Cogitoergosum

3 hours ago, Oaftobark said:

Thats good to hear.  And when you call is it easy to schedule? Do you have to pay anything over the phone?

It’s all really easy and yes I think they took payment by phone. It’s a little private clinic in central London.  

12 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

Talk to the broker and have them discuss with the insurer.

Rates are based on ages of drivers, male or female, number of cars, level of coverage, where you live, types of cars insured.  There's a lot of variables. Are you a male under 25 years of age? 

Appreciate the response. Have you had success with getting the insurer to recognise non-US driving history so as not to be treated as a brand new driver?

34 minutes ago, missileman said:

That sounds high......My rates actually decreased after adding my wife (who now has a valid Texas DL).

Wow. Who do you insure with if you don’t mind me asking? And do they know your wife is a “new” Texas driver (new in Texas not a new driver per se)?

37 minutes ago, fip & jim said:

That sounds high. I'm in Michigan and we have the highest car insurance rates. I passed my test recently (here), been driving for over 30 years back in the UK. Our total car insurance this year is just under $2000 a year for both cars (mine and husband's), an increase of about $500 a year since I was added. We pay upfront every six months. The company we are with sent me a tracker to fit in the car for the first few months so I expect the price to go down after that. 

 

Did you you shop around, or was that the best price you could find? 😬

It was the best we could find! We used a broker too. It may be high because we live in Orange County (and it we crash into someone here it’s v likely to be someone in a $50k Tesla or Range Rover (🤮 California).

Did they ask you for your UK licence or your Michigan licence when you insured, or both?

Medical appointments were plentiful back in April when I went. They had a few within a few days notice. With the medical it’s better to get it over and done with ASAP so your results can be sent to and processed by embassy in time for your interview. You should follow up a couple of days after your medical to ensure that they have sent them. 

Have been driving in the UK for many years. Since moving to the US, CA law required me to get a CA driving license so I duly did. However, our car insurance rates are insanely high because they treat me like I’m a 16 year old new driver. We’re talking over $4000 a year. 

I’ve found some old posts on here about this but I just wanted to ask if anyone has figured out a way to get previous driving experience recognised by insurance companies so as to reduce premiums?

Thanks all

Thanks - very helpful

Hi, I have a B1/B2 visa which was issued a few years back. I got global entry a year ago. A few days back, I was issued a new CR-1 and entered the US with it. Does anyone know whether I can use global entry with a green card automatically now or do I need to make any changes? I was told that maybe I need a global entry card, but I thought you only need the card if you enter the US by land. Thanks all. 

I should add that, to those still waiting for visa's and good news, stay strong, stay patient, and don't lose track of why you put yourself through this to begin with. 

Hi guys. When I am on the CEAC website looking at my submitted DS-260 form, I can download the scans of all of my civil documents that I uploaded, except my passport bio page. When I try to download the passport bio page, I get the error: "ceac.state.gov sent an invalid response". It's only for this document. The document status shows as "accepted". 

My interview is coming up soon. I'm worried this might be an issue for the embassy, if they do not have a scan of the passport bio page at my interview because they can't download it (obviously, I will be taking my actual passport, but I'd rather it not come up as an issue during the interview). Has anyone had similar experience, and is there any way to check whether the embassy has the passport scan that it needs before going to my interview, such as by calling them? Thanks. 

10 minutes ago, JFH said:

Yes it was discussed at interview. More as a matter of interest as to what my plans were when I arrived. 

Just stalked your profile and saw that! Thanks. 

18 minutes ago, JFH said:

I started work before my GC arrived. I applied for the job before my visa interview and was offered the position upon the understanding that I would bring proof of work eligibility on my first day at work. Showed HR the stamp, I-9 duly completed. No problems whatsoever. My GC took 63 days to arrive. 

I’ve done the same thing. It’s nice to know I’ll land on my feet, all being well with the interview. 

Did your conditional job offer come up at your interview - were you asked about it or did you volunteer that info?

Thank you all for your comments. What a nice community!

On 3/28/2019 at 12:21 AM, Paul & Mary said:

I should point out you will have to wait on getting paid until you have you social security card

Just of interest Paul and Mary, how long did it take for this to come?

Thanks for your replies everyone. Does every CR1 visa have the “upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year” wording on it? Is there any reason why that sentence wouldn’t be on there?

10 hours ago, Ate said:

 

Straight from the official source: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/temporary-i-551-stamps-and-mrivs

 

"[...] employers should treat the MRIV as an acceptable List A document valid for 1 year from the date of admission."

 

Thanks Paul & Mary.  Does the actual stamp on the CR1 visa that they apply at the POE say I-551? I have seen varying accounts that this is a separate stamp to your entry stamp. 

Big bummer on the salary! 

First post here! 

I am just about to have my visa interview for the CR1 visa. I have an offer of a job in the US (conditional on showing proof of right to work in the US). I need to complete an I-9 form and produce proof of my right to work in the USA. I have heard it can take weeks or months for a green card to arrive in the mail after you enter the US. Does anyone know whether the CR1 visa when it is stamped on entry into the US is sufficient for  I-9/List A purposes, in lieu of a green card? Is this as good as an I-551 stamp? If a stamped CR1 visa is sufficient to prove eligibility of right to work in the USA, is this an I-551 stamp? 

I have heard that the I-551 is a separate stamp requiring an Infopass appointment which are apparently very difficult to get.

I'd be grateful for your thoughts. 

Thanks