IR-1/CR-1 Montreal DQ'd private message group goes public CONTINUED

[SSS24 7]

1 minute ago, Mzamour said:

For the case number, if you keep getting the error message, remove the last 2digits ( 01 or 02). I had the same challenge when I tried to pay my fees. I kept getting that five days message until I took out the last 2 digits before the payment went through.

 

I hope this helps

Thanks so much for the tip! I'll try it out today. So annoying lol

[Tofu 343]

5 hours ago, saj said:

Hi guys, 

 

My wife's medical exam was on Feb 10, 2021 at Medisys and interview was on Feb 22, 2021 at US consulate Montreal. Unfortunately, her medical exam didn't reach the consulate before the interview and hence she was given a refusal. Medisys confirmed on 23rd that they sent her medical to the consulate. Now just waiting on the status to change from refused to issued. Anyone who experienced this recently, how long did it take to get the passport?

 

Thanks

Hey, interview was Jan 11, medical received Jan 13 & passport in hand feb 1. 

[DGF 730]

5 hours ago, sjb17 said:

Congrats! Does your mail come straight to your front door or does it come to a centralized mail slot? JW as we're both in Washington and I received some disheartening news from the local SSA office (posted above).

4 hours ago, Dania A said:

I'll be moving to WA state and am now wondering what we can do to prevent that, especially if the apartment/mailbox slot will most likely be under my partners name and not mine. I hope you'll be able to get yours without any problems though, please keep us updated! 

3 hours ago, SSS24 said:

I'm also moving to WA state and will need to figure this out too. Thanks for the heads up!

Just wanted to add my experience to this as I am in WA. We have mail slots in the entry to our building where they open up the entire front and put everyone's mail in (I think this is the same as the centralized hubs just built into the wall) with names on a card on the inside of each slots door. I couldn't figure out how to get my name added to ours (adding me to the lease didn't work and I couldn't figure out a USPS change of address with no prior US address) so I put a sticker with my name written on it next to the existing names (my husband and someone that used to live here but I guess never changed their address) and I was able to have my SSN and GC delivered with no issue. Hope that helps!

 

 

[Skaur0609 145]

19 hours ago, sjb17 said:

For anyone who lives in a community where there's a central hub of mailbox slots rather than the mail coming straight to your door: I just spoke to the local SSA office in WA and they told me that if your last name isn't listed on the mail slot (which mine isn't yet, seeing as I just moved in and kept my maiden last name for the legal stuff), the courier will not give you your SSN. They'll instead send the SSN back to the SSA where it will be destroyed and you'll have to request a replacement card (if you don't get it within the 3 week window). 😑 My card was issued on February 20 but there's no telling if it's already attempted to be delivered so i'll have to add my name to the mailbox today and hope I beat them to it! Just wanted to share this in hopes it's helpful to anyone else in saving some serious frustration...

Hello, i live in Bellevue area in WA. I just moved to new apartment and added my husband name to rental insurance. He hasn't even moved and we are already getting mail for him. We never had to add anyone name to the mailbox slot. 

[legendqueue 163]

15 hours ago, DGF said:

Just wanted to add my experience to this as I am in WA. We have mail slots in the entry to our building where they open up the entire front and put everyone's mail in (I think this is the same as the centralized hubs just built into the wall) with names on a card on the inside of each slots door. I couldn't figure out how to get my name added to ours (adding me to the lease didn't work and I couldn't figure out a USPS change of address with no prior US address) so I put a sticker with my name written on it next to the existing names (my husband and someone that used to live here but I guess never changed their address) and I was able to have my SSN and GC delivered with no issue. Hope that helps!

 

 

Smart!

 

Just adding to this: my SSN was in an Social Security envelope addressed to both me and my wife. If you checked the "yup I want an SSN" box when you did the original application that the envelope will be addressed to both the applicant and, er, applicee (I never could get all those terms right) so there wouldn't be an issue. Throwing a sticker on is low-tech genius though and that's my favorite kind of genius.

[OhSoFaizy 12]

Hello all

 

Glad to say I have completed the interview and had my visa approved on the spot. 

 

Here is my journey.

 

I took via rail from Toronto to Montreal which took me into downtown Montreal on Sunday evening. Journey took about 5.5 hours. After arriving i took a taxi to my hotel also in downtown Montreal (Meridean Versailles). The hotel was about 15 minutes walking from the American consulate. 

 

My appointment was at 9 am on Monday morning. I left the hotel at approximately 8:40 and took a taxi. Note that there are no Ubers available in Montreal in a lot of the areas due to lack of customers. I got outside the consulate at around 8:50 am and there was a small line outside. Within 5 minutes I was asked to step into the building. They didnt ask for my appointment letter and instead asked for my passport and had my name and appointment time on a list which they checked off. I would however still print the appointment letter. 

 

To get in i had to put my cell phone in a small locker and things like watches and wallet had to go through an airport like xray machine. I was then told to go up to the third floor and check myself in. This took about 2-3 minutes. 

 

I checked myself in and got a ticket. I then waited approx. 15 minutes before my number was called. There must have been only 6-7 other people waiting. Anyways i go to my wicket and i realize this was not the actual interview but document gathering first. I was asked for my original marriage certificate, police criminal check, spouse's W2 form, passport copy and original, my PR copy & my birth certificate. I then had to scan my fingers and both thumbs. Note they do not wipe this down which i thought was odd. I was then told to wait for my actual interview. 

 

I sat down again and waited for maybe approx. 6-7 minutes. My number was then called again to another wicket where there was a rather friendly woman interviewing me. The questions asked of me were as follows:

 

1) Where do you live in Canada?

2) What year did you meet your wife? What is that?

3) Where did you meet you wife?

4) What year did you get married?

5) What does your wife do?

6) What do you do?

7) Where else have you lived apart from Canada?

8 ) What is your highest level of education? What other education do you have?

9) What did you father do?

10) Which city does your wife live in? What major city is that next to?

 

It was a rather pleasant conversation. I believe if you answer with confidence then this process is more smooth (easily said than done) . The officer than said my visa was approved and would take 2-3 weeks to arrive. 

 

I dont think i missed anything but feel free to ask my any additional questions!

Edited March 2, 2021 by OhSoFaizy

[bort_s 63]

8 minutes ago, OhSoFaizy said:

 

It was a rather pleasant conversation. I believe if you answer with confidence then this process is more smooth (easily said than done) . The officer than said my visa was approved and would take 2-3 weeks to arrive. 

 

 

Sounds like you had the same lady I did yesterday around 8:30, she was very pleasant and easy to speak with.  She approved mine on the spot as well.  

[saj 1]

19 hours ago, Tofu said:

Hey, interview was Jan 11, medical received Jan 13 & passport in hand feb 1. 

Thanks Tofu. Her status changed to Issued (Your visa is currently undergoing necessary administrative processing) today. Hopefully, it will change to final processing soon. 

[Hawk Riders 814]

1 hour ago, OhSoFaizy said:

Here is my journey...

Kindly enter all your relevant data here https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=358942 and contribute more fully to the community!

[han21 1]

Hi guys, 

 

I did have my interview done in Dec 10th last year in Montreal, but I am still in Canada because I have a couple issues to deal with.

I am packing up and am preparing to cross the border to activate my visa in a couple of month, but I encountered some questions. 

 

1. When I asked to the officer who interviewed me that how much time I have in Canada, he said I have 6 month after my interview. However, I found in FAQ that I need to leave in 6 month after my medical exam. Who is correct? 

 

2. I do have some cash accounts, TFSA, and RRSP. I find it extremely hard to get hold of anyone in CRA to ask about my accounts. I found this is FAQ

 

' You get charged on certain investment accounts if you are not a resident of Canada (e.g. TFSA, RRSP, RESP, etc)'  

 

From my research in google, it says 

 

Any individual that is a non-resident of Canada who has a valid SIN and who is 18 years of age or older is also eligible to open a TFSA. However, any contributions made while a non-resident will be subject to a 1% tax for each month the contribution stays in the account.Jan. 25, 2021

If you hold a TFSA when you leave Canada, you can keep it and continue to benefit from the exemption from Canadian tax on investment income and withdrawals. However, you cannot contribute to your TFSA while you are a non-resident of Canada, and your contribution room will not increase.Jan. 18, 2021

 

I would like to keep all my accounts if possible. Does one of you have any experience?  even with RRSP? 

 

3. I do have a vehicle to import to US. I am moving from Vancouver to Washington state. Has any of you have experience of importing a vehicle with no TPMS to Washington state recently through Peach Arch or Pacific highway?. I read a lot of reviews of it but most of them were from different provinces. I bought the aftermarket TPMS in case. I guess I have still 1 year to drive in WA. However, eventually I will need to bring it back to sell it in Vancouver. Should I try Aldegrove or Sumas hoping they are less strict about it? 

 

 

[Hawk Riders 814]

44 minutes ago, han21 said:

1. When I asked to the officer who interviewed me that how much time I have in Canada, he said I have 6 month after my interview. However, I found in FAQ that I need to leave in 6 month after my medical exam. Who is correct? 

Your visa is valid for 6mos after issuance, as is your medical exam. Whichever of those 2 has the earlier expiration is the due date for your visa activation. Individual mileage will vary

What you *don't* want to do is try to cross only to be told your medical exam has expired.

Edited March 3, 2021 by Hawk Riders

[Adaab 5]

Hi, 

 

Do we need to bring ds260 confirmation page too at the interview? 

Thanks 

[Lovewithoutborder 69]

2 hours ago, han21 said:

 

 

2. I do have some cash accounts, TFSA, and RRSP. I find it extremely hard to get hold of anyone in CRA to ask about my accounts. I found this is FAQ

 

' You get charged on certain investment accounts if you are not a resident of Canada (e.g. TFSA, RRSP, RESP, etc)'  

 

From my research in google, it says 

 

Any individual that is a non-resident of Canada who has a valid SIN and who is 18 years of age or older is also eligible to open a TFSA. However, any contributions made while a non-resident will be subject to a 1% tax for each month the contribution stays in the account.Jan. 25, 2021

If you hold a TFSA when you leave Canada, you can keep it and continue to benefit from the exemption from Canadian tax on investment income and withdrawals. However, you cannot contribute to your TFSA while you are a non-resident of Canada, and your contribution room will not increase.Jan. 18, 2021

 

I would like to keep all my accounts if possible. Does one of you have any experience?  even with RRSP? 

 

 

 

 

Keep in mind that what you see on the CRA website is only going to tell you about Canadian taxes paid on your accounts while a non resident. 
 

I actually paid to speak with a cross border tax accountant to ask all the questions regarding my finances before I move.
 

The USA does not recognize Canadian tax free savings accounts as tax free so you would be subject to pay US tax on Canadian TFSA’s so if possible I’d recommend closing that out. 
 

RRSPs are under tax treaties and are not taxed by the USA (except for 2 states I believe, California and one other one I don’t remember). I only had less than 5k in mine so I withdrew all of my funds and cancelled out the account just because I wanted less stress.

 

Other than that you are allowed to keep open Canadian bank accounts and credit cards while being a non Canadian resident, however, keep in mind that when filing your taxes in the USA you will have to declare any out of country assets you have over $10,000 usd (I think?). Also he mentioned that you have to file a form or something the year you move since you will have income in both countries, i spoke with him a few months ago so I don’t remember 100% what he said but basically the first year you move the taxes will be more difficult, but after that as long as you stay a non resident of Canada and have no Canadian income you won’t have to file taxes in Canada. I told the accountant I spoke with I wanted to keep everything as simple as possible and when I move I only want to file taxes in the USA and not have to worry about any of it because I am illiterate when it comes to taxes and numbers and accounting. For that reason I am closing out all of my bank accounts and credit cards and my RRSP here except for 1 chequing and one credit card just to help with the transition period when I move, as well as easier transfers to friends and family in Canada. 
 

If you or anybody else has any questions regarding finances I can try my best to answer them based on what I was told by the accountant during my consultation. 

Edited March 3, 2021 by Lovewithoutborder

[betzzymathew 20]

On 2/25/2021 at 5:34 PM, Hawk Riders said:

@betzzymathew, @Abe&Noha, @Cath&Claire, @SSS24: approved?

best wishes @BunyanP!

Interview Feb 22 : Was said mostly looks good

Feb 25 : Status changed to Issued Final Processing

Feb 26: Courier tracking activated

March 2 : Delivered and picked up from Post Office 1 block away from Consulate (Well people in Rural Alberta received it faster than me :D)

 

On the day of interview, at my appointment time there was a line of 6 people outside the RBC door. I went back to my hotel and arrived 30 mins later when only one person was standing. I have had denied admission and visa cancellation by CBP at PoE. I got asked about that in the interview. My partner lost  job during Covid, I had a new Joint Sponsor lined up about 3 weeks before interview (couldn't upload to CEAC because it kept on timing out) and the consulate asked me for docs during the interview. 

 

[betzzymathew 20]

On 3/1/2021 at 11:55 PM, DGF said:

Just wanted to add my experience to this as I am in WA. We have mail slots in the entry to our building where they open up the entire front and put everyone's mail in (I think this is the same as the centralized hubs just built into the wall) with names on a card on the inside of each slots door. I couldn't figure out how to get my name added to ours (adding me to the lease didn't work and I couldn't figure out a USPS change of address with no prior US address) so I put a sticker with my name written on it next to the existing names (my husband and someone that used to live here but I guess never changed their address) and I was able to have my SSN and GC delivered with no issue. Hope that helps!

 

 

 

10 hours ago, Skaur0609 said:

Hello, i live in Bellevue area in WA. I just moved to new apartment and added my husband name to rental insurance. He hasn't even moved and we are already getting mail for him. We never had to add anyone name to the mailbox slot. 

 

I live in Seattle. The centralized hub when opened by mailman doesnt even have a slot where names can be read, just apartment numbers . 5 years ago when I was waiting for a mail *just so the USPS doesnt return it* , the mailman said in his own words. "I dont have time for that" (To check names)