So How Much Did Immigration Cost You?

[Found Frolicking 1]

We had ours done at shoppers.

12 bucks is expensive since I'm used to prices in US.

http://www.montrealgasprices.com/

Totally with you on that. Even $12 is outrageous.

I am sure my husband will be happy when we move, since I'll stop complaining about how everything is so way more expensive here. But, then again... Maybe I'll end up constantly saying, "Oh my goodness, this is so much cheaper here! If were were in Canada this would be $__!"

[Ms Hogan 295]

we spent a lot....we hired an attorney that milked us, paid him thousands of dollars to file our papers, we paid the NVC fees ourselves which wasn't included in the money we paid the attorney, we have to pay for medical, plane fare to montreal for my interview, plane fare to US once I get my visa oh and the new visa fee of course, so all in all 6+K

Emily, TAKE THE TRAIN from Toronto to Montreal. If you can get the time to do it anyway. The price of the train was less than the plane tickets we looked into. Obviously for us it's a little more interesting to take the train with the kids and we're trying to make a little bit of a trip out of it. But just consider the VIA train from Toronto to Montreal as an option. Going to the airport is so stressful to me so maybe it's just me but by the time you get to the airport and deal with parking and everything and then getting from the airport to your hotel in Montreal as well... plus WiFi on the train and being able to get up and walk around... just my two cents.

[Ms Hogan 295]

New immigrant visa fee $169 (this you pay once you have the visa in hand, and before you POE)

I don't think you have to pay this before you POE. But you need to pay it soon after getting your Visa so that your green card is sent to you. But you do have the stamp in your passport to cover you in the meantime.

[pocheros 101]

Emily, TAKE THE TRAIN from Toronto to Montreal. If you can get the time to do it anyway. The price of the train was less than the plane tickets we looked into. Obviously for us it's a little more interesting to take the train with the kids and we're trying to make a little bit of a trip out of it. But just consider the VIA train from Toronto to Montreal as an option. Going to the airport is so stressful to me so maybe it's just me but by the time you get to the airport and deal with parking and everything and then getting from the airport to your hotel in Montreal as well... plus WiFi on the train and being able to get up and walk around... just my two cents.

Seconding this for anyone who isn't too far from Montreal. I took the VIA from TO to Montreal and it was a breeze. $120 for round trip tickets, I think, and the station I got off at is right near the consulate. (Not Dorval station!) One way, it was only about 5 hours.

[Ms Hogan 295]

Seconding this for anyone who isn't too far from Montreal. I took the VIA from TO to Montreal and it was a breeze. $120 for round trip tickets, I think, and the station I got off at is right near the consulate. (Not Dorval station!) One way, it was only about 5 hours.

We're excited about it. We were able to get tickets for $88 for each of us, round trip! Very exciting. We booked off-peak times so we could save a few bucks and they frequently run promotions so you can really score if your interview is at a time that allows it. Our interview is on a Wednesday so we're taking the train in on the Tuesday, we will arrive just before dinner-time. Head to the consulate first thing Wednesday morning and hopefully be done there within a couple hours. Then we can go do something fun with the kids for the rest of the day on Wednesday and head back Thursday morning.

I just got off the phone with VIA to confirm that they're going to hold a four-seater section of the train for us so we can actually sit together at a table.

[EmilyS 11]

New immigrant visa fees are $165 and do NOT have to be paid before you POE.

it needs to be paid before you depart to the united states as per the USCIS website...here it is:

USCIS Immigrant Fee

The USCIS Immigrant Fee is now in effect.

Any individual who on or after February 1, 2013 receives an immigrant visa package from a United States consulate or embassy abroad (including Canada and Mexico) must pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee.

Children who enter the United States under either the Orphan or Hague adoption programs, Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants, returning residents (SB-1s), and those issued K visas are the only immigrant visa cases exempt from paying the new fee.

When and How to Pay the Fee

Submit your payment after receiving your visa package from DOS and before you depart for the United States.

Edited February 20, 2013 by EmilyS

[EmilyS 11]

Emily, TAKE THE TRAIN from Toronto to Montreal. If you can get the time to do it anyway. The price of the train was less than the plane tickets we looked into. Obviously for us it's a little more interesting to take the train with the kids and we're trying to make a little bit of a trip out of it. But just consider the VIA train from Toronto to Montreal as an option. Going to the airport is so stressful to me so maybe it's just me but by the time you get to the airport and deal with parking and everything and then getting from the airport to your hotel in Montreal as well... plus WiFi on the train and being able to get up and walk around... just my two cents.

I actually looked into it last night, and for like $100 more I can buy an airfare which only takes an hour to get to montreal. I'm still contemplating though, I might even end up driving down. I guess I will decide by the time I get my interview scheduled, I do like the train idea though, considering I've never travelled with a train before.

Edited February 20, 2013 by EmilyS

[Ms Hogan 295]

I actually looked into it last night, and for like $100 more I can buy an airfare which only takes an hour to get to montreal. I'm still contemplating though, I might even end up driving down. I guess I will decide by the time I get my interview scheduled, but I like the train idea though, considering I've never travelled with a train before.

I know the flights aren't that much more BUT the pain in the A$$ dealing with the airport in Toronto adds so much more time to the trip. I've never traveled that far by train either which is why we decided to go for it. $88 for the round trip was too good to refuse!

[The Mean Lady 604]

im just driving

i dont like not being in control

[Ms Hogan 295]

im just driving

i dont like not being in control

I know where YOU live It's just a crappy, boring drive across the 401. But easier with two of you than doing it alone. And also easier than doing it with 2 little kids. Extra potty breaks make trips take so much longer.

[pocheros 101]

I actually looked into it last night, and for like $100 more I can buy an airfare which only takes an hour to get to montreal. I'm still contemplating though, I might even end up driving down. I guess I will decide by the time I get my interview scheduled, I do like the train idea though, considering I've never travelled with a train before.

I've traveled by VIA train to Montreal and Windsor before and IMO it's quite pleasant- much more comfortable than an airplane! I brought my sketchbook and ipod along and just drew for most of the trip. Plus you can watch the pretty scenery. But, assuming you don't have to show up extra early for a domestic flight, it might be a bit longer.

Trains are just fun

I know where YOU live It's just a crappy, boring drive across the 401. But easier with two of you than doing it alone. And also easier than doing it with 2 little kids. Extra potty breaks make trips take so much longer.

The train is way better for kids than an airplane!

im just driving

i dont like not being in control

Edited February 21, 2013 by pocheros

[NikLR 13,227]

Totally with you on that. Even $12 is outrageous.

I am sure my husband will be happy when we move, since I'll stop complaining about how everything is so way more expensive here. But, then again... Maybe I'll end up constantly saying, "Oh my goodness, this is so much cheaper here! If were were in Canada this would be $__!"

I occasionally mention things like that but a lot of stuff is equally priced plus I know people in Canada have a tendency to make more, at least in Alberta. I was looking into a vet tech degree and it would cost me the same here as there to get it (about 30k) and I would only make about $14 per hour vs the $20 in Canada. Ugh.

[The Mean Lady 604]

I know where YOU live It's just a crappy, boring drive across the 401. But easier with two of you than doing it alone. And also easier than doing it with 2 little kids. Extra potty breaks make trips take so much longer.

I actually don't even think trains leave this city aside from full of various cargo that are not human beings.

I'm literally RIGHT by the tracks, but I'm pretty sure these are not people trains.

Otherwise I MIGHT consider it.

MIGHT.

[Ms Hogan 295]

I actually don't even think trains leave this city aside from full of various cargo that are not human beings.

I'm literally RIGHT by the tracks, but I'm pretty sure these are not people trains.

Otherwise I MIGHT consider it.

MIGHT.

There are Via Rail trips from your town to Montreal. I'll PM the address to you. Train goes to Toronto first then quick layover at Union Station and on to Montreal. Something to keep in mind once you get an idea of when your husband's interview is going to happen. They have specials on a regular basis so you can keep an eye on it once you have your date and see if anything comes up. We scored not because of a sale but because we are going to travel on less busy or less in demand days. I think it would be a lovely trip from where you are.

[Tom & Stacy 3]

I did it as a K1. It was a 3.5 hour flight to Montreal for me and I did it twice - for the medical and then went back for the interview due to the fact that I couldn't take a week off at work to wait for the medical results. The USC joined me for the interview. Did I mention that round trip flight for me from NL was $900? Same for the USC from Houston. We made the mistake of getting a lawyer ($1500). Hotel was about $1000 in total. Subway costs, taxis, food, passport pictures, filing fee for the K1, filing fee for AOS ($1070), medical, vaccinations....

Without a doubt we are on the edge of the $10,000 mark. Love is expensive!!! Haha!