I -130/g -1145 Questions

[toyboxgang 1]

Our son is a USC (born in Washington state when my wife went into labor early), and lives full time in AZ. My wife (his mother) and I are both Canadian citizens living in British Columbia. Our son is going to start the I130 process, leading to our eventual green cards. Our plan is to have all the documentation in place for Jan 2016, when I will be eligible to retire from my current job. I wish to work in the US as I am in a very desirable occupation and there are many opportunities for myself.

My questions are as follows:

When we start the paperwork, as we are both Nexus holders and travel to the US on a regular basis, are we required to change/notify our Nexus status in anyway?

How long does the i-130 then g-1145 process realistically take?

Are we required to go to a hearing in Montreal or can we go to the consulate in Vancouver? Does our Son need to attend this hearing?

Once we are granted a Green Card what is the time frame that we have to move?

How long do we have to hold a GC until we are eligible to apply for full citizenship?

Thanks for any information, I'm sure more questions will be coming.

[Abby&Mario 100]

I suggest you take a look at this subforum:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/111-bringing-family-members-of-us-citizens-to-america/

The search function at the top right corner of the page is quite helpful for general questions. Good luck!

[NikLR 13,227]

Yes once you enter the USA you must inform nexus and add your green card to your nexus card. I just did that myself. You must enter within 6 months of the medical. You have 10 years to move your stuff. It is an interview, not a hearing, and as an immigrant it would be in Montreal. And you need to be a green card holder for 5 yeara to apply for citizenship.

[toyboxgang 1]

Thanks

NLR,

I realize that Nexus needs to know of the GC status, but not before?

How long did it take from i-130 to interview in Montreal? Does your sponsor also need to be interviewed?

[pro_star 52]

Granted I'm not familiar with that type of visa since my experience is with the k1 right now...

How long does it take? You're dealing with government. You can check timelines for a general idea... But there will always be random slow downs or things could randomly accelerate. Could take a few months, could take a year. My experience though (but I've been dealing with the Vancouver consulate) is that if things happen quicker than you're ready for, you can let them know once your application is at that point...and they'll put things "on hold" for a bit. (Had to do this myself - house took a while to sell, our petition got sent to Vancouver with a December expiry, I emailed explaining winter is coming and the house likely won't sell over winter...so they put it on hold...now the house is sold and I've been able to move forward again)

Does your sponsor need to be interviewed? Check the guidelines in here but I know for my type (fiancé), he doesn't have to come up here for the consular interview....though he's still got to fill out paperwork and forms!

[NikLR 13,227]

For a parental visa... I haven't a clue. There is a "bring family members of US citizens" section on the forum and it would depend, I think, of when your priority date would be current.

No nexus doesnt need to know you're doing anything until you have a green card. Sponsors dont need to be at the immigrant visa interview.

[PickleChips 56]

Just curious NLR (or anyone else), even though we don't need to inform Nexus of a visa application, do you know if it shows up on their screen as we cross into the US? I'm in the same boat with the Nexus card and don't want to endanger my ability to visit my fiancé as our application is processed.

[NikLR 13,227]

No. Unless you say something it doesn't. They may be able to delve into it but that would require a lengthy stop in secondary.

Many people cross all the time with no issues. I visited my husband thrice (saying I am visiting my husband) and there are people who used to go every weekend who are no longer active on the board. Even being denied entry doesn't affect your visa process. Only being banned could do that. Don't lie and you have nothing to worry about on that front.

[toyboxgang 1]

Thanks to everyone with the replys. There is so much info available on this site, it can be quite a task just finding answers.

Another question, is it absolutely mandatory that I must sell my house before immigrating to the US? My daughter or even my parents may wish to move in, and I would hate to not retain a part of the crazy vancouver real estate market.

[NikLR 13,227]

No but you have to declare any income including rental or assets on your US taxes.

[canuckbos 10]

Check with a good accountant about keeping your house in Canada after moving to the USA. I was advised that keeping it after I moved would mean a complicated tax situation for me. I think I had about a year to sell it before Canada Revenue would start getting involved. When I did sell it I had to report it to them and prove the value of when I bought it compared to when I sold it and pay a tax if the number was too high.

Nothing's easy when you move south!

Good luck!