Any Finnish/American Couples?

[Katri 236]

27 minutes ago, Vvee said:

Fingers crossed you'll get the work permit soon! What kind of work will you be looking for? Having a car and routines must be very helpful! Was it easy to get the license? How do you like driving in the US? 

Hospitality, hotel reception mostly. For us Finns it’s pretty easy, at least in MD. First I took 3 hour long course in one of the driving school ($60) and then went for the law test (which I failed the first time), then went back the next day. Did the law test again (this time passed) and few hours later did the road test and got the license. The license was like $9. Driving here, especially in Maryland is crazy, but you don’t really have choice. I always try to find the best and easiest route. Not the fastest one. And try not be on the roads during the rush hour. 

Edited March 10, 2019 by Katri

[Vvee 8]

11 hours ago, Katri said:

Hospitality, hotel reception mostly. For us Finns it’s pretty easy, at least in MD. First I took 3 hour long course in one of the driving school ($60) and then went for the law test (which I failed the first time), then went back the next day. Did the law test again (this time passed) and few hours later did the road test and got the license. The license was like $9. Driving here, especially in Maryland is crazy, but you don’t really have choice. I always try to find the best and easiest route. Not the fastest one. And try not be on the roads during the rush hour. 

Sounds like a plan! Have you worked in hospitality previously? The fees sound so cheap in comparison, I guess it is not a big deal if you have previously had a license. But the driving part is what scares me a little bit, I have lived in small towns all my life with little to no traffic. I guess (and hope) you get used to it after some time! And being able to get around is worth the hassle.

[Katri 236]

19 hours ago, Vvee said:

Sounds like a plan! Have you worked in hospitality previously? The fees sound so cheap in comparison, I guess it is not a big deal if you have previously had a license. But the driving part is what scares me a little bit, I have lived in small towns all my life with little to no traffic. I guess (and hope) you get used to it after some time! And being able to get around is worth the hassle.

Yea, mostly worked in hotels. You get used to driving here. Even though it’s still crazy everyday.

[Lenny&Sanna 114]

So wonderful to see some new fresh faces that have decided to join the long process  Welcome to all of you! Please make sure you come back here if you have any questions and to update us on your journey!!!

[Katri 236]

10 hours ago, Lenny&Sanna said:

So wonderful to see some new fresh faces that have decided to join the long process  Welcome to all of you! Please make sure you come back here if you have any questions and to update us on your journey!!!

We just received our interview letter yesterday. Yay. Weird that the interview letter came now and still waiting for the EAD... LOL. 

[Lenny&Sanna 114]

13 hours ago, Katri said:

We just received our interview letter yesterday. Yay. Weird that the interview letter came now and still waiting for the EAD... LOL. 

 

That is awesome. I wonder why you guys needed an interview? We got approved right off maybe they just pick and choose who to bring in sort of like spot checks or whatever. You will have to let us know your outcome after the interview

[Katri 236]

7 hours ago, Lenny&Sanna said:

 

That is awesome. I wonder why you guys needed an interview? We got approved right off maybe they just pick and choose who to bring in sort of like spot checks or whatever. You will have to let us know your outcome after the interview

Yea that changed like last year or something. I haven't heard or read anyone now been approved without interview. That's probably why it's taking so long. Now I just have to see if my EAD comes before my GC or the GC interview. LOL. 

[Lenny&Sanna 114]

On 4/8/2019 at 7:07 AM, Katri said:

Yea that changed like last year or something. I haven't heard or read anyone now been approved without interview. That's probably why it's taking so long. Now I just have to see if my EAD comes before my GC or the GC interview. LOL. 

 

Oh wow that is crazy it changed! How long have you been waiting for your EAD? Usually that doesn't take to long it took us 65 days and they were decently prompt on that.

[Katri 236]

1 hour ago, Lenny&Sanna said:

 

Oh wow that is crazy it changed! How long have you been waiting for your EAD? Usually that doesn't take to long it took us 65 days and they were decently prompt on that.

Haha 172 days waiting today. LOL. 

[Katri 236]

Just now, Katri said:

Haha 172 days waiting today. LOL. 

Sorry... 173. 🤪

[Lenny&Sanna 114]

10 minutes ago, Katri said:

Sorry... 173. 🤪

That really sucks. Since you're in the same state means you went to the National Benefits Center like us for the I-765 and now it shows normal processing times of 5-7 month. Shows Sept 18th 2018 for a case inquiry however so if you don't hear by then least you can submit an outside normal processing time to figure out what is going on

[Katri 236]

3 minutes ago, Lenny&Sanna said:

That really sucks. Since you're in the same state means you went to the National Benefits Center like us for the I-765 and now it shows normal processing times of 5-7 month. Shows Sept 18th 2018 for a case inquiry however so if you don't hear by then least you can submit an outside normal processing time to figure out what is going on

Yea... They have pushed back that date twice now. So before our 19th October date comes that I could make inquiry... We will have our AOS interview.

[Lenny&Sanna 114]

2 minutes ago, Katri said:

Yea... They have pushed back that date twice now. So before our 19th October date comes that I could make inquiry... We will have our AOS interview.

 

I find that absolutely ridiculous. Completely defeats the purpose of the EAD entirely then and a waste of time almost waiting on it. From my personal experience the processing times were just outrageous and seems like they have only gotten worse as the years progressed. 

[riina.anna 4]

Hello all!  I finally joined the happy group of K1-visa holders last week! Yay! 

I am moving to the States in about 3 weeks, so right now I am busy with all the preparations, and I have a couple of specific questions I thought maybe you guys can help me with. 😊

1. I have a couple of health things that need regular care and prescribed medicine: does anyone know what do I need to bring with me from Finland to show that I have been diagnosed with them? Do those kind of documents need to be professionally translated?
Any suggestions how to proceed with finding the new doctors and such? My future husband has a good insurance, and my health care will also be covered by it once we get married. 
2. Does anyone happen to know if I need to have the Request to examine impediments to marriage (esteettömyystodistus) done prior getting married in the States? We are getting married in Washington State. 
3. Is there something else that I need to officially do for the country of Finland about the move than these: let Maistraatti know, let Posti know, let Kela know, do the marriage paperwork (let them know I got married after we do so)? 

Thank you so much everyone! I have tried looking for the information on these, but it has turned out quite difficult, or maybe I am just so excited/nervous about the move that I have hard time understanding direct instructions 😅

 

[Katri 236]

11 minutes ago, riina.anna said:

Hello all!  I finally joined the happy group of K1-visa holders last week! Yay! 

I am moving to the States in about 3 weeks, so right now I am busy with all the preparations, and I have a couple of specific questions I thought maybe you guys can help me with. 😊

1. I have a couple of health things that need regular care and prescribed medicine: does anyone know what do I need to bring with me from Finland to show that I have been diagnosed with them? Do those kind of documents need to be professionally translated?
Any suggestions how to proceed with finding the new doctors and such? My future husband has a good insurance, and my health care will also be covered by it once we get married. 
2. Does anyone happen to know if I need to have the Request to examine impediments to marriage (esteettömyystodistus) done prior getting married in the States? We are getting married in Washington State. 
3. Is there something else that I need to officially do for the country of Finland about the move than these: let Maistraatti know, let Posti know, let Kela know, do the marriage paperwork (let them know I got married after we do so)? 

Thank you so much everyone! I have tried looking for the information on these, but it has turned out quite difficult, or maybe I am just so excited/nervous about the move that I have hard time understanding direct instructions 😅

 

Hey,

 

1. Go to the pharmacy and print out all your prescriptions in English that you will be needing. Buy extra medication that you can get by until you are covered from your husbands health insurance. 

 

2. Depending on the state but not in Maryland at the least we didn't do any impediments to marriage

 

3. Make sure that you have at least 3-5 birth certificates from Maistraatti before leaving the country (just makes everything more easier and you don't have to order it from here like I had to, LOL).

 

Also if you keep finnish bank accounts, bring some online banking codes that you can access the accounts from the US. 

Edited April 26, 2019 by Katri