don_mar
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Posts posted by don_mar
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You can take a look at Wise, used to be called TranferWise. I used it to move money. It offers good exchange rates and low fees. Their website sucks but customer service is excellent.
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On 11/22/2021 at 5:23 AM, waterlooengineer said:
Thanks for the tips!
Just curious, would it help if we proactively open an American Express credit card account while still being in Canada?
Could that credit account be linked to our social security in US once we land there as an immigrant?
I don’t think it helps. They would just use your Canadian credit score to issue you a card. They have increased my limit twice in the past few months. You may get a higher limit if you are an existing customer.
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I thought I would share my experience with you in case you face the same challenge
When I was going to get a mortgage after I moved to the US I had no credit score. My credit union (First Tech) suggested that I should have at least 2-3 credit card. I tried to get a credit card through BMO US branch but it went no where. If you have other Canadian banks in your area, you might be able to get a credit card. I was told it would take 2 months to have a credit score. I ended up getting a secured credit card with the credit union. You just need to have a deposit in your account that you can’t touch. Then I found out you could also get an American Express credit card with your Canadian credit score. You need to make sure to use your SIN in your application. I got one without issue, $5000 limit.
For my mortgage, the credit union has a special program for immigrants like us. If my employer offers relocation, and most employers here do a thorough background check, they could utilize that to give me a loan. My job didn’t officially offer relocation assistance, but my boss is kind enough to reimburse me 6k for moving. I asked him to write an email to the credit union and it was accepted. I got my mortgage.
After all this my credit score has been going up to the level similar to my Canadian one.
Everything is tough in the beginning but you will get through it, so keep your spirit up and enjoy your life in a new country.
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In my situation, I moved from Vancouver Island to Oregon, cost of living about the same, house is cheaper in Oregon. I am making $20k annual, but taking home income only $200 more per paycheque, with similar deductions. But you have to work your ### off here, the working culture is very different. I have to put in 50% more work in the US. I’m not a slacker by anyone’s standard.
Health care cost is actually better than I expected, I’m not paying too much out of pocket, but it’s just as slow as in Canada if not worse. I was with Kaiser and I was not impressed with their service. I’m switching to another insurance hoping it’s better.
On a positive note, my workplace is more diverse and accepting than in Canada. I’m a minority and I had multiple jobs in Canada, but promotions for me almost impossible. Here in US it doesn’t really matter, and my employer is a large international company probably makes a difference. Some will argue with me on this. My personal experience is Canadian racism is more subtle, no one will say anything to your face.
Overall I still like Canada better, and I would have moved back if housing is not so crazy.
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Just for reference, I am moving 20 foot trailer full stuff from Vancouver Island to Portland, costs $8600. I was told because of government regulations, moving costs is high. Luckily my employer covers part of the cost.
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I just did mine. I used Turbotax and filed as deemed resident. If you lived in Canada for less than 183 days, you need to file as a non resident I think. If you have foreign address, you can’t do Netfile, but Turbotax allows you to download and print the forms. You can manually fill out the form too, download it from CRA website.
- cherrypeanut and Nashvan
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I don’t remember getting a sealed package, but it has been a while for me. To cross the border, all you need is the passport, CBP already has all the information in the system
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How much stuff you are talking about? Moving company is expensive.
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If he has a passport to prove he is American citizen, I don’t think the birth certificate is required. It has been a while for me but I don’t remember needing the petitioner birth certificate
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16 minutes ago, AGF said:
I’m sorry you have had that experience! I had to fight tooth and nail to be issued an SSN myself, but I never had any bad experience at all, customer service-wise. They were all polite and helpful, albeit strict. I finally was able to get an in-person appointment, and got my SSN card in the mail after exactly a week.
Thanks for the encouragement! I’m still trying to get an appointment. They say they might call me if I qualify, but no call after 2 weeks. I’m doing job interviews and I will need the SSN to get paid if I’m offered a job.
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I've been trying to get the SSN for the past 3 weeks, spoke to multiple agents on the phone and they were all simply rude, not being helpful at all. I don't remember ever having this issue in Canada. I guess this is something I'll have to get used to?
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When I recently imported my car, they didn’t ask for any forms. The officer took the registration and compliance letter, came back with a letter for registering the vehicle. No duty either, she said she estimated the value of the vehicle too. As for CBP, you may have to give them a call. I thought you have 10 years to import your belongings so you should be fine.
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Thanks for the tip!
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Right now it’s not a good time to do anything in the US. I just moved here a week ago. I can’t get a SSN. I was told I need to meet certain criteria before they can make an appointment. I’m still waiting to hear back from them. Without SSN you can’t change driver’s license. Without license you can’t get car insurance. I might be able to get health insurance without SSN but I don’t know for sure. It’s quite difficult to get anything done. It’s better to stay put in Canada for now.
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6 hours ago, DGF said:
Did you already have the green card or were you activating your CR1/IR1?
I already received the card. I actually activated the card in March just a few days before the border shutdown. This time we were not allowed into the office. We imported our 2 vehicles and we waited outside. An officer came out, took everything she needed, and came back with the paperwork for us. Everything went smoothly. The whole immigration process was just bad timing for me from the beginning.
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I just crossed the border on land in Washington State on June 30th with green card, no issues at all. I was actually moving, so I don't know if it would be different for you.
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This is from another thread in the Canada forum, but I don't know if travelling together is required, or showing proof that you are married to an American. Honestly I won't want to go to NYC right now with that many cases.
On 4/24/2020 at 10:27 AM, jackanddeona said:Havn't moved but my wife came to visit with me as the border was closed. The exception to the closure was citizens of the country and their spouses so she was able to enter after being asked a few questions about her travel insurance and where we were staying.
https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1596?language=en_US
On this page there is no exception for entering on the US side for immediate family members and I don't know if you would count under the Lawful Permanent resident until you cross. Best bet would be to phone the POE you are planning to cross and ask I would say?
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3 hours ago, jackanddeona said:
Havn't moved but my wife came to visit with me as the border was closed. The exception to the closure was citizens of the country and their spouses so she was able to enter after being asked a few questions about her travel insurance and where we were staying.
https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1596?language=en_US
On this page there is no exception for entering on the US side for immediate family members and I don't know if you would count under the Lawful Permanent resident until you cross. Best bet would be to phone the POE you are planning to cross and ask I would say?
Thanks for sharing the info! I think I'm considered a Lawful Permanent Resident because I already have the green card in hand. And my wife (U.S citizen) will be travelling with me, so I guess we should be okay.
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Did you have trouble at the border? I'm trying to sell my house then move and that's not going well, no one is buying houses. But after I sell my house, I sure hope I can move otherwise I'll be homeless.
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On 4/12/2020 at 8:42 PM, tmac99 said:
My wife and I are currently in the process of moving to the States. My wife is American, and I am the beneficiary. We are fortunate to have her parents live in the States and we travel there frequently (I use my Nexus) . When I receive my envelope from the Consulate, is it possible to not use the envelope immediately on my trips to the States and wait closer to the 6 month mark before showing it to the agent. The reason I ask is that that have some tax planning that I wanted to complete here in Canada before becoming required to file US tax returns.
Happy Easter everyone.
Here is my bizarre experience with this.
I got my IR1 visa last October. First time I tried to cross the border shortly after I got the visa, I was told I wasn't moving and wouldn't stamp my visa. They would let me into U.S, but as a visitor. So I turned around and came home.
Then in January I got an interview in the U.S. I crossed the border in Calgary airport. They were going to process my visa, but my flight already left so they couldn't. After I changed my ticket, I had to cross the border again. The agent didn't ask me to go to the office. I assumed that my visa was not processed.
Now in March, my visa was about to expire (I was trying to sell my property in Canada), and I crossed the border by land. They did processed my visa without issues, but they said my visa was already processed in January. They said my green card might be already mailed to my U.S address. Well it wasn't. I came back to Canada on the same day. One week later, my green card was mailed. After I received it, I noticed that the issue date was January. I'm still stuck in Canada because of the pandemic and I couldn't sell my house.
In short, just ask at the border. Most likely they are going to say no, but it doesn't hurt to try. They are very friendly in general. You can't hide the fact you have an immigration visa. Once they scan your passport, they can see it.
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On 11/22/2019 at 7:10 PM, NikLR said:
You can't wait 3 weeks to start working?
Just be aware of the pitfalls of not being a Canadian resident, especially with healthcare.
So once you have the green card, you are no longer considered a Canadian resident, even you still have job/house etc in Canada? That doesn't seem to make sense.
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It's 2"x2", with white background. Passport photo places know what to do, just tell them it's U.S passport photo
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Currency exchange. Buy bank draft in US Dollars or Canadian
in Canada
Posted · Edited by don_mar
I was able to open a BMO account in the US without SSN, before I moved. After you land in the US, you need to go to a branch to get your card etc. Later on when you receive your SSN you need to update your account with your SSN. But you can transfer money to your account before you have SSN.