TTG

On 6/14/2019 at 7:26 PM, databit said:

The DMV will ask for proof of US insurance carried by the driver.

I have insurance. My concern is will they require a check to see that I was accompanied by a CA driver? 

1 hour ago, calanda said:

CA only allows you to drive for 10 days on a foreign licence once you become a resident, so if you’ve managed to get your permit and driving test and become a named driver on car insurance all within that time period then I can only say nice one! I couldn’t get an appointment for like 3 weeks.

  

Based on my experience, just go on your CA permit and bring your wife. Whatever the actual rules may be, it is always advisable with the DMV to follow the most routine, standard, simple process possible. It’s a lot easier for some employees to just say no rather than go and find out whether something can be done.

  

 Before I came to California, I always thought that people were overreacting to their DMV experiences, but since arriving I have found that they really are awful. They wouldn’t even let me sit my test the first time around because they said my car registration wasn’t valid (it was). I also was accused of having a fraudulent passport (I don’t), told I couldn’t get an AB60 licence because I have a K1 visa (I could and did), and that I would get my licence mailed out to me 2 weeks after my test (it wasn’t, because they’d sent it as the wrong type of licence). They also insisted on writing my ID document as an Irish passport because the front said “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland” until I argued enough to make them change it to UK passport. Having always worked in retail and service occupations, I am a very strong believer in being nice, respectful and polite to the person behind the counter, but that has seemingly counted for nothing at the DMV.

  

Sorry, this turned into a big rant about how shite the CA DMV is, but my point is don’t do anything that might cause them any confusion or seem out of the ordinary because they might just turn you away.

Honestly that 10 day rule is the most BS thing I have heard in my life. My experience so far is that every single person at the DMV has a different answer for the same question and I haven't been able to get a real answer for anything 

I have been driving for 2 months on my UK license. As far as I am concerned the 10 day law was created with domestic out of state DL holders who are moving into CA because as you said, it takes WEEKS to get an appointment at the DMV to get a behind the wheel test, not to mention it took me weeks to receive my SSN and the DMV wouldn't let me take the knowledge test without the SSN. I'll be damned if I'm going to drive around on a permit like a child when my UK license is perfectly valid and can't be revoked by the US government as far as I'm concerned. 

I'm annoyed because I have to ask my partner to take the day off to accompany me on a 7 hour return journey because the only DMV that could give me an appointment within 6 weeks is 3.5 hours away.

Sorry to follow your (totally justified) rant with my own. The DMV is incompetence embodied. 

Just got my permit and booked my behind the wheel test. I'm still driving around on my UK license but I don't want there to be confusion when I arrive at the DMV. Am I OK to arrive alone driving on my UK license or should I bring my wife along and arrive on my CA permit so to speak.

I need to be certain as I"m driving 3.5 hours away to get to the DMV for this appointment and need the license for my new job ASAP.

Grateful for help.

Just now, Boiler said:

Well that is bound to cause confusion, most Americans have never visited the UK and shall we say have a Hollywood impression.

I fully embrace my new career as a supervillain mastermind. Just don't tell my wife about the lab in the cellar.

On 3/9/2019 at 1:39 PM, Boiler said:

Surprised you kept your accent. Why do they ask?

Sorry, I wasn't very clear. I'm a naturalised British citizen who is moving to the US. Originally (let's stir the pot) from China. I look 100% Chinese so people are very surprised when I speak in a very standard English accent. 

Having said that... if I'm in the US for the next 40 years I hope I never lose the accent! My mother would have a meltdown! lol.

Thanks guys. 

I have already left my UK employer although they were kind enough to issue me a letter indicating that I have not ever received private health insurance through them, the letter states the first day of employment as over a year ago so it's no good in this instance.

I will follow @NikLR's advice and get a copy of the NHS eligibility requirements. Maybe push my luck and get the GP to just write a letter confirming that if I have an immigrant visa for the US then I'm clearly no longer eligible for UK NHS services.

Appreciate everyone's input.

2 hours ago, milimelo said:

The loss of UK coverage should qualify as life altering. Can you get some paper saying you’re losing coverage from UK? 

My GP won't do this for me. The clinic says it's not their responsibility. I'm unsure how to prove that I will be losing NHS coverage. Will try to get in touch with NHS Overseas Services and see what they can do.

Thanks for the reply!

OK guys, I'm in a bit of a bind.

My partner and I got married in 2015. At the time I was obviously still living in the UK. We did not think that it would be pertinent to have me added to her union provided health insurance. 

Fast forward to 2019 and I am 5 weeks away from moving. I had her call her up union rep to ask how to add me to her insurance. The rep said that I can only be added within 30 days of a life altering event. Marriage qualifies but immigration does not. Her rep is suggesting that she add me in October when the annual slot to amend opens up.

Now I'm in a bind because I don't want to be without insurance for 6 months. 

Could I argue that upon leaving the UK I would no longer be covered under NHS and that this loss of coverage is a life altering event?
 

Or should I simply get my employer to write a letter confirming that they do not provide health insurance for me?

Really stuck and pulling my hair out over this ridiculous system. Please help.

I'm using Seven Seas Move Cube. A large cube from UK to CA is £2000 including the fee at the other end but not including insurance (about £200). This is freight and I have some small pieces of furniture along with personal belongings.

Hey Chestnutt. 

You moved across the world for your partner. It's not unreasonable to ask or even expect him to move 30 minutes away from his family. Tell him to grow up and stop being such a townie. Your happiness is important! 

Sorry Rob. I know how you feel. People are like deer caught in the headlights when they realise you're different. And let's not forget that most Americans never get a passport or visit a foreign country. It really sucks but I guess it's best to just carry on challenging their perceptions of what it means to be American. 

On a side note. I'm a British citizen, recently naturalised but here since I was 6 years old. I'm no longer very polite when people repeatedly ask me what nationality I am or where I come from. When I reply "I'm British, I grew up in Shropshire" and they ask "Yeah but where are you really from? Where were you born? Where are your parents from?" I don't think twice about dismantling their idiotic questions with a snarky remark. 

We are more than the place where we were born. I don't know what about that concept is so difficult for people to understand in 2019.

On 3/1/2019 at 8:34 PM, MrsB2212 said:

I had my interview today at US London embassy. 

The FIRST document that I was asked for was the courier confirmation page print out! 😂

so glad I took it. 

 

Visa approved, just pending receipt of my medical records, which I did yesterday.

So currently under administrative processing....

I hope it won’t take too long. 

The medical office said they take a week to send records off. I wonder how long the embassy response time after that is....

LOL. Figures. 

Were you asked for the affidavit of support or proof of your partner's citizenship?

2 hours ago, MrsB2212 said:

 

Did they not require you to show them your courier booking confirmation page for passport return?

No. I wasn't asked for it. I also didn't print the confirmation page. 

Wow my quotes differ wildly from £1,300 to £5,700! Very strange.

1 hour ago, Unidentified said:

Doesn't international law claim that a country CAN revoke someone's citizenship if they have another to fall back on? They just can't make someone stateless. 

There's an article in international human rights law that considers citizenship to be a fundamental human right but I can't remember if the same article outlaws the act of rendering an individual stateless.

Under British law it is considered legal to deprive a citizen of their nationality if the act of doing so is considered conducive to the public good and as long as the individual in question would not then be made stateless as a result. 

Bangladesh is now saying they have no claim to her and she is not eligible for Bangladeshi citizenship.

1 hour ago, Loren Y said:

Try this place out. Looks like a 20 foot container is what you need, and your door to door price seems about right. You could probably cut it in half if you go port to port instead of door to door, but this site will get you some good quotes pretty easily.

  

https://www.movehub.com/us/

Thank you!

On 2/18/2019 at 1:01 AM, Steeleballz said:

 

   If she's a citizen, she will be allowed to return. She won't be passing go though, it will be directly to jail. 

Her citizenship was revoked yesterday. The Home Office says she has claim to Bangladeshi citizenship through her mother. It will be interesting to see how this holds up legally. I think having 'claim to' and actually 'being a citizen of' are quite different things. 

Just now, Ben&Zian said:

 

While having no personal experience in this, you can use the search bar top right of the page to search for UK moving or something, I know there has been several other posts about it and maybe you will find a good answer.

Thank you! Will do.

4 minutes ago, MrsB2212 said:

Thank you for being so detailed and helpful in your response. I greatly appreciate your time.

 

When getting a new UK passport you have to submit the old one, and it's returned to you with the new passport. So I think I have to do it really fast. I have an appointment for Saturday and it will be ready on Monday.

  

 I do have one question -  As my entire application and supporting documents are in my maiden name, would I need a new ARCO police certificate if I change my passport to my married name?

OK good to hear you've got the appointment sorted. 

Your ACRO should be fine since it will be obvious your new passport was literally just issued. If it is a problem they will just ask for a new ACRO under your new name. You can submit it to them after the interview if they ask for it.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a moving company? I'm currently looking at Seven Seas move cube (freight) but reviews are patchy. Quote for door to door £1,348 plus $850 on the other side. All in all about £2,000

I've got about 20 boxes, and a bicycle. My worry is that shipping boxes separately will result in some getting lost. Move cube seems like a good idea as everything gets put into a big plywood container so it all stays together.

Seems expensive to me but I've also never done an international move before. Help greatly appreciated. 

7 hours ago, MrsB2212 said:

Thank you! This is so helpful.

 

My interview in on March 1st and I am sooo nervous!!!

 

Additionally I am having some major hiccups  🤯

 

I just got my interview notification last night, and its in 10 days! I thought they give 4 weeks notice to get medicals etc done...... so

 

1. My medical can only be done Feb 28th at the earlist-  which is ONE day before my interview.

Doesn't it take 5 days for the embassy to get the medical report? 

 Do I need to reschedule my interview??

  

2. I'm having trouble registering for the courier, it keeps saying 'CASE NUMBER NOT READY TO SCHEDULE'.

 I emailed the email address provided and they said they will reply in 4 days 😰

  

 3. I currently have my passport in my maiden name - I wanted to change to my married name, so new passport.

 Is it too late or  can I do this before my interview ?  

My application shows my maiden name even though I put my married name on the DS 260

 

Any advice?

1. Do NOT reschedule your interview. Go to the interview date and do not worry about your medical results. When they are ready they will be forwarded to your CO. The interview cannot be rescheduled until after the original interview date is passed, and a second interview date might be months away. Go to the original interview.

2. Don't worry about this. I tried to register 2 days after receiving my interview email and their system hadn't updated. Try again in a few days.

3. If you can get a new passport now (you've got 10 days until the interview be quick) then it's best to get a new passport under your married name and take that to your interview. There's no problem with having used your maiden name throughout the process and then showing up with a passport with your married name. As long as all paperwork supporting a name change is present, there's zero issue at all. In this case you would need your marriage certificate assuming that's how your name was changed. 

I personally started this process using a Chinese passport and filed for the I-130 under my birth name even though my marriage certificate showed a 'married name'. 4 months later I naturalised as British and then changed my name via deed poll to a name that does not match my 'married name' or my birth name. There were zero issues throughout the process. I took my marriage certificate, previous Chinese passport, birth certificate, deed poll, and new British passport to the interview. I had 3 completely different names spread throughout these documents but everything was legally supported and no questions were asked. 

Honestly don't panic. Just make sure you have everything to support your name change with you. If the new passport doesn't arrive in time, take the old passport to the interview and take your marriage certificate (you need this anyway). Explain that you've applied for a new passport but it has not arrived yet. They should be OK to issue your visa in the old passport.

A side note on this is that when you update your passport details they ask for your old passport. Since you need your old passport for the interview, you can apply for a new passport by stating your old one has been lost.

Alternatively you can just go to the interview with your old passport and when you receive the visa, apply for a new passport by handing your old one in. Your old passport with be cancelled and returned to you along with your updated passport. When you travel carry both on you since your visa will be in the old passport and make sure you travel with your marriage certificate on you! This complicates things somewhat as all your immigration documents (visa & green card) will bear your maiden name but your travel document will be under your married name

Your third option is simply to keep your maiden name and not bother with a new passport at all. The CO had no problem with me not using the name indicated on my marriage certificate. He also didn't give me a hard time about my partner and I not sharing surnames.

Hope this helps. 

9 hours ago, RudelCraig said:

Hi TTG

 

I landed Dec 2017, received my green card in just under 4 weeks. I also noted on my DS260 to have the SS number issued upon my arrival, but it never happened. We went to the SS office and they had me on record and issued me the SS number, no problems. The SS card arrived in the mail after 10 days. I would advise to go to your SS office upon landing and apply for the SS number.

  

I did not need my SS number for my drivers license: I went for my drivers license (before receiving my SS or green card) and the drivers license office issued me a drivers license that was valid according to the wording on the visa. When you get your visa, it'll state "upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for a year". This meant my drivers license was only valid for a year and I had to go Dec 2018 and have my drivers renewed. I realise this will cost a bit more but you can get your drivers license without the SS number.

  

 Hope it helps!

Thanks for your reply. I guess I'll hit up the SS office and just get myself an SSN in person then. I don't much fancy waiting for anything these days lol, especially after this visa process.

I see that you're in Wyoming. I think California DMV has a rule that basically says if a DL applicant is eligible for an SSN then one must be provided for the DL application. I don't want to try my luck and waste my time at the DMV so would like to get the SSN sooner rather than later. 
 

17 minutes ago, kiwihurricane15 said:

Go to Bank of America or Wells Fargo, both will allow you to open an account without SSN no issues. Just take passport and foreign bank/debit card and address information. You can be loaded both as non resident or resident. Good luck.

Thank you!

Can this be done with no SSN and just an I-551 in the IR1? I have Transferwise right now so can exchange £ to $ no problem but it's not convenient to use Transferwise as a primary bank account. Would like to set up a proper US bank account as soon as possible but not sure if I need the SSN first. 

Could someone please advise?

2 minutes ago, Ann&James said:

Congratulations and good luck with the rest of your journey. 

Thank you very much