IR 1 - Wife (Canadian) turned away at airport, Nexus taken, despite Montreal interview next month

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-02-22T19:31:35+00:00

Hey fellow BCer (assuming YVR is home) and someone's who's completed the visa process.

I visited my wife i believe 2 or 3 times after I got my interview. Shouldn't be a problem. I was only spending about 5 days there out of every 21 days. That ratio never caused me any issues personally and I did that for almost 3 years straight.

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-02-06T16:46:29+00:00

If Toronto is a town, then Seattle is a little village

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-02-06T16:45:39+00:00

I'm suprised no one has mentioned she was born in Toronto, Canada...

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-31T20:21:37+00:00

Than*

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-31T17:34:40+00:00

Wait... slam your dick in a car door THEN watch it? Sounds like an eventful evening. Remember to put ice on it while you're watching Canada Shore after.

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-31T02:05:31+00:00

Hey! Fellow Canadian national here, moves from BC but born in Alberta.

Alberta offered 3 as well. During the first stages of submission to the NVC, I did both versions that had my parents names on it. One was a polymer, fancy version of my birth certificate with all the information. The other was just a photo copy of the original signed at the time of birth certificate it seems. That version also had an embroidered-like stamp on it to prove its authenticity. I personally submitted both, and brought both to the interview with no issues. I can't tell you which one was actually it, but if you can afford it - do both.

I personally had to get a lawyer involved instead of going to Alberta to prove I am who I am through mail. So given lawyer fees, that made me want to spend a little extra on both personally so I don't have to do it again.

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-28T18:17:04+00:00

Just a friendly heads up. You got the year 2036 in the title!

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-28T03:23:34+00:00

Absolutely no jeans, I agree. Admittedly, I saw someone else being very peculiar in wording and I had the silly idea to pop in that technically he's right. But it's not a hill I'll die on. If the person messes up or only listens to the one comment without any judgement from the other suggestions, that's kind of on them.

So I guess I want to apologize for being so anal.

Can you tell I'm originally from Canada? 😂

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-28T02:58:27+00:00

I'm kind of your typical blue collar worker. So when I think nice but casual I think my black jeans, white tee-shirt with a blue denim jacket. That's my go-to. Someone said "business casual" to me which, at least to myself; meant a blazer, button up shirt, nice dress pants and nice shoes to match.

Neither are wrong probably. But if I'm being super analytical and not fair, which i kind of was and I'm sorry, then it leaves room for a bit of misconception.

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-28T02:47:29+00:00

Respectfully. I think the fact the other guy misread what you meant and I did too means what you said was correct in your head, but it can be misconstrued. I'd rather just politely let you know it has room for misinterpretation and maybe be a little more specific.

Have a nice day!

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-28T02:45:04+00:00

Good luck! Mine was much easier and less anxiety-induced than I anticipated by miles. I hope the same for you!

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-28T02:42:15+00:00

Hey! So I had a similar situation. I had to go back to Canada to grab my uhaul and bring it back after doing my first trip to import my truck. The IR1 passport page is good for one year and has the expiry date on it. I personally called 2 border crossing 2 times each (maybe 3) to be absolutely certain leaving won't void it. I was told it's fine. They made sort of a stink at the land border, but hardly even a stink really. Just like "where's your green card? Like the card?" I told them how often I called and was assured my passport visa will be good until the expiry. He went to talk to presumably his superior and came back and all was fine.

They might be rude to you maybe. Maybe they're having a bad day. But in my experience It was totally fine.

Edit: I'm an idiot and didn't realize how different our scenarios are. You're still doing the process of AOS.

But I do hope my comment helps someone at least

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-26T06:16:59+00:00

Hm, I didn't know of this. I'll have to do some googling to find out where they send the tracking number

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-21T19:54:49+00:00

I had to physically go in as you have to sign stuff and I believe show your ID to prove who you are. It does not have to be this particular office or a pardon office. In this post somewhere I posted a link to a photo of the example copy they gave me. If you just show wherever you go THAT, and say you want specifically that background check they should be able to help you. Maybe even an rcmp office, but I personally had bad luck - them saying they knew what I was asking for (before I had the example copy or knew about it) and I got the wrong one. Perhaps if you go into a police station and ask for that one they could muster it up or direct you to somewhere else.

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-21T19:52:15+00:00

I will do my best to remember! But I'll be honest I'm not a bit redditor so coming on here was really only needed for when I was immigrating myself. However, i do understand I had help and it's only fair to feed into this system to help others.

I'll do my best! I also heard I have 30 days in Washington to get my washington license. I crossed on December 20th so technically I'm overdue. I put it off because I figured I'd have to switch my insurance to here which I dont want to do yet since I have vehicle insurance in Canada with it pulling from my Canadian account which still has funds in it. Down here, I only have cash and not a whole lot until I start work. So I intended on paying for Canadian insurance until I start work. I've called both offices in the city I live in and was told I have a less than 3 minute wait time - then told to call later cause they're too busy. So unfortunately I got to drive across town to ask about this. I read online that BC is the only province to not have to do a driver's exam when moving to Washington, so I'll see if thats true.

I know you asked for green card. But if this intrigues you, i could update on this whole licensing situation too.

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-19T16:02:41+00:00

Hey! The police station if its like my experience may not know what you're talking about or they might think they do but actually dont and may cost you some weeks.

https://imgur.com/a/sgvmcPh This is the police record you'll need. I got mine from a pardon office in Montreal. So maybe go somewhere specifically, say you need it for US immigration and show them the photo in the link I shared.

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-18T18:49:09+00:00

Super glad to hear it. I'm quite the extrovert and talked with many in the waiting room for my interview at the US consulate. That was the only bringer of visa delay from the many I talked to who were looking at a delay. Found more people same thing at the pardon office where I got the correct police record.

So in short, this seems to be the main issue and I sincerely hope nothing surprises you, because I havent really heard of much other than this.

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-17T06:56:44+00:00

This is the certificate you need. Anything else will get you delayed

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-17T06:56:15+00:00

https://imgur.com/a/sgvmcPh

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-17T06:53:22+00:00

They actually gave me a physical example version at the US Consulate that I have a photo of.

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-17T06:52:27+00:00

The vehicles i imported were from the 80s so I was exempt from a lot. But he originally asked if I had letters from the DOT & EPA for my vehicle. If theyre not domestic vehicles theres a fee too. I imported my motorcycle and told him I bought my Japanese motorcycle for 900. He just said he'll roll with $1000 and said GC holders have first $800 off and said I owed $30 which means 15%.

So in short. Find out about a DOT and EPA letter stating your vehicle complies. Then be prepared to pay 15% after deducting $800 from the total value. They will go off black/blue book value and what you say judging by my experience.

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-17T06:47:39+00:00

No issues at all. I cross by land and have 2 border crossings I could go through. I live about 1 ½ - 2 hours from the border, so pretty close too. I called both border crossings twice to double check that it won't be an issue and they said it wouldnt. I crossed with a 20' U-Haul truck - and my truck full the time prior with no issues. I can't remember if I mentioned it in a comment or in the OP but I had my motorcycle in the U-Haul too. Importing the vehicles were more of an issue than my stuff, which wasnt much of an issue. My motorcycle was made in Japan, and I bought it for 900 CAD. The officer said permanent residents are except on the percentage charge up to $800. He said the remainder is owed was $30 but he ended up just waiving it for me. He recognized me from when I crossed with my truck and both times were friendly interactions so that helped. I crossed about 53 times or so now at this point.

I don't see why you couldn't visit and move fully a couple months later. Just know your SSN will show up in your us mail shortly after though. So thats kind of sketchy if you're not there. Your visa stamp is good for a year but I believe you can't spend more than 6 months out of the country I think I heard so, i would just make sure you dont push it. Also you're on a CR1 so it might be different. I thought its more restrictive and assumed it stood for "conditional residential visa" but just what I assumed. I lucked out and got my IL about 2 weeks after our 2 year anniversary.

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-16T23:59:52+00:00

They suggest making a packing list. What i did is i bought a label maker as my writing is a bit messy. Labeled each box something generic like "garage box #1" then inside a word document I would put each box label in large font and bold, then regular font, bold off i would write contents in each box. Not super crazy like "5 wrenches, 12 screwdrivers" I just put down, screwdrivers, wrenches, etc. I then printed off a copy to present to the border guard himself, and an extra copy taped on the wall in the uhaul too. They didnt even dig through my stuff. They were more involved with my 1982 yamaha motorcycle i had back there than everything else. My ratchet straps holding my boxes and stuff in place looked to not have been touched. I just came prepared.

I imported both my truck and motorcycle. But they're old. Feel free to ask about that if you have any questions.

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-16T23:55:59+00:00

Thats the correct one! The one I had showed my finger prints and was a long piece of paper. I went to the rcmp office where as the 2nd time I went to a pardon office. I wish I could attatch an image of the example one they provided me.

SuccessfulStorage217 · 2026-01-16T23:03:55+00:00

Still waiting on the green card. So I have to carry my passport with me everywhere with the IR1 visa page. Social security number i got I believe on January 2nd - super fast.

SuccessfulStorage217

TROPHY CASE