Moving dilemma

[jazzly 3]

So after a long AP, finally and hopefully I will get my visa next week. Now a big challenge is selling the house (which I had to pull off during summer because of the uncertainty of the length of my AP). I want to sell house ASAP. However I can wait till March for market to pickup a little bit, and my mortgage from my pocket. In the meantime I will move to US as I have to get SSN and accept a job that I already have interviewed for.

The problem is that after reading the sticky thread my head is spinning. I am very confused about becoming non-Resident Canadian and all the fall out. Its seems to me like a person is committing a crime by settling outside of Canada. I am confused about when to sell house (before or after I leave Canada), my checking account and credit cards (I want to keep them all for a year atleast). Don't know about RRSP. I also need to know the safest and most cost effective way of moving money (from house sale) to US without getting any penalty or ridiculous amount in transfer fees. I believe I can transfer my credit score with Amex, as I will need it to get a new car in States.

Choosing a moving companies is also a big question mark right now. I spent dozens of hours on VJ and Internet back in spring/summer and had all my ducks in line, but now since Visa is so close I am feeling lost. I need some help here in the planning, winter is around the corner and we have to move with two little kids.

Thanks.

[Flames9_RN 358]

RRSP is easy,lol--for ur American taxes it is just form 8891. As well you have to notify ur Cdn institution that is looking after them--that you have moved and are now a non-resident of Canada. all very easy

Tax info: http://forums.serbinski.com/ A few here have sold their houses, and maybe chime in...VJ is slower on the weekends.

[Krikit 1,165]

The house can be sold at any time. In order for you not to be taxed as a non-resident, however, it must have been your primary residence before you moved to the US and you cannot rent it out in the interim.

You can keep your checking account and credit cards. Unless you're with President's Choice. They don't allow a non-resident to have an account with them.

There are many ways to transfer the money. You can use Custom House (www.customhouse.com). If your bank has a presence near you in the US (RBC, TD CanadaTrust) you can open an account a transfer it that way (no fees). Or, you can obtain a bank draft and bring it with you. If you bring it with you, make sure the cheque is in US funds. Banks in the US don't know how to handle foreign currency and they will charge you a hefty service fee, a high exchange rate, and an extremely long wait to process. Also keep in mind that you will need to declare anything 10k or above on the Customs form. If you do it through Custom House or your bank it is automatically done for you.

I will try to find my post on moving companies so you know how to compare apples to apples.

[Krikit 1,165]

I called 4 moving companies for estimates and chose United. They're quite familiar with cross-border moves so there were no paperwork headaches.

There is a minimum weight cost, so that's the bulk of the quotation. Make sure when you're doing your cost comparisons that you read the fine print and check each line item for the rates. Each type of service is charged at a different rate, so you need to compare apples to apples. You'll see what I mean once you receive the estimates. Your best rates will come from the major moving lines because they can bundle your belongings with other deliveries in order to save on shipping costs.

[jazzly 3]

Thanks. I went to TD yesterday which whom I have all the banking and mortgage as well. They said that it will cost $50 for anything above 50K and if I open a TD account in US (which I can without having SSN with two pieces of ID from any side of the border) than the transfer is free. I already have US dollar borderless account with them (which is different than having an account in TD US bank) so the conversion rate will be better than anything out there. I am already using this account for a while and its very convenient along with USD Visa card.

So even if I move in January because of job and do not sell my house until March, there will be no tax by govt. As this has been my primary residence and I am not going to rent it in the interim.

I did get the moving quotes in summer and if I remember for a house with three bedroom the cost was round $4000. Does it sound right to you?

[Krikit 1,165]

I have accounts with TD on both sides of the border and I am very happy with their cross-border electronic transfers and exchange rates.

More on house sale: There are no tax or capital gains issues if the home was your principal residence prior to emmigrating. There will be a hold on 25% of the funds until Canada Revenue gives the all-clear on whether there are any back-taxes owing. If you are current, a release document will be sent to the closing attorney. If there are any outstanding amounts, they will deduct those monies and release the remainder. It took about two weeks for this process to be completed. I signed all the forms in advance of the closing so all they had to do was send me the cheque.

For my move, and if I remember correctly, the base amount was about $2,400 for 2,000 lbs. Or maybe it was $2,000 for 2400 lbs. Something to that effect. Then you add the mileage, fuel, and any storage fees if they have to hold it, as well as an additional cost per extra square feet. But that was six years ago so, yes, about $4,000 sounds right.

[Marilyn. 340]

unless you have stuff that is very valuable maybe you could consider selling some of it and buying new stuff when you get to the US. $4000 seems like a lot of money to spend on moving your belongings...

for me I got rid of most of my stuff and just kept my clothes and stuff that was irreplaceable.

[jazzly 3]

I used my $10K RRSP when buying home and CRA deducts 1/15th of it every year from my tax. I still have $3500 remaining that I have to pay back or have it included in my current year's income. So I think that will be the hold.

[jazzly 3]

I called DoS and found that the visa has been issued. Now I need to get ready for POE Sarnia.

I don't know if taking my wife and kids with me will prolong the process at the border ? They are already USC.

I have the car's compliance letter from Nissan USA. Do I need any other form filled before hand? What if I don't want to import my car right away. Do I have time after crossing the border to get it registered. Reason is that I might sell it back in Canada if its going to be hard to sell or trade off in US.

I have list of things that I will be carrying (very little in my sedan) and the huge list for the stuff that I will arrange to be shipped with a moving company. I think there is a form for that.

I remember checking that box for SSN on my DS form. Will I get the SSN right away? Will I be eligible for work right away? Reason is that I have interview setup following my entry in US and employers as for status and they can't wait for 3 weeks for SSN (generally speaking).

Anything else that I should be aware of or think before crossing the border. I am a little nervous.

[jazzly 3]

Another question is, since its an IR-1 not CR-1 (married for 5 years), I probably not have to do the removal of condition within two years. But what else I have to do in the next 5 years before I apply for US citizenship or does it take shorter/longer for citizenship, or require additional proof/evidence.

[Marilyn. 340]

I think you can apply for citizenship 3 years after becoming a permanent resident if it is though marriage.

[Krikit 1,165]

I don't know if taking my wife and kids with me will prolong the process at the border ? They are already USC.

No, it won't prolong the process. They will just be waiting for you.

I have the car's compliance letter from Nissan USA. Do I need any other form filled before hand? What if I don't want to import my car right away. Do I have time after crossing the border to get it registered. Reason is that I might sell it back in Canada if its going to be hard to sell or trade off in US.

You will need to bring in the ownership and have an estimated value if you are going to import it at entry. Low-ball the value (you can use Kelley Blue Book) in case you have to pay State or County taxes on it when you go to register it. You do not have to import it right away. I traded mine in and it was the same as any other time you trade it in. In Florida, especially, it's fairly easy to sell as the Canadians will keep it down there at their winter homes. You do have time after crossing to register it.

I have list of things that I will be carrying (very little in my sedan) and the huge list for the stuff that I will arrange to be shipped with a moving company. I think there is a form for that.

The moving company will take care of the list and form for you. You will sign off on it. They know the process so no need to worry on that end.

Anything else that I should be aware of or think before crossing the border. I am a little nervous.

What's your port of entry?

[jazzly 3]

Thanks. Either Windsor or Sarnia.

Do I need to goto SSA office for Sarnia or it will be all done at the border?

Do I need to get Michigan Driver's license to open a Bank account or my visa stamp on passport will be enough ?

How long do I have normally in Michigan before I need to register my car or get their License?

[The Mean Lady 604]

Thanks. Either Windsor or Sarnia.

Do I need to goto SSA office for Sarnia or it will be all done at the border?

Do I need to get Michigan Driver's license to open a Bank account or my visa stamp on passport will be enough ?

How long do I have normally in Michigan before I need to register my car or get their License?

Sarnia is in Canada. You will not be visiting any SSA office in canada or at the border.

You will need to go to the one closest to where you will be residing IF your SSN does not come on it's own.

I don't know at what point you don't know it's coming on it's own, I just know I've seen a FEW people say theirs came on it's own, and A LOT of people say they had to go to the office and request it.

My personal opinion is that Sarnia does not see a lot of Fiance/Spouse POEs so they probably wouldn't do correctly whatever they had to do to make your SSN come on it's own.

Banks vary. It's not that you need a driver's license, but I've seen some say they won't let you open an account w/o a SSN which you'll be waiting a few weeks on. Other banks don't need one to open it.

[Flames9_RN 358]

After 10-14 BUSINESS days--no Social security Card---then goto ur closest SSA office and ask about it!! Before you go )_ I would download and fill out a new application form--http://ssa.gov/ssnumber/-----so when they say, nope, we don't see a card, you need to fill out a new application--WHAMMO--you hand them over the already filled out form!! Ensure you bring 2 pieces of ID--Ur CDn passport and birth cert.