Once in the U.S.A

[kali1229 6]

My husband and I just got our Case Closed last week, and although we haven't even gotten an interview yet, I'm already planning on what we need to do once he gets here. He will be coming with an IR-1 visa.

I am thinking

1. Go to SS office

2. Get driver's license (he's already studying for the test so he can do this A.S.A.P and I don't have to drive him around everywhere)

3. Apply for jobs

I have no idea if this is even plausible. What did you (or your immigrant spouses) do? In what order? Would you have done it a different way? If so, how?

Thank you all for your help

[TBoneTX 45,075]

Others will respond more meaningfully, but I wanted to gently hijack this thread to say how the best-laid plans can oft go awry.

Mrs. T-B.-to-be came through POE (on a K-1) on about zero hours' sleep for her past 48 hours, and she promptly became sick as a perro with an upper respiratory infection. It turns out that she had been the star attraction at three rather intense despedidas (going-away parties) in three different Ecuadorian cities, si man. Because we weren't married and she couldn't be on my insurance yet, I had to find her a clinic where she could get some antibiotics, ufff man. Is your husband on your health insurance?

Back to topic: Before leaving home, your husband should get copies of all important or official documents that would be expensive or impossible to get once he's here: birth certificate (multiple copies), school records or university transcripts, health/medical/dental/vaccination records, divorce certificates if applicable, and anything else that you can think of.

Because you have time, he should also renew his passport for the longest term possible. If he has no driver's license at home, he should do everything to earn one; if he has one, he should renew it for the longest term possible. These items will pay off later if they're done now.

Honestly? Once your husband is here and you've handled the immediate stuff that you've mentioned, I'd make it a priority to update your will, general & medical powers of attorney, HIPAA release, and other legal documents to include your husband -- and create the same documents for him. This will be mutually valuable from an objective standpoint, and you can also use the opportunity to acclimate him to how "the system" works here, si man.

Edited August 23, 2011 by TBoneTX

[Mononoke28 135]

If he checked the SS box in form DS-230, he should be getting his SS card in the mail after the USCIS enters all of his info in the system. If he hasn't received anything after about 2-3 weeks from the date he went through POE, call the USCIS to find out if his info is in the system, if it is and his SS card has not arrived then he will need to go to a SSA office to apply for one. If nothing is in the USCIS system, then you will have to wait until it is because the SSA can't issue him a SSN without his immigration info.

Once he has his green card and SSN, he can go to the DMV office to take his written test and make an appointment for his driving test.

After he has his green card and SSN, he can also start applying for jobs.

As TBoneTX stated, remind him to bring everything he can think of with him because it's a huge hassle once you're here. Get a couple of certified copies of his birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable) and translations because they're pretty expensive here compared to what little you have to pay in Colombia. Also, if he has a bachelor's degree and wants to validate it here in the US, he should get transcripts from the university. Or if he has a high school degree and wants to get a bachelor's degree in the US, he will need transcripts from his high school. He will also need to translate the transcripts. My husband needs to validate his degree and it has been a humongous hassle to get his transcripts because they're still in the dark ages in Colombia when it comes to that kind of stuff. He now has to go get them in person next time he visits. So I cannot emphasize this enough.

Diana

[ryna 132]

If he checked the SS box in form DS-230, he should be getting his SS card in the mail after the USCIS enters all of his info in the system. If he hasn't received anything after about 2-3 weeks from the date he went through POE, call the USCIS to find out if his info is in the system, if it is and his SS card has not arrived then he will need to go to a SSA office to apply for one. If nothing is in the USCIS system, then you will have to wait until it is because the SSA can't issue him a SSN without his immigration info.

Once he has his green card and SSN, he can go to the DMV office to take his written test and make an appointment for his driving test.

After he has his green card and SSN, he can also start applying for jobs.

As TBoneTX stated, remind him to bring everything he can think of with him because it's a huge hassle once you're here. Get a couple of certified copies of his birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable) and translations because they're pretty expensive here compared to what little you have to pay in Colombia. Also, if he has a bachelor's degree and wants to validate it here in the US, he should get transcripts from the university. Or if he has a high school degree and wants to get a bachelor's degree in the US, he will need transcripts from his high school. He will also need to translate the transcripts. My husband needs to validate his degree and it has been a humongous hassle to get his transcripts because they're still in the dark ages in Colombia when it comes to that kind of stuff. He now has to go get them in person next time he visits. So I cannot emphasize this enough.

Diana

I'm glad I saw this. It's a good thing my wife isn't looking to do anything with them right away but this is definitely something we need to do in person on our next trip to Colombia. She only has the physical degrees with her here, not the records...

To the OP - I agree with both of the previous posters... Anything and everything you can think of, try to get copies before leaving Colombia. We've needed to obtain copies of certain documents after leaving and were fortunate that her family could help us (in most cases) but it's 1000X easier (and cheaper!) to get these things beforehand.

[Mononoke28 135]

I'm glad I saw this. It's a good thing my wife isn't looking to do anything with them right away but this is definitely something we need to do in person on our next trip to Colombia. She only has the physical degrees with her here, not the records...

I didn't think it was going to be this much of a hassle for him to get his college transcripts but it has. He's called both universities he went to and both just didn't know what he was talking about. One of them referred him to another location and they then said he has to go to Bogotá in person to get them. Bottom line is, they don't know what they're doing and trying to explain something to someone on the other side of the continent over the phone is beyond frustrating. So now we've put his degree validation on hold until he can go in person to solve the issue.

Diana

[ryna 132]

I didn't think it was going to be this much of a hassle for him to get his college transcripts but it has. He's called both universities he went to and both just didn't know what he was talking about. One of them referred him to another location and they then said he has to go to Bogotá in person to get them. Bottom line is, they don't know what they're doing and trying to explain something to someone on the other side of the continent over the phone is beyond frustrating. So now we've put his degree validation on hold until he can go in person to solve the issue.

Diana

Diana,

Do you happen to know if the U.S. requires that documents from Colombia be Apostilled there? Or, just the translation of a document with an official seal (from Colombia)? Is it state dependent? It's just that I've never seen a case where an entity here has required that documents be Apostilled for use here in the U.S. but this is the first time I've ever had to think about it..

[Mononoke28 135]

Diana,

Do you happen to know if the U.S. requires that documents from Colombia be Apostilled there? Or, just the translation of a document with an official seal (from Colombia)? Is it state dependent? It's just that I've never seen a case where an entity here has required that documents be Apostilled for use here in the U.S. but this is the first time I've ever had to think about it..

No, most places here in the US, if not all, don't ask for apostilles on documents. You can also check places like Education Credential Evaluators to see what they need to evaluate school transcripts. According to ECE's website all they need is photocopies but other places may need originals. Required documentation Colombia.

Diana

[kali1229 6]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'll have to check the DMV requirements for a driver's license. I thought he could get one as soon as he got here because of the stamp on his passport. He is getting the birth certificates for both of us (2 copies each), and we each have one marriage certificate. I just don't want to stress too much about finances. I hope he adjusts well here and he can get a job quickly; he'll be bored out of his mind if he doesn't. =)

[Mononoke28 135]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'll have to check the DMV requirements for a driver's license. I thought he could get one as soon as he got here because of the stamp on his passport. He is getting the birth certificates for both of us (2 copies each), and we each have one marriage certificate. I just don't want to stress too much about finances. I hope he adjusts well here and he can get a job quickly; he'll be bored out of his mind if he doesn't. =)

I'm pretty sure he will need proof of his SSN as well which he can't get until the USCIS enters his info in the system. Once they do, he will get both, his green card and SS card in the mail and he can take these to the DMV to get started.

Diana

[McJa 0]

Hi everyone.. i am already here in the US but i'm just wondering where to submit the CD given to me during my medical exam done in St.Lukes Philippines. Because i didnt go thru a process at the airport asking for the CD. Is somebody supposed to get it from me at the airport. thank you so much

[Nica_In_Love 98]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'll have to check the DMV requirements for a driver's license. I thought he could get one as soon as he got here because of the stamp on his passport. He is getting the birth certificates for both of us (2 copies each), and we each have one marriage certificate. I just don't want to stress too much about finances. I hope he adjusts well here and he can get a job quickly; he'll be bored out of his mind if he doesn't. =)

Check with the DMV but I'm in Chicago and had to wait to receive my SS card in the mail because they needed that and also 2 pieces of mail with my current address. I only had one but my husband was allowed to sign an affidavit stating that that was my correct address. So, basically, I waited 2 weeks after POE for my SS card, once I had that I headed to the DMV where it didn't matter that I had my license from Nicaragua - they made me take both the written test & the road test but it's easy so if he drives back home I don't think he would have a problem. I was able to open my bank account until I had my license but that also depends on the bank. I received my Green Card about 5 1/2 weeks after POE.

[Nica_In_Love 98]

Hi everyone.. i am already here in the US but i'm just wondering where to submit the CD given to me during my medical exam done in St.Lukes Philippines. Because i didnt go thru a process at the airport asking for the CD. Is somebody supposed to get it from me at the airport. thank you so much

Did you hand the officer the sealed envelope ? Did they stamp your passport with the temporary I-551?

[fozzie 41]

No, most places here in the US, if not all, don't ask for apostilles on documents. You can also check places like Education Credential Evaluators to see what they need to evaluate school transcripts. According to ECE's website all they need is photocopies but other places may need originals. Required documentation Colombia.

Diana

I would get several copies if you can. You will want to keep them sealed in their original envelopes from the school too as it makes them unofficial if you open them. Working in a University Admissions office I see this on an almost daily basis, its a hassle and some countries are tough to get these documents from and sometimes take months. Do it now.

Note: ECE is one company, look at www.naces.org for a list of reputable companies that many colleges accept. Some will need original sealed transcripts sent from the home country direct to the evaluator and some will work with copies. However, those that accept copies still have the right to ask for original sealed copies if they desire. I would also get a full course-by-course evaluation, its more expensive but covers more bases.

[rlogan 2,036]

Do some intelligence work on your local social security administration office. They're the worst office people have to deal with as immigrants. The front-line people can have no training or experience with an immigrant, discourage you, lie to you, and even supervisors can be intransigent or amazingly incompetent. Ours was a nightmare too horrible to go into, but it would have been worth a 900 mile round trip to file at an office that knew what they were doing.

I might suggest an evening or two together alone. Kind of an intimate setting. Cell phones off. You'll think of something to do.

[Tahoma 2,292]

Hi everyone.. i am already here in the US but i'm just wondering where to submit the CD given to me during my medical exam done in St.Lukes Philippines. Because i didnt go thru a process at the airport asking for the CD. Is somebody supposed to get it from me at the airport. thank you so much

It is yours to keep. You might want to hang on to it because someday it may save you from having to get another x-ray. That's what happened to Chinook. When Chinook got hired, the employer let her off of the hook by accepting the St. Lukes x-ray CD.