Scandinavians

[Unidentified 2,930]

I entered the US on a Saturday, got my SSN from the office on that following Monday. It doesn't take two weeks at all, I don't know why people keep giving that info. I'd assume the computer systems update overnight. I got my SSN in my maiden name, then got married and then went back to the Social Office and changed my name. I don't remember the exact process but I don't remember it being difficult at all! Good luck!

I heard the same thing when I arrived in the states as an Au Pair for the first time in 2011 and they had just recently switched from paper I-94 and it generally took them a while to get that info into the system. Now everything is computerized and goes much faster but I think that because it's such a relatively recent change that people just assume it's the same.

[Unidentified 2,930]

I don't know if it's ok for me post in this thread anymore cause I'm in the process of getting my two-year green card converted to a "full" non-conditional permanent green card. We got a request for more evidence so my wife and I are getting more papers together. We're getting a will, among other things. I can't wait to be done with USCIS.

My wife and I went on our honeymoon to Waikiki last November. That was the best week of my life. We are definitely going back to Hawaii some day.

I'm going home to visit family and friends in Sweden this summer. Booked plane tickets tonight. Wish my wife could go too but it's so damn expensive!

Edit: Hi N-o-l-a!

Of course you're still welcome to this thread! Doesn't matter what stage of the process we're in, we're always welcome here

I went to Waikiki in 2012 when I was on vacation from my Au Pair job. First time I've ever traveled on vacation by myself It was the most amazing experience ever!! What did you guys do? Did you go to Pearl Harbor and that kind of stuff or were you just enjoying the beach?

I'll send you a PM in a moment with my fb profile so you can add me and then I'll add you to the group.

Note to everyone: Spread the word about our group! Members of the group can invite others to the group. If you know some Scandinavians here who might not frequent this thread as much as we do, feel free to add them! You just have to add them as your friend on facebook first (or ask them to add me) and then invite them to the group. I know two I haven't seen in here for a while that I'm going to inform, see if they want to hangout

[sandra3711 52]

Great idea on the FB group!

I've seen a document about the medical details which list a doctor in Malmö for Swedish residents, and some where there's only Gothenburg and Stockholm. Anyone who can straighten up what the new deal is?

[Brewlin 52]

I'm also confused about the Doctors, because in my P4 packet there was no info, also when I checked the Stockholm Embassy pdf file there were no list of Doctors either. So, where are they hiding this list of Doctors?

[Unidentified 2,930]

I'm also confused about the Doctors, because in my P4 packet there was no info, also when I checked the Stockholm Embassy pdf file there were no list of Doctors either. So, where are they hiding this list of Doctors?

Great idea on the FB group!

I've seen a document about the medical details which list a doctor in Malmö for Swedish residents, and some where there's only Gothenburg and Stockholm. Anyone who can straighten up what the new deal is?

Yes, I know they used to have 4 doctors but now they only seem to have two. This is the PDF file they sent me with my checklist: http://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Medical/STK%20-%20Stockholm.pdf

It only list one of the clinics in Stockholm (used to be two) and the one in Gothenburg.

Glad more and more people find the FB group!

[Brewlin 52]

Thanks Maria!!

[Brewlin 52]

I still don't get why we have to pay money for the physical here in Sweden ..grumble grumble.

[Unidentified 2,930]

Thanks Maria!!

You're welcome

[Unidentified 2,930]

I still don't get why we have to pay money for the physical here in Sweden ..grumble grumble.

Me neither. First I though it was because it's a private clinic but at least the one in Stockholm seems to be apart of Karolinska. It's either because it's a pain for them to figure out which region you belong to and therefor what municipal area needs to pay your bill. Or it's because you have elected to go through this physical. No idea.

[renatesol 13]

I don't have any retirement money, the only financial stuff I'll bring with me is my massive student debt... I've been a poor student since forever until this year when I got a crappy low paying job, which is why I had to stay so long here in order to save up money. I still have to pay my debt even when I'm not earning anything in the U.S. so money will be very tight for a while. Even when I get a job I apparently have to pay taxes to Norway for a couple years? Moving abroad right now is the worst possible thing I can do to myself financially, but I don't even care. It's definitely worth it.

About taxes - the US and Norway have a tax agreement, so you will only have to pay taxes to the country where you actually reside. You will have to submit your selvangivelse to Norway every year though, and submit proof that you've paid taxes in the US. That's what they told me at least.

ETA: Every year for as long as you are "skattepliktig" to Norway - I think it's 3 years after emigrating.

Edited June 14, 2015 by renatesol

[Brewlin 52]

Me neither. First I though it was because it's a private clinic but at least the one in Stockholm seems to be apart of Karolinska. It's either because it's a pain for them to figure out which region you belong to and therefor what municipal area needs to pay your bill. Or it's because you have elected to go through this physical. No idea.

Right, it makes sense I suppose but...ouch. Expensive. It's like going to a physical in the U.S uninsured. lol

[Unidentified 2,930]

Right, it makes sense I suppose but...ouch. Expensive. It's like going to a physical in the U.S uninsured. lol

Oh, that gave me flashbacks to when I had to go to the ER in the US. That cost about 3000 SEK and it took a year before the ER and my insurance company had figured out how that bill would be paid... Horrible.

Well, at least we only have to do it once. Makes you almost appreciate the cheap healthcare we have in Sweden.

[Metope 0]

About taxes - the US and Norway have a tax agreement, so you will only have to pay taxes to the country where you actually reside. You will have to submit your selvangivelse to Norway every year though, and submit proof that you've paid taxes in the US. That's what they told me at least.

ETA: Every year for as long as you are "skattepliktig" to Norway - I think it's 3 years after emigrating.

Thanks, I really hope you're right! I found a website that said pretty much what you said, except the other way around where the three years you're "skattepliktig" you pay to Norway and not to the U.S., but it wasn't an official website so it might be wrong. I sent a message to Skatteetaten on their FB page asking what the deal is, but yeah, I hope you're right.

About healthcare and insurance though, what are you guys doing about health insurance? I was planning on using my travel insurance as a transition health care insurance and then look for a provider after I get there, but it turns out my travel insurance is only valid with a return ticket, so I'll actually be uninsured when I arrive if I can't find anything. Terrifying! I have no idea how to even start looking for one, does anyone have any tips or experience with any providers?

[Brewlin 52]

The best provider I ever had was from Blue cross Blue shield. We moved away from the U.S before Obama's affordable care act was in use, but I'll look into that we get there.

[Metope 0]

Thanks, I'll look into that! I thought Obama's affordable care was only for citizens, but I'll look around and see if I understand any of it. I'm just unsure of the rules and laws about everything, how immigrant status affects insurance or of it does, or if you need an SSN first (in which case there will still be at least a few days without insurance etc). There's just so much to think about that I have no clue how works! Eric has a friend who is an immigration lawyer though, so I think I'll just ask her if she knows anything.