London Embassy Graduates Thread

[dani_christine 0]

i used to get that question, too. "are you sure he doesn't just want a green card?"

my reply got increasingly sharp as i heard that question over and over and over again.

sometimes i would point out that if we wanted to live off the government, we'd certainly choose to live THERE rather than HERE, because the benefits were so much better.

then other times, i'd reply with something like, "you know, it's kind of offensive that you think that the idea of marrying me is so totally repulsive that the ONLY reason someone would marry me was to illegally immigrate."

either way, it usually shut people up.

Oh, Dani, didn't anybody ever ask you if he was the member of any certain covert political groups who prefer to remain underground...and that he might be running from the crown?

yeah, rebecca i heard that one a lot, too. of course, if i were to answer that question, i'd have to kill them.

[scotty 0]

Estelle, I will be back home in 5 days time 9th and married in 9 days 14th, I feel a little guilty that my fiance is doing all the running about organising things, the good thing for me is since I've been over a good few times I know the area quite well now and getting from A to B is very easy, also getting work will be no problem as I know Painting and Decorating is in high demand here and since I am a first class tradesman I will get plenty of work.So am I feeling stressed out no way just dying to get back home to be with my babe.

Ps If anyone in the Livingston county area requires my service feel free to pm me

Discounts for fellow vjers kinda kidding but you never know

Regards Scotty

[Alison 0]

Well, here I am, in sunny LA! Actually this afternoon is fog bound but hey!

Anyway, the trip over was wonderfully stress free and POE was totally painless and didn't take very long at all.

One very happy and contended new comer to the USA.

One thing re children.

I went to enroll my son at school today. Unfortunately, despite all my best laid plans to have him fully vaccinated and ready to go when I arrived, the TB test that I had done in the UK had no date on it, so was not admissable, and infact they were fairly certain that he would have had to have another one done anyway and also he had to have a vaccine against chicken pox. So, that was an unexpected $105 bill.

The good news is, the walk in clinic I went to were really nice and are open on Sunday to get the TB test read, so he is all set to start at 8.00 am Monday.

That's another thing, it's going to be odd getting used to the new hours, 8.00 to 1.50!

Still, the school looks lovely so fingers crossed he'll be making lots of friends really soon.

I have already got my children's schools sorted out, they have their places which are just up the road as we're staying with Scott's mom and dad for a year until we get a house properly but we will be fine cause I get on well with his family especially his mom So we're going to meet the principals when I get there.

Alison.

[FormerBrit 0]

When filing for the AOS, I know there is a fee ($325) and a biometric fee ($70).

The EAD also requires a filing ($180) and biometric fee ($70). Is that in addition to the AOS biometric fee, or do we just pay one biometric fee?

Hope that makes sense!

Kiki

[Estella76 0]

Estelle, I will be back home in 5 days time 9th and married in 9 days 14th, I feel a little guilty that my fiance is doing all the running about organising things, the good thing for me is since I've been over a good few times I know the area quite well now and getting from A to B is very easy, also getting work will be no problem as I know Painting and Decorating is in high demand here and since I am a first class tradesman I will get plenty of work.So am I feeling stressed out no way just dying to get back home to be with my babe.

Ps If anyone in the Livingston county area requires my service feel free to pm me

Discounts for fellow vjers kinda kidding but you never know

Regards Scotty

Scotty you sure waited long enough and now the time to be with your love is almost here. Congratulations!

Kiki your home sounds great, where do you live?

I love the winters here, and believe me this has been a MILD one. These last few years on the east coast I actually had to carry around a snow shovel in my car to dig it out almost every day. This year has been like spring. Summers here are hot hot hot so don't ask for it or you'll get it!!!

[Peikko 1,575]

Well, here I am, in sunny LA! Actually this afternoon is fog bound but hey!

Anyway, the trip over was wonderfully stress free and POE was totally painless and didn't take very long at all.

One very happy and contended new comer to the USA.

One thing re children.

I went to enroll my son at school today. Unfortunately, despite all my best laid plans to have him fully vaccinated and ready to go when I arrived, the TB test that I had done in the UK had no date on it, so was not admissable, and infact they were fairly certain that he would have had to have another one done anyway and also he had to have a vaccine against chicken pox. So, that was an unexpected $105 bill.

The good news is, the walk in clinic I went to were really nice and are open on Sunday to get the TB test read, so he is all set to start at 8.00 am Monday.

That's another thing, it's going to be odd getting used to the new hours, 8.00 to 1.50!

Still, the school looks lovely so fingers crossed he'll be making lots of friends really soon.

I have already got my children's schools sorted out, they have their places which are just up the road as we're staying with Scott's mom and dad for a year until we get a house properly but we will be fine cause I get on well with his family especially his mom So we're going to meet the principals when I get there.

Alison.

Cool, I am glad for you, I was just pointing out that even when you do make all the enquiries, which I did, sometimes when it comes to the day you don't have everything you need.

I knew that my son had to have a Heave (?) test as California schools insist that all pupils have this done. I had it done in the UK but because there was no date on the papers, they couldn't accept it even though they believed what I was saying.

Also, regarding the Varicella vacine, I assumed (wrongly) that the immigration vaccines would be enough for the CA school. Wrong again! Varicella (chickenpox) isn't one of the required vaccines for immigration, but is for CA schools.

Needless to say, now he is all fully vacinated he is really looking forward to going and the school is in walking distance so we are all set now.

We also just had the most exciting day. Currently we are sleeping on airbeds (just the way things worked out), but today we went and bought some absulutely awesome beds for my son and my hubby and I. Little things can bring so much pleasure

[rebeccajo 14]

Good to see some old faces returning to this UK thread nest. Kids are getting sorted, houses are starting to look like homes, weddings preparations are underway (or recently done - whew!) and more loved ones are landing everyday!

As for me and Wes, he is looking for his first US job (EAD in hand) and I am starting to search for a new one myself. This part-time job I have had for 4 years needs to go. It was great while we were separated cause it made it easier to us to endure the time difference. But now it's time to build a better future together.

Kiki - you only pay the $70 biometric fee once. You can make your AOS check out for $395 and that takes care of it. Separate checks then for the EAD and AP fees.

[rebeccajo 14]

I forgot I need to have a questioned answered....

When does the UK tax year start? We have Wes' last pay stub but I know it doesn't include the full calendar year 2005. We need to recreate his earnings for our US tax return.

Thanks in advance!

[Euro 3]

euro, I can't wait until I can work too - and drive. Do you have your license? I will have to retake a test to get a permanent Virginia license...

Has your SSN arrived?

In the meantime, I have kept myself busy setting up the house. I sent over a huge container of things - 112 cartons in all! The house is quite big too - 2200 square feet, but I have it all filled up now and it is starting to look real pretty, just like a home! I just wish the summer would hurry up too, it's cold up here in the mountains

Hiya Kiki

Yeah i have to take my driving test AGAIN too, after driving for 19 years in the UK!!!

I cant get a SSN until i get EAD, its a K3 thing

I wish summer would hurry up too

[danengland 0]

hey everyone!

I made it! nice to be here.

i have a question... shock.... Do i have to wait until i am in America to apply for a work permit or can i do it now to save time?

Many Thanks

Dan

[rebeccajo 14]

You file for your EAD at the same time as your AOS. Also AP goes in at that time.

[danengland 0]

what does AP stand for?

[rebeccajo 14]

what does AP stand for?

Advance Parole. Sounds to me like you need to have a look at the 'guides' tab above and read about the procedures after you enter the US.

[FormerBrit 0]

Kiki your home sounds great, where do you live?

We are in SW Virginia in the Appalachians, not far from Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina. The house is beautiful, we love it here, but it is quite rural so I just hope I'll be able to find work once I get my EAD (I'm a Geneticist! ).

When does the UK tax year start? We have Wes' last pay stub but I know it doesn't include the full calendar year 2005. We need to recreate his earnings for our US tax return

Rebecca, thank you for your reply about the filing fees/biometrics. I think ithe date for the UK tax year is April 6th but maybe someone else can double check that for me.

Kiki

Edited February 5, 2006 by KikiDoug

[Lou Lou 1]

Tax year is 1 April to 31 March as far as I know. Am self employed and that's the dates I filed this year online.