Post Embassy Drama, UK VJer 'Life In The USA' Edition.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Oh, HAHA! I guess I'll go tomorrow then! (My fiancee is off, she can drive me)

Also, I check "Legal Alien allowed to work", right?

Yes. And don't let them say you are not eligible. Take the right documents.

[DaveNot 55]

Just a short update. Things are going well, but living a pretty much normal life here day-to-day. Still stuck in limbo with the AOS side of things because of the NPIW. However, you're pretty much free as a normal person besides a few restrictions like education, loans and gun ownership. I'm attempting to go back to school, but I am required to pay out of state tuition fee and cannot prove otherwise i'm a resident without a greencard as ultilities don't go back that far (one year).

I've managed to sort out all the essentials needed: Medical insurance (marketplace), driving licence, SSN, credit building and taxes. So, really just slowly building a foundation for ourselves and adjusting slowly to the ew ways. Otherwise, I'm traveling and doing things I didn't normally back in the UK. The country is beautiful and lots to do. I am still shocked at the views where I am in the valley. Lots of hiking, natural places to swim, which is nice. Winter is actually winter! We had tempurtures of -10f last year and awaiting another hard hit again. That is something that I am not used too. Summer is lovely and nice and warm. I spent sometime digging a trench, fun fun! Anyway, it's a hard and lengthy process to adjust to the normalities of life for essentials. So, my advice is do everything early and don't listen to everybody, do your own research. I wouldn't have what I do now if it were for that reason. Example: medical insurance.

My experience:

SSN do on (K1) not AOS as it takes forever.

Driving Licence (varible by state), but all I needed was my Notice of action for adjustment of status (i797). This made life so much easier as nobody would accept my passport as ID or other. I can drive perfectly fine and the test was 2 minutes and very simple ( drive around the block).

Medical insurance: Omg, this was a pain in the ###! If you cannot obtain insurance through your spounces work (maybe doesn't have it or on medicaid), sort this ASAP! Soon after you file for AOS or obtain EAD. They have a special enollment period open 3 months of the year. Outside of that you're going to find it difficult. I had to go an apply for medicaid and obtain a rejection letter then apply online to open the doors to the marketplace (this is a short version) This they dub "The special enrolment period" so you cann apply outside the window under life changing circumstances.

Credit building: Easy but takes time and some research. I applied for a secured card then next going for a loan which will be co-signed. About 6 months roughly you should have something nice to work with.

Taxes: You'll find it different with the deductions and such you can apply. It's complicated and a head breaker, but i find it fun as a i like learning these things:) Yes, probably the odd one out. I'll hate it in the future i promise.

[JoeyKeano 20]

SSN application went very smoothly this morning. The lady at the desk knew what she was doing and understood I was eligible with a K1 (I had brought the printout just in case) So its all fine and should arrive within 2 weeks. Thanks again Nich-Nick!

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

"Life in the USA" started seven years ago for my husband. October 1 was his first full day in the U.S. after the K1 visa. First event for the day, two minutes from home, was him being stopped by the city police for the inspection sticker on his car expiring the day before. Welcome to America..hahaha. No problem because we explained we had been out of the country for two weeks and were on our way to the inspection place. The documents needed were clearly out on the dashboard even. Second event was to get the marriage license. (Anniversary is 10/5.) And the rest is a very, very happy life for us. America and Texas suit him just fine.

We have VJ UK forum friends (from waaay back) arriving next week from Alaska. They adopted us as parents. We've met up three times before but this is their first time to Houston. They have a child now. We're busy gathering tot toys, bed, car seat, etc from our neighbors. Kinda cool how you can make connections on this forum.

[yuna628 9,541]

We married two days ago. The best man had a pretty nasty cold and spread it to most of the wedding party, including me, but thankfully though touch and go, the rain held off for our ceremony. It was an amazing day!

[Kat&Jon 84]

First off I would like to say Congrats to everyone who has made it through the process and well wishes to all who are still going through! Jon and I haven't started yet, but will be joining you all hopefully soon!

I am not sure if this is the best thread to post this question but since it was about adjusting, I thought I would give it a go!

I live in Tampa and my dear Jon will eventually be joining me here. I was hoping anyone else in the area could help with a couple of things.

First, my local Publix does have a small British section which includes a few of Jon's favorites (Hob Nobs, Heinz Beans- that he tortures me with, and that one sauce I never remember the name of until I see the packaging) but there are a few things they are missing. Is there anywhere else that I might be able to go to find a bigger selection? I am able to go to the Orlando area as well to find things for him that he might miss since it isn't that far, but we have a lot of various Ethnic stores here in the area for all different backgrounds but I haven't found much in the way of a store that specializes in British foods.

Second question, is there any restaurant in the area that anyone would recommend a somewhat comparable order of Fish and Chips? (I know nothing would be the same as back home) We both love them and he currently eats them almost every week! I know he would sorely miss a good Fish and Chip shop. If anyone can help with either of these questions I would greatly appreciate your help!!!

[-Shana- 152]

We married two days ago. The best man had a pretty nasty cold and spread it to most of the wedding party, including me, but thankfully though touch and go, the rain held off for our ceremony. It was an amazing day!

Congratulations!! You looked stunning. Sorry you caught the dreaded cold!

[ChasUno 101]

We married two days ago. The best man had a pretty nasty cold and spread it to most of the wedding party, including me, but thankfully though touch and go, the rain held off for our ceremony. It was an amazing day!

Yuna, big congratulations to you and your hubby! You both look great in that picture, and it's so good to see you finally together and tying the knot. You've been incredibly patient and dignified all this time despite being stuck at TSC whilst other's seemingly breezed through CSC. Despite all that, your upbeat posts and generous help has been greatly received by many on here on VJ, including me. As such, it is wonderful to see you finally reaching the happy day of marriage on your Visa Journey too.

Wishing you both the very best for a happy and prosperous new life together!

Chas and Bruce

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Perfectly said, ChasUno. I totally agree.

[TylerandSue 4]

Great thread!

I arrived in US on September 30th and married my love on October 17th.

I didn't apply for the SSN as soon as I arrived....I'm thinking now this may have been a mistake?!

My parents were here for the wedding and festivities and have now left so I am due to start the AOS/AP/EAD process now.

Good luck and congratulations to all at whatever stage you may be!

[swji89 41]

Great thread!

I arrived in US on September 30th and married my love on October 17th.

I didn't apply for the SSN as soon as I arrived....I'm thinking now this may have been a mistake?!

My parents were here for the wedding and festivities and have now left so I am due to start the AOS/AP/EAD process now.

Good luck and congratulations to all at whatever stage you may be!

You need to wait for two weeks to apply for your SSN anyway, so not really. I'm in a similar position having got married on the same day! Now back from honeymoon and starting to finalise the paperwork for AOS etc. I'm going to try and get my SSN applied for tomorrow and get that sorted before sending off the AOS paperwork.

Edited October 28, 2015 by swji89

[TylerandSue 4]

Thanks for your response.

Just reading the guidelines for the SS5 form....

If you check “Legal Alien Not Allowed to Work” or “Other,” you must provide a document from a

U.S. Federal, State, or local government agency that explains why you need a Social Security number

and that you meet all the requirements for the government benefit

Is this going to be a problem? I can't see that any other K-1 ers have had a problem.

I just don't want a wasted journey to the SS office as it's not close to me.

Thanks

[yuna628 9,541]

We checked allowed to work. You know why? Because you are, and the SSN reflects that when you receive it by saying ''valid for work only with DHS authorization''. Your authorization is when you have an EAD or Greencard. SSA official confirmed this when she asked him to clarify if he had worked or intended to work -- the key phrase is ''no, I have not worked yet and I'm not allowed to work until I the government sends me a work authorization or green card.''

[Wooderz 314]

You need to wait for two weeks to apply for your SSN anyway, so not really. I'm in a similar position having got married on the same day! Now back from honeymoon and starting to finalise the paperwork for AOS etc. I'm going to try and get my SSN applied for tomorrow and get that sorted before sending off the AOS paperwork.

Not true. That's old advice. Daniel and so many others got their SSNs before two weeks. Daniel got his 4 days after he POE'ed.

Need to bring:

SS-5 form (found on Social security website)

Passport

I-94

one other form of ID (Daniel used his birth certificate)

document RM 10211.530 which explains that K1s are able to get a SSN under the "allowed to work" category

VJ has a guide for this: http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

Edited October 28, 2015 by Wooderz

[TylerandSue 4]

OK, great.

Thank you again