That's It

[Saffyre 0]

Have a safe flight. I'll look forward to the POE review, because i'm going through there next week..

[Britlover 0]

Congratulations & good luck for your future-I'll be right behind you B)

[Eli the Barrowboy 16]

Thanks to all and hello from sunny Eugene, Oregon.

The jet lag sucks and Mercedes and the mutt got delayed coming into JFK but otherwise we are alive, well and happy. I feel really at home here and it's so exciting to have our whole future in front of us. We opened our bank account today (the bank official's wife is foreign too so he knew the visa issues), DMV tomorrow (in Oregon your partner can vouch for you at the DMV so no proof of address needed) and have been busy applying for jobs all day. Oh, and we went clothes shopping.

Sincere thanks to everyone I've met on here who offered advice, encouragement and good vides. Tis done. Until AOS when I'll be looking advice again no doubt!!! Good luck to you all who are on their way soon - it's a big thing, it really is!!!

Sorry this is so short and scatty but I'm knackered!!!

R

PS. I sold my house, my car, gave up a great job and fitted what remained of my 36 years on this earth into 4 suitcases. And I would do it all again tomorrow.

[Jeraly 4]

Welcome home Eli Glad it wasn't too problematic - especially with the dog Don't be a stranger!

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

Congratulations Eli!!! I got stuck in the JFK vortex too, but got here eventually also. Feels good doesn't it?

Best of luck putting your new life together, sounds like you've got a lot of it started already

xxx Poit

[T and M 1]

Have a safe flight. I'll look forward to the POE review, because i'm going through there next week..

POE Review:

We were a bit confused on whether to go to the visitor line or the US citizen/PR line. We asked a million people and ended up in the visitor line. He was very friendly and began our paperwork. We then went to collect our checked bags, passed through US customs, at which point customs sent us to the side where a very friendly officer began to tell us about his recent marriage to his high school sweetheart 30 years before. He couldn't have been nicer, more laidback, or less bothered by the details of our case. He made fun of us for entering the US six months pregnant. Then wished us a happy stay. "If the Green Card doesn't arrive within six months, give this number a call and find out where the hell it is." That was it! We just handed him the envelope, had Milena's passport stamped just above the CR-1 visa, and walked on into Atlanta! It was allover in 20 minutes.

Now waiting for SSN and GC.

Best wishes and good luck!

[govols 0]

Thanks to all and hello from sunny Eugene, Oregon.

The jet lag sucks and Mercedes and the mutt got delayed coming into JFK but otherwise we are alive, well and happy. I feel really at home here and it's so exciting to have our whole future in front of us. We opened our bank account today (the bank official's wife is foreign too so he knew the visa issues), DMV tomorrow (in Oregon your partner can vouch for you at the DMV so no proof of address needed) and have been busy applying for jobs all day. Oh, and we went clothes shopping.

Sincere thanks to everyone I've met on here who offered advice, encouragement and good vides. Tis done. Until AOS when I'll be looking advice again no doubt!!! Good luck to you all who are on their way soon - it's a big thing, it really is!!!

Sorry this is so short and scatty but I'm knackered!!!

R

PS. I sold my house, my car, gave up a great job and fitted what remained of my 36 years on this earth into 4 suitcases. And I would do it all again tomorrow.

Aren't you jumping the gun a bit applying for jobs if you've only just arrived. You will need to apply for your EAD so you can work.

Edited July 27, 2008 by govols

[Lansbury 19]

Thanks to all and hello from sunny Eugene, Oregon.

The jet lag sucks and Mercedes and the mutt got delayed coming into JFK but otherwise we are alive, well and happy. I feel really at home here and it's so exciting to have our whole future in front of us. We opened our bank account today (the bank official's wife is foreign too so he knew the visa issues), DMV tomorrow (in Oregon your partner can vouch for you at the DMV so no proof of address needed) and have been busy applying for jobs all day. Oh, and we went clothes shopping.

Sincere thanks to everyone I've met on here who offered advice, encouragement and good vides. Tis done. Until AOS when I'll be looking advice again no doubt!!! Good luck to you all who are on their way soon - it's a big thing, it really is!!!

Sorry this is so short and scatty but I'm knackered!!!

R

PS. I sold my house, my car, gave up a great job and fitted what remained of my 36 years on this earth into 4 suitcases. And I would do it all again tomorrow.

Aren't you jumping the gun a bit applying for jobs if you've only just arrived. You will need to apply for your EAD so you can work.

That's why they came in via JFK, they normally give out a 90 day EAD stamp on arrival.

[govols 0]

Thanks to all and hello from sunny Eugene, Oregon.

The jet lag sucks and Mercedes and the mutt got delayed coming into JFK but otherwise we are alive, well and happy. I feel really at home here and it's so exciting to have our whole future in front of us. We opened our bank account today (the bank official's wife is foreign too so he knew the visa issues), DMV tomorrow (in Oregon your partner can vouch for you at the DMV so no proof of address needed) and have been busy applying for jobs all day. Oh, and we went clothes shopping.

Sincere thanks to everyone I've met on here who offered advice, encouragement and good vides. Tis done. Until AOS when I'll be looking advice again no doubt!!! Good luck to you all who are on their way soon - it's a big thing, it really is!!!

Sorry this is so short and scatty but I'm knackered!!!

R

PS. I sold my house, my car, gave up a great job and fitted what remained of my 36 years on this earth into 4 suitcases. And I would do it all again tomorrow.

Aren't you jumping the gun a bit applying for jobs if you've only just arrived. You will need to apply for your EAD so you can work.

That's why they came in via JFK, they normally give out a 90 day EAD stamp on arrival.

Which as you point out only last 90 days so if they don't apply for an EAD any job they take on they will have quit after 90 days

[Eli the Barrowboy 16]

Well we are hoping our EAD comes through before the 90 day cut off ... I see from the stats online here that EAD takes on average 70 days ... I know that can't be relied on but one has to work doesn't one!?!

I can deal with the 90 days thing if and when I get a job ...

[Jeraly 4]

Not just that, but what would the point be of getting the stamp if you weren't going to bother looking for work? I am sure there are temp jobs out there or casual work and as I am rapidly finding out, relocating is an expensive process, especially when neither person in the couple has ever had a mortgage - the money from selling a house in the UK would be sooo useful right about now!! Ah well - such is life

[Eli the Barrowboy 16]

You are right it's expensive and I keep freaking out cos all the cash is going out but none is coming in ... plus M is going to law school in August so I'll be the sole bread winner!!!

[Nicoxcx 1]

Eli who did you fly with? my trips to the USA have been between Icelandair & British Airways, they dont seem to be to kind on the baggage allowance!

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

my parents are visiting in October, they're flying with Virgin. Their baggage allowance is massive, i think 40kgs or something. Although 1 bag can't be over 32kg, so spread over 2 bags. I got a great deal for them, on cheaptickets.com, but even if you don't, it might be worth paying a little extra to bring more stuff with you.

[Jeraly 4]

I flew with Air France - maximum weight was 33kg per bag (but you had to pay) and maximum without paying was... I think 25kg or something like that? Maybe 28? I can't remember - it says on their website anyway. You were allowed two cases per person so because I had Jeremy it meant that we only had to pay for one overweight case