Got my visa, have a few q's..

[samaci 0]

I know I need to drive to the border one day and ask, but I thought some of you might know.

My express envelope arrived 6 days after my interview! I'm pretty sure I checked the box on the application for a SSN card, but very aware it may not arrive and I might have to go to an office.

: Does my visa (IR-1) give me permission to work before I get my SSN, once I do the POE thing? Only reason I ask, is there is a very good chance I can get a very good job, very quickly, as in less than a month. (YIKES!) I thought I read in a post somewhere it would.

: The day I do the POE thing, do I have to move all my belongings down with me, or can I come and get them at another time? For now, I would only want to take personal items (clothes, etc)

: I'm pretty sure I will be taking my car with me. I read the posts about importing your car and what you need to do it, but would I have to provide all the paperwork for my car at the POE, or could I come back to the border and import it?

: I'm sure its up to the CBP, but do you think they would let me activate my visa and return to Canada just to finish work here? I'm thinking about how fast I could get a SSN, if this visa doesn't allow me to start work in less than a month.

I wasn't planning on moving for 3-6 months, but if I can get this job I'm looking at, I will be going in less than a month, and I'm in a panic thinking about it and what I would need to do.

[Flames9_RN 358]

I know I need to drive to the border one day and ask, but I thought some of you might know.

My express envelope arrived 6 days after my interview! I'm pretty sure I checked the box on the application for a SSN card, but very aware it may not arrive and I might have to go to an office.

: Does my visa (IR-1) give me permission to work before I get my SSN, once I do the POE thing? Only reason I ask, is there is a very good chance I can get a very good job, very quickly, as in less than a month. (YIKES!) I thought I read in a post somewhere it would.

: The day I do the POE thing, do I have to move all my belongings down with me, or can I come and get them at another time? For now, I would only want to take personal items (clothes, etc)

: I'm pretty sure I will be taking my car with me. I read the posts about importing your car and what you need to do it, but would I have to provide all the paperwork for my car at the POE, or could I come back to the border and import it?

: I'm sure its up to the CBP, but do you think they would let me activate my visa and return to Canada just to finish work here? I'm thinking about how fast I could get a SSN, if this visa doesn't allow me to start work in less than a month.

I wasn't planning on moving for 3-6 months, but if I can get this job I'm looking at, I will be going in less than a month, and I'm in a panic thinking about it and what I would need to do.

If after 10-14 BUSINESS days head to the local SSn office and ask them to see if ur in the system. If ur not, then reapply. You can download the SSN form from the http://www.ssa.gov/ website (search SSn forms)

One can look for work and start without a SSN as a cr-1/ir-1, as long as ur employer understands the SSN is in the mail and is happy with that scenario, you should be fine

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import...anada07032.html

Has info about bringing ur car to the USA and phone #'s to get the letter of compliance. I dont think its that big of deal to import ur car.

One has up to TEN yrs to bring in ur possessions, so u dont have to do it all at once

Many canucks have gone to the POE, activated it, then turned around and went back to canada, just to get the paper work rolling! As long as there is someone at the USA addy to receive the paperwork, ur good to go!

[samaci 0]

10-4!! Thanks for the info!

[neiks 19]

Flames covered it. You can come and go as you please with the CR-1. I didn't import my truck until a month later and I still have personal possessions in Canada that I won't probably move for a long time and get a bigger place as we just don't have any room for the stuff that I don't really need on a daily basis, ie, photo albums, china, heirlooms etc.

In regards to the SSN, I had checked the box on the application and waited and waited and after 3-4 weeks (I didn't need to get a job right away) I had to go to the local SSN offce to enquire about it as it never showed up. It wasn't in the SS office system so I just did up a new application. So don't rely on the card coming automatically. Once you apply for your SSN number you will probably get in in the mail within a week (I think they said 10 days).

Just a note that when you acitvate your visa that is the day that you are considered a US resident (for US/Canada Customs as well as tax purposes. You are still free to work in Canada for as long as you want even when you are a US resident and move your belongings down when you are ready.

[samaci 0]

Flames covered it. You can come and go as you please with the CR-1. I didn't import my truck until a month later and I still have personal possessions in Canada that I won't probably move for a long time and get a bigger place as we just don't have any room for the stuff that I don't really need on a daily basis, ie, photo albums, china, heirlooms etc.

In regards to the SSN, I had checked the box on the application and waited and waited and after 3-4 weeks (I didn't need to get a job right away) I had to go to the local SSN offce to enquire about it as it never showed up. It wasn't in the SS office system so I just did up a new application. So don't rely on the card coming automatically. Once you apply for your SSN number you will probably get in in the mail within a week (I think they said 10 days).

Just a note that when you acitvate your visa that is the day that you are considered a US resident (for US/Canada Customs as well as tax purposes. You are still free to work in Canada for as long as you want even when you are a US resident and move your belongings down when you are ready.

Thanks so much. I had read one post about another girl trying to acitvate her visa one day at the border, and they wouldn't let her until she "moved" down there. She was from the Vancouver area too.

Also, if I can acitvate the visa, and come back to Canada, do I have to "import" my car that same day, or can I wait? Can I drive my car, with BC plates and BCDL, even though I would now become a PR in the US, but still working in Canada for a little while longer?

[neiks 19]

Thanks so much. I had read one post about another girl trying to acitvate her visa one day at the border, and they wouldn't let her until she "moved" down there. She was from the Vancouver area too.

She may have been on a K visa (fiance visa) with that type of visa it's a one time deal where they can not leave and re-enter the US before getting their "greencard" or getting advance approval to leave, Advance Parol (AP) Being a Cr-1 you do not have to worry about that and can leave and re-enter the US as much as you wish.

Also, if I can acitvate the visa, and come back to Canada, do I have to "import" my car that same day, or can I wait? Can I drive my car, with BC plates and BCDL, even though I would now become a PR in the US, but still working in Canada for a little while longer?

No you do not have to import your car right away. I didn't until a month later. You will be fine driving with your BC plates and license for awhile. Every state is different from when they want new residents to register their vehicle and change over your DL. In the state that I moved to (North Dakota) I had 90 days to get a North Dakota DL and registration and insure my vehicle. Just make sure you keep your BC insurance up to date until you get everything changed over to your new state, then cancel your BC registration/insurance.

PS. Once becoming a US resident you can drive a US registered car into Canada and use a US driver's license.... even to drive to work in Canada. I now have a North Dakota DL and plates on my vehicle and drive to my job in Canada everyday.

[samaci 0]

Thanks so much. I had read one post about another girl trying to acitvate her visa one day at the border, and they wouldn't let her until she "moved" down there. She was from the Vancouver area too.

She may have been on a K visa (fiance visa) with that type of visa it's a one time deal where they can not leave and re-enter the US before getting their "greencard" or getting advance approval to leave, Advance Parol (AP) Being a Cr-1 you do not have to worry about that and can leave and re-enter the US as much as you wish.

Also, if I can acitvate the visa, and come back to Canada, do I have to "import" my car that same day, or can I wait? Can I drive my car, with BC plates and BCDL, even though I would now become a PR in the US, but still working in Canada for a little while longer?

No you do not have to import your car right away. I didn't until a month later. You will be fine driving with your BC plates and license for awhile. Every state is different from when they want new residents to register their vehicle and change over your DL. In the state that I moved to (North Dakota) I had 90 days to get a North Dakota DL and registration and insure my vehicle. Just make sure you keep your BC insurance up to date until you get everything changed over to your new state, then cancel your BC registration/insurance.

PS. Once becoming a US resident you can drive a US registered car into Canada and use a US driver's license.... even to drive to work in Canada. I now have a North Dakota DL and plates on my vehicle and drive to my job in Canada everyday.

Thanks again for your info.