NVC Thread for Canadians

[NikLR 13,227]

When you print the cover pages after paying the invoice, the cover page has the address on it

[rowanheather 23]

My AOS fee cleared my bank today, so I'm mailing out my AOS packet tomorrow

Husband and I decided to go with mail instead of EP due to the problems experienced by others recently.

Fingers crossed that it's the right decision.

[Karebear 13]

Hi Rlelle09 -- I see we have very similar timelines. Have you decided if you're doing EP or snail mail for your AOS and IV documents? Just curious...

I will be doing snail mail. Too many mishaps with EP. Emails going to junk or spam and files being too big, or just not receiving emails, or files are password protected. Not to mention it takes them 2 weeks to scan your files into the system - no thank you!! I will be using courier so I'll know it gets there, I'm okay waiting the 5 days for my packages to be scanned. How about you?

So I decided to email my packages after my friend told me they lost all her stuff and had a hard time at the interview.

Hopefully everything goes well for us.

Question though, Should I call to see if they got the email?

[Rlelle09 28]

So I decided to email my packages after my friend told me they lost all her stuff and had a hard time at the interview.

Hopefully everything goes well for us.

Question though, Should I call to see if they got the email?

Yes!! Find out the scan date. Apparently it takes two weeks to be scanned into the system when using EP.

[Karebear 13]

Yes!! Find out the scan date. Apparently it takes two weeks to be scanned into the system when using EP.

That's ridiculous. Should be just down loaded to the system you would think. Calling them now.

[Rlelle09 28]

That's ridiculous. Should be just down loaded to the system you would think. Calling them now.

Just makes you realize that common sense isn't so common. Lol! Start counting your 30 business days from the date it was scanned.

[Karebear 13]

Just makes you realize that common sense isn't so common. Lol! Start counting your 30 business days from the date it was scanned.

They did receive the email. Didn't say anything about it being scanned then blah blah blah wait 30 business days.

Edited July 23, 2014 by Karebear

[Rlelle09 28]

They did receive the email. Didn't say anything about it being scanned then blah blah blah wait 30 business days.

Good stuff!! I hope you continue to have good luck!

[vsnet 1]

It should be coming soon. Do you have access to the forms portal?

Yes and no. The case number and INN are accepted but with the "Please be advised that the case that you have attempted to access is not eligible for further processing by the National Visa Center at this time" message. Maybe tomorrow (or the next day, or the day after)!

[vsnet 1]

A couple of emails from NVCInquiry@state.gov arrived (yay!) but the AOS is still "NOT INVOICED" (boo!). Maybe it'll switch over at midnight Eastern.

[Sylea 30]

I've been doing a lot of reading about the RRSP & TFSA issue. The consensus seems to be:

RRSPs

Keep your RRSPs in Canada unless they are super small. It has tax advantaged status in the USA on the federl level and in most states (not in Cali, unfortunately for me, but state income tax is small). Invest in something low touch that doesn't churn out a lot of income (think growth equity rather than dividend investments) and check with your RRSP provider to ensure they still allow you to re-balance etc while living in the USA. I'm with Questrade and they are fine with this. Some more traditional institutions may not be, which will mean you'll need to leave your RRSP as-is. Not necessarily such a big deal if you do a couch potato type investment portfolio, a life cycle fund, or an ING Streetwise fund (oops, Tangerine now).

TFSA

Cash out your TFSA. Currently TFSAs have no tax advantaged status in the USA so you'll pay tax on all gains. They also have to be treated as a foriegn trust (whatever that means) which apparently over complicates your tax returns. Everyone seems to say it's just not worth the hassle. The great thing about TFSAs is that withdrawing from them does not trigger any sort of tax liability in Canada, so if you withdraw before you move to the USA you should be in good shape. Some people with a more conservative approach (or who start planning earlier!) withdraw everything from their TFSA the tax year BEFORE they move to the USA (so before the end of 2013 for a 2014 move date) so that it will not show up in any way shape or form on their first US tax return.

Disclaimer: this is not advice and the US tax code is VERY VERY complex in comparison to Canada, so you should do your own research. Unfortunately I've found that it's difficult to find a professional willing to give advice in this area, besides tax lawyers who I don't really like working with. if you have a complex situation with taxes in the USA it's hard to do things 100% right or wrong, there is a LOT of grey area. But the above seems to be the general consensus of what works for most people.

Or yay be like me. Only have debt left, no savings/investments/property.(the joys of putting child through college, orthodonture, etc) Makes things a bit simpler. No tax lawyer needed!! LOL

[mrs thb 331]

Or yay be like me. Only have debt left, no savings/investments/property.(the joys of putting child through college, orthodonture, etc) Makes things a bit simpler. No tax lawyer needed!! LOL

don't know which is the lesser of the 2 evils.....right now as I stress about getting the house and property ready for listing I wish I rented. I cringe when I start thinking about investments, $$ loss, and all the paperwork and lawyer bs that lay ahead.

spent 3 days shredding 6 years of files, receipts, bills etc this week. my shredder actually shut down 4 times from over heating. thank goodness for this feature.

gotta remain positive though, one day this will all be over!!!!

right????

[NikLR 13,227]

Maybe.... >> << >>

I don't have current plans to apply for citizenship so my relationship with the USCIS will likely never be over.

But who knows... A lot can change in 5 years.

Eep... 4 years...

[mrs thb 331]

Maybe.... >> << >>

I don't have current plans to apply for citizenship so my relationship with the USCIS will likely never be over.

But who knows... A lot can change in 5 years.

Eep... 4 years...

gotta be happy!!!

i'd like to be dual

[Sylea 30]

Ok so AOS fee shows paid, IV fee shows paid. Lawyer snail mailed all documents on July 8th. "Civil Documents" section on CEAC website shows "N/A" - does this mean they just haven't scanned the documents? Or that they haven't marked them as received yet??

Lawyer felt I would get case complete within next 2-3 weeks.

I am trying not to get my hopes up TOO much, given the system crash and subsequent delays.....

Peace all.