Rob1980

What about adding him as a user to your credit cards and then he gets to ride on your tail-coats, credit wise until he gets his own credit established? That is what my husband did for me, and within 6 months I was getting all sorts of credit card offers on my own. You could take out a smaller loan together, ie for a car, and then pay it back and again that would help his credit score.

Piggybacking no longer works as of Dec 31st.

Please provide a link or info as to where this information came from......

Kez

I got added to my wifes bank account and credit card/s and we had the impression that this wouldn't help with my credit rating. I'm not sure where we got that from, so would also be interested to know... for sure.

when applying to some jobs sometimes u just don't have the option not to answer. like this job I applied a week ago, if you don't fill in the salary field with actual numbers, like 20000, it won't accept. so what am I supposed to do? you know?

Yeah, I had that with an online application. I put in a range that was around about the salaries I'd seen for similar/the same jobs.

I did not put down the US as being my tax home from x date. I reviewed this a couple of different times with the help (or non-help, however each individual views it) line at the IRS and came to the conclusion that my tax home was that of my employer.

I did not put the date entered in question 12 because that date is established in question 1b.

Of course, you may get differing opinion, but I figure that I'll get a a response from the IRS if there are issues and they will be addressed and corrected/changed as necessary. As far as I'm concerned, I answered the questions to the best of my ability and as truthful as possible.

Good Luck

That makes sense I suppose.

Thanks for the help, we'll get the forms filled in and sent off ASAP.

My answer to when my bona fide residence ended was the date I entered the U.S. on the K-1 Visa.

For tax home, I put "Ontario, Canada" from 01/01/2007.

For question 12, I put in the Arrival & Departure dates for the times I visited during 2007 prior to the actual residence date.

Thanks!

So you didn't put down the US as being your tax home from x date then?

And you didn't put the date you entered the US on the K-1 in question 12?

I have a book that suggests that you just don't answer this... when you're applying for the job. But if you're asked it in an interview then that's a completely different situation.

Okay, a bit of background first...

I arrived in the US April 7th on a K-1 visa.

We married June 22nd.

My Permanent Resident Card says resident since October 16th.

So when we file taxes for 2007 we can file jointly and I'm filling in 2555EZ to give my foreign earned income.

I pass the bona fide residence test, but I'm not sure when I should say that residence ended in answer to question 1b on the form? Is it when I left the UK? Is it when I am actually a resident in the US?

It also asks me to list my 'tax homes' and the dates they were established (question 11a). I presume the same dates as for the residence test apply? So my tax home from Jan 1st is my address in the UK, but what date is the US my tax home from?

And what day would I say I arrived in the US for question 12?

Thanks

I am again very lucky as I get 13 sick days

I really don't understand the concept of 'sick days' as paid time off. As far as my experience goes you just get paid for time off sick, until it gets really long... like 3 months, and then it's half pay for the next 3 months. Weird that it gets treated like holidays.

- It is not Petrol - we call it Gas no matter how much you want it the other way. The American born kid making minimum wage behind the counter will not know what petrol is ;P

Why do North Americans call it "gas" when it's not?

PETROLEUM!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for that, I feel so much better knowing I'm not the only one with the door problem. My darling husband just loves watching me walk up to the car and get in the wrong side. I was driving him yesterday and stopped to run into a 7-11 in Doylestown, he just sat there laughing when I came out, walked over to the car, and tried to get into the seat he was sitting in.

You are definitely not. i do that quite a lot (whenever we have a car). I've done it with a friend, who thought it was funny because I was stood at the rear of the car waiting for traffic to pass before I stepped into the road and got in the car. She asked me what I was doing, and I carried on and opened the door to get in anyway! My wife always says we are resuming our 'driving positions' because whenever she came to the UK or I came here we'd be sat in the same seats.

PS - the Drs wasn't open yesterday, so we'll ring Monday and see about filling in the form.

Yup I know the area and know Septa all too well. I drive twenty minutes from Newtown (Bucks Co) to NE Philly to take the Regional Rail (R3) to Center City 2/3 days a week. For the most part it's on time, but with parking in my building at $17.00 a day + gas etc., I'm stuck with the train. I have not taken a Philly bus for years but I understand your woos and feel your pain.

You'll have quite a haul from Pennsport to Horsham everyday..even by car. I presume (maybe wrong) that eventually you guys would move closer to Horsham (maybe in between) your jobs. Keep in mind if you live in Philly and work out of Philly you still have to pay Philly City Wage Tax. If you move one block out of the city you save all that money I think it's 4.301%. You may have a local tax but that's rarely more than 1%...still a big saving.

Richard had all his medical record here. He needed them for his physical. He did his AOS here in the US. I actaully thought it was so cool that he could get all his records from the time he was kid. My Dr. retired a few years ago and when I went to get my records to transfer them they did have anything older than the past 3/4 years.

Good luck with the job, the license etc and keep the questions coming.

Bette

I don't have as much experience with the trains, but when I was travelling to Manayunk the worst that happened was that one was about 5 minutes late. It wasn't a problem because I was getting there 20 minutes early anyway! Coming from somewhere you can get public transport very easily I find it weird that there's only 1 train an hour.

Actually, we aren't planning on moving from the city, we both quite like living right here! I would commute everyday, which I think is about a 1 hour journey each way? I am fully prepared to do that, as I say it is a job I would REALLY like to get. Basically I want to work in sports, soccer if possible. The place I have applied at is the EPYSA (Eastern Penn Youth Soccer Assoc) and it's about the only large soccer based organisation in this area. We'd be fine for money, even with paying higher taxes.

$17 a day is very expensive. Parking is limited in the city!

A Doctor would only know IF you had been treated you for that condition, and IF it was in your notes. Or IF it was apparent on examination.

I am sure the form has plenty of get outs, the Doctor is no warrenting your health. Just giving an pinion.

I'll give it a go.

Yes he had the form filled out by a Dr. the is no option there.

We have an HMO so it cost the price of an office visit (co-pay for us) ...nothing more. If you or your wife have a regular family doc. they usually do this for the price of an office visit..it's not a complicated form....

You can always call ahead and ask what they charge.

As far as Septa depending on where you are leaving from and where you are going ... affects the reliability factor but the cost is high. If your driving distance is not too far and parking is free, driving is usually cheaper in the Philly area (sad to say for environment).

Good luck...

Bette

Thanks for confirming that for me. Had he had all his medical records sent over already then? I can't see how any Dr would answer those questions without that? My wife does have a Dr, and she 'thinks' that they won't charge too much to fill in the form for me.

We are in South Philly, near Pennsport if you know the area? I've travelled to Manayunk by bus/train before and had a problem once when no bus came and I missed my train. This week, 2 days in a row, I've gone to pick up my stepdaughter from school and been stood waiting for a bus for 20+ minutes. They're supposed to be every 10! I know what SEPTA can be like, so leave for an earlier bus, to make sure, and then still wind up being late. I can't rely on them if I have a job, and it's a long journey anyway. The job is in Horsham.

Right now we do Phillycarshare when we need a car. My back up plan is to rent their cars for whole days if I get the job and don't have a license/car, as they do accept international licenses. That would be expensive, but worth it for peace of mind I think!

You can drive on your UK licence for 1 year.

I dont know what you can do if you cant get to see a dr. Have you called any to see how much they would charge for doing the form. They might be able to tell you what you can do if you cant afford to pay.

Good luck

Well, we have to be careful with our money, but we could manage it I'm sure... as long as it's not $200 or something. I've read the horror stories about Drs charging for forms!

It varies by State, but the PA DMV suggests its 60 days.

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/new_residents/d...r_license.shtml

Assuming you are a Resident for this purpose.

And I guess my residency would be from when my greencard starts... which is more than 60 days ago.

It really doesn't seem clear, maybe it's me?

I have something of a plan now... I am going to go to the local centre, which is happily not far away! My wife will come with me, who they will accept as 1 proof of residency (it says on their site), then I just need 1 other thing to prove I live at the same address, and I got my card for our (now) joint account today, so the letter with it should be fine. If I need to get a form filled in by a Dr I will shout at them as loudly as I can, and if that doesn't change their mind I guess I'll just have to work my way around that one. I can also ask them how long I can drive on my UK license whilst I'm there.

Thanks for putting up with my obvious annoyance, I sort of know what I'm doing now.

We live in PA (outside of Philly) ...hubby was almost 50 y/o when he went to get his PA d/l...He drove in the UK from age 17...they made him start over like he never drove before !!!!!

He drove for a while on his UK license, longer than he should have, because PA won't let you apply for a d/l without a social security number. When he got his SSN and EAD he got his PA d/l but the had it expire when the EAD expired. He had to renew it when he got his green card.

If you have any questions...feel free to ask.

Bette

Just 1... did he have to get a form filled in by a Dr?

That's the bit that has got me annoyed. This is taken from the form and are the questions a Dr has to answer:

1. Neurological disorders such as to prevent reasonable control of a motor vehicle?

2. Any Cardiac or Circulatory disorder including Hypertension such as to prevent reasonable control of a motor vehicle?

3. Neuropsychiatric disorders such as to prevent reasonable control of a motor vehicle?

4. Conditions causing repeated lapses of consciousness, e.g. epilepsy, narcolepsy, hysteria, etc.?

If yes, specify:

If seizure disorder, date of last seizure

5. Alcoholism?

6. Narcotic/Drug Addiction?

7. Uncontrolled Diabetes? q

8. Uncontrolled Epilepsy?

9. Immobility or Amputation of an Appendage?

If so, list:

10. Does this person have any other condition that would prevent control of a motor vehicle?

If yes, list:

Pretty obvious this isn't possible without my medical history, and I really don't understand the need for it? When I got my UK license it was a simple case of turn up for the test and read a license plate at distance to prove I could see properly. This seems quite over the top to me, but I guess it isn't my place to ask questions... just do what they want... fill in the forms, pay my money, etc, etc... again.

I don't even want to own a car, but there is a job I have applied for that I would REALLY like to get out of town, and the alternative to driving is to take a bus, train, then another bus, then walk... an almost 2 hour journey, and if anyone knows how reliable SEPTA is, then they'd understand why I need a car! I need to get the process of getting a license going in case I get this job, but it sounds like it might take a while.

Others have told you what you need to do, I just though I would add my own recent experiences.

You would do best to read the manual before you apply for a learner's permit. I didn't know when I went for a learner's permit in PA that I would have to do the computerised knowledge tesat right there and then. I was lucky I passed it as I was planning to pick up a manual after I for my permit. Your UK licence is irrelevant, you will need your green card and proof of your address, either your lease or your mortgage doccuments will do.

So I basically have to start from scratch, as if I've never driven?

Okay, well in that case I have to go and have a medical? I have no Dr, and no health insurance, we can't afford it. I've looked at the form it says you need to get a Dr to fill in... it asks if I am an alcoholic for one thing! How is a Dr I've not seen, and who doesn't have any records, going to answer that one?

This seems extremely daft. I also don't have my name on the mortgage, or any of the bills, the only proof of my address is what was sent to me by INS, and the SSA. They don't list those as acceptable forms of proof either.

The really ridiculous thing here is that I have actually driven here already, we have rented a car twice. I drove most of the way back from South Carolina, which was a 13 hour journey! That was okay, we checked and I was fine with my UK license. Can I still drive on that for now, until I get a PA one?

The actual driving test here surprisedme, parallel parking was the only bit that was a problem (you do get 3 tries though), I didn't have to do that in the UK when I took my test back in the olden days. The rest of the test was basically a drive around the block, they will fail for if you don't come to an actual stop at stop signs, they will fail you for edging out from a stop sign to get a better view. Other than that it's hard to mess up. I was able to apply online for my test date and print out my appoinment details right away as soon as I had my permit. All in all it took me 18 days from getting my permit to passing my test.

Okay, well that's good news at least.

Obtaining Your Original Learner's Permit

An initial Learner's Permit is issued to any individual, 16 years of age or older, who has never been licensed to operate a vehicle, a new resident who has never been licensed, or a new resident who has been licensed in another state but whose driver's license has been expired longer than 6 months. If you are a new resident to PA, please visit our New Resident information page.

I'm none of those things though? I've been 'licensed to operate a vehicle' since 1998, just in the UK!

I've read a bit about other people getting licenses, in other states, and they were treated as if they already had a license. I can't find anything that specifically mentions immigrants.

PS. I found that on the PennDot site, linked from the DMV one, and when I went to the New Resident page nothing seemed applicable on there!

Do I really have to, basically, start over?

I'm having no luck on finding out what I need to do to get my drivers license here? I've been to the DMV website, which says how to apply for a new license, but talks about proving citizenship, etc. The sites not very easy to navigate, and I can't find anything about what immigrants need to do. I've had a UK license since 1998.

Anybody know or can point me in the right direction?

I'd much rather not have to get a car at all, but a job I just applied for would make it pretty much necessary.

Oh...and I also agree with Kim re. credit cards. It's all chip-and-pin here now, but before that we also used signatures and having worked in a shop I know how closely we scrutinized. Plus chip-and-pin makes everything so much easier for both cashier and customer.

I don't know if anyone has realised how ridiculous it is to actually just hand over your credit card to someone, who then buggers off out of sight with it for 5 minutes, only to return with your bill (again)? I've been warned to check and make sure that it's my card I'm getting back!

That's just bars/restaruants.

I've also found it's the little things. I'd never have imagined how much I miss chips and gravy! There seems to be more of a sense of urgency here... my wife actually agrees with that too. TV adverts are louder and quicker and don't give you any breathing space... except for my friend the Geico gecko. The lack of healthcare amazes me, as does the lack of holidays! My wife considers herself lucky to have 4 weeks (20 days) of 'paid time off', which is sick days as well as holidays. She does also get a week at Christmas and good benefits, but that is still way below what is normal in the UK. I want to work for a non-profit though (she does), so hopefully can find something better in that respect although that's because they pay less so have to make up for it!

Also, being a manc I find it amusing when people say I sound like John Lennon. I know it's only 40 minutes away, but still... Haven't had comments about my accent for ages though, maybe I'm losing it!

As far as beer, he's found tons of good micro-brewery beer. He's a beer freak, so I believe this when he tells me he's not missing anything....that and he can get any beer from just about anywhere if he wants it. He often says that the US shouldn't be defined by Budwiser just as the UK should be defined by Carling. *shrug* There's a lot of good beer out there if you look for it. Just don't look to the mass-producers.

Sounds like he's had much the same experience of the US as I have. I've got the pub for the football, download match of the day every week, all that stuff. I wanted to say, on the beer thing, that I'm a bit of a beer geek, and I love Philadelphia for its pubs and bars. There's lots of good beers here, I don't struggle for a good pint in the slightest. The only thing is that there aren't any English style ales, things tend to be hoppier, lots of IPA's.

i've seen some irish specialty stores that carry UK candy bars like the flake and aero etc

Yes, there's one in Philly that has bread too. I've yet to try it. Everythings about 6x the price it would be in the UK though.

I personally don't like that you can drive thru for almost everything.... I find it like the beginning of laziness or something but it's definitely different!

This is just a personal preference, but I hate driving automatics.

I can't even believe they charge you for water in the UK...

I don't like the drive thru for everything either. When we've gone to South Carolina (her parents have a place there) I've always felt relief that I live in a city where I can walk to a store, or pub. Nothing seems to be within a walkable distance round there. It's the same in the Lehigh Valley too, I think I'd go insane if I lived there.

I prefer driving manual too, purely because I feel more in control. Dont automatics use more petrol (gas) too?

As for charging water in the UK... can they actually do that? I know they can't in pubs, it has to be free. I would have imagined that it would be in restaurants, etc too?

Paying for healthcare. I don't have it, if I got run over tomorrow we'd be screwed. Hopefully I can find a job where I get good healthcare.

We've been to NJ a few times and had someone 'pump gas' for us. That, to me, is weird. It feels wrong to not do it yourself. Lazy?

In certain areas you can't even walk to the nearest pub or shop. You literally HAVE to drive!

Tipping in pubs.

Small pint size.

You should check this out to make sure, but I think you can still renew your UK passport from outside the country. I'm pretty sure about that.

Okay, thanks.

Only thing now is (and this will sound dumb!), does Civil Surgeon = a general Doctor? I'm going to my wifes Doctor, we have an appointment tomorrow morning and she quoted us $10! My guess is that she may not be able to fill in the form anyway and we'll have to find somebody else.

No a civil surgeon is a doctor designated by USCIS to handle immigrations medical issues.

Follow the link above to find one in your area, and be very specific with them that you only want the vaccination supplement done, many will insist on a full medical and charge $300+ to do it. In our case I took the I-485 instructions to the doctor, and pointed at the part where K-visas do not need the full medical done just the supplement and he quickly reduced it to $35 to do the supplement.

Yes, I looked at the link and that's when it occured to me that the doctor we have an appointment with probably isn't a civil surgeon.

There's a few that are quite close so it looks like I'll be ringing round tomorrow. Thanks for the help, I know what I'm doing now! At least I think... lol

It is called Varicella for adults, and it is a required vaccination for AOS, if you can prove having Chicken Pox as a child then the Civil Surgeon may waive having to get vaccinated for Varicella.

My blood test result states "Varicella-Zoster IgG Detected. Suggests past VZ infection."

How do you get that information onto the I-693 supplement? The blood test results have a date on them, so maybe that date? Or could they write an addendum to the form or something?

Take those results to a US Civil Surgeon, they will note it on the supplement.

Most immigrants need to show vaccinations or exposure for 3 things

• Mumps, Measles, Rubella (MMR)
  
• Tetanus and diptheria toxoids
  
• Varicella (AKA Chicken Pox)
  

https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=of...office_type=CIV

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/pdf/ti-03/appdx-a_693vacc.pdf

Okay, thanks.

Only thing now is (and this will sound dumb!), does Civil Surgeon = a general Doctor? I'm going to my wifes Doctor, we have an appointment tomorrow morning and she quoted us $10! My guess is that she may not be able to fill in the form anyway and we'll have to find somebody else.

It is called Varicella for adults, and it is a required vaccination for AOS, if you can prove having Chicken Pox as a child then the Civil Surgeon may waive having to get vaccinated for Varicella.

My blood test result states "Varicella-Zoster IgG Detected. Suggests past VZ infection."

How do you get that information onto the I-693 supplement? The blood test results have a date on them, so maybe that date? Or could they write an addendum to the form or something?

It has to do with the K-Visas being considered as Non-Immigrant, they only want medical results to determine if you are inadmissible on medical grounds, non immigrants don't need the proper vaccinations in order to travel, and can get them done in the USA.

I know it is stupid, the K-Visas should be treated the same and require the vaccinations before issuance of a visa just like immigrant (CR-1, IR-1) visas do, but the rules don't stipulate this at the Department of State.

I'd have thought that this whole process would run a bit smoother. I'm finding that I'm filling in another set of forms that I've already filled in once before, proving that my (now) wife has enough money that I won't be a public charge again, and more! In reality, all that's changed since March when I had my K-1 visa interview is that we've got married, and got a pay increase too. lol. I guess I thought everything would be passed on and it would be a simple case of proving we married within the 90 days and applying for EAD. Ah well, it is what it is.

Yeah. odd. I had the chickenpox too when I was a child so no vaccines for that either. At the medical in Germany the Doctor asked me about it, I told her I had them before and she noted that on the form..no problems at all with the I-693A...

I hope, it works out for you!

Do you mean you got a form filled in at the medical and then got that transcribed to the I-693 in the US? I wasn't aware you could get one at the medical and only found out when it was too late. So, I'm taking exactly the same information to the Doctor tomorrow as I did to the medical, plus confirmation that I also had my tetanus updated.

I believe Chicken Pox vaccine is age specific as in they don't give it to you unless you are a child.

There is a part on the I-693 that says 'Not appropriate age', so does that mean they should fill tick that box? It was a requirement for the K-1 visa though, so surely it would be a requirement for AOS too?

I'm going to a Doctor tomorrow to get the form filled in to show I have all my needed vaccinations. When I had my medical for the K-1 visa everything was okay, except for needing a tetanus update, which I had done by my GP to complete it. So, everything should be up to date...

but...

when I took my records to the medical, I had a bood test result from my GP that merely said I had an immunity to Chickenpox (I guess I had it as a kid). I've never had a vaccination for it as we don't have it in the UK. I noticed on the I-693 supplement that it just asks for a 'date rec'd' (of vaccination), so how will they get around my immunity to Chickenpox? There is no date of a vaccination. What I had was okay for the medical at, so I presume it should be okay for this form?

Does anyone have any experience of this?

This is daft anyway, why did I have to have the vaccination/immunity test at the medical if the information wasn't being passed on?

Well, actually they won't be able to give him a copy any longer. As I mentioned above, Knightsbridge Docs forward ALL paperwork to the embassy and retain nothing for themselves. All info goes into the brown/yellow envelope, including the DS-2053. If Rob is leaving the country next week then he has left it too late to get a copy. However, as long as he takes his vaccination history with him to the USA he can get a Civil Surgeon to transcribe it for him. Costs about $25.

It isn't a problem Rob, don't worry.

I'll try not to worry then!

I've kept my vaccination history, and I kept the form they filled in and faxed at my GP to confirm to Knightsbridge I had my tetanus done (I only found out I needed that after the exam), so that should be okay I guess.

I do remember reading here about a lot of people having trouble getting the forms transcribed for less than a small fortune, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Thanks for the info.