My first month

[coatsy 0]

Just thought I would give everyone a bit of an update

I've been pretty absent since I left the UK on the 4th of July, things have been a bit hectic as I'm sure you can all relate to, but I got a PM recently and it reminded me to let everyone know how its going

The POE experience couldn't of been any easier, I lined up as usual (was asked to line in the visitor line as I expected) and once I saw the first officer I was told to go and sit in a waiting area where someone would process my package

The embassy had only attached one passport photo to the application not two, but fortunately I had all the extras with me, which was a relief as they needed it

The lady asked me a few questions about my ex wife, my current wife, how long we had been together etc, and then stamped me in as IR1 (was about a month after my 2nd anniversary) which she made a note of telling me, and I thanked her a fair bit

The whole process there took less than 20 mins I'd imagine, and my bags were then sitting around waiting for me, almost the last on the baggage belt, grabbed those, walked through customs and re checked them for my internal flight

The wait for the next flight was only about 90 mins, so I had a few beers in the pub, then boarded without problems, no delays this time either, landed an hour or so later to lots of fireworks and fanfare, I didn't realize I would get such a personal welcome

The first week I was here I went ahead and visited the SSA, the lady at immigration told me sometimes even if you tick the box they never turn up, so it's a good idea to go and see them

I went on the Monday after I had arrived and I wasn't in the system yet! eek (July 4th was the Friday, and a public holiday, so it was not a total shocker), so I went away and came back a few days later and I was in the system! I was given a receipt with my number on, and told I could use that at the DMV which is where we headed straight to, unfortunately the lines on a Friday afternoon were shocking, so I decided to come back the week after

That weekend we drove 450 miles to Portland to see friends, and do some shopping at Ikea, unfortunately with my permit less status the wife had to do all the driving, her first long trip, we made plenty of stops though, although we almost hit a chair (I know, who leaves a chair in the middle of I-84 right?), ahh well, the trip back was quicker and less eventful, even with 200lb of furniture onboard

The DMV was probably the longest of the processes, its a small county in a small state, and I imagine the number of legal aliens here applying for licenses is quite low, and unfortunately every visit resulted in a different officer seeing me, which meant a lot of repetition, getting my permit was the easiest part, a quick test (2 wrong answers) and an eye test (no glasses required!!!!! unlike in the UK) and I had my permit (with a quick call to verify my documents were ok, they were telling me I needed my birth certificate but my visa acted as a temporary I-551 which was considered primary evidence, so I had not brought it along, the phone call set everything straight though

A few weeks later I was back to pay the state the $3.50 for my driving test, and had it already booked for the following Monday, more confusion as my alien number was written in my passport without a preceding 0, causing problems with there computer as it did not recognize the shorter number, another 20 mins and that was sorted

That weekend I went boating and played some disc golf in about 90 degrees, so by the time my test came I was suffering from mild heat exhaustion (throwing up that morning and an awesome headache) managed fine though, with a -3, then it was back to the DMV for round 3

This bit took the longest, as the officer was kept on hold for a while when he made the required call to verify he was doing everything right, first he did not get that the visa was now a temporary I-551, and the fact that the Visa was a CR1 and was stamped as IR1 confused him a bit as well, as he was unsure if I was conditional or permanent, and thus couldn't be sure how long to issue the license for, eventually it all got sorted and I got an 4 year license (not sure I will be here that long, so 4 years seemed fine, no point paying for the 8 year if I move to Oregon next year

And that was that, all sorted, and really didn't take too long considering, I expected a little bit of confusion in all fairness

This last Saturday my green card arrived in the post, and now all that's left is to find a job which I have a few phone screens lined up for this week and next

It's pretty weird for me being able to drive, its the first time I have ever had a license and the flexibility it gives me is great, wish I had done it sooner!

That's my first month story, hectic as you can see, but a great first month settling in, I'm off camping this weekend, then ATVing in a few weeks

Good luck to everyone else making the move! once my computer is back up to scratch I'm sure I will be back more often

[raymaga 25]

Glad you're settling in nicely. Good luck with the job hunting!!!!

[Jeraly 4]

I really should get my license... I feel so ashamed - I even have a UK license but I am too scared to drive here!!!

[coatsy 0]

I think i got it easy, I had lessons in London learning to drive stick in the autumn after work, so I learned to drive in a manual, in the dark, in the rush hour, in London

driving an auto on the roads of Idaho is bloody eassssssssssy by comparison

i am however a bit worried about the winter

[Sassy1natl 0]

What a great story. You seem to be settling in nicely. Welcome and congratulations!!!

[Lansbury 19]

The embassy had only attached one passport photo to the application not two, but fortunately I had all the extras with me, which was a relief as they needed it

That weekend we drove 450 miles to Portland to see friends, and do some shopping at Ikea, unfortunately with my permit less status the wife had to do all the driving, her first long trip, we made plenty of stops though, although we almost hit a chair (I know, who leaves a chair in the middle of I-84 right?), ahh well, the trip back was quicker and less eventful, even with 200lb of furniture onboard

It seems to not be uncommon for the Embassy to only put one photo in the packet. Happened to me back in 2006 and I was told if it was a problem they would call me to get more photos taken over here. Never did and I got the GC OK. Others have reported this as well.

Might be worth people noting and perhaps having an extra in their pocket just in case.

You would be surprised what you find in the middle of I-84 or course the very best is what you find on the side of it, the Columbia River Gorge.

Glad you have settled in well.