NVC Thread for Canadians

[Rlelle09 28]

Seen the flowchart. Got it. I just need to know what the time frames are between the ds-261 and the AOS fee.

Edited July 8, 2014 by Rlelle09

[NikLR 13,227]

Nope you're right. Each stage takes 30 business days, but the period of time for them to review the AOS will likely take the same 30 business days it takes them to add the DS-261. See what I mean? So they're not consecutive in total, like you've written them but yes, each part takes 30 business days.

[Rlelle09 28]

Nope you're right. Each stage takes 30 business days, but the period of time for them to review the AOS will likely take the same 30 business days it takes them to add the DS-261. See what I mean? So they're not consecutive in total, like you've written them but yes, each part takes 30 business days.

Okay, so while I'm waiting 30 business days for the AOS to be reviewed, the Ds-260 will come available within that same time that s allocated to the review of the AOS?

[Sylea 30]

Lawyer has submitted all paperwork to NVC, case number has been assigned, and AOS and IV bill have been paid. Basically I'm just waiting for case complete and letter with interview date now, I think. Fingers crossed I might interview by September or sooner.

Best of luck to all......and Congrats to Lakehouse!!

[Sarah&Marc 22]

I think i know the answer to this but i would like some confirmation. When doing EP do they take 30 business days to review a resubmit due to a checklist?

[Lakehouse 293]

Lawyer has submitted all paperwork to NVC, case number has been assigned, and AOS and IV bill have been paid. Basically I'm just waiting for case complete and letter with interview date now, I think. Fingers crossed I might interview by September or sooner.

Best of luck to all......and Congrats to Lakehouse!!

Thanks Sylea!!

I think i know the answer to this but i would like some confirmation. When doing EP do they take 30 business days to review a resubmit due to a checklist?

Generally yes, with exceptions to every rule

[Karebear 13]

Lawyer has submitted all paperwork to NVC, case number has been assigned, and AOS and IV bill have been paid. Basically I'm just waiting for case complete and letter with interview date now, I think. Fingers crossed I might interview by September or sooner.

Best of luck to all......and Congrats to Lakehouse!!

That's wonderful. sooner the better

[BatmanFlow 481]

I finally got my NOA2 and started reading about NVC process.

What are your guys opinion on EP vs snail mail? I've read some threads and most say that EP takes longer?

Any suggestions?? Just trying to figure out what I should do.

Thanks!

Edited July 10, 2014 by BatmanFlow

[NikLR 13,227]

Okay, so while I'm waiting 30 business days for the AOS to be reviewed, the Ds-260 will come available within that same time that s allocated to the review of the AOS?

yes.

[cbott 0]

I'm curious to know more about cashing in rsp's and tfsa prior too vs after leaving. I read on here that once a non-resident of Canada, tax rates increases to 25%. Being Canadian and being 'taxed to the max' is difficult enough, I do not want to be taxed any further. I have my financial advisor looking into this but your experience and knowledge would help too.

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.

[Lakehouse 293]

No, I haven't.

I see you created a signature, yay!

What you could consider putting in there is the details of your timeline like in mine or other's signatures. It's much easier to refer to at a glance, rather than going to someone's timeline found under their avatar (so you don't actually need to link it into your signature by the way )

[Rlelle09 28]

I see you created a signature, yay!

What you could consider putting in there is the details of your timeline like in mine or other's signatures. It's much easier to refer to at a glance, rather than going to someone's timeline found under their avatar (so you don't actually need to link it into your signature by the way )

Lol!! I tried! Do I have to write it all out?? Cause I really don't want to. I'm lazy like that.

[BatmanFlow 481]

For the police checks, can I get it done at anytime? Or is their a time frame in which I can get it done? My petition was just approved last week but I want to get most of the stuff in order before we get the packages.

Thank you.

[Lakehouse 293]

Lol!! I tried! Do I have to write it all out?? Cause I really don't want to. I'm lazy like that.

No, of course you don't have to:)

For the police checks, can I get it done at anytime? Or is their a time frame in which I can get it done? My petition was just approved last week but I want to get most of the stuff in order before we get the packages.

Thank you.

Canadian police certificates are good for a year. So just bear in mind it needs to be valid during your interview.

[Rlelle09 28]

No, of course you don't have to:)

Canadian police certificates are good for a year. So just bear in mind it needs to be valid during your interview.

Hey Lakehouse, I think you misunderstood. Lol! I was asking if I have to manually type it in there? Or if there's something I can "click" and all the details of my timeline will just end up in my signature? I'm using my tablet and it is quite hard to type on this thing. Errors all the time! I swear this thing hates me.