Do I have to be MOVING when I activate our Visas?

[Flames9_RN 358]

Other option, do the interview....but ask to keep the passports and mail them back to the Consulate closer to moving.....only big downfall of that, is that we all know how slow MTL can be at mailing things back. Common sense states that if yo choose the route of visiting with the visa in ur passport and asking the POE officer not to endorse it, it should be fine---as why would you illegally stay in the USA? best of luck

[Ms Hogan 295]

Other option, do the interview....but ask to keep the passports and mail them back to the Consulate closer to moving.....only big downfall of that, is that we all know how slow MTL can be at mailing things back. Common sense states that if yo choose the route of visiting with the visa in ur passport and asking the POE officer not to endorse it, it should be fine---as why would you illegally stay in the USA? best of luck

That is a good idea, but as you stated, a bit of a concern with the notorious FAIL of the Montreal consulate mail room. I think I will just carry on and make our entry on our first visit post-interview the official one. That way everything is taken care of. If it means no more Ontario health care, so be it. Either way, we won't be making our actual move until the school year is complete, even though I know I'll get itchy earlier than that! I do look forward to feeling the relief of having everything complete though because I'm still faced with the final hurdle of my ex writing the letter saying he knows we're moving. The POE officer can still put a stop to my move, even after I have visas in hand, so that's nerve-wracking.

Thanks everyone! I know this thread kinda went all over the place!

[Flames9_RN 358]

That is a good idea, but as you stated, a bit of a concern with the notorious FAIL of the Montreal consulate mail room. I think I will just carry on and make our entry on our first visit post-interview the official one. That way everything is taken care of. If it means no more Ontario health care, so be it. Either way, we won't be making our actual move until the school year is complete, even though I know I'll get itchy earlier than that! I do look forward to feeling the relief of having everything complete though because I'm still faced with the final hurdle of my ex writing the letter saying he knows we're moving. The POE officer can still put a stop to my move, even after I have visas in hand, so that's nerve-wracking.

Thanks everyone! I know this thread kinda went all over the place!

I have no clue--- But if you activate the visa now, no longer a resident of Canada-----can the kids still goto school in Canada?? I don't have kids, so nothing I have looked into

[Ms Hogan 295]

I have no clue--- But if you activate the visa now, no longer a resident of Canada-----can the kids still goto school in Canada?? I don't have kids, so nothing I have looked into

Oh great! Something I definitely did NOT think of. Maybe we won't actually finish the school year. And I will delay the kids' next visit as well. I guess now I get back to having to find out if we all 3 need to POE at the same time or not.

I'm glad you brought it up. I will have to look into that! I don't know who knows what or how that would all work.

[ca_poppy 1]

Along similar lines, my husband has a work project that he would like to finish up before leaving his company and moving to the US, which may or may not involve travelling overseas at some point between now and May. If we do get an interview scheduled in March or April in Montreal (how likely this is, I don't know) and he's approved, can he activate his green card, return to work in Ontario, and then come back when he's finished the project? I doubt the OHIP would be an issue for him as he has other insurance through work.

I guess another question I should ask is, how long does it take the consulate to send him back his passport after his interview?

[VeeNDee 44]

I doubt the OHIP would be an issue for him as he has other insurance through work.

Be aware that insurance through work often bases part of their funding through the provincial healthcare. For example, my work's health plan covered prescription costs on top of and not covered BY the health plan, not the original cost. They also told me that if I was no longer a resident that my work health plan would no longer be useable. You may just want to double check!

[NikLR 13,232]

Oh great! Something I definitely did NOT think of. Maybe we won't actually finish the school year. And I will delay the kids' next visit as well. I guess now I get back to having to find out if we all 3 need to POE at the same time or not.

I'm glad you brought it up. I will have to look into that! I don't know who knows what or how that would all work.

Remember you have 6 months from the medical date to POE. You can wait until they're done school this year.

Edited February 5, 2013 by NikiR

[Ms Hogan 295]

Remember you have 6 months from the medical date to POE. You can wait until they're done school this year.

I know we have 6 months. But we generally go every other weekend of every 3 weeks. I don't want to have to NOT go visiting suddenly. That's what this was all about.

[NikLR 13,232]

I read recently about someone visiting the USA while they had their K1 visa in the passport and simply explained they weren't wanting to activate it yet. I bet you could do something similar.

[Ivy. 113]

I think the easiest thing would be to delay the interview. I know you said you do not want to do that, but honestly, that seems like the safest thing to do.

You can travel (and do) freely without any problems and the Embassy will surely understand. I was told at my Embassy that we could adjust my interview date based on my expected graduation date and that would not be a problem at all (as long as I do not do my medical exam too early).

And regarding these questions, maybe you could email US Border Patrol? I emailed them at O'Hare with a question whose answer was not listed in FAQ and got an answer within a day. That would be the best source of information and if you choose not to delay your interview and get an answer saying you could travel without activating your visas, you can print it and bring it with you on your trip. That's what I plan to do anyways, in case I get an officer that is not familiar with my situation.

Good luck!

[Krikit 1,165]

Do you have an enhanced drivers license or a NEXUS pass? You may want to invest in one of those since you're back and forth all the time. I'd highly recommend it.

I am one of the people who had a visa in my passport but wasn't ready to use it. I simply explained this to them and they were fine with it.

You could always give them a call and see what they have to say.

[Ms Hogan 295]

I've decided to officially roll with it. The interview is set, the hotel and train are booked. I'm going to go to our interview, get it taken care of and what will be, will be. I will try to not make our entries official when we cross but just continue to go as visitors but if they don't allow it then I won't worry.

I read recently about someone visiting the USA while they had their K1 visa in the passport and simply explained they weren't wanting to activate it yet. I bet you could do something similar.

I remember that too, I think I will just have to see what transpires and roll with it as needed.

Do you have an enhanced drivers license or a NEXUS pass? You may want to invest in one of those since you're back and forth all the time. I'd highly recommend it.

I am one of the people who had a visa in my passport but wasn't ready to use it. I simply explained this to them and they were fine with it.

You could always give them a call and see what they have to say.

I don't have a Nexus, not that worried about it at this point. I never sit waiting at the border for more than 10-15 minutes. I may do it in the future but right now I've got enough documents to manage lol

[Krikit 1,165]

I don't have a Nexus, not that worried about it at this point. I never sit waiting at the border for more than 10-15 minutes. I may do it in the future but right now I've got enough documents to manage lol

I meant as a solution to you using your passport with the visa in it.

[hikergirl 277]

I don't have a Nexus, not that worried about it at this point. I never sit waiting at the border for more than 10-15 minutes. I may do it in the future but right now I've got enough documents to manage lol

The Nexus paperwork is super easy compared to the immigration stuff! You should have all of the info they need in your immigration file. $50 for you and free for the children.

[Ms Hogan 295]

The Nexus paperwork is super easy compared to the immigration stuff! You should have all of the info they need in your immigration file. $50 for you and free for the children.

But do I do it NOW? As a Canadian citizen who is not yet a PR of USA? And then update it later? I actually opened up the application to get it done.