Sunday, October 12th, 2008
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5:15 pm
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little_teacup
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Hey all,
Now that I'm finally married (yay!), I've been gathering up all the application forms and supporting documents to apply for my PR - family class, living outside of Canada. My husband will be my sponsor.
I've gotten to the part of proving our wedding and relationship. We've got plenty of pictures to choose from, but do they care at immigration how they're presented to them? All they say in their document checklist is that they must be loose; not in binders or albums or any kind of digital format. But I'm wondering, can I just print them out on regular printer paper, or does it have to be photo paper? All the pictures I've got of us are in digital format, so they'd have to be printed out in one way or another.
Also, how many should I put in, more or less? I don't want to flood them with pics, but I don't want to put in too few.
Another thing: When they ask for our marriage certificate, do they mean the original, or just a copy?
Please help? Thanks!
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(6 comments | comment on this)
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Friday, October 3rd, 2008
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11:04 pm
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suitablyemoname
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The Canadian election debates are over, but if you were too busy watching Palin/Biden to catch them, you can still view them online.
CPAC (Canada's answer to C-SPAN) has a "full-service" replay including an hour of pre-show and two hours of actual debate. If you just want to watch the real debate, skip the first two videos.
http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&pagetype=vod&lang=e&clipID=1990
They had some technical difficulties for the first minute or so. Don't worry, the whole debate is still there. :)
( To briefly recap who these people are: )
Again, hopefully this will be relevant to anyone who's interested in immigating to Canada: it's a great opportunity to get your head around the policies and priorities of the major parties, as well as the state of politics more generally. :)
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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10:58 pm
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kawaii_marie
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In the IMM1344EA form it asks address of the person you are sponsoring lives
its question 6a I believe . If we are filing outside but with him living here what would we put there ?
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(4 comments | comment on this)
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Thursday, October 2nd, 2008
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3:52 pm - Visitor's extension
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atinoftea
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Hello all! I have some questions about extending my stay in Canada. I'm pretty inexperienced with everything, so please excuse my lack of knowledge. Here's my situation:
I first came to Canada to be with my boyfriend in mid-March. I then went back six weeks later to go home for a couple of weeks to move more of my things, etc. On May 17th I re-entered Canada with a birth certificate and state-issued ID. (When I went back to my home state I applied for a passport, and had my father send it to me here, so no worries about that.) Since I wasn't given a visitor's record, my six months is up on Nov. 17th. I read through the guide for submitting an application, and it seems very straightforward. I was more just wondering if it's even worth it. WIth other people from the States, how did you handle this? I heard of a girl who just kept going back and forth every six months for four years. That doesn't quite seem right to me.
I'm staying with my boyfriend. We're not married yet, and won't be when I send this application in. Will this harm my chances? Has anyone else done this in a similar situation? I guess I'd just like to know if my application will be accepted or refused. I haven't worked or studied illegally, and I've never been convicted of a crime.
If anyone has any advice, suggestions, or anything of that sort I would love to hear about it.
Thank you very much.
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(6 comments | comment on this)
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Wednesday, October 1st, 2008
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6:50 pm
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suitablyemoname
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This should be of interest to anyone immigating to Canada: we're having an election right now, and you can watch both debates online. CPAC is streaming them, and my understanding is that they're available internationally, so if you want to get a handle on the politics, tune in. The leaders of the Liberals, Conservatives, Greens, Bloc Quebecois and NDP will all be present, so this is an excellent way to get your head around their philosophies and priorities.
They're being streamed here: http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&pagetype=watch&lang=e&watchID=1fl
Tonight is the French debate, tomorrow is English. Tonight, the pre-show starts at 7:00 and the debate starts at 8. Tomorrow, pre-show at 8 and debate at 9. (All times Eastern.)
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(3 comments | comment on this)
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Monday, September 29th, 2008
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7:56 pm - yet more waiting on PR questions
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nervous_nellie
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I'm waiting on outside PR (from the US) and visiting my partner here in Canada, my mailing address is currently in the US (as I was back living there last month). Does that mean that mean that when CIC requests my passport (hopefully soon) they will send it again and my landing papers to the US and I'll need to have it sent to me here in Canada before I can land or can I simply request that they be sent to me here in Canada at the time that I send them my passport. Should I change my mailing address with CIC to my girlfriend's address (where I'm staying) in Vancouver? I'm loathe to do anything that might slow my situation down. Thanks as always
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(5 comments | comment on this)
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Friday, September 26th, 2008
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4:22 pm - working on the internet for the US from Canada
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nervous_nellie
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hi all,
I'm waiting on my PR (spousal outside from the US) and I was wondering if it was legal and kosher for me to do some online work while visiting here in Canada but for a US company and to be paid in US dollars (I would of course declare any income on my US taxes and declare all my US income on my Canadian taxes upon getting PR). I know I wouldn't make much money answering surveys or whatnot but I'd love to be making anything right now as I can;t work or go to school in Canada until all my stuff goes through (I sent it in almost 4 months ago and can;t seem to tell if that means its any second now or a few months away, seems kinda random). Point is I *definitely* don't want to break any rules but wanted to know if this would be allowed.
TIA
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(8 comments | comment on this)
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12:08 pm - Visitor Extension
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camericangypsy
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I filed for the Visitor Extension BEFORE the Visitor Record was expired which was what I was instructed to do. I also read that you have to do so at least three weeks before the Record expires which is what I did, so I think that was still legal and the place in Vegreville sent me a letter telling me that my extension was being processed and I would hear shortly....what now
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(3 comments | comment on this)
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11:58 am - American Girl Looking For Permanent Residency In Canada
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camericangypsy
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Hi, I am an American citizen, my boyfriend is a Canadian citizen. I would like to be able to live with him, and work in Canda. I have read the Government of Canada website and have found it to be a huge wall of text that seems to be pretty hard to decipher. I have spoken to some people I know, and spoken to the Government of Canada, and they are telling me that the fastest way to be able to do this is to get married. Another question is that I would like to be able to work in Canada also. When I originally came to Canada, I came with the fact that I could stay 6 months before I would have to go back to the states. Now that that time has expired, I went back to the states to visit my children at their dads for Easter, and upon my re-entry into Canada after a few days I was flagged at the border for a random check. I was sent to Immigration and sat in the office until an Immigration Officer questioned me and I told him that I was visiting my boyfriend (the same ole, same ole that you would tell them at the border crossing, at the drive up window). He then told me that I could go back but had to return to the states on the date that was recorded on a "Visitor Record" that he gave to me at the conclusion of our meeting, which was only three days away. I would then not be able to return to Canada and cross the border until I have proof of employment, bank accounts/records, Mortgage payment or proof of residency, or other proof that would "satisfy" the Immigration Officer at the border crossing. I go to my boyfriends house (where I have been, and still am living), and consult an attorney about my situation and what I want to do, he directs me to file for an extension to which I then did along with the $75.00 fee for processing. I received a letter that my paperwork was processing and that I would be hearing from the office either way whether or not my "Visitor Extension" would be granted. I have NOT received a defermative answer as of yet. So.....to make this long story shortER( ;-) ) my question is WHAT IS THE FASTEST WAY TO STAY HERE WITH MY BOYFRIEND AND WORK? Please help, anything is appreciated.
Thanks
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(6 comments | comment on this)
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Wednesday, September 24th, 2008
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10:33 am - whooo! (timeline)
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lyndszy
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- Sent Immigration application packet to Mississauga on June 15,2008.
- Eligible to sponsor on July 16, 2008.
- Forwarded application for Permanent Residence to Buffalo.
- Started processing Permanent Residence application on July 29, 2008.
- Medical results have been received. (just showed up on the website as received no date)
- Request for passport to issue Permanent Residence Visa on September 24, 2008
Thanks for all your help, guys! couldn't have done it without you :)
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(12 comments | comment on this)
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Monday, September 22nd, 2008
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6:00 pm - new option: Canadian Experience Class
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hhw
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Have folks seen that there's another way to apply for PR now, based on educational or work experience in Canada?
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/index.asp
You have to have either 2 years of fulltime work or 2 years of school with a degree (i.e. a 2-yr graduate program would count but a one-yr certificate program or 2 years without graduating would not be enough) AND one year of work experience after graduation. Parttime work done while a student does not count, but after graduating you can apply for a temporary post-grad work visa.
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(9 comments | comment on this)
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1:47 pm
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mcbuchanan
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Hello all! I just joined this community and I have a question. I'm not sure that this community is the best one for it, but it's the best I've been able to find.
I was born and raised in Canada, and then moved down to the US after I finished grad school. I'm on a TN-1 work permit (aka NAFTA!), and have been for the past 5+ years. I'm hoping to move back to Canada once my contract here in New Orleans is up.
Is there any special procedure for Canadians moving back to Canada after being away for so long? I'll be moving all my things back with me, and most of them were bought in the US. Since they're personal possessions (clothes, bed, dishes, etc.), will I have to pay duty on them? Are there forms I need to fill out to officially move back? I know once I settle down I"ll have to get my name taken off the international voters list.
Any ideas?
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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Sunday, September 21st, 2008
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2:30 pm
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mena_immortal
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Hello everyone. I will be graduating with my masters in adult and higher education in dec of 09. I passed the skilled worker test with a 74. Do you think its too early to apply for a skilled worker permit now or should I wait until I actually graduate? I don't plan on moving to Canada without a job offer. I have over 6 years experience in my field.
Thanks for your help.
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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Thursday, September 18th, 2008
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9:06 pm - cost concerns
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arewar
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My boyfriend and I have just begun considering moving to Canada. We're thinking about moving next year and have just starting doing research about the processes and all that.
I've read that to move it's required to have 6 months worth of living expenses, but I'm wondering how much that is in Canada? Here in North Carolina, my boyfriend and I currently live off around 1000-1200USD a month (although when we were struggling we lived off under 900USD).
I'm obviously concerned with saving up the costs to move. Along with living expenses, how much should I expect for fees and anything else? What's the minimum amount I should have available before being able to move to Canada?
Thanks!
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(22 comments | comment on this)
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Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
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11:24 pm
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aujourlejour
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Bonjour tout le monde!
I am an American university student in the states. For many reasons, I am seriously considering moving to Canada after I complete my undergraduate work (which will be in two more years). I want to do my graduate work in translation at McGill. I've been looking at the CIC site, but I was hoping you could all help me with a few questions.
I would be a full-time grad student. Has anyone else been in this situation as an American? What type of visa did you have and how long did it last?
If I do my graduate work at McGill, will it be easier for me to apply for permanent residency after my student visa expires?
Merci!
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(10 comments | comment on this)
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Tuesday, September 16th, 2008
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6:40 pm
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heddychaa
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I'm sorry for posting so much! I promise once I send things out I will stop being so irritating, but hopefully my questions are helpful to other people, too!
What sort of "supporting documentation" did you include outside of the obvious forms when you sent in your application?
Here is what I am thinking of so far:
- marriage certificate
- photos of our wedding and reception
- photos from our relationship: us on outings, us on trips, us with our families, us at our birthdays, etc. Photos that are obviously taken during different times of year and at different points in our relationship. should we write on the backs of photos to label them? aka "Christmas 2007, from left: Declan, Heather, James, Erin" etc?)
- statement from our shared savings account (when we get one).
- letters from mutual friends vouching for our relationship. is it necessary for these to be notarized, or can they just be signed and sealed by the people who write them?
- letters written by each of us about our intentions for our relationship
- photocopies of stamps in our passports showing when we visited one another
- letter from my boss about my employment
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(21 comments | comment on this)
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Monday, September 15th, 2008
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2:38 am - Semi-quick question about fingerprints~
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kamuiokami
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Hey guys. I have a quick question when it comes to obtaining my police certificate. I was originally going to get my fingerprints done at the local police station but they only use the live scan system. Which I'm pretty sure isn't what the FBI wants plus they are pretty booked. So I'll instead be printing out the FD-258 fingerprint form from the FBI's website and get my fingerprints done at the local UPS store since they do ink fingerprints there. Does this sound like a fine way to go about it?
Also, when filling out the FD-258, in the spot where it says "reason fingerprinted" what should I enter? According to a guide on how to fill out the FD-258, I should enter the form of the INS application? Then again, the FAQ for obtaining the certificate also says:
"If you go to a law enforcement agency or private fingerprinting agency to be fingerprinted they may prefer to use a fingerprint card on standard card stock. You may use the fingerprint card provided by the printing agency."
Should I just ask for whatever standard fingerprint card they use? Sorry if wasn't so quick after all but any advice, suggestions or stories how you guys went about it would be great. Thanks in advance. =)
current music: Hey, ya - Mat Weddle
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(5 comments | comment on this)
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Sunday, September 14th, 2008
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8:16 pm - going back to canada?
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blueberinitrate
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hey there ♥ long time lurker, first time poster.
i just have a question actually. i'm staying up here visiting my wife, as we're submitting our application for my immigration and whatnot, but we're worried that i'll outstay my passport with the whole 'only 6 months' thing. so the plan is for us to go back to the states in december- but i was wondering if anyone knows how long you have to be away before you can come back to canada? if i'd need to be gone for a week or what not?
any and all help would be amazing ♥
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(10 comments | comment on this)
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7:05 pm - Housing in vancouver BC
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nervous_nellie
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Hello all, I am back in Vancouver with my girlfriend visiting while I await my landing (I'm "in process" in Buffalo and have been for just over two months now). The problem is that we are looking for housing together here, I have previous work references from California and a great credit rating in the States and almost 10,000 in a Canadian bank (scrimping and saving are becoming second nature to me now) and a US credit card with a high limit and no balance but we can't get a lease. My girlfriend does some freelance stuff (she's the Canadian) and is looking for a full-time gig but doesn't have one yet. We're looking at apartments, sublets, shared houses, at this point almost anything under a grand a month in Vancouver proper. We're looking at Craigslist multiple times a day and a few local papers, any other suggestions on places to look or better ways to present myself to get apartments that we apply for (there are 15-45 people at showings right now).
Thanks in advance
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(15 comments | comment on this)
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2:37 pm - Shipping from US to Canada
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beneaththeradar
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Hi all,
I have my visa and am ready to land at the end of the month. I'm moving from Minneapolis to Vancouver and will have to ship a couple of boxes worth of my stuff there. Books, clothes, PC speakers and Subwoofer make up the bulk of my stuff. I'm probably going to send it via USPS but was curious to see how others moved their stuff, and if anyone has any recommendations or advice.
Thanks in advance
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(5 comments | comment on this)
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