First timer queries!!!

[AP]

Hello friends,

I'm in presently working in houston, Texas and my wife is studying on a dependent visa. We move to US from India in november last year. Following are my queries if someone could answer I would really appreciate that.

1)Do I have to live in US for 1 year befor applying for Immigration? I have a valid H1B visa till 2009 and my wife is on a H4 visa?

2) How will the process change if my wife's visa changes to F1 from H4 since she is studying now.

3)Will there be any change in the application process if I get a job and move to Canada before getting my immigration?

4) Do I have to apply under the regualr process or simplified process?

5) I see that under the regular process I need to send all documents together. Is it true?

6) What kind of Bank account details are required during applying? Do I need to show a balance of $12000 during applying or at the end of getting Immigration? What kind of letter is expected from the bank?

7)What kind of content is expected in referrence letters from previous employers for immigration?

8) I have taken TOEFL exam an year ago, can I send the TOEFL scores instead of IELTS score? I hear that sometimes the IELTS scores can be ruled out based on background of a person. Is it true?

9) Do we have to land and live in the place where we have applied for immigration. Suppose I say Calgary on my application do I need to land and live in Calgary?

 

[PMM]

Hi

Hello friends,

I'm in presently working in houston, Texas and my wife is studying on a dependent visa. We move to US from India in november last year. Following are my queries if someone could answer I would really appreciate that.

1)Do I have to live in US for 1 year befor applying for Immigration? I have a valid H1B visa till 2009 and my wife is on a H4 visa?

No, you have to be admitted for 1 year, if so you then can apply 5 minutes after admission.

2) How will the process change if my wife's visa changes to F1 from H4 since she is studying now.

No.

3)Will there be any change in the application process if I get a job and move to Canada before getting my immigration?

Yes, if you employer gets an Arranged Employment Option, it should speed up your application.


4) Do I have to apply under the regualr process or simplified process?

Regular if applying to Buffalo.

5) I see that under the regular process I need to send all documents together. Is it true?

Yes.

6) What kind of Bank account details are required during applying? Do I need to show a balance of $12000 during applying or at the end of getting Immigration? What kind of letter is expected from the bank?

A statement showing your balance for the previous 3 months.

7)What kind of content is expected in referrence letters from previous employers for immigration?

Must contain the job duties that you performed.


8) I have taken TOEFL exam an year ago, can I send the TOEFL scores instead of IELTS score? I hear that sometimes the IELTS scores can be ruled out based on background of a person. Is it true?

Nope, if you are from India, you need the IELTS. Unless you are from an English speaking country, where the education is in English, the language of work is english and english is the language at home.

9) Do we have to land and live in the place where we have applied for immigration. Suppose I say Calgary on my application do I need to land and live in Calgary?

No, as long as you aren't accepted on a PNP or by Quebec.

PMM

 

[AP]

Thanks for your response PMM. I would like to clarify your response for the first question where you said that I need to be admitted for one year . Does that mean that I need to wait till one year before applying? or since I have a valid visa for 3 yrs I can go ahead and apply now?

Secondly, the three months statement. Does it need to show a balance of $12000 for three months or can it vary?

thanks and Regards,

AP

 

[PMM]

Hi

Thanks for your response PMM. I would like to clarify your response for the first question where you said that I need to be admitted for one year . Does that mean that I need to wait till one year before applying? or since I have a valid visa for 3 yrs I can go ahead and apply now?

Secondly, the three months statement. Does it need to show a balance of $12000 for three months or can it vary?

thanks and Regards,

AP

If when you arrived in the US they stamped you in for at least a year, then you could apply 5 minutes later.
It should show the minimum in each month.

PMM

 

[AP]

I understand that if I apply from US I need to send the documents to Buffalo.Now that I got to apply under regular process and have to send all the documents together does it include the police clearance certificate and medical reports too? If yes wat medical examination from where and whom?

Also, I'm planning to apply on my own. Just wanted to know if it is better to go with a consultant or do it on my own. I understand the process is simple and can be done on our own. Would really appreciate your answers and opinion.

Thanks & Regards,

AP

 

[PMM]

Hi

I understand that if I apply from US I need to send the documents to Buffalo.Now that I got to apply under regular process and have to send all the documents together does it include the police clearance certificate and medical reports too? If yes wat medical examination from where and whom?

Also, I'm planning to apply on my own. Just wanted to know if it is better to go with a consultant or do it on my own. I understand the process is simple and can be done on our own. Would really appreciate your answers and opinion.

Thanks & Regards,

AP


Yes you apply with the police certificates, no you don't do the medical until requested. You better read the Buffalo appendix A closely, it tells you exactly what you need. Don't forget you will be required to submit your IELTS results as well.

PMM

 

[AP]

Thanks for your reply PMM. I wish to clarify one more doubt. Having $13000 in account, can I borrow money ,keep in my account and show the statement for 3 months or does it have to be a regular income or savings which make $13000? OR do we just get a letter fro bank stating that as on date I have a balance of $13000?

Kindly advise.

Regards,

AP

 

[Eduardo Picazo]

Hey AP

Just keep in mind that CIC will ask you for bank statement updates several times along your immigration process, can you get borrowed that money for a long period of time?, It could be years

Good luck
Eduardo

 

[AP]

Hi Saludos,

Can you explain a bit as to how many times and when do they need the bank statements? I thought it is once when we apply and may be before stampin the visa. However, is it okay if we have borrowed money in our a/c? may be for a longer duration but the question is how long?

Thanks

AP

 

[Eduardo Picazo]

Hi AP

Honestly I don't know per sure how many times CIC asks for the bank statements; it depends of the official that is dealing with your application. (I was asked to show it at least 3 times)

Now, about borrowing money, As I told you before it should not be a problem as long as you keep this money available to show it any time to CIC along your process (how long? It depends of where do you applied from)

please note that in the CIC's perfect world, you should not borrow the money

Good luck
Eduardo

 

[Libra]

Eduardo is right.

Also, CIC usually ask for proof of funds (i.e. bank statements, etc.) at the time they send you the paperwork for the medical exam and police certificate, which is usually towards the end of the process, and that is half way or a little over half way of the estimated processing time (use the highest percentage as a guide or next to the highest percentage).

For example, let's say for your location, on an average, cases are fully processed in 25 or 31 months. Then be prepared to show those funds between the following time-frames into the process: 12th month and/or 15th month, and/or 18th month, and/or the 21st month, and/or 24th month.

They usually will extend the completion of the medical exam up to a 90 day time frame, which will give you time to send in all requested paperwork.

Don't forget that you should have been maintaining a sizeable average daily balance in your account because any one time increase of funds into your bank account(s) might be viewed suspiciously.

However, they always reserve the right to ask for proof of funds again, at any time, just like Eduardo said.