NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!

[cdneh 3,112]

It's so nice to see someone moving right along now...we've been moving ..but in the wrong direction. Our timeline has gone from September to the end of October...and as well from the early 150's on Igor's list to nearly 170...this is where I need to fire up the patience potion ....right?

I'll let you know how that goes...

[Michelle Kauffman 0]

i checked out Igor's List for the first time, 270, 'nuff said

anyways, just so i have this clear, we've already paid the initial $455.00 with the I-129F, am i right in thinking that when it gets to NVC we will need another $470.00??

[Michelle Kauffman 0]

oh and kate i was going to ask for the recipe to that potion but then i had this vision of us standing around stirring a cauldron so perhaps you could just chuck some of those potions my way?

[KimandRuss 0]

Michelle, there is no charge at NVC. You will need to pay for your medical (varies) and your visa ($131USD). There is no other charges until you go through Adjustment of status after you're married and that's $1010, it includes EAD (work) and AP (travel).

[Michelle Kauffman 0]

thanks so much for that Kim, i do try really hard to read what's in the forum and on the govt websites but i just seem to get so confused, i don't know why, i'm not a stupid person, truly i'm not ; /

[kiwiana 2]

Hi everyone,

For those of you wanting to get your Cal driver's license you probably won't be able to get it just based on your I-94 (entry card). Or if you can get one it will expire on the day your visa does (i.e. within 90 days) so it's probably a waste of money. You can use your NZ license for a year no problems. As soon as you have your EAD you'll be able to get a proper license.

Another tricky thing you might encounter is insurance for the car. Lots of places won't insure someone with an overseas license or will charge you ridiculous amounts of money for the privilege. We hunted around and found State Farm were a good option - we're paying about US$650 for six month's worth (sounds awful I know but not bad by Cal standards). If you can show a clean driving history for up to seven years you'll be able to save money so it's definitely worth getting a letter from your NZ insurance company or the NZ Transport Registry Centre before you leave.

If you're planning on filing your AOS quickly you can do all the paperwork while you're waiting for the marriage certificate to come through. We were a bit slack (read: recovering from all the wedding preparations) and didn't really get going until the certificate arrived, which slowed us down by a couple of weeks.

And yes, waiting for the EAD does get tiresome! At least the wait has been during a southern California summer (I feel for all of you who will arrive in winter).

Good luck with your applications.

Belated welcome to Bobsagetti Thanks for the info on car insurance.

I think one of the major things i am concerned about (one out of the MANY i have ) is to do with health insurance over there. Is it compulsory to have health insurance?. Or can you go along to the docs or dentist like in NZ and just pay a fee at the end of the consultation? If it is compulsory, is it hard for new immigrants to get cover? Can you get it whilst you are waiting for work permit? or do you have to have a job first? Sorry this sounds like a lot of questions but hopefully someone will be able to fill in these gaps as i think one of the biggest worries is if a person suddenly fell ill and to not know what the heck happens or if you can seek medical help etc?

Bobsagetti: How long have you been waiting for EAD? What is the general waiting time before it is issued?

cdneh and Michelle: I looked on igors list, 250

[kiwiana 2]

oooook... i clicked on add reply before i had finished (blame it on old age )

Kelvan: Have a lovely time in Kansas with your man

Grant: Good to hear you are making progress. Not long to go now! Hope you had success on Trade Me and with the job hunting.

Kim: It is almost Tuesday here!!

[cdneh 3,112]

oh and kate i was going to ask for the recipe to that potion but then i had this vision of us standing around stirring a cauldron so perhaps you could just chuck some of those potions my way?

Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn, and cauldron bubble.... yes..you might be right...heh..that is a bit of a mental picture...

I really need to stay away from Igor, bless him...I wanted to see movement though, and I am. Pity it's still going in the wrong direction...we may pass each other yet!

Edited September 8, 2008 by cdneh

[cdneh 3,112]

Belated welcome to Bobsagetti Thanks for the info on car insurance.

I think one of the major things i am concerned about (one out of the MANY i have ) is to do with health insurance over there. Is it compulsory to have health insurance?. Or can you go along to the docs or dentist like in NZ and just pay a fee at the end of the consultation? If it is compulsory, is it hard for new immigrants to get cover? Can you get it whilst you are waiting for work permit? or do you have to have a job first? Sorry this sounds like a lot of questions but hopefully someone will be able to fill in these gaps as i think one of the biggest worries is if a person suddenly fell ill and to not know what the heck happens or if you can seek medical help etc?

Bobsagetti: How long have you been waiting for EAD? What is the general waiting time before it is issued?

cdneh and Michelle: I looked on igors list, 250

I've looked into the insurance thing, I don't want to be without it either. I don't know what the story is with walk ins up there, but I don't think it will be quite the same somehow. Here's what I've found so far...

http://www.americanvisitorinsurance.com/

[kiwiana 2]

Thanks for the link cdneh. It's kind of like being piggy in the middle with it all. One one hand we aren't tourists seeking temporary insurance and on the other hand we aren't permanent residents of america either (yet), so to speak. It is definitely confusing.

[gshennen 0]

Here is what I have been looking at insurance wise:

http://www.visitorscoverage.com/immigrant/plans/

I spent a good few hours researching this, and this company/plan seemed to me to be the best combination of cost and coverage.

I am planning on buying 6 months worth, as a starter.

Cheers

Grant

[cdneh 3,112]

Thanks for the link cdneh. It's kind of like being piggy in the middle with it all. One one hand we aren't tourists seeking temporary insurance and on the other hand we aren't permanent residents of america either (yet), so to speak. It is definitely confusing.

It is...there is just sooo much to sort out

[KimandRuss 0]

I think i've posted this before in this thread.... Insurance. It's probably much like the place Grant linked to. I did get this link from somewhere in VJ as others here have used it.

I've also posted a link regarding the car insurance and who to contact to get it. It's not too far back.

Our petition has arrived at the Consulate and been signed for by good ole 'Rona' yesterday ...errrr or today... at 3:10! It feels so good to be in NZ again! Will keep you posted as to what the Consulate has to say later today.

[bobsagetti 0]

Congrats to Kim and Russ on your latest news! I hope things go smoothly from now for you guys.

Kiwiana: yeah health insurance is a big challenge (including for lots of Americans) and very confusing at first. It took me months to work it out when I was studying here (and I was doing a class on health economics!) It's not compulsory and you can certainly do user pays. That should be fine if you're healthy but won't cover anything catastrophic. I looked at Southern Cross's options (https://www.scti-online.co.nz/wo/public.aspx) but think the link Grant posted is much better for any emergencies (at first glance anyway).

A few more considerations: depending on your auto insurance your medical bills may be covered if you have a car accident (one of the most likely causes of serious injury). Also, once you're married if your spouse is working often you can tag on to their health insurance for a small amount. Finally, it's not uncommon to have a 'stand down' period once you start work whereby your health insurance doesn't kick in for three to six months, so that's something to keep in mind.

As for EAD, grrrr, longer than I'd like (and you all thought the waiting would be over). It seems that there are two paths once you send in your AOS: you either get transferred to the California Service Center or it goes to your local office. If you get the CSC then things seem to move much faster. For instance people who filed at the same time as us and were transferred are already getting their EAD. Needless to say we haven't been transferred and I'm still waiting (it's only been two months but it feels like longer because we took a while to file). I'm hopeful that it will arrive within the next three weeks. That seems to be a more common time line (2-3 months).

[KimandRuss 0]

Good morning Kiwi friends. I come bearing good news!

Russell called the Embassy yesterday and they told him they couldn't book k1's on the phone. Well, he emailed after he got off the phone and received an email back right away stating that they had received our petition from the NVC late afternoon the day before and had already sent out the appointment package to him and that his appointment was on the 17th...next Wednesday at 10am!!! That's 6pm Tuesday night for us in the U.S. What a difference from being in the U.S. ...thank goodness for the New Zealand Consulate and the wonderful people that work there! They've been so patient with us for a year now and have really done all they could to help us.

NZ usually takes about two days to process the visa but that's without any issues...sadly, we almost expect issues. He plans on flying home the following Wednesday...the 24th. Just hours away from the very day he was denied entry in Dublin last year! Ironic, no?

So, in just two weeks, we will have everything we have fought so hard for and waited soooo, soooo many years for! We are riding on a cloud! Just thrilled!

Bob, where were you a year ago when I was gathering all this information and researching it on my own???? I hope you find your EAD very soon. Shouldn't be much longer.

We have a unique medical situation as I am self employed and still covered under my ex husband. As soon as we're married, I wont be eligible any longer. Russell is planning on using this place only because we know other VJ'ers have used it but i'm sure there are many. It only comes to like $39/mo if you sign up for at least 3 months. We'll take it. Not sure what i'll do.. I suppose i'll have to get covered on my own. We'll have to work something else out very soon. Another reason for you all to get citizenship and vote... universal health care!

Well I hope this day finds you all doing well and finding the patience to deal with this difficult process. just remember, there is another side to this and it's just lovely.