Passport update

Well, my initial passport application got rejected by Passport Canada due to my passport photos. They said my eyes weren't fully visible (like a little, itty bitty part was hidden) and there was a flash on my forehead (you can see the photo for yourself a few posts below or by clicking here to go to that post). D'oh >_< So, I went back to Walmart where I had the photos done and got a refund as my photos were rejected because of them, wasting me both time and money.

For round two, I went to Walgreens. They weren't 100% positive they did Canadian sizes, but lo and behold, their photo machines had an international section for passport photos, Canada being one of the countries. So, got those done and this time, kept my glasses off, to prevent any errors. You can see these photos below (again, excuse the meh expression):

I then mailed my passport application in again, keeping my fingers crossed. I didn't bother paying $30 this time for it to arrive within 5 days. So, I paid like less than $5 instead for it to arrive in a week, and no tracking. I kept all fingers crossed it would get there.

After like a week or two after sending in my passport on January 25th, I began to call Passport Canada twice a week to see if they had received it. Finally, around mid-February, they told me they had received it on February 7th and they were just beginning to process it. So, I started to call once a day to get status updates. I felt like I was going through NVC all over again!

A few days after they told me they received it, I saw my credit card had been charged the C$97 fee from Passport Canada. I called up asap and found they had accepted my application, phew!

And just last week, they told me they had ordered for my passport to be printed. And then last Friday, they told me they had shipped it! After getting a very long tracking number for FedEx (and when I say long, I mean like 30+ digits long!), I tracked my passport. Yesterday, it arrived safely at my apartment and I finally had a passport again! What a relief!

Enjoy the photo below of my brand new, shiny passport :)

~Lindsay

Passport and Transcripts

According to USPS's site, my mail's location, as of today at 8:39am, is "Canada". Very descriptive, lol. So, I know it's made it into the country safely, but I have no idea if I'm going to get any more tracking now that it's in a different country (besides proof of delivery). Guess I'll just have to wait and see!

In other news, I'm going to be eligible to file for ROC next month. I'm weirdly excited to file paperwork again, lol! Once the date gets closer, I'll post what I'm planning on sending in. I don't have all the evidence finalized yet, so until then... :P

But, I did request a tax transcript last Wednesday, the 9th, for tax year 2011 showing that Ben and I did 'Married Filing Jointly'. Just checked the mail a few minutes ago and it already arrived! That's less than 4 business days from requesting it to receiving it. The IRS are on top of things at the moment! (So if YOU need a tax transcript, for whatever reason, order it NOW!)

~Lindsay

Canada Passport Renewal

So, about last week sometime I was looking at my passport and realised that it expires next month, in February. I immediately got my butt in gear to get it renewed!

Since I was eligible, I filled out the simplified renewal form (found here). All that was needed with that, besides the form, was the fee (of C$97), my passport, and two passport photos.

I managed to fill out the application, but was held up on the section about references as I didn't know the addresses and phone numbers off hand with the two people I was planning on using. After sending them a message via Facebook, they both responded quickly enough and I had the form finished the next day.

The only thing holding me up at that point was the passport photos as they needed to be taken by a commercial photographer. I was at first planning on taking the photos myself, like I had with the NVC, medical, and interview photos, but alas, it's not allowed! So, at first, I thought the only place I could get photos done here in town was the post office. Then I found online that Walgreens does passport photos, along with the portrait studio in Walmart. Before going anywhere though, I wanted to make sure these places did CANADIAN sizes, as I didn't want US sizes. So, first I called up Walgreens and the representative said they did and they cost $10.99 for a set. I tried calling Walmart, but they didn't pick up their phone whenever I called for two days. But I finally got a hold of them and they do Canadian sizes as well, but cheaper, at $9.99 a set. Finally, I called the post office. Let me tell you, the guy who picked up had no clue (for whatever reason) what I was asking when I asked if they did Canadian sizes for passport photos. I'm like alrighty then, lol. So, I decided to go with Walmart as they were cheaper. They might have been my only option as I have a friend who works at a Walgreens in another state and she told me they only do US sizes, so I don't know if we just do things differently here or the lady on the phone was wrong.

Anyways, long story short, I tried getting my passport photos done at Walmart on Tuesday, but unfortunately, once I got there, I realised they were closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. So, I went on my lunch break yesterday, Thursday. Let me tell you, I HATE getting passport photos done, just because you can't smile. In my last passport, I looked soooooo pissed off. This one wasn't so bad, but still. Enjoy:

(No, I don't wear my glasses that low, the photographer told me I had to do that XD)

So, now that I had the passport photos, I was ready to mail off my package! I headed to the post office as soon as I received the photos. I put the form at the back, the photos in a small Ziploc bag, with my passport in a bigger Ziploc bag, and paperclipped the entire thing together. After dishing out $30 for Express mailing with tracking, my package was off!

According to Passport Canada's site, mailed in applications take 20 business days to process, so I'll hopefully have my passport back next month. I'm having small anxiety issues not having my passport on hand, just in case something happens and I need to travel to Canada for an emergency. I'm sure everything will be fine though :)

I'll post an update once my package has arrived at the Passport Canada office, as well as when I have my new passport on hand. Wish me a swift process!

~Lindsay

Visa received!

So, this morning, I called up DHL and asked if my shipment was ready for pick up. The lady confirmed it was! So, this evening once my dad was home, I borrowed his car and headed out to Dorval, the DHL location I chose which is closest to me. Took about 30 minutes to get there and then another 30 back, but it was definitely worth it! At DHL, the lady asked for ID as it was for a passport pick up and she had to verify. She then asked me to open the DHL package to confirm with the passport as well. I carefully cut the package as I didn't want to accidentally tear at the sealed envelope within. She looked at my passport and then told me everything was okay and that I could take the package. I happily skipped off to the car :)

Here's some pictures if you're interested (as always, click to enlarge):

Here's me holding the very bright yellow DHL package.

The contents of the package.

Finally have the visa!

The very important, sealed envelope. Who ever opens this package must be extremely blind.

This is what it looks like on DHL when you input the reference ID that is found on the CSC site.

This is what it looks like on DHL when you get your waybill number or when you click on 'view status' when you put in the reference ID number.

~Lindsay

P.S. Only 5 more days and 10 hours till I leave Canada and head for the border!

Email from DHL

So, I just checked my email and found I received one from DHL! It said they had picked up my passport/visa at the consulate and they gave me a waybill number to track it. I should be able to go pick it up tomorrow! Yay! :D

~Lindsay