MattandMolly

awesome thats great! Thanks for your help Samhunter

As in the topic, i'm not sure if I have to re apply for employment authorization even though I now have my green card in hand. It just dawned on my as its been a year since I got it and now i'm panicking!

Thanks in advance!

Thanks all, I appreciate the useful replies and am going to head to the social security office tomorrow and get it all sorted.

Regards

Many thanks for the quick reply, I think the short form you are referring to is the ss-5 form that I am filling out from the ssa website? I'm just wondering from what you are saying that I can put a cross in the box of "Legal alien eligible to work" but they will put that phrase re: the DHS and not able to work until i visit the SS office with my EAD, is that correct?

Thanks again.

Hi All,

So i've been in the US since 15th November 2012 and after reading the advice on VJ it seemed that it would be fairly straight forward to get a SSN. Although after reading a whole load of posts and the social security website now i'm unsure and need some guidance from the knowledgeable folk out there! So I know that I had to wait 2 weeks before I apply for the SSN so that it gives it time for me to show on the system, i'm male so I dont have to worry about change of surname. Our marriage isn't until Jan 12th so this leaves me in a predicament after reading the SSA website about getting a SSN in regard to that I haven't or can't file my AOS and EAD until we get married. Please see below copied from the SS-5 form:

Evidence of Immigration Status

You must provide a current unexpired document issued to you by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) showing your immigration status, such as Form I-551, I-94, or I-766. If you are an international student or exchange visitor, you may need to provide additional documents, such as Form I-20, DS-2019, or a letter authorizing employment from your school and employer (F-1) or sponsor (J-1). We CANNOT accept a receipt showing you applied for the document. If you are not authorized to work in the U.S., we can issue you a Social Security card only if you need the number for a valid non-work reason. Your card will be marked to show you cannot work and if you do work, we will notify DHS. See page 3, item 5 for more information.

and...

5. 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. NOTE: Most agencies do not require that you have a Social Security number. Contact us to see if your reason qualifies for a Social Security number.

So, technically at this moment I am NOT eligible to work until I get my EAD but I will be as soon as I have it. It seems to me that they want you to supply proof of that eligibility also? Therein lies my question, what do I do? I'd like to get my SSN asap but i'm unsure of which box to tick having read other threads. Also, i'm taking it I don't have to include my parents names on the form as neither of them are or have been US citizens?

Many thanks to anyone who can help!!

Matt

A fellow London DCFer has had this experience (cut and pasted below)

'Head's up to my fellow UK interviewees for November - my husband got a call from the US Embassy in London this morning telling him they were overbooked for November and tried to move his appointment a few weeks back! Apparently, the only thing that helped us to keep our date was the fact that I had already made arrangements to travel to London to attend, so they only changed our appointment time. Just wanted to give you all a head's up in case you get phone calls as well!' This interview is scheduled for 8 November.

I am in an absolute panic cos my interview is scheduled for 9 November, husband is coming over the States especially, hotel is booked night before and night after, I have given in my notice to my job so that I can attend the interview and leave the UK asap afterwards and to top it all I have signed a tenancy agreement on my house with a moving in date for the new tenant of 20 November!!

I have noticed two missed calls on my mobile, yesterday and today, saying 'unknown number' - now I am scared to death.

Has anyone else had the call? Can they just go ahead and change your interview if they can't get you on the phone??

My interview is this week Nov 1st, I will go bananas on the phone if they try to change it! I'm sorry to the people who have had it changed, it makes the visa process even worse than it already is.

So my interview date has finally arrived after lots and lots of waiting and getting annoyed at the embassy because of the so called "backlog" of applications. November 1st at 9.30am is D Day. It's been a long time coming and as i'm sure Molly will agree with me its been a very frustrating time especially as things are supposed to get quicker once you've received your NOA2. I think our advice to anyone just starting out on this journey is to prepare to be extremely patient and hang in there. Luckily we've been sensible in arranging our wedding date but I know from reading some other posts that people haven't taken into account how long they think the process will take, thus, cutting it extremely fine to their wedding date.

Needless to say I am extremely excited about getting to the interview and getting this done as I know Molly will also be by the time she wakes up!!

Even though I haven't been a vocal part of the community on here i'd like to thank everyone who's put up so much good advice and information. I look forward to using it to prepare for my interview, the move and then settling into American way of life.

Thanks and good luck all on their journey.

Matt

So just in case you guys missed it especially the people not in the states yet! Here's Marvelous Mitt getting owned by Jon Stewart

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/politics/2012/09/video-jon-stewart-tears-apart-mitt-romney-his-47-cent-remarks

I'll ask the ex -- he's the one with all the hifi know-how.

that would be great if you could!

Many thanks

This is a much-discussed topic in the UK forum, and there's an old (but still useful) thread full of info: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/128548-yes-its-another-shipping-thread/

Personally, I used Excess Baggage to move 30 boxes of varying sizes (from book boxes to wardrobe boxes to a huge bike box) door-to-door from North London to Connecticut via sea freight. They provided all the boxes and packing materials, and we packed everything up for them to collect. They were helpful at every stage of the game, and nothing was broken or missing. We didn't need to pay any duties or other fees that some have reported when using other companies. And by packing (and unpacking) the boxes ourselves we didn't pay for services we didn't need or want. I have recommended them to others on VJ who were similarly happy.

Regarding electronics, we got rid of a lot of stuff before we moved unless it had dual voltage already or was worth going through the hassle of having a converter for. We had been collectors of vintage hi-fi equipment in London, so everything that wasn't interesting or worth quite a bit got sold. We still ended up shipping three turntables, a tape deck and a hugeazz reel-to-reel player.

It's probably cheaper to replace a small stereo and lava lamp over here than to ship them and get converters, unless they are of great sentimental value to you or can't be replaced with similar items.

Ooooh i'm so glad i've found this thread! Honey Crumpet, I have some Technics SL1200 mk2s, I don't suppose you know if they'd work on US power? I'm wondering if my dj mixer would too? If you don't know the answer, thanks anyway

Regards

You're correct in this information varies from state to state. You would need to visit the Minnesota Driver & Vehicle Services site to learn the requirements: http://bit.ly/LuGVz6

thanks very much for the reply

Hi All,

in plenty of preparation i've been trawling throught the forums in regard to driving in the States once I make the move. So i've found some conflicting info no doubt things differ from state to state so I have a few questions...

How long am I able to use my UK driving license for? Some places i've seen said that I am able to use it for the length of my K1 visa?

When I am using it will I be able to use Mollys' car on her insurance? (I assume thats down to her individual insurance to say if I am or not)

If her insurance doesn't cover me, is there any way of getting insurance without an SS# and green card?

Could people who have already been through the process share what they did pretty please!

Many thanks in advance for help!

Matt

Thankyou very much for your replies that's a great help, it's hard to know how to prepare and also frustrating when you arent given an exact date. Still, it'll be all worth it in the end!

Thanks again!

Hi all,

I tried the search but it came up with an error message

I was just wondering how long it took to receive the forms regarding going for medical etc from your embassy after notification of NOA2 approval? I live in the UK and just want to be prepared. If anyone could give me an estimate i'd be most appreciated!

Regards

Matt