Car issues - I am SO frustrated and desperate. (merged)

[USAMorocco 143]

Your license from Canada is perfectly valid until you have the means to obtain a US Drivers license. You don't even need your own car, you could drive your husbands or a family members. The fact you are paying for insurance means you are most likely covered to drive other vehicles besides your own. I think the idea of send your MiL is fine, but as others have said it is a CBP question, not USCIS. No reason it should affect your status at all. If nothing else it shows your intent to stay in the US.

Good Luck

This is not accurate. Each state has rules as to when you have to register as a driver in the state a person resides. It is fine to drive once someone gets here but many states give you a month to switch your license over and also you can't even so much as to get an ID let alone a license without a SS# and your green card.

[Adequate Canadian 6]

Edited October 5, 2016 by Adequate Canadian

[Lemonslice 4,852]

I would not be concerned about a 30 residency to update your drivers license when you have not finished AoS. You can't be a resident if you don't have a green card. Plus, living a stones throw away from the border, any police officer that pulls you over will be used to seeing a Canadian drivers license. Once you get the green card, you have 30 days, but not yet.

That's not right. One cautionary tale (more if you want to search...):

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/196639-driving-in-california-a-warning-to-all-you-non-resident-newlyweds/

Triple check for your state, not a fun thing to fight/be ticketed for.

[Adequate Canadian 6]

So, do you guys think I should just file for EAD (This is the form that gives me an SSN, right?)? I don't need the Advanced Parole, I honestly have zero reason to go back to Canada in the immediate future. My husband can bring a few pieces over at a time as we have been

But if I apply for EAD, I can get my SSN and then switch over my license to an NY one?
Then my mother-in-law (with a notarized letter and all proper documents) could still bring over the vehicle? Is that possible?

[Jojo92122 1,924]

You file for AP and EAD with the same form for free. Once you get the EAD/AP card, you can go get the car yourself. There is no good reason for you to not apply for AP. Don't make the same mistake that your lawyer made. Better to have AP and not need it, rather than need it and not have it.

Edited October 5, 2016 by Jojo92122

[Adequate Canadian 6]

You file for AP and EAD with the same form for free. Once you get the EAD/AP card, you can go get the car yourself. There is no good reason for you to not apply for AP. Don't make the same mistake that your lawyer made. Better to have AP and not need it, rather than need it and not have it.

By any chance do you know what Form it is?

When I look at this form that the Immigration officer gave me, it is form I-131... Which only mentions about Travelling, nothing to do with getting an SSN. :l

Edited October 5, 2016 by Adequate Canadian

[Jojo92122 1,924]

Sorry, I made a mistake.

You need the I-131 for AP.

You need the I-765 for the EAD.

Send with photocopy of your receipt for the AOS.

You will get one combo card for AP and EAD (so you don't have to carry two separate cards).

After you get your AP/EAD card, you go to Social Security to apply for a SSN.

Edited October 5, 2016 by Jojo92122

[Adequate Canadian 6]

Sorry, I made a mistake.

You need the I-131 for AP.

You need the I-765 for the EAD.

Send with photocopy of your receipt for the AOS.

You will get one combo card for AP and EAD (so you don't have to carry two separate cards).

After you get your AP/EAD card, you go to Social Security to apply for a SSN.

Thank-you, do I have to get the AP? I just want EAD.

I'm worried that as I have accrued over 180 days here in the states, even with AP that I will be denied entry and barred as the last time I entered they asked me to provide ties to Canada the next time I came back to the states. Well, that last time they told me that I never went back to Canada because I got kicked out and everything.

Or can I not apply to one without the other type of thing? If that is the case, then I'll just wait it out and suffer.

Edited October 5, 2016 by Adequate Canadian

[Jojo92122 1,924]

Thank-you, do I have to get the AP? I just want EAD.

I'm worried that as I have accrued over 180 days here in the states, even with AP that I will be denied entry and barred as the last time I entered they asked me to provide ties to Canada the next time I came back to the states. Well, that last time they told me that I never went back to Canada because I got kicked out and everything.

Or can I not apply to one without the other type of thing? If that is the case, then I'll just wait it out and suffer.

You do not have to get AP. But why would you not get it when it's free?

Your worry is unfounded. AOS makes you authorized to be here, so you are not accruing any days of unauthorized stay. AP allows you to leave and come back unless your AOS is denied while you are in Canada. You are working under very wrong assumptions.

There is absolutely no good reason for you not to get both AP and EAD. None.

Waiting it out and suffering when you can get both AP and EAD would be self inflicted suffering. You would be making yourself suffer for no good reason.

Your lawyer already made the mistake of not getting AP. You would just be repeating that mistake by not applying for AP with your EAD.

Edited October 5, 2016 by Jojo92122

[Adequate Canadian 6]

Okay, thank-you very much. Haha.

I will fill out the forms tomorrow, thank-you.

Do you know if I have to import my vehicle the first time I bring it over (is that even possible when I'm not approved for a GC yet?) or can I just drive it over and officially import my vehicle if my Green card gets approved.

Once again, thank-you so much.

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

Your license from Canada is perfectly valid until you have the means to obtain a US Drivers license. You don't even need your own car, you could drive your husbands or a family members. The fact you are paying for insurance means you are most likely covered to drive other vehicles besides your own.

This is not necessarily true and could lead to very serious issues for the OP in terms of legality and insurance.

Edited October 5, 2016 by N-o-l-a

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Just promise us you'll dump the lawyer and start doing the rest of this yourself, its possible and doable with good advice and example forms from VJ.

[NikLR 13,227]

Yes someone can drive your car down to you. Yes you have a year to import it. Yes file for ead and ap, for free, asap.

[Boiler 45,525]

Car is not much of an issue as you will have a few months wait before you can get a DL and Insurance.

[Adequate Canadian 6]

Update: So, we are going to be sending off the paperwork for EAD/AP.

However, we are going to bring the vehicle here with a notarized letter on the 22nd. We will not be importing it.

I just want it in my driveway here, so I no longer have to speak with my family and a weight can be lifted.

Thanks everyone for your help/advice.