ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomTime between 221(g) reponse and receipt of visa

Hi guys!! my interview was done but have 221g form b'cos the CO wants to request w-2 and I-864A of MY co-sponsor(sister in law) Spouse which is my (brother in law)but my co sponsor which is my sister in law is in the above poverty guidelines why they need to request? that..help please?

You need to start your own thread in the right place, I'm afraid. Advice given in the UK forum is not necessarily going to help you in the Philipines.
Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-01-18 10:13:00
United KingdomLondon Interview Details
Congratulations on your approval.

I don't think you needed to start a thread for this though, it can just go into the London embassy reviews, like they usually do.
Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-02-08 09:54:00
United KingdomThings to take care of before the move

Hi everybody.

At this point, Simon's about 10 days away from making the move to ths US. :)
I'll be headed there on Thursday and he'll be coming back with me on the 11th.

I'm curious what things he will need to take care of that he may not think of. Was there anything you didn't think of (or did)?

He's selling a lot of his stuff. I have a house here, so he won't need to bring anything he doesn't want.

He's already gotten rid of or is planning to cancel most things. He's been living with his parents since he came back from staying here this summer, so that simplifies a lot.

He's turned his notice into work, cancelled cable, will be cancelling his car insurance and cell phone.

Is there anything else? I thought I saw somebody mention something about taxes on here the other day??

We'd appreciate any help!!

Let me see...

His mobile phone contract may require 30 days notice, so he shouldn't leave that to the last day.

I agree with recommendations to keep the UK bank account if he can. Barclays allowed me to change my address to the US, though other banks might not. They changed my number to my US cell number, but told me that they're not allowed to phone internationally. Get him to set up online banking if he hasn't already, including a card entry device if his bank offer it (Barclays one is called PIN Sentry).

Agreed on the P85.

He might want to get a copy of his medical records from his GP. It took a few days and a nominal cost for them to provide them.

For currency exchange companies, I used hifx.com, and they were easy to use and gave slightly better rates than xe.com. I seem to remember Moneycorp being more hassle with the ID required than the other two.
Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-04-03 08:25:00
United Kingdomhow many days could I have my visa after interview?

well i was approved on the 25th april 2013 and was told i would get it in a week's time and it has been more than a week and still nothing, so my guess is you gotta be patient, though its frustuating. all the best

 

If you're applying in Uganda, the timing between interview and passport delivery will have no relation to the timing in London.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-05-05 10:34:00
United KingdomUK passport expired

Just to add one more thing: the US uses a different size for passport photos to most of the rest of the world, including the UK. The US uses 2" x 2", and the UK uses 45mm x 35mm. Some reports say that the UK embassy in Washington will accept US size and trim them, some that they reject them and demand UK size. You can get UK size in the US, from some pharmacies, or by doing it yourself, but it can be an effort. I used a free website that helped to convert my own picture to the right size on 4" x 6" photo paper. I imagine that thread on the British Expats forum has more info.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-05-06 06:24:00
United KingdomMobile phones

In general, mobile phones in the US are a complete rip-off compared to the UK. I was astonished when I found out how much my phone was going to cost with T-Mobile, who my wife was already using, then I shopped around and realised I couldn't do much better elsewhere. Pre-pay can be better deals, but are still not great.

 

One of the main things to worry about is network coverage. You can check your local area on the web pages for each of the main phone companies.

 

The pre-pay companies are sometimes national and sometimes pretty localised. You may find most people here haven't heard of some of them, so your best bet may be consumer reviews elsewhere.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-05-06 13:05:00
United KingdomQuestion that occurred to me re: disclosing a wedding date.

Ahh right...I didn't even notice your visa. I guess it makes sense they would ask all about your job in a work visa interview. We run into so many oil and gas people around here and aren't even living on the west side in the energy corridor. They are everywhere and Exxon has their huge headquarters aka "Project Delta" going in on the north side. Welcome to Houston.

 

Thanks very much. I've been here permanently for six months now, but I suspect my first visit here was before your husband, all the way back in August 2005.

 

And yes, we are all over the place. There are big clusters of oil companies downtown, in The Woodlands and Greenspoint as well as in the Energy Corridor, and there are consultancies, software companies and service companies everywhere.


Edited by Owen_London, 16 May 2013 - 04:02 PM.

Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-05-16 16:01:00
United KingdomQuestion that occurred to me re: disclosing a wedding date.

Hmmm.. What job do you do? There is a security component where if you have highly scientific skills, you could end in AP for extra security checks. (think: bomb building, chemical warfare, explosives or even other skills like being James Bond secret agent) smile.png Maybe they were checking you out? Each interviewer makes up their own questions and sometimes tailor them to the applicants. Ours didn't even ask when we got engaged or how did you propose like some do. We're oldsters so I guess he figured if my fiancé got down on one knee, he might not be able to get up again. Hahaha.

 

Well, it's because I was after an employment visa. I'm in Houston, so you can probably guess that it's oil and gas. I suspect there are some petroleum engineering disciplines that have alternative military-related uses, so might go into AP, but I'm a geologist so there's little chance of that.

 

I'll get my questions about having a bona fide marriage later this year during AoS, providing our tax advisor ever gets round to finishing off our 2012 return.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-05-16 14:49:00
United KingdomQuestion that occurred to me re: disclosing a wedding date.

Back to your original question. It is not frowned upon to have a wedding date in mind. Why would it? You are a couple who plans to marry and must marry within 90 days of entry. To me it would be more telling to not have thought about it. "Do you have any wedding plans?" "Huh? Wedding? Umm..err."

London interviewers do not try to trip you up. For the vast majority of couples, is an informal chat like you might have with a new acquaintance who heard you were going to marry an American and was interested.
How did you meet?
Where will you live?
Does she have any kids?
What does she do for a living?
Why do you want to live in America, instead of her moving to the UK?
Have you met her family?

It's a bunch of small talk. They don't want to go through photo albums or Skype logs. They do want to make sure you know the basics they are reading in the file...where she lives, works, and that you know about her 3 divorces and 8 kids.

Lately one of the interviewers has been asking "what do you love most about her?" or "how did you know she was the one?"


 














 

That sounds like fun. I almost wish I'd had that instead of "What job is it you do?" twice, and a few similar questions.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-05-16 08:37:00
United KingdomI-134 Questions

Hi all,

 

My fiance is just finalising his I-134 forms and we have a few questions:

 

1) On question 2. is says "I have resided in the United States since ___". He lived in the US since birth but then moved to Switzerland for 2 years moving back at Easter this year. Does he put his birth date here or the date he moved back the last time?

 

2) For worth of "other personal property" do you estimate worth of things like clothes, and technology or is this for large items such as cars? I don't know if we should put down the amount that out appartment renters insurance covers or just his car.

 

3) For the intentions of supposrt question we're copying the "N/A because of K1" from the VJ example as we will be in the same  household. I noticed his dad on our co-sponsor I-134 put "does not intend" as we are unlikely to need his help - is this right?

 

Thanks everyone!

 

Zoe

 

On question one, I would put the date that he returned from Switzerland. Providing an incorrect answer (particularly one that could be checked against border patrol records) might possibly cause problems, but as long as he's a US citizen not a legal permanent resident, having lived abroad should not.
 


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-01 11:27:00
United KingdomProcess for a US citizen to marry a UK citizen in the UK

 

Actually that is a great solution to the problem and also allows you to send in your US spousal visa forms asap and your wait after your July marriage party will be much shorter to enter the US. 

 

Agreed, I think that's generally the better option for many reasons.

 

Depending on how you do it, it can be much cheaper, too, because venues and supplies in the UK hike up their prices for weddings, so having a "family party" instead of a wedding could be much cheaper.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-06 10:13:00
United KingdomProcess for a US citizen to marry a UK citizen in the UK

He won't need a visa, but there is a process for getting the marriage registered: http://www.ukba.home...vilpartnership/

 

Be sure to read up on how to obtain proof of the marriage since he'll need that to start the petition for a spousal visa for you.

 

Yes, he will need a visa. A fiance visa. 

 

Linked directly under "Can you get married or register a civil partnership" on the page you linked:

 

 


If one or both of you are abroad

If either partner is not already in the UK, they will need to obtain a visa before they come to the UK to marry or register their civil partnership, unless they:

  • are a British citizen; or
  • are a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, or the family member of a national of the EEA who has the right of residence in the UK; or
  • have a certificate of entitlement in your passport, giving them the right to live in the UK; or
  • are not subject to immigration control.

The visa that you need will depend on how long you intend to stay in the UK:

  • If you will be coming to the UK for a short time, and you plan to leave the UK soon after the ceremony, you must obtain a visa as a visitor for marriage or civil partnership. See the Visitors for marriage or civil partnership section.
  • If you are planning to come to the UK to get married or register a civil partnership with someone who is already settled or settling here, and you want to stay in the UK afterwards, you will need to obtain a visa as a fiance(e) or proposed civil partner. Both you and your partner must be aged 18 or over, and you will need to show evidence that you plan to marry or register your civil partnership within 6 months of your arrival. See the Fiance(e)s and proposed civil partners section.

 

In addition, if marrying in England and Wales, giving notice at a register office requires you both to have been resident in England and Wales for the preceding seven full days (midnight to midnight). You have to give notice at least 16 days and at most one year before the wedding. Since he will be subject to immigration control, you would have to give notice at a "designated" register office, which only some of them are.

 

Rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland are a bit different, and I think very slightly easier, but I don't remember the details.


Edited by Owen_London, 06 June 2013 - 08:37 AM.

Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-06 08:35:00
United KingdomBringing US born son back for a visit without the Father

Hi All,

 

My son is a US/UK dual national but currently does not have a UK passport. I am hoping to return to the UK for a visit and wondered what I need to bring to evidence Father's permission to leave the country? Has anyone done this that can offer me advice?

 

Many thanks and best wishes to you all

 

We had to do something similar to get permission to take my step-children to the UK next month. My wife made the letter that the kids' father had to sign, but I believe the rules for the letter came out of either the divorce decree or the court-ordered custody document.

 

If it's unclear from your legal documents, I would consult your family law specialist, not an immigration forum on the internet. I'm pretty sure the details vary from state to state, and probably from case to case too.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-07 09:43:00
United KingdomUpdate

Thanks Rob. It's nice to hear your update, as many of the people who settle in well are having too much fun to post on an internet forum.

 

Much of what you wrote sounds similar to how I feel, even now being part of a family of five means my situation is pretty different. We're still in our honeymoon period, and I'm not sure when that will end. I miss my UK friends and family, I miss travel in the UK and I miss my music, but I have new opportunties here instead. For example, we went to Arches National Park over Memorial weekend, and it was stunning.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-05-31 06:52:00
United KingdomUK Vaccination Records
I'm going to apply for AOS very soon, and my UK medical records have a big gap. I have records up till we moved house at age 5, then there's a big gap until I moved to London aged 22. Is it possible that you moved house ten years ago? If so it might be worth contacting the surgery or NHS group where you lived before, to try to locate the records.
Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-04-24 10:29:00
United KingdomMy Full Story

Given that you're worried by the process, I recommend you take a copy of the form with you, as well as the original. That way, when they ask you to confirm the information they have input for their records, you can take your time to check it against what you wrote on the form beforehand, instead of getting flustered.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-17 09:24:00
United KingdomTax on UK pensions?
Mark,

I'm happy to agree with your second paragraph, but the first is controversial.

When I searched for "Uk US pension tax", or similar, the first thing to come up were two threads on britishexpats.com that stated most but not tax specialists believe that the lump sum is not free from US tax.




Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-28 17:44:00
United KingdomTax on UK pensions?

So the pension I have now is completely useless despite the fact it's private and my money I've been paying into it and not related to the state whatsoever? That can't be right surely?

 

Useless? The money is still there, and gathering interest, and it will pay out when you retire, so no.

 

The UK rules that apply to your pension do not change, but you cannot transfer it into a US pension scheme (401k, IRA etc.), and depending on what you choose to do with it, you might get hit for US taxes by the IRS even if the income would have been tax-free in the UK.

 

There's a lot of discussion of US taxation of UK pensions on the britishexpats forum, that Boiler posts on. If you want more qualified info and advice, you might want to go there.

 

If you have a significant amount of money in your UK-based pension or other investments, you will probably want to engage a CPA (certified public accountant) in the US who is experienced with the details of the UK/US tax treaty. The US has probably the most unnecessarily complicated tax system in the world, and foreign-held investments and pensions are two things that make it get really complicated.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-27 13:01:00
United KingdomTax on UK pensions?

 

Thanks for your reply. I'm not in the final salary pension. What I had planned to do is just freeze the pension, convert it into the equivalent of what it's worth and pay into it again with a new employer when I'm working in the US.

 

My main question really is - if you have paid into a private pension in the UK, what do you do when you move to the US? Do you still have to pay tax on it? I'd assumed I could just relocate it like you do if you move from one company to another in the UK.

 

This is a can of worms, but as I understand it you cannot relocate a pension from the UK to US, despite there being a few companies out there claiming that you can. Your UK pension will be frozen until you retire or return to the UK, and you will need to open a 401k once you have a job in the US.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-27 06:53:00
United KingdomTax on UK pensions?

I've just been looking up some stuff on here -

 

http://www.hmrc.gov....ax-leave-uk.htm

 

It says that "If you're non-resident, you'll pay UK tax on your UK pensions - including your State Pension. You may not pay UK tax if the country you live in has a 'double taxation' agreement with the UK."

 

I currently have a pension with my company, Centrica, and the pension company is Mercer, which both operate in the US. I won't be working for them in the US, but I just assumed my pension would be frozen when I left and I'd pay into it again in the US when I chose and it'd convert to USD.

 

Do I need to do anything other than file P85, and does this mean I'll still have to pay stuff to the UK? :S

 

I used to work for Centrica, ten years ago, and still have an old final-salary pension with them. My (small) pension will pay out once I reach retirement age, but it is basically frozen until then. It will pay out in pounds, and I'll convert it to USD. Centrica have several different pension schemes, though, which work differently, and different pension types also get taxed differently in the US.

 

The US does have a taxation treaty with the UK, so you should probably be able to avoid UK tax.

 

If the pension is through Centrica, I'd be very surprised if you'd be allowed to contribute further to it once you've left the company, even if you were still in the UK. You haven't provided us with enough info to really be able to tell. I suggest you read through the pension info from Mercer, and talk to them if you have any questions.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-26 19:51:00
United KingdomUS Driver's licenses & buying a car

 

Is that the number for the PA DMV?  Because I found their eform to contact them online but not a phone number.

 

The eform would not work because it required a US address, US license number and VIN number to be able to make contact with them - none of which I had - and when I asked family in the US to complete it on my behalf it still failed because they were out of state (at least we assume that was why it didn't work since three different people tried entering their various numbers).  So frustrating!

 

And, yes, good tip on assuming the front line people might not have answers to such a non-standard query.  We are finding that to be the case with just about everything.

 

Thanks for responding.

 

Laura

 

This is where I found it: http://www.dot33.sta..._us/index.shtml


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-05 08:03:00
United KingdomUS Driver's licenses & buying a car

As you've worked out, license rules vary by state. Your best bet is probably to phone them, I'm guessing on the out of state number, from UK, 001-717-412-5300. Bear in mind that the first people you talk to sometimes won't really know.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-05 06:35:00
United KingdomWhat do you miss most about the UK?

I've been living in the Houston suburbs now for about 7 months. These are just some of the things I miss:

- the temperate climate

- UK friends and family

- good curry (especially Shad Indian - incredibly good, and a mile from my flat)

- great beer

- proper bacon

- public transport and the ability to walk everywhere

- my brass band

- museums and other culture in London

- the green and rolling countryside and beautiful scenery a few hours' drive away

- politics that are only slightly depressing

 

But then these are things I wouldn't have in the UK:

- my new family

- tex-mex (for those in Houston, I got taken out to Alicia's for Father's Day yesterday, and it was great, as it nearly always is)

- great steak

- a huge house in a nice area for the price of a 1-bed flat in central London

- a pool in walking distance

- a job (possibly - the UK office where I worked closes in two weeks)

- incredible scenery a short plane ride away (we went to Arches National Park over Memorial Day weekend)


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-17 09:17:00
United KingdomWhere's my passport London??!!!

Thanks!

Passport being delivered tomorrow pre-8am...I fly tomorrow afternoon.....!!

I don't hang around....!



 

Impressive! I really hope your delivery doesn't get lost or break down.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-09 12:03:00
United KingdomWhere's my passport London??!!!

Great news! Good luck.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-09 11:39:00
United KingdomWhere's my passport London??!!!

I have to admit I'm as confused by your theory as Nich-Nick. Your theory only makes sense if there were people working to process the applications over the weekend, which there aren't.

 

I also don't understand why you're so frustrated. When I had my interview, last September, 7 days for passport return was about average, and it's easily within the range that the embassy tells you at the interview. In addition, it's summer - more people want to travel, and more of the embassy staff will be taking vacation, particularly when I'm sure several will be travelling back to the US to see family over the 4th July long weekend.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-09 10:56:00
United KingdomWhat are/were your wedding plans?

We've arrived back in Houston yesterday after ten days in the UK, culminating in our "UK wedding" on Saturday, so it feels great to post in this thread.

 

We had our US wedding on a Friday evening, 30th November, just my wife and I, our three kids (my step-children), my wife's Mum and sister, and my Mum and brother, plus our officiant and our photographer, who were both really nice. We booked a limo to take us to a really good steakhouse nearby. On the Saturday, we had our Houston friends over for a party at our house, where we laid on Tex-Mex from our favourite local restaurant, and a bouncy house filling most of our back yard. It was easy to do, and great fun.

 

Our UK do was a little bigger. We had a "renewal of vows" ceremony, run by the registrar. This is very similar to a civil wedding, with a few changes in wording, and we got to sign a certificate instead of the marriage register. Everything else was just like a big wedding day, including a beautiful venue that was a maze inside (Horsley Park, near Guildford), gorgeous flowers, decorations, my old brass band, a drinks reception and a three-course meal for about a hundred people, and a disco. Oh, plus a bouncy castle on the croquet lawn.

 

A few days beforehand, I was thinking that the UK do would be OK, but that we were already married so it was a waste of time and money, and it was upsetting for my wife because she had no guests coming from the US. But now it's over, it feels worth it for so many reasons, and I'm so glad we did it. Everyone had a great time, especially us, our kids had a great time on their first visit outside the US, and we got to see all my wonderful friends and family again.

 


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-23 13:08:00
United KingdomPaying for courier at embassy!!

I agree. After all the waiting time from filling your papers to fingerprints and now interview ..and all the pain associated with it, it's unconscionable and so reckless to leave the country without proper document (green card or AP) if you want to live and work in US.

 

 

No one knows..until your interview is done next month and your case is complete and approved by USCIS.

 

Please try to provide useful replies. Your first reply makes no sense, since the original poster is waiting for an interview in London, not in the US. Your second reply makes no sense because, firstly, people do have some idea how long London takes to process passports, and secondly, the case is now in the hands of the London consulate, not USCIS.

 

Thanks.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-24 09:17:00
United Kingdom150 Brands

I managed 10 on part 1, and 11 on part 2. A few of the ones on part 2 can be guessed if you know the company, without ever having seen the strapline.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-25 12:00:00
United KingdomNotice of marriage in UK even if marrying abroad? - HELP

The text you quoted is specifically if you want to get married abroad, and you need a "Certificate of non-impediment" to do so. If you don't need that, you don't need to give notice in the UK for a marriage abroad.

 

The rules will vary by state, but certainly in Texas the certificate wasn't required, and I haven't heard of it elsewhere. Check the requirements for a marriage license in your intended state to be sure.

 


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-06 12:03:00
United KingdomHow the heck did/do you plan a Wedding/Reception/Etc...

We had a small civil wedding on the bridge a minute's walk from our house last November, close family only, so nine of us. It was a Friday afternoon, so we met the kids off the school bus in our wedding regalia, got married half an hour later, and then went out to a really nice steak restaurant. The next day, we had all our Houston friends over to the house for a party, hired in a bouncy house and slide for the kids, and had our great local tex-mex restaurant deliver fajitas for lunch.

 

In July, we came back to the UK and had a big wedding do. The civil wedding ceremony was replaced by a "renewal of vows" ceremony, and we rededicated our rings, rather than exchanging them, but that was the only difference. It did cost a lot more than the US do, but it was a lot of fun. Since I'm on an L1 visa, there was no rush for us to marry. The UK do was therefore originally booked as our actual wedding, but it would have been difficult for us to satisfy the residency requirements for the UK marriage license. I feel like the way we did things worked out better anyway.

 

 


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-19 08:49:00
United KingdomMedical Insurance...SO Confused!

Yes, exactly.  So if the system were such that a whole segment of the population with a certain type of government insurance was an "undesirable" for a doctor's office, and then that segment of the population were unable to see a doctor, people would go apesh!t.  I can't believe that when designing a system, that the authors of it would not notice this huge gaping weak spot, and that after all the fighting over in in congress (a few years) that no one would notice.  There are many dumb politicians, but enough smart ones that someone would have said "hey! this system is going to screw over Medicare recipients!"  

 

So I meant that I don't see that scenario happening, not because the doctors are all loyal angels, but because I don't see the system being designed that way. (my second clause in the sentence you quoted maybe incorrectly connected to the previous clause) There has to be some checks in place to keep both the doctors and the insurers from running wild and screwing over people, which is what Obamacare is about.

 

This new system was a compromise, based on a Republican idea.  Democrats traditionally wanted (and still do want) a single-payer system, basically Medicare for everyone.  So they are not going to make Medicare super crappy when they want everyone to get on Medicare eventually.

 

I think you may have more faith in the competence of politicians and the mechanisms of democratic government than anyone I've ever met.

 

All I can say is that I very much doubt that your assumptions are correct.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-25 17:41:00
United KingdomMedical Insurance...SO Confused!

By that logic there would be no incentive for any doctor to keep any medicare patient, except by some sense of "loyalty."  Any practice without a sense of loyalty would just chuck them all in favor of other patients, and I don't see that happening.

 

Can you explain why you "don't see that happening"? A doctor's office in the US is a business just like any other.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-25 14:47:00
United KingdomSomething new to obsess about

They have a photo booth at the embassy, so they obviously get people who forget their photos or have the wrong size.

It was out of order the day I was there (I didn't need to use it, but I'd heard there was one and I joked to my husband "I bet it's our of order anyway" - and it was).

I had read a couple days before the interview that the angry Asian lady got all shirty with someone about their photos from snappysnaps not being the right quality, so I got a second set from a photome booth the day before. I don't even think the guy looked more than 1 second at my photos in the end - 2 sets for nothing! I look sweaty and stressed in the second set, too. wink.png blergh.



 

I had to get a new set of photos done too, at the pharmacy down the road. I forget why, possibly my review at the time says. I wouldn't be surprised if the booth at the embassy has been out of order for years.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-30 13:04:00
United KingdomSelf-Sponsoring Success

 

 

I'll see if I can get some more concrete info for you via a link or something. It was an issue raised by his banks in the UK that we had no idea about until they mentioned it. I think "illegal" is a bit harsh, but in some states they apparently have more strict controls over how much can be transferred in a certain time frame. 

 

OK, thanks. I'd like to see that. I suspect your banks are confused, or they haven't communicated whatever the issue is well.


It is not.

 

Now I am confused. What question were you replying to there?

 

And Nich-Nick - thanks, that was my vaguely held understanding too.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-20 08:27:00
United KingdomSelf-Sponsoring Success

I gave the link in the previous post. We often post about it, but I guess you didn't ever see it.

 

I meant the comment that some states make it illegal to transfer money from overseas into US bank accounts. I don't see information on that on your link, or am I missing something?


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-19 18:26:00
United KingdomSelf-Sponsoring Success

That's really interesting to know. Thank you.

 

Can you provide a link that explains the rules about this? I've never heard of it before.

 

note: it is actually illegal in some states to transfer money from overseas into domestic bank accounts, and we acknowledged in that letter that California was not one of them

Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-19 15:12:00
United KingdomHow have your family and friends reacted to your plans ?

Of course we have.. We are all at different points in our lives, and for my fiancé and I, the opportunities in America far outweighed those in the UK. Trust me, we considered everything. Would you say there are not more opportunities in the US?

 

I'd say it depends on:

- exactly where you would be moving to (some areas are badly depressed and some in boom - the extremes of both are probably greater in the US right now)

- your job experience and qualifications (how transferable are your skills, which of you has higher earning potential?)

- your family situation (do you need childcare, and can nearby family members provide it?)

 

And perhaps other things too.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-08 11:49:00
United KingdomHow have your family and friends reacted to your plans ?

I think you have to consider how you want family and friends to react.

 

If they really are your friends and care about you, they will be happy that you are happy, but sad that you are leaving, because they will see much less of you. If any of them are genuinely happy with no reservations, then one of the following is true:

1. They are hiding their sadness at you leaving, because they want to support you.

2. They don't realise how much time and money it takes to fly between the US and UK these days, or how little vacation allowance most US workers receive.

3. Your relationship isn't as close as you think it is.

 

One of my best friends asked me if this was what I truly wanted, and said that I could find myself someone really nice in the UK. I wasn't offended, because he was right, and he knew that we'd miss each other. I gave up a lot and moved away from a lot of friends to come to the US, and it makes no sense that there is only one person in the World who can make you happy, otherwise almost everyone would be miserable. But when I told him that I was sure this was what I wanted, he supported me. And that's all you can ask.

 

What did surprise me was the reaction of my colleagues at work. Five years ago, I worked in an office of 25 people, but there were only four of us by the time I moved to the US office. We all knew that my leaving could be a catalyst for the office to finally close, but the others were still really happy for me, even though my move increased the risk that they'd be laid off. Two of the three since have been, and the other is now working from home.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-08 09:15:00
United KingdomTaking my fire service pension to the USA

OK, that all makes sense. What I will flag for you, though, is that in the UK it makes sense to take the tax-free lump sum. I'm not sure it makes financial sense in the US, though, as the lump sum will be taxed by the IRS as normal income. The advice I've seen before is that it is better to not take the lump sum and have a higher pension payment instead.


Owen_LondonMaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-23 14:03:00