Ibbs

Does anyone know how to check if your gc is printed?  I've tried googling but the USCIS website doesn't recognize my case number. 

Also, how long does it take from issued to printed.

2 minutes ago, ALC said:

@New_123@lbbs Would you folks mind writing here once you have your passport+IV in hand? Seems like you both had your interview on Tuesday? My interview is on Wednesday next week, just wanted to get an idea on the turn around time so I can plan my move. Thank you!

I got the notification on Wednesday morning that a tracking number had been assigned (my interview was Tuesday am).  It became trackable Wednesday night.  My passport was delivered to the local Canada Post at 11am Thursday morning.  

14 hours ago, AliceVancouver said:

 

@IbbsHow is your interview? Could you share some experience?

Thank you

I had my interview yesterday.  It went well.  My appointment was 7:45am.  I joined the line up outside of the consulate at 7:40 and they took me right in.  There were five people ahead of me so I waited about 15 minutes to go to the first window.  The agent was very nice.  She asked for my original birth certificate, RCMP criminal record check, employment letter, passport photos and financial documents.  I had brought my previous 4 years of tax returns so I gave those.  She didn't specify what type of financial documents they wanted, she left it up to me.  After taking finger prints I went back to the sitting area and waited for the next agent.  About 20 minutes.  

The second agent was also very nice.  He had me do the oath that everything was truthful, then asked me some details about my job and the company I work for (I currently work/live in the US on an H1B but started with that company in Canada).  He also asked for my travel history for the last five years, any instance of being in trouble with the police or issues crossing the border in the past.  I previously had an issue crossing the border for a TN visa due to incomplete paperwork.  I explained that and he moved on.  After a few more routine questions he told me I was approved but that something hadn't been transmitted into my file and he couldn't hit submit until that was done.  He said it was a routine thing and that he would process everything by the end of the day as soon as it was final.  Nothing was needed on my part.  

I left the consulate at 8:43 so it was just over an hour in total.  I was a bit nervous that the final approval was still pending.  At about 1pm on the same day I logged into CEAC and the status had changed to issued, so all was well.  This morning I got a notification via email that my passport has been released and I was given a tracking number.  So far it isn't searchable on the Canada Post website, but hopefully it will be by the end of the day.  

All in all my experience was good.  The system is easy to navigate.  The only downside to the whole morning was that I planned to have some coffee at the Second Cup down the street before my interview but they opened late.

14 minutes ago, pilot787 said:

Oh, perfect. thank you! Will look into it. Do you by chance, what is the min time to build the credit? are we talking about months or years? I'm also thinking of may be opening a US costco card. I've been a member for 3 years, may be it will be easier there. 

 

 

 I've had Platinum Amex in Canada for 2 years, but not a primary memebr. I guess, I won't be able to use it..

I've heard good reviews about BMO. But will look into the Discovery card for sure!!! 

Thank you so much for all these suggestions. 

It takes years to build excellent credit but I was able to buy a house in 3 years so it is possible to do it quickly. I was very intentional in building my credit,  which helped. 

11 minutes ago, pilot787 said:

Hi, guys! Looking for your great advice as always. What would be the best bank to open our accounts in the US, escpecially, considering that we have 0 credit history there. Debating between BMO, RBC or TD for easier transfer of the funds from Canada. Also, I read on this forum that opening Amex might help with credit history transfer. Has anyone done it? Like, you open a card in Canada, and in 3 months you apply for another one in US, and they could transfer history too. Is it true or just a rumour? Thanks again!

I use RBC in US. It works well for transferring money and I was able to secure a credit card through them using my Canadian credit. The downside is that there aren’t physical locations so it’s all online banking. 
 

For credit, I used multiple sources to build it. I don’t know about the Amex you mentioned above. The thing that helped me most was having a few different cards, including an Amazon credit card and a few low balance cards I could secure without a lot of credit (Capital One) that I used actively to build credit. 
 

Mon a related note - if you need to buy a car, BMW has a program for leasing where they use your home country credit. The interest rate is a bit higher but they were good to work with. 

I'm trying to plan my travel after my interview on July 18th.  How long did it take people in the group to get their passports?  I paid for the courier service and pickup at a BP in MTL.  If my interview is on a Tuesday, is it possible that I will get my passport on Thursday?

1 hour ago, AliceVancouver said:

I got IL this morning, interview date MONTREAL would be July 27,2023.

 

EB2 NIW. DQ date is Jan 17,2022

I got IL this morning as well, for July 18th.  My EB2 DQ was July 9th, 2021.

On 3/3/2023 at 7:58 PM, MR.R said:

Still nothing, my employer requested expedite in February, but it was rejected, saying they cannot expedite it, followed by a standard response.  

I also didn't get an IL and my DQ date is July 9, 2021.  Hopefully next month...