Carte Vert

I got the letter in the mail saying that I needed to visit the Application Support Center in Norridge, IL to complete my immigration process.

The 'interview' was pretty painless, and took no more than 15 minutes.  They took my photo, took my fingerprints and captured my signature.

In April, I received my Green Card in the mail -- wOOt!  Permanent Resident status is official!

Visa Received, USA entered!

My interview was on a Thursday, and on the following Monday, I received a call from the Loomis office, saying that my package had arrived!

Loomis in Burlington

the 'package'

WOOOOO-HOOOOO!!!

I had already booked our flight for Tuesday evening, and was packed and ready to go.  The next day was just spent hanging out and making sure that we had everything we needed for the big move.

bye kuya Tyler!

The day of our flight was long -- we got dropped off to the airport SUPER early because I wanted to give us plenty of time to go through immigration to settle our paperwork.  We got through security and headed through customs with no issue.  We were directed into the Immigration Office, where an officer took our sealed package and went through it.  It didn't take more than 15 minutes.  He welcomed us to the States, and we continued on our way to our gate.
We had a couple of hours before our flight, so we got some food, kicked up our feet and got comfortable:

The flight was nice and easy.  We landed in at O'hare with no issue.  Xander was super awesome on the plane and was so excited to see his dada

We made it!

And just like that, we were landed immigrants -- the 6 month journey was finally over, and we were together as a family again!

November update

It's been a month since we've come to stay in Mississauga.  The month of November has had some pretty typical days, and it's also had some pretty amazing days... i.e. Brian came up to visit during the weekend of the 9th.  Needless to say, Xander and I were super happy to have him here -- it had been 2 months since we were together last, so it was nice to hug and kiss him, after so long.

A surprise delivery, the day before Brian arrived

DADA!!! Reunited :)

It was our 5 year anniversary on the Saturday of his visit, and we were fortunate enough to have my sis offer to watch Xanderman, so that we could go celebrate.

At Spring Rolls for dinner

West 50 for some BEEEER! Over 100 beers on tap!

Even though he was only here for 3 days, I was glad to spend some quality time with my hubby -- can't wait to finally move down to the US so that we can be together for good.

Speaking of moving down to the US...
I had my Visa medical appointment on the 19th.  The clinic was located in downtown Toronto, so I had to take a day trip into the city via subway (Xander stayed with my sis).  The medical consisted of a physical, blood work and chest x-rays, but on top of that, I had to get a Tetanus shot since mine was apparently expired.  There was a lot of waiting in various waiting rooms, but 3.5 hours later, I was finally finished and was able to head back home.

This man was reading the tiniest little book I've ever seen

GET LOST!
Proud to say that through hard work and dedication (and I stress HARD WORK), I successfully lost the last couple pounds and reached my goal weight!!  I've been hitting the gym 4 times a week and climbing the stairs regularly.  I've also been following my diet consistently.

Everyday
The rest of the days, we've been going out to the mall, Ikea, grocery stores, etc. just to stay busy.

Drop-in play day at a community centre up the street

I anticipate the next few weeks are going to drag, as I wait for my Visa interview in Montreal.  Should be fun though -- I'll be flying out the afternoon before the interview and will be spending the night at a hotel.  The interview is first thing the next morning and then I'll fly out that same afternoon.
I can't wait!

Closer to America!

I got an email yesterday from the NVC -- my Visa application has been pre-approved and I've been scheduled for my interview in Montreal on December 13th! *jumping for joy*

What a relief.  I finally have an actual DATE to look forward to -- and the best thing of all, is that we'll be in Chicago for Christmas :) -- assuming I pass the interview, that is.

Passing time

I've been here in Mississauga for a week now, and the adjustment has been challenging.  I don't have a car, so I don't have as much freedom to go out whenever/wherever I want.  The up side to this is that I've been walking a lot more (pushing Xander in a stroller) and getting some much needed exercise -- we've walked to and from the mall a couple times (my sister's condo is a little over a kilometre from Square One Mall), and we've even walked to the grocery store a couple times.

The down side is that the weather is getting pretty cold, so we have to dress appropriately.

Double-decker firetruck stroller?! Heck yes.

Bought myself a beautiful wool coat from Express the other day, since my winter coat is in a box... in storage... in Wheeling, Illinois.  The coat is lovely, oh so lovely.

Aside from walking, I've been going to the gym regularly AND I've challenged myself to walk up the 30 flights of stairs at the condo, at least twice a week. That's 450 steps!  It burns.. but it feels so gooood.  Getting so much closer to my goal weight.. just a couple more pounds to go!

The boys are still not always getting along.  I just don't even know what to do about it anymore.  I feel like I'm always giving Xander heck, even when he's not at fault -- poor guy isn't even 2 and a half, and he probably just doesn't know any better - plus he's adjusting to having another kid in his face 24/7 (literally, in.. his.. face), which must be tough.
I don't know if I'm just over-aware, but I feel like I'm always the first one to jump in and mediate the battles between them -- I feel like the bad guy, but someone has to do it.
*Sigh*  It's stressful to say the least, and sometimes I wonder if coming here was a big mistake.  Being here has caused chaos in my sister's family routine, and the squabbling-boys situation doesn't seem like it's going to get better.  In fact, I'm already seeing a change in Xander that I can't say I'm particularly happy with.  He's become a very different boy since we've been here - he gets angry and frustrated very easily, which is very uncharacteristic of him.  We'll see if time changes things, or just makes it worse.

In his 'spot' (i.e. sitting on my luggage)

At the library

Something to look forward to

Brian will be here tomorrow, to visit for the weekend :)  Oh, how I can't wait to reunite with him.  He's only here for 3 days, but I'll take whatever I can get, lol. I'll be sure to post something later on, all about his visit!

Lastly, a big WOO-HOO to President Obama for his re-election!  I was super nervous watching the election coverage, and I'm so glad he got the win.  Feeling much better about moving to the US, that's for sure!

A journey ahead.

Since selling the house back in August, I've been living at my cousin's house without any real direction.  I knew I was waiting for my Visa, but I didn't know exactly how long that was going to take.

The next step in the Visa process, is to wait for the interview - the interview that will be performed at the US Consulate in Montreal sometime in December (if my calculations are accurate).  

A few weeks ago, I took the plunge and booked one-way flights to Toronto, for Xander and I.  We leave in 6 days....for good.

I've decided to go and stay with my sister and her family in Mississauga.  I'll be scheduled for a medical between now and the time of the interview - and that can only be performed by 1 of 4 certified physicians in Canada -- 2 of which are in Toronto, and the other 2 being in BC and Quebec.  Since we'd be heading to Toronto within the next month or so anyway, I just decided to go early.

Although I'm leaving Xierra a few weeks earlier than expected, I think that Xander and I have overstayed our welcome and have intruded in my cousin and nieces lives, far longer than I'm comfortable with.  My niece has asked me "when can I get my room back" a few times too many -- I don't blame her - it's been 2.5 months since she's slept in her own bed.  It's time we go.

So, the next few days are going to be spent tying up loose ends.  I have 1 client order to fill before I go (yes, I know - I'm STILL working!), boxes to ship and bags to pack.  I have calls to make, and things to cancel.  But most importantly, I have people to see. 

My entire life has been spent living in Winnipeg.  I grew up here, went to school here, started and ended careers here.   I built my house and my business here.  I married here, had both of my beautiful children here.  And all along the way, I've met some extremely amazing people.  People who have been so influential in my life -- people that have been so amazing to me, that calling them my 'friends' does not even do them justice.  They've done more for me, than most family members have done for me.  And without them, I would't be who I am today.  It breaks my heart to know that I will be leaving them, but I find comfort in knowing that my true friends will never let distance keep us apart.

...

The countdown to my physical departure starts now.  Even though I haven't left the city yet, I consider this the start of my long journey ahead -- one that will surely have it's share of bumps [potholes seems more fitting].  In 6 days, I'll be in a completely different city - not quite my final destination but certainly one step closer, waiting for the next chapter of my life to start -- a life, sans Winnipeg.

I refuse to say that I'll never be back.  After all, this is still home for my baby girl.  But I can confidently say that my home is in Illinois -- it's just waiting for me to get there.

For those who care enough to follow, please stay tuned, as I document my move to the US.  

It starts here.  It starts now.

My Canada to US immigration journey

I can't believe how frustrating this whole immigration process has been.  I would consider my husband and I fairly bright people, but somehow, this Visa application continually makes us question our intelligence.
As a full-blown Canadian, where English is my first language, I'm completely overwhelmed by some of the instructions that I have to follow.  I have no clue how non-English-speaking overseas immigrants are able to get through all of the paperwork successfully.  It's tough.

If you are a Canadian, married to a US Citizen and intend to immigrate to the US (legally), here are the steps that I have gone through:

1) Fill out the I-130 application form (technically to be filled out by the person sponsoring you: "petitioner") and the G-325a (biographical information)

• I-130 is specifically for spouse/child sponsorship
• The purpose of this process is for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to determine whether or not your petitioner (your American husband or wife) is eligible to sponsor you into the US
• The forms require you to fill out your personal information (including photocopies of birth certificates, passports, marriage certificate, financial statements) as well as proof of your ongoing relationship -- basically to prove that your marriage is legit and that you aren't trying to pull an immigration scam
• I-130 is lengthy and ends up being 30-40 pages thick
• G-325a is one page long and just requires previous address and work information
• We mailed ours to the 'Chicago Lockbox' as instructed.  Send as registered mail so that you can track your package

2) You will receive Acceptance Confirmation when the Chicago Lockbox receives your I-130 package

• This notice is sent via email (to your petitioner)
• Don't get too excited - they're just acknowledging that they got it and are re-routing it
• This notice will tell you which processing centre they are sending your application to for processing (California Service Center, in our case)
• It lets you know to expect a 'Receipt Notice' in the mail (I-797) within 7-10 days
• A Receipt Number is given to you WACXXXXXXXXXX
• You can later use this receipt number to check the status of your application online at the USCIS website (www.uscis.gov)

3) Your petitioner will received the I-797 in the mail:  this is considered Notice of Action 1 -- better known as the NOA1 

4) Now you wait....

• It is literally WEEKS before anything happens.
• You can log onto the USCIS website to check your status -- there is a little timeline that shows you what point they are at: Acceptance, Initial Review, Decision and Post Decision Activity
• I checked this site almost weekly, starting around June 8th 
• It wasn't until August 13th that it jumped straight to Post Decision Activity -- Approved!

5) You will receive another notice via snail mail (I-797) - Notice of Action: NOA2

• This is the notice stating that your I-130 has been approved (but you already knew that)
• Again, don't get overly excited here -- this does not mean that you can move to the US yet -- just informing you that the preliminary application looks good, but the decision is not finalized
• Explains that your case will be forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) 
• Tells you to allow for at least 30 days for the NVC to receive and start looking at your paperwork (i.e. don't call the NVC tomorrow to check the status)
• At this point, it is out of the USCIS' hands -- no need to contact them from this point forward
• All inquiries should now be made with the NVC

At this point, www.immigrantvisas.state.gov will be your go-to website for all things Visa

6) Petitioner (your spouse) will receive a notice from the National Visa Center (via email)

• This notice assigns you an NVC #, depending on the consulate that will be handling your case, the # starts with 3 letter, the year and then followed by other numbers (i.e. MTL2012XXXXXX)
• It explains that you must pay an Affidavit of Support (AOS) processing fee of $88.00
• An "invoice number" is also assigned on this notice
• IGNORE the DS-3032 that is attached to this email -- you will be filling this out online

**This next step is not clearly communicated**

7) Go to ceac.state.gov to make your online AOS (I-864) payment and register your choice of agent (online form: DS-261 otherwise known as DS-3032)

• You will need to choose 'I am the primary applicant' from the drop down menu
• Enter your NVC number
• Enter your Invoice number

AOS payment:

•  Make AOS payment via CHEQUING ACCOUNT (need routing number and account number from your spouse's US BANK ACCOUNT) no credit card payment available
• Bill is $88.  Must wait for payment to go through to proceed with submitting AOS

Choice of Agent:

• Register your Choice of Agent (this is who the NVC will be in contact with going forward -- you.  You are now the primary applicant)
• Fill out your own personal information (unless you choose to have a lawyer do this, but why?)
• Provide your primary email address as well as all your up-to-date mailing info and phone number(s).  

8) Complete Affidavit of Support I-864 (petitioner)

• Your petitioner will have to fill out the form (we were instructed to fill out the I-864EZ) and submit it with supporting documents - including scans of previous US tax returns
• We had to re-submit our I-864EZ because we sent a Dropbox link for our application -- it was too big to send the PDF via email.  We ended up removing 2 years worth of tax forms and resized the PDF down to be able to send it via email -- we lost 10 days because of this snag

9) International Visa Processing Fee

• Using the same method above (AOS bill), you will pay your IV Bill via ceac.state.gov
• This bill is $230 and you must await the PAID status before proceeding to next step

**At this point, apply for a criminal record check from your local police office - you will need to submit it during the next step, and it often takes a while to retrieve.  Also, make sure you have paper copies of all of your civil documents, because you'll need those too. MAKE SURE YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE HAS YOUR PARENT'S NAMES ON IT**

10) DS-260 International Visa Application

• This includes filling out your IV application (primary applicant) online
• This form includes questions about the primary applicant: previous addresses, employment etc.

11) DS-260 supporting documents

• You are required to send scanned copies of your birth certificate, passport, marriage certificate and criminal record check, including your spouse's birth certificate
• Make sure your files are files are compressed enough to send via email
• Send in multiple emails if needed
• I also included my son's birth certificate, US and CDN passport & Certificate of Report of Birth Abroad .  Even though he's a US citizen and is not technically 'immigrating' with me, he will be accompany me when I move.  Thought it's better to include this now, rather than later.

12) Assignment of Interview date

• If you are set up to receive email correspondence, you will get your letter via email.
• This took approximately 2.5 weeks after getting confirmation that they received all of the supporting documents for the DS-260

13) Prepare to travel!  MEDICAL

**Before you call and book an appointment, obtain your Immunization Record from your provincial Regional Health office -- this is needed for the Medical**

• If you aren't fortunate enough to live in either Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal, prepare to take a trip to one of these cities for your Visa Medical -- because these are the only cities that have certified physicians.
• Have $300 cash on you, your passport, 3 passport photos and your immunization record
• The medical consisted of: a physical, blood work and chest x-rays -- took no more than 1 hour for all 3
• If you are not up-to-date with your immunizations, they will offer to do them there, as it is REQUIRED that you have specific shots, before immigrating to the US
• I was currently living in Mississauga during this time, so I didn't have travel far for the medical -- I took the subway to downtown Toronto to the Panel Physicians Medical Clinic. They sent me around the corner for the chest x-ray and I had to return to the clinic to get a Tetanus shot.  All in all, I had to wait quite a bit between appointments, but everything was done in less than 3 hours.

14) Physical copies of documents

• At this point, all you are waiting for is your Visa Interview in Montreal
• Make sure that you have ALL of the original civil documents needed (i.e. birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport)
• Book your flight to Montreal, if you don't already live there
• Make copies of everything, including the Affidavit of Support application (the entire thing) - they will ask for this from you, and if you don't have it, I believe they'll make you manually fill it out.

15) Sign up for your Loomis delivery:  http://usvisa-info.com/en-ca/selfservice/us_courier_information

• You will need your passport number when filling out the form on the website
• Pick from the list of delivery centres in your city, that you want your Visa delivered
• Once you finish filling the form out, you should receive a confirmation -- PRINT THIS, you have to bring this with you to the consulate: it's the very first thing they ask you for when you get into the doors!

16)  INTERVIEW

• My biggest piece of advice that I can give: READ YOUR INTERVIEW PACKAGE BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT THE CONSULATE! -- I couldn't believe how many people were turned away at the entrance, because they either forgot their Loomis confirmation number, or they had big bags or purses with them - cell phones, keys, etc.  
• Arrive 30-45 mins. in advance.  The closer to 8am that you show up, the more people will already be in line
• ONLY BRING WHAT YOU NEED - just your paperwork and maybe a wallet with your ID.
• The guard at the door will ask to see your interview letter and passport
• Once you enter, they will ask you for your Loomis confirmation number.  They stick a label on the back of your passport and write this number on it.
• You will head up a few steps, through a set of doors -- Xray and metal detectors.  Remove your coat (if you're lucky to have your interview in the winter, like me) 
• If you have anything like keys, they will give you a claim ticket, and keep it in a cubby for you
• You will be sent downstairs, into a basement -- walk down toward the elevator and take a seat.  A guard will come down and let the entire group up to correct floor.
• Once you get upstairs, turn left and head around the corner -- there will be wickets where a lady will give you a number (there are no signs indicating that this is where you have to go -- it's annoying)
• Sit and wait for your number to be called (you could potentially wait for a couple hours, depending on what number you get)
• Once they call your number, they will have your entire file out in front of them.  They will request the necessary items from you (passport, birth certificate, photos, Affidavit of Support)
• They will organize your file to ensure they have everything they need, and will verify your mailing address so that they know where they are sending your Green Card.
• This process takes approximately 15-20 mins.
• You will be asked to have a seat and wait for the actual interview
• Once your number is called, you will enter a room - no seats, just standing
• An employee will hand you a paper that has an oath that you have to read out loud.  They will go through your file and ask you a few questions and document your answer on the computer (she asked me how me and my husband met) 
• If you are accepted, they will hand you a piece of paper that lists your 'next steps' and say "WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES"

17) GO HOME AND CELEBRATE!!!  and wait for your Visa to arrive at the courier delivery station

• Your Visa should take up to 5 business days to arrive (my interview was on a Thursday and I got a phone call on Monday
• Your package will include your passport (with Visa inside) and a sealed envelope inside that is clearly marked DO NOT OPEN
• Once you have your passport and Visa in your hand, you are free to travel to the US

18) POE - Port of Entry

• When you finally decide to travel to the US, give yourself plenty of time, as you will be pulled into the Immigration area to complete your paperwork
• Go through customs as usual, but let them know that you are coming through to permanently immigrate to the US.  They will send you into the Immigration Office
• Hand your sealed envelope to the Immigration Officer and they will open it up and go through it
• Once they organize what they need, they will confirm your mailing address and give you instructions on what to do if your green card doesn't arrive within 6 months.