mitchanme

Thanks guys, I think I will try online instead of through an agent. He also told us that if we got any "Obamacare" type things and had any medical care that they would take our house. That's why I've been worried about doing it through the marketplace thing. I have a sneaking suspicion he's fibbing. It's all so complicated!

So, I have my combo EAD/ advance parole card, and have had the 6 month delay letter regarding green card. Health insurance companies in town here are saying I cannot get insurance due to not having green card. I have my SSN, it seems so stupid that I could possibly get a job with medical benefits but can't actually purchase insurance. I've been without for over 6 months now and am getting very nervous. I have had no trouble crossing the border with the card. Has anyone else experienced this and what the heck did you do?

Thanks.

Thanks, yup, there's a lot of ifs. Turns out on further investigation that a temporary foreign national isn't eligible for the 60 day grace period on renewing. I have a sneaking suspicion I'm heading back to Canada for Christmas. I checked and my license up there is still valid (the state people here took it and I assumed it was cancelled, I just need to make the trip and show stuff with my old address on- thank heavens I kept my house and mailbox.

I think you're on to something with the error on my info as they had an issue with my SSN as someone had run my first and middle name together.

Yes, I have my advance parole, what I'm worried about is if this nonsense takes longer than the 60 days I'm allowed to use an expired license here then I have nothing at all! The EAD/AP card should have been enough to renew. I don't know if this is a glitch with DMV or with immigration. The greencard could be a long time coming. I turn into a pumpkin on the 23rd....

So, my drivers license expires in a few days, the nice lady at the courthouse says she gets an error message when trying to renew it, as does her supervisor. They say it has to be sent to Buffalo for confirmation that I am legal. Has anyone else had this? They can't tell me how long it will take. I'm considering going back to Canada and getting another license there and then going through the process again. I've had the 6 month delay/possible waiver letter so no green card in the near future. I have grandchildren in Canada that I have to see every few months so I can't wait 6 months. Thanks.

Thanks a bunch. Holy smokes, I looked at my drivers license and it's going to expire in one week. Wow, I never would have thought to look!

I have my combo card and got the possible waiver letter, but we can't understand what is important about the "green card". I know I would have to renew in one year, but is there a benefit to the green card that I haven't clued in to? Other than the possibility of not being allowed back in when I leave. Thanks.

Yup, the I94, and my visa, are both different, (but the same different) from the notice of action, which is the one I am going to use on all forms. Getting ready to make the call....

Thanks, I know burying my head in the sand isn't the best thing to do. We lost absolutely everything (except for the most important papers) in a house fire 2 weeks ago so we don't have any copies of the previous bits. I can see headaches looming....

Oh, good Lord. While filling out my AOS docs I noticed there is what I presume is a typo on my visa. A 3 became a 0 in my alien number. Is this going to be a huge issue? I'm going with the original number on the I-797 . Do I try to contact someone to fix this or just cross fingers and hope for best?

Be sure to also check with your insurance agent. Coming from beautiful BC I had to cancel my private portion of insurance and get WAY more expensive ICBC insurance- something called "territory Z". Our insurance agent here (Iowa) would insure it if I put my fiancé's name on it, other than that they want SSN. It's apparently different from just visiting because you are permanently leaving the country. Just when I thought the money drain had slowed down....

A heads-up for those just entering the US. We went in today to do my Social Security number, had done my homework and knew that I should be given the actual number, with card to be mailed. Apparently things have changed as of August 1st. They will not and CANNOT give you the actual number as they do not even see it. So, things just take a little longer.

The lady there was very nice, and knew her stuff.

Card should come within a couple weeks, she said usually by 10 days. We are getting married in the meantime so hopefully the number will be in the system when we go to do the name change, in which case she can give it to me! The number doesn't need to be in the system yet in order to change the name.

Personally, my hurry is the 200$ a month it's costing for vehicle insurance, I can't insure it here without the number!

Hope this helps other folks.

Is there a comprehensive list of expenses somewhere on this site? I'd like to prepared for it as much as possible. I had no idea the medical alone would be so much!

We've found it's not the actual fees that are the killer, but all the little stuff that adds up- like getting the proper copies of certificates, papers and shots if moving pets, criminal record check, not to mention travel expenses if you're visiting in between. If you live a distance from the medical clinic, and/or the consulate then factor in travelling for that as well. And don't forget about clothes and stuff if moving to a different climate!

This is a long shot but...I have a Canadian class 1 license, and was told by a DOT guy that I could just transfer it over to a CDL. After calling an official they say no, I have to do the whole test thing. Has anyone had experience of this? To complicate things I just got a DL medical that has to be done in 45 days, and it'll be iffy if I'll be getting my US one by then. Obviously if it doesn't transfer over it doesn't matter. I can get a chauffeurs license but I suspect that won't get me a 1 if I move back to Canada at some point. Yeesh!!

I SO agree with Ed and Elnie. Many men have no idea how difficult it is for a woman who is used to having her own (earned) money. My fiancé glibly says "if you need anything just ask". It just makes you feel helpless and incompetent, which adds to the adjustment stress. And, amazingly, a lot of outsiders don't understand that we aren't allowed to work for a period of time. Yes, the whole process is ridiculously expensive, but you have to be very open about the financial thing, and for God's sake make sure your fiancée has a little stash of 'just in case' money.

Have you considered a different field entirely? There are always laboring jobs, in landscaping or irrigation or construction. Then, if you have management skills you can work up. At any rate it would pay the bills for now. Often it's not about what you know but who you know, and getting out working at anything puts you in contact with so many prospective employers. Who knows, the person whose lawn you mow may have an opening in his or her company. Good luck with it, it's tough not seeing family for so long.

Well, was I ever surprised when I came back to Canada after 3 and a half months. They grilled me as to why I hadn't brought any purchases with me (I'm just back in Canada for my medical and interview), hadn't brought any gifts with me. Accused me of not declaring my engagement ring on last trip, and THEN searched my vehicle. I had an oil change and alignment done while there and were peeved I didn't realise I needed to claim that. All this with my dog who just had her eyes removed- and I'd been driving 22 hours at this point. The guard also wanted to know if I also had all my papers in order for my interview (this is Canadian officer, what the heck business is it of hers!), and why isn't my fiancé with me, where is he and what is he doing there. They were neat with my stuff though, and didn't even look into the dog's bag of prescription meds. Then "you can go now" , no welcome home or anything. Maybe fallout from the full moon on Friday the 13th??

Hmm, I've been hit by the awkward hug here in the US as well, but only by women who are anxious to make me feel welcome. I stick my hand out right away when meeting men, and often I think I take a step backwards, almost like the first half of a curtsey.

I met a wonderful French couple in Portugal once, we spent a day together- when it was time to part they took turns grabbing my head and soundly kissing both cheeks, was quite startling at the time.

Good grief, here's thinking I did my research when I called the local clinic to find out where to get them. I have a feeling they saw me comin....The quote over the phone was only 100, then after the fact it was more. It's taking me a bit to realise that medicine is a money making enterprise here. My travel insurance only covers emergencies unfortunately, it's not like a regular insurance plan.

A heads up for anyone else waiting out their k1 in the US and planning on updating shots here- I just had my MMR at a cost of $199. Yikes. Was trying to get all my ducks in a row, they are very expensive ducks.

Sometimes I fear we're going to go through all this nonsense and then we'll end up moving back to Canada due to the cost of health care.

Thank you. Got it. For any others trying this, it was when I clicked on the scan thingy, it has a box that says 'resolution', then you move that to 600. Yeesh.

I'm not very computer literate- I'm trying to upload my photo, I scanned it, then it was tiny so I made it larger, but it still says it isn't big enough. Is the pixels something to do with the person who took the photo? I had it done at walmart and I'm wondering if that's what it is. No matter what I do it just keeps saying it isn't big enough. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Thank you everyone

But, no one knows how much I do love them except my husband.

Definitely, husbands (or wives) of pet people are very special. Talk about the test of a relationship. Mind you, my dog adores hubby-to-be, sleeps under his recliner. He gets double the loves!

(BTW, doubtful that your statement that the way people feel about their pets in the US is "different" is accurate.)

Oh God, Sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone. We're in the middle of farm country where people shoot strange dogs on sight. We haven't told anyone about this as they'd think us insane to spend money on a dog. When I first came I was horrified at the amount of roadkilled pets laying on the side of the road. Somebody actually told me "the thing about dogs is there's always another one".