homesick_american

Also, if your spouse has good credit, then start linking your name to all of their accounts. It will quickly rub off on you and any reason for possible secondary UK checks should not be necessary. I would imagine in they are only checking the UK because there is no US credit history.

My cousin had a mortgage applicant with A+ credit sitting in front of him who'd only been in the USA for one year so he checked his credit in the UK and found that the guy had abandoned debt over there. He denied the loan. I guess the moral is...if you have bad credit in the UK, don't ask for a loan from my cousin.

DH and I went and opened a joint checking account at the only bank in town that would let him without a SSN. I was wondering if anyone on here opened one with there SO not having a SSN. The bank had him fill out a W-8 form that had to do with the IRS? I'm asking because I recieved my debit card in the mail but he has not. We went up to the bank to ask about this and she wasn't sure what was going on. She's never set up a account before ours without a SSN. She said they might not issues him a debit card until he has a SSN on file. That doesn't sound right to me. They should issue him one if they let us open a joint account. So basically my question is, has anyone opened a joint account with spouse not having a SSN and spouse still got their own debit card from the bank?! Thanks!

As soon as possible I would separate my own name from a joint account.

I had to open my bank account jointly with my husband when I went to the UK because I had no credit history there. Six years later it was still in both of our names and I had to get his PERMISSION to take money out of an account that he had never CONTRIBUTED to...then he had the nerve to refer to it as "our" money. Bullsh!t.

Always protect yourself. I wouldn't join my assets with anyone else's ever again and I'm getting a pre-nup before my next marriage.

quote" I've been a fan since the TV Nation days but I won't be going to see Sicko. Basically, the bits about the NHS are lies...pure lies...and sincerely doubt that the rest of the movie would be lie or exaggeration-free."

So, if you haven't seen the movie how are you in a position to know what he says about NHS, let alone that they are lies? It is easy to dismiss something when you don't know what you are talking about. The solution is to become informed - see the movie, then state that the bits about NHS are lies. Your position will have a lot more credibility.

I've read about those segments in the press and have seen various clips, so don't assume that I'm speaking from a position of complete ignorance. I just love it when people make incorrect assumptions. Maybe you should become informed about what *I* have read and seen before calling me ignorant.

I'm so irritated by the outright lies about the NHS that I refuse to spend my own money to see this film. If someone wants to buy me a ticket, I'll gladly watch it. However, Mr Moore already has enough of my money as I own every book he's ever written and every film/TV show he's done up to this point. He won't be getting any more of my money but feel free to give him YOURS. That's my solution for you.

homesick american, if your mom had been here in the U.S. without insurance, she just would have died or bankrupted her family trying to get treatment.

Rubbish.

You are so right about the mama's boy. I am married to a 57 year old mama's boy and this is part of the reason of my upcoming return to Canada to live permanently. That, in addition to the family members (3 of who are in professional positions) that feel it's ok to have a big time drug dealer in their as well as your home to keep a 23 year old druggie niece/granddaughter happy. And also make sure your future spouse will not be ragging on you because you are unable to secure a full time job. Can you tell I'm bitter?

There aren't any druggies in my husband's family (that I'm aware of) and I've never had trouble finding work, but I know what you mean. If the family is screwed up, RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

well - my landlady ran a UK credit checko on me (I hadn't lived in the US for 10 years, she wanted to make sure she wasn't going to rent to a deadbeat). I'd say it's unlikely, but my experience is that it's certainly possible. When I opened my 2 bank accounts they didn't, however.

Wow, that's the first time that I've heard it's even possible. Good to know!

My cousin is a loan officer at Wachovia; he has done several credit checks on British applicants. Sometimes they've asked for it, sometimes not.

Michael Moore is out to make money. You don't see him sharing it with anyone. He doesn't do anything to make the country better. He just likes to report the worse case scenario and scare people. Actually, I've noticed that he doesn't have any proof for a lot of the things he's speculating on. We definitely need to make some big changes. I don't like the health care system either but it is overburdened and taking care of people who have never paid into the system. When a few people put in and everyone takes out it's gonna be crappy.

Have you even seen the movie Geraghty? If you had, you would know that Michael payed the health care costs anonymously of his most vocal dissident who has a website about him. He also contributes to MANY charities. His movie was basically about a very corrupt HMO political fiasco that is called health care here in the US. One of the biggest changes that could come about is attitudes and beliefs!! Espeically one from the "ME" to the "WE"!!!

"...but it is overburdened and taking care of people who have never paid into the system..."

The above is exactly the attitude to which I speak....What happened to caring for our fellow man? What happened with taking care of people when they're down? These are PEOPLE for gosh sakes. I don't care who paid what when!

Health care should be universal. It is not only in Canada, but in Great Britian and France to name a few. I would suggest that if BILLIONS weren't spent on military expenses, and money being THROWN to "friends" in the pharmaceutical industry, there would be plenty of money around to offer universal health care in the US.

Just MHO.

Carla

Puh-LEEZE do not get me started on the NHS in the UK; it is abominable. If my mother had had her cancer in the UK instead of the USA, she'd be dead now because the NHS would not cover her anti-cancer medication. She wouldn't have been able to convince them to pay for hers because she has hypertension and diabetes too. So, the NHS would have most likely killed her while the evil terrible insurance company here in the USA pays for...well....everything. Yeah, it's SO horrible for EVERYONE.

I so want to see the movie.. Hubby is not so crazy about Mr. Moore - I'm not sure if I'll get him out to see it or not

I've been a fan since the TV Nation days but I won't be going to see Sicko. Basically, the bits about the NHS are lies...pure lies...and sincerely doubt that the rest of the movie would be lie or exaggeration-free.

well - my landlady ran a UK credit checko on me (I hadn't lived in the US for 10 years, she wanted to make sure she wasn't going to rent to a deadbeat). I'd say it's unlikely, but my experience is that it's certainly possible. When I opened my 2 bank accounts they didn't, however.

I agree; it's very unlikely bad credit from the UK will haunt you in the USA but there's always a slim chance.

With so many marriages failing here in the US. What are some of the key things that you VJ members think that will keep your marriage or future marriage from falling apart.

KSU1

Well...with my marriage on its last legs, I can issue a few words of advice.

Ladies...don't marry a mama's boy.

Everyone...if your SO is from a psycho family, i.e. the mother is a passive aggressive cow still bitter about a 25 year-old divorce, the sister is a narcissistic, self-absorbed immature twit pushing 40, and the dad isn't in the picture....RUN. RUN FAR AWAY.

I personally will be steering clear of men who have had ongoing problems with depression/anxiety. No offense, but it's way more than I ever want to deal with again.

For someone as supposedly brilliant as he is, Dawkins really never examines the other side of the coin. He's also a pompous git; I watched a 2-part special he did on UK television and he pretty much seems to think that the religious are retarded. I don't have much respect for that POV and I'm not religious myself.

All 43, though I struggled with that mid-1800s stretch.

I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but why are you posting stuff like this in the UK forum, H_A? Wouldn't "off-topic" be more relevant beings as its not UK related?

Congrats on the job interview.

I'm sure if the mods felt your suggestion was appropriate they would act on it.

I sent off a job application this morning; it's now 12:36 pm and I was just asked to interview Monday at 2pm.

WHO DA MAN!!!!!!!!!

Why to go. Wish some of that sort of luck would rub off on me been looking for 6 months and had one interview. Still you are due something good hope it goes well.

Basically, yeah; I'm owed some good fortune after what my useless husband did to me and CONTINUES to do to me.

So...you think that the US isn't free because you can't just come in with no visa, get married, and stay? You DO realize that it works the same way in the UK, right? US immigration law allows for more wiggle room and exceptions than UK immigration law, you know. Quicker does NOT equal better. If you enter the UK on a tourist visa you can't get married...PERIOD.

I agree with the direction of your post, but this part isn't necessarily true. I got married in the UK on a tourist visit. Came back to the US and then got my leave to enter.

BTW, I don't understand why everyone gets upset when people offer their opinion - not just in this thread, but in general. This IS a forum site and people are here to give their views - simple as.

Strange, because:

From 5 December 2005, if you are subject to immigration control and you want to marry or register a civil partnership in the United Kingdom (UK) you will need to follow the procedures below. You must either:

* hold a fiancé(e) or visitor - marriage / civil partnership entry clearance (visa), or

* hold a Home Office certificate of approval*, or

* be settled in the UK (e.g. indefinite leave to remain)

You must also give notice to marry / register a civil partnership to a registrar at one of a number of designated register offices throughout the UK. Below is a brief summary of the rules. This page explains how they apply to you and what you must do.

When I got married in 2001, I was asked for my fiance visa.

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pa...d=1106654124706

Have a look here: www.interchangefx.co.uk - I used them to transfer money after reading a few recommendations on here, and have had no trouble. They offer good rates, and don't charge extortionate fees. You can send the sterling amount you want transferred into their sterling account (by BACS transfer, or that same-day transfer whose name I forget right now!), and they will then wire the money to your account (or your wife's, or any account you tell them to) from their dollar account - it's very quick because they send the money by wire transfer, so it can be in your US account on the same day Interchange receives it into their account.

I arranged for them to transfer some more money over for me earlier this week - they gave me $1.995 to the £ - I think in theory they charge a £10 fee if you're exchanging less than a certain amount (I think £10,000), but they've always waived it for me!

Hope that helps.

Note that the pound weakened after the Bank of England meeting to set interest rates; it peaked prior to the decision, just like I predicted. Maybe I'm in the wrong line of work!

I sent off a job application this morning; it's now 12:36 pm and I was just asked to interview Monday at 2pm.

WHO DA MAN!!!!!!!!!

Well, I am getting so much thrown at me here and from my friends on another site.. That its overwhelming me... I have thought about it and I called in an attorney.. will let her sort it all out.. She said since the purpose of his visit is to actually meet our online friends and stuff then it is not Visa Fraud... I guess my thing is I look at the over all picture and I ask questions in advance.. That stems from having 2 disabled kids... I always want to know the outcome of things... I wish, I were the type to just wait and see but Im the type I need to know.. and if it is going to get him hurt, then yes I love him enough to stop it now.. I cant stand to see someone I love and care for suffer...

As for the main question you all seem to want to know, yes I have seen him in person, its been a while, as I assume it has with alot of you... But my phone bills are over 500 a month talking to him, and we are on Yahoo Phone from the time he gets off work til he goes to bed..... I miss him so much it hurts, but if he is going to be hurt I would rather do it now that down the line....

One more thing... I dont get how, its easier to go to the UK than it is the US??? Supposedly the land of the free... yea right!!!

Believe me, the UK doesn't really want you there. They don't like immigrants in the UK; trust me, I just came back from there. Their immigration procedures are much more streamlined but they also don't have NEARLY the illegal immigrant problem that we have. A visa in the UK is not a guarantee; if you don't meet their requirements then no visa; it's as simple as that. They can be just as judgemental and hard-a$$ed as the US. They just process the apps quicker because they don't have nearly the volume that the USCIS does.

So...you think that the US isn't free because you can't just come in with no visa, get married, and stay? You DO realize that it works the same way in the UK, right? US immigration law allows for more wiggle room and exceptions than UK immigration law, you know. Quicker does NOT equal better. If you enter the UK on a tourist visa you can't get married...PERIOD. You can in the US. You have to enter the UK on a fiance visa to get married, no ifs ands or buts. When you go to the registry office to get married, they ASK TO SEE THE VISA. You better believe it. The UK doesn't require a medical exam, but I think they should since they're starting to have some problems with tuberculosis and immigrants bringing in HIV. You don't even have to be screened for TB to immigrate to the UK; that's INSANE.

I think you need a serious reality check. Getting a visa is a serious and lengthy procedure but you shouldn't whine. Your SO is from the UK and it is piss easy for Brits to get visas. Very few of the British applicants here have had serious problems or lengthy delays. Go look in the MENA forum and compare your 'sob story' to some of theirs. If you're not patient enough to endure the process, perhaps breaking up IS the best thing to do.

Well, after alot of crying, and alot of reading all this..

I called and talked to him last night...

I told him everything I was told by USCIS and by you people here..

We talked for over 2 hours (another big phone bill), when I hung up with him he was crying.. but hurting him now will be easier than him getting hurt later on...

Hes young he will find someone else, someone is own age... I am deleting my membership from this site as I will no longer need it... I cant take him from everything hes known all his life, into a country as cold and cruel as the US... Marrying me he will already loose his family and friends, if he did stay hed loose his job and home too, he says it doesnt matter, but it does to me... God, why are the Brits so down on the US???

Thanks for all the help.. But honestly, you did more accusing than helping...

Where did you get that we were cold & cruel or more importantly, that you needed to break up?????????????????

No joke. For once, I agree.

I guess I'm in the minority here... I'd compare it to having one person in a large party go ahead to a restaurant and place their name on the list. The hostess may ask when that person's name is up if the rest of the party is there, but that person, if they believe the party will arrive shortly has every right to be sat down before others who may have their whole party there.

If someone is standing in the parking spot and they're reserving it for someone who isn't even in the parking lot, then they should give it up, but out here in Cali, an open parking spot is a rare thing and you could end up driving around for 30 minutes just to park your car. It sucks when malls in general don't have enough parking spaces...that's really the issue.

Watch me care. No holdsies.

I actually would side with the woman holding the spot. People do this all the time - have somebody hold their spot when waiting in line.

I wouldn't. First come WITH A CAR, first served. No holdsies; I hate that sh!t. I'd have just inched into the space slowly while she backed out of it.

Okay well after reading all this, I paniced so I called the INS, and since he is coming legally on a Visa Free. We can get married, and they gave me a list of forms we have to file immediately... But he can stay with me in the states... She said since he is not coming mainly to marry me but to see the country and we aew already engaged if we decide to get married in the 90 days, the sooner the better, so we can get the forms filed in a timely manner... So this is what we are going to do, I will update all as I know more... Thanks all for the advice...

That doesn't sound like anything I've ever heard/read about. I'd definitely check into that again before doing it. I've read alot of posts on here well people have been giving wrong information from people who should have known what they were talking about. I recommend doing research before taking a huge step like that. I hate waiting and searched for a way to keep my fiance with me, but I didn't find any way to do it, so he's back home. You'll probably just have to bite the bullet and wait like everyone else.

That's not passing the sniff test with me either, but I'm not an expert.

I used a broker at UBS Financial Services to deal with my wire transfer and he gave me the market rate...no basis points withheld, no fees, no nothing. He's awesome.

B of A is still clearing the cashier's check I got from Nationwide. I deposited it last Monday and it still has not posted to my account.

My useless husband also went through JFK, had no problems.

I had to declare money to customs at JFK and it was easy-peasy.

He is waiting on his passport in the UK now, we were told he could come to the US Visa Free for 90 days, is this true? And if so can we get married if we decide then and he apply to stay from here? Another thing is there is a big age difference me being the older, will that be a problem? We are buying a round trip ticket as it says we have to do for Visa Free, and he is not leaving his job just incase he has to go back.

so Question #1. Is Visa Free from the UK to the US legal?

Question #2. Can we get married and him apply from the US and stay or will he have to return does anyone know?

Question #3. Will our age difference play a factor?

1.) As mentioned, the Visa Waiver Program is a widely used way for people from many countries to visit participating countries. You get 90 days (or whatever they feel like allowing you, up to 90 days) to visit and then you must leave or file an document requesting an extention.

2.) If he enters intending to marry you and (this is key) REMAIN in the United States, he needs to use the proper visa to do so. The Visa Waiver Program is not intended to be a short cut to immigration. If he enters intending to visit, then he is using the VWP appropriately. People who have entered under the VWP have married and adjusted status successfully. But some others have not. It's a fine line between a "risk" and fraud. Since - and I sincerely don't mean this as snark - you are invovled in a relationship with a non-US citizen and you know nothing about the VWP, a very, very basic tool, I think before anyone flies anywhere or does anything, you need to start some heavy-duty research. Go to www.uscis.gov and start from there. Then come back here and read the Guides and the FAQ sections of this site. Then read and think some more.

3.) How much older? There's no legal requirement regarding ages, so long as both of you are old enough to legally marry. But it can raise eyebrows and get you some extra questions because, culturally, both countries are less predisposed to accept an age gap where the woman is older. Sucky, but a fact.

But there are some other issues not explicitly stated in your post that could make things much more difficult for you - especially if you ended up in the #2 situation where he comes here under the VWP and you end up married trying to adjust status that way.

Have you met in person before? Have you ever seen this guy in the flesh? He's never been out of the UK it seems, since he has no passport. Did you meet him in person over there? Been to the UK?

It's not necessarily how the authorities would see things, but, if you have a significantly younger foreigner arriving and marrying a person he's never seen in person before . . . . could raise a flag (and I'm usually not one to warn of red-flag-waving).

Be careful and do your homework on this before either of you make huge financial, emotional, and legal commitments that you may regret later.

All excellent advice.