Getting Anxious

[StormnRolly 0]

So I had my interview in Vancouver on thursday and all went well (you can see my review if you want more details). But now knowing that I'm moving and getting married in 4 weeks today is making me anxious. I don't know if I have enough time to do all that I need to do here before I go... and what exactly do I need to do here... forums here I come searching for tax info and all that other good stuff. Any advice on what should be done here would be super great!! B) Take care and happy journey to fellow VJers

Kristina

[misa 2]

CONGRATS!!!!!

I can borrow your lucky socks when it's my turn to interview, yes?

(I have no advice as to your next steps though)

[raymaga 25]

Congrats on the successful interview.

Just make sure you file your 2006 income taxes with Revenue Canada and let them know that you have left Canada to live in the U.S. and the date you left. You should give your forwarding address to any employers that you had in 2006 so they can send you your T-4's.

Cancel your medical coverage in Canada, close any bank accounts you don't want to keep in Canada (I left my RRSP's up there, I just can't contribute to them anymore now that I live in the U.S.), and start packing. If you are entering the U.S. by a land POE, with a moving truck or some other vehicle containing your belongings, make sure you label your boxes and have a list of everything you are bringing with you. You don't need to itemize every single item, just put "linens", "books", "kitchen items", "clothing", etc. and put down the serial numbers for any electronics. You cannot take live plants from Canada into the U.S., so make sure you don't have any with you.

Other than that, once you arrive in the U.S., wait 2 weeks to apply for your SSN, get married within 90 days of your entry, and then apply for AOS (and EAD/AP if wanted).

Good luck.

[Jersey Girl 2]

If you want, you can visit Canada Post and have them forward your mail to the U.S. for 6 months or a year. (There's a fee.) As pieces come, you can get yourself off mailing lists in Canada and help protect your identity.

You can also visit Shoppers Drug Mart and stock up on your favourite over-the-counter remedies, because most things in the U.S. are by prescription: Allegra, Robaxit, 222s ...

[Carlawarla 1]

Congratulations on your successful interview!

Two weeks today I'm entering the US, so I can empathize. I'm so excited, but so sad to leave as well.

A mixture of emotions.

Keeping busy will help make the time go faster and shelve some of the sense of loss.

Carla

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Actually, you can take live houseplants with you - you just need to get a phytosanitary certificate for them from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency certifying that they are free of disease and pests. I brought 6 plants with me including 2 heritage plants that were started many years ago by my grandmother.

I also made a form letter leaving space for addresses and account numbers that I printed out, then included with each of my bill payments for utilties (unless they said not to include correspondence in which case it was sent to their correspondence address) advising them of the date of disconnection for the service and of the new address where to send the final bill invoice. I photocopied all of these along with the cheques and invoices with which they were sent as well which proved to be handy later when the cable company claimed they hadn't received it and wanted me to pay for 3 months after I had already left the country. I was able to show them the copy of the invoice and notice attached to the cheque - which they had cashed.

If you are planning on bringing an automobile make sure that it meets US safety and emissions standards and obtain a letter of verification from the manufacturer.

Notify Canada Revenue Agency of your new address and they will send your 2006 tax form to your US address. Arrange an online banking set up for any accounts you wish to keep open in Canada - if you use direct deposit for income tax refunds or GST cheques you can leave that one open. It will make it easier when the time comes for getting any income tax rebates.

Notify insurance companies to end your policies and if you have any pension accounts (ie. OMERS, etc.) send them one of the form letters advising them of your change of address as well. Definitely obtain the change of address form and kit from Canada Post and file them as soon as you can. You can select the date when you want the mail to be rerouted - I chose 2 days before I moved.

Ask your doctor to provide you with copies of your most recent medical reports so you can give them to your new doctor in the States. If you have a medical condition that requires medication obtain at least a 3 month supply to bring with you along with copy of your prescription. You won't be able to fill it in the US but your new doctor will be able to use the information.

Make sure you have all of your personal documents - school records, certifications, important documents, things like that - you never know when you might need them.

Pack a telephone book from where you used to live so if you forget something you can look it up and call them after you are here.

Bring along the white copy of your employment history provided for you by your employer when you leave. You may be eligible to claim EI benefits while you are in the US. (there is a post about this at the top of the forum)

There is probably more but that is what I remember for now:-). Good luck - you will have time to do it all!

Edited January 7, 2007 by Kathryn41

[Cassie 8]

Kathryn has put together an excellent list, along with the other suggestions in this thread. I would just add to also contact your dentist for a copy of your records with them, and make sure if you have student loans to make the arrangements necessary to continue payments.

You can do it!

[StormnRolly 0]

Thank you all I appreciate your advice and will put it all to good use. Luckily I had moved out of my place months ago and had numbered and then wrote the contents of each numbered box in a file folder. So far going into the storage locker to get things has been so much easier knowing exactly what numbered box I need. I had known that I needed to talk to revenue canada about my taxes. I had not realized that you had to wait 2 weeks to get your ssn... I was planning on getting it as soon as I arrived in my destination. If anyone else has something more to add I can always have more things to stress over

Kristina

[Mephys 2]

Thanks everyone for the tips....

usefull for me as well. I dont have my interview date yet but still got a lot to think about to be ready when the time comes

Mephys

[mozplay 29]

Added to my To Do list as well was to get vet records for my dog. She has a heart condition and it's just easier for her new vet to have all the background info etc.

[Cassie 8]

Added to my To Do list as well was to get vet records for my dog. She has a heart condition and it's just easier for her new vet to have all the background info etc.

While you are there, ensure that your dog has the proper vaccinations and paperwork, or you will have problems crossing the border.

[mozplay 29]

Added to my To Do list as well was to get vet records for my dog. She has a heart condition and it's just easier for her new vet to have all the background info etc.

While you are there, ensure that your dog has the proper vaccinations and paperwork, or you will have problems crossing the border.

Done - she's actually there already. I left her with David. Mecca has crossed loads of times and we never got asked for any of the paperwork (though it was dutifully stowed in the glove box). Even funnier was that her registration papers were never asked for coming back in to Ontario - seeing that she is a dreaded pitbull and all! lol.

Mo

[CutienPurg 0]

My dogs were regular "border hoppers" as well and we too carried their shot papers just in case.......................wellllllllllllllll DONTCHA KNOW..............the FIRST time I forgot them and according to Murphy's Law I was asked for proof. UGH!!! Fortunately the woman was nice and let us pass.

Did everyone read the "laws" thread over in the off topic forum? Funny stuff.............I think if we all put our collective brain in one place and with senses of humor running rampant around here, I'll bet we could come up with our own doozy of a list of " Murphy's Immigration Laws"

anyway it's late and Im rambing............

Edited January 8, 2007 by CutienPurg

[Ecalos 0]

I like that idea.

Murphy's Immigration Laws.

Anyone wanna start it??

[Mephys 2]

edited cause it was off topic, started one with it

Mephys

Edited January 8, 2007 by Mephys