car and other things I wasn't taking with me. My then fiance had to put in a request for time off of work to come up and help me move (he rented a vehicle in the US, drove across the border to pick me and my cats and other belongings up and drove back to the US with all of us), so it wasn't a matter of just picking up and leaving. I found that the time went quickly - there was a lot to do - and having the extra money helped me pay off all of my existing debts in Canada and have something extra with me when I moved.

You have also behaved very honourably to your employer and I am sure it will help them give you a great reference (have them write one for you to bring with you) that you can use for your job search in the US. Love is wonderful and we all want to be with our loved ones asap, but it is always a good idea to keep 'love' balanced with practicality and common sense. Everything will have a better chance for long term success that way so don't beat yourself up for being practical as well.

[TammyandJosh 1]

Haha im one of the ones whose been waiting 205 days so far so NOA2 so i dont want to hear the vent..No kidding...I will be doing the same. Im assuming we get the NoA-2 this month and maybe be done early spring?? We wont be able to move until mid-June bc of hockey playoffs...Totally sucks..But no point in us moving if he wont be home or we cant commit to a date etc..So we are hoping to move mid-june and wedding july now and yep its going to really reallly suck..I already feel your pain...

big congrats tho...gives me hope...Consider it a few more months to make a bit more money etc..

[Krikit 1,165]

I waited until the day before my visa expired so I kind of can't relate. I think it's great that you agreed to stay and help out your employer, and you'll be happy that you did when you get here because it sure ain't no picnic to spend Christmas away from your family and friends when you know there is no hope of seeing them because you're trapped on the other side of the border. It's like prison without the small rooms.

[dukeandduchess 141]

Thanks guys. It's nice to hear other people waited a bit too. Seems like every post I read lately is people packed up with one foot out the door on the interview date. I haven't seen my fiance since August and we won't have time to see each other for christmas or in between me moving there due to work. It's so hard to be away from the person you love, and is especially frustrating since it's self imposed... grr!

At least now I feel like I'm doing the right thing money/job wise. I'll just pray it gets busier than it already is so I have no time to wallow in self-pity

[Flames9_RN 358]

I waited like 2 weeks, almost had to wait many months, but my Air Force boss allowed me out of my contract early, which he did not have to do, but hey, it is the Air Force, everyone is nice,lol. Before you know it, you will be in the USA. And if work truly annoys ya, just give them the standard 2 week notice! Best of luck

[Penny Lane 8,159]

My Visa was approved in May, and I stayed until the end of September. It was absolute torture, so I know how you feel. I had a job that I wanted to finish as well, and I knew I would need the money. Now that I'm here, I'm happy I did, because the money has come in really handy. But the waiting was horrible.

[dukeandduchess 141]

My Visa was approved in May, and I stayed until the end of September. It was absolute torture, so I know how you feel. I had a job that I wanted to finish as well, and I knew I would need the money. Now that I'm here, I'm happy I did, because the money has come in really handy. But the waiting was horrible.

Thanks Coconuts! Glad I'm not the only one Thank god when I move I'll get my income tax return shortly after I arrive because that is when my money will start to dry up!

Did you bring your savings with you or use your Canadian bank account? I'm not sure if it'd be better to just use my credit card for everything or to bring some money for rent/bills.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Thanks Coconuts! Glad I'm not the only one Thank god when I move I'll get my income tax return shortly after I arrive because that is when my money will start to dry up!

Did you bring your savings with you or use your Canadian bank account? I'm not sure if it'd be better to just use my credit card for everything or to bring some money for rent/bills.

With the $$$$ thing--it depends how much u have!!! If it is not a lot, then using ur ATM/credit card may not be a big deal! But if it is a lot, then u may want to look into Customhouse. Or the other options are TD bank or royal bank which are now in the USA! AS yes some banks charge NO upfront fees,BUT they give you a terrible exchange rate! So u have to decide whats better for ur! Maybe a few thousand dollars, its no big deal and just use ur ATM. But if it is many thousand $$$, one wants to investigate ur options, and I mentioned the top 3 above!! Best of luck

[hikergirl 277]

I won't be getting married until next summer and then starting the CR-1 paperwork with the goal of moving once my daughter graduates high school the next summer. Some days I think I'm insane for dragging it on but I made a promise to my daughter that I intend to keep.

As for banking, I have two RBC accounts already set up. A Canadian one which I'll direct all of my payments after moving to (tax returns, severance pay from work, etc) and my American one which is linked on-line to my Canadian Account. I can transfer between my accounts with no fees by RBC (just the normal exchange). I have an RBC Visa Check Card to withdraw funds in the US with.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Thanks Coconuts! Glad I'm not the only one Thank god when I move I'll get my income tax return shortly after I arrive because that is when my money will start to dry up!

Did you bring your savings with you or use your Canadian bank account? I'm not sure if it'd be better to just use my credit card for everything or to bring some money for rent/bills.

I kept it all in my Canadian account. It's not too much, just a few thousand, so I'm not bothering getting it transferred to a US bank account. We just use it as we need it.

[dukeandduchess 141]

With the $$$$ thing--it depends how much u have!!! If it is not a lot, then using ur ATM/credit card may not be a big deal! But if it is a lot, then u may want to look into Customhouse. Or the other options are TD bank or royal bank which are now in the USA! AS yes some banks charge NO upfront fees,BUT they give you a terrible exchange rate! So u have to decide whats better for ur! Maybe a few thousand dollars, its no big deal and just use ur ATM. But if it is many thousand $$$, one wants to investigate ur options, and I mentioned the top 3 above!! Best of luck

Thanks! I'll have to check out RBC and TD. I use Scotiabank right now so it might make sense to switch. I didn't even know that was an option!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Thanks! I'll have to check out RBC and TD. I use Scotiabank right now so it might make sense to switch. I didn't even know that was an option!

Yep, in the last few yrs they have oponed up USA branches!! BUT as I have harped before,lol, if ur transferring large amounts of $$$$ please do ur research! I do harp on Customhouse.com but they may not be the best option. Maybe Royal is or TD is, etc etc!