ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomAfter all the hoops we have jumped through, 4 days into my new American job USCIS emails me.....

I am an HR manager and I E-verify new employees daily. Employers are required to verify that you are legally eligible to work in the US. This is done online using E-verify. When you filled in your I-9 form did you tick the correct box for permanent resident/resident alien? If so, then it is possibly your employers fault. they may have entered you as a citizen which is where the discrepancy would be. If you and your employer entered everything correctly, then it is the fault of USCIS and they are the ones that need to fix it. The department of homeland security is the bureau that is responsible for I-9 forms.


CollieFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-06-06 11:47:00
United KingdomNOA1 March 19th. timeline question

She should accept the promotion and look after number "one" - that would be herself. The visa process is on average a year start to finish. Even if she has to give notice, she will likely be able to negotiate on a good faith basis until she immigrates to the US. Most bosses do not want he employee at the job to work the full notice, unless they will be really struggling for a replacement in the interim.

 

In a nutshell until she has that piece of paper in her hand, she should not do anything irrational.

 

 


CollieFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-06-24 16:08:00
United KingdomPassport still not received?

Update: Passports were ready for pick up on june 26th, so from their date of interview, that was 15 days. I would definitely advise to plan accordingly to anyone who is booking flights!


CollieFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-06-30 07:58:00
United KingdomPassport still not received?

uh oh this isn't sounding good - they should be picking the passports up at Belfast International airport. I will pass the info on to my Dad so he can chase up and let y'all know what the outcome is.


CollieFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-06-25 11:33:00
United KingdomPassport still not received?

I believe it is counted by working days. So 10 working days/2 weeks is going into what I would call overdue compared to most. Have you checked the CEAC search to see if the status says "issued" yet?

 

Yes - it has shown issued since 1 day post interview. I am wondering if they should call the courier service?


CollieFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-06-25 08:54:00
United KingdomPassport still not received?

My parents interview in London was 2 weeks ago and they still haven't got their passports back - is this a normal time frame? I was under the impression that it would be 7-10 days?


CollieFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-06-25 07:44:00
United KingdomThings you'll miss from the UK, and how you'll compensate?

 

Collie, whereabouts in Fort Worth are you?  That's where I'm gonna be, when I eventually get there :D  Initially will be living in Haltom City.

 

Hey I live in Azle and my office is in White Settlement, so from Haltom City, we are only 15 mins apart :) Fort Worth is awesome - You will love it here. Feel free to email (knbasye@gmail.com) me or facebook (Kat Nicholl-Basye) me if you would like a friend when you get here. I know how tough it is initially not knowing anybody ;)


CollieFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-06-26 09:24:00
United KingdomThings you'll miss from the UK, and how you'll compensate?

This is a great thread, thanks for mentioning the British Emporium in Dallas, TX.  I just happen to be going there for work at the end of this week and shall definitely be making a stop there, and Ikea (i'm half Swedish).

 

I have been living in Arkansas 16 months now.  I have to say that overall I prefer living here than in England.  The weather is so good and I can spend so much time outdoors hiking, swimming, biking, I feel much healthier because of it.  I also got really lucky and found a great job the day my employment authorization arrived in the mail and they are like family to me which has helped a lot.   

 

I really miss Sky news here.  The quality of the news is pretty bad so I keep up to date with whats going on in the world on the sky news website. I will try that live streaming thing for sure.

 

I'm lucky that my family come and visit about every 3 months.  They usually bring orange squash, M & S tea, M & S chocolate biscuits, neurofen plus (its the only thing that works on headaches for me) so I make out a list for each visit.

 

There are some specialty stores that carry British products around here.  I also go to Aldi regularly and get decent chocolate and cheese from there for much cheaper than the specialty stores.  Its a shame they don't have marks and spencers here though.  It was such a great place to get prepared food that you just pop in the oven after a long day at work.  I find myself cooking from scratch a lot now because I gained about 15 pounds the first year eating out so much!

 

The British Emporium is actually in Grapevine, Texas :) It is good for buying those things that you really just can't live without, but be aware that it is very pricey. They are extremely proud of their products! As a side note, watch the expiration dates on some of the shelved products too (speaking from experience, out of date monster munch are really gross ;))


CollieFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-06-25 11:50:00
United KingdomThings you'll miss from the UK, and how you'll compensate?

The one thing I miss is Cadbury! I go to the British emporium near Dallas just to buy the imported double deckers, fudge and of course the frys Orange cream ;)


Edited by Collie, 09 May 2014 - 07:22 PM.

CollieFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-09 19:21:00
United KingdomTime to get greencard after POE?

up to 6 months? Geeze! Things have changed since I came to the US. I think mine took maybe 3 weeks at the most.

 

Looks like they will be using their passports for quite some time! Thanks for the input :)


CollieFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-07-16 16:13:00
United KingdomTime to get greencard after POE?

What sort of time frame is it taking for the green card to arrive after the POE? My parents are paying in advance of course this week and will be making the move in September.


CollieFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-07-15 14:38:00
United KingdomOne way ticket

I'm excited to see a POE review for Dublin as I am sure that will be where my parents fly from when they make the move. Just have to find an airline that will take cats and that is cheap (ish)!


CollieFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-05-27 14:55:00
United Kingdomlast minute items/cats

My parents are flying from Dublin to Chicago to DFW next Wednesday. What are the very last minute things that they need to be doing that we may have forgotten about?

 

Also they are bringing their 2 cats and I can't get a straight answer about where the cats will go in Chicago. They will fly cargo of course but has anyone ever flown animals through Chicago recently? did you claim them in the airport or in the cargo building? They have a few hours in between flights but didn't want to hang out at the airport and waste time waiting if the cats were just going to be sent directly to cargo which is where they need to go to regardless to get on the DFW flight. One person said they will go to cargo directly and another said that they will come out as excess baggage and that my parents had to get a cab to the cargo building and check them in for the DFW flight.

 

The logistics of this are crazy planning from both their side and my side!

 

They are handing over their house keys today and are staying in a cottage until next week and their container was shipped two weeks ago, so all that was taken care of at least.

 

 


CollieFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-09-25 09:56:00
United KingdomPensions question

Does anyone have any information regarding collecting UK pension while living in the US as a permanent resident/USC?

 

My parents are not at pension age just yet, but I want to make sure they will not lose their pension when they come to the US.

 

Also do they file a UK tax return while living in the US? I'm clueless as to how the UK works with regards to these issues.

 

Anyone have any info to offer?


CollieFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-01-29 12:33:00
United KingdomBringing Pets From the UK

I think one of the cats will be too big to go in a carrier under the seat! What airline did you fly with?


CollieFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-01-29 12:00:00
United KingdomBringing Pets From the UK

I'm bumping this post up - my parents have 2 cats to bring from Northern Ireland to Dallas/Fort Worth. Interested to hear folks experiences who have actually done this :)


CollieFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-01-28 16:49:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Hi Carebear, Wedding plans are just about complete, have to download some music for the church and for simple reception to follow, pick up our wedding bands, they are being engraved and we are just about done, wedding is now only 11 days away and i cant wait, have been in to look at the documents i need to prepare for AOS and cannot believe how much more '#######' we have to go through, not to mention how much more money we have to pay over $1010.00 its utterly unbelieveable, dont get me started on illegal aliens kinda makes my blood pressure raise these days, its cost Leonard and I so much money already, but we are together now and that is all that matters.

The medical is valid for at least six months, criminal check is valid for at least that or 12 months as well so i would get the money together for them medical in Brisbane cost me $500 and i had the results sent to me in an express post envelope that i left with reception as i had to travel up to Brisbane from the Gold Coast for it, the police check i had mailed directly to the Embassy in Sydney and that was given back to me at my interview in Sydney.

Good to hear things are moving, it does seem slow, but once u get packet 3 it will snowball so best to have all your ducks in a row .. good luck xxx Kaye xxx


Sounds like the wedding plans are well and truely in hand. I wish you the most magical day of wedding days Kaye you truely deserve it :)

Yeah I knew about the cost of the AOS - its been really good living with my besties family since the house lease was broken as I'm able to save a little extra towards that cost and of course the cost of the K1 - petition filing, police check, medical, flights to sydney plus visa leaves a rather massive hole in the pocket but at least thanks to all your experiences before me I was prepared and its not a nasty shock.

I have the Australia and New Zealand police checks now at home. I've got the affidavid of support and Ted's tax transcripts arrived in the mail today so I'm really ready to proceed with packet 3. The only thing I cant book in yet is the medical up in Brisbane. We have NOA2 but we dont have the new case number from NVC yet and the medical centre wont let me book in without it - that will be the last thing on the list and then I'll be ready to return packet 3 as soon as through and results back. With the express post envelope you provided them for sending the results back did you use a 3kg satchel or the extra big 5kg one to fit the xray in too?

Its all coming together quite nicely and I will confess since getting NOA2 I'm a hell of a lot less stressed! lol All going well its 100 sleeps today until flyday :)

Wishing everyone a fantastic day.
Carey
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-20 18:06:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Hey Bex I'm in a similar position....our workload had dropped dramatically since the crash that the boss had to recently decide to let one of the 2 admin staff go (of which Im one).

Funnily enough when I came back in March I told him straight away we were applying for the visa and I'd be leaving in the latter part of the year yet when it came to the decision he kept me on and let the other go. I've kept the boss updated the whole way and he's aware that visa issuance pending I intend to finish up on Tuesday 26 October and fly out Friday 29 October. I've found this has worked best in my case as I havent had to try and disguise things like the 90 minutes I had out of the office for the fingerprint and police check and the upcoming medical and he's been really supportive.

If you're really planning on leaving anyway even if you dont pass the interview (highly unlikely touch wood) then perhaps it is time to give him the heads up - if for nothing else than a possible redundancy package in the future.

Just my 5 cents worth - good luck whatever you decide.
Carey
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-20 17:29:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
No worries - he's a really friendly guy and you only need to sort it about 2 weeks before you want it flown :)
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-20 00:24:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

How much cover does the $115 insurance provide?


Up to $6,000 but from memory is loss only :)
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-19 22:12:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Congratulations Bacon - that's a lovely photo :) Sorry dont know the answer to the SS# question but wanted to pass on my best wishes for married life :)

And fantastic news Matt & Zoe - its all over until the wedding and AOS.

Brilliant to see 2 happy stories today :dance:
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-19 21:47:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Yeah is air cargo - shipping cost was $3000 for the same amount of stuff due to "minimum" size requirements I'd be charged for.

Awesome re POE in September. I'm aiming for LAX also but on 29 October :)
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-19 07:42:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Ohhh have a little shipping news to pass on. I'm taking 4 boxes and one duffel bag of personal effects over. Total weight is 100kgs. Got the price in today. For Brisbane to Dallas Fort Worth airport (I have to deliver to Eagle Farm in Brisbane and collect at the DFW Aiport) is $690. I can have insurance for an additional $115 but wont bother since they are items of sentimental value as opposed to expensive effects. I need to drop the stuff off a week before sending (they sit in a holding warehouse for 7 days for security reasons) and transit time is only 2-3 days after that so way better than shipping. If anyone needs the guys contact name and number at a future date let me know. The dog however is costing $2400 (ouch) but I cant bear to be parted from him so he's coming too :dance:
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-19 00:57:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Getting excited yet Bex? When are you planning on leaving after visa approval?
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-18 21:38:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Thanks Breezie - I filled out all the DS forms today so apart from arranging the medical and getting the official packet 3 letter I'm good to go :D

How are the wedding plans coming along?
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-18 00:30:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Happy wedding anniversary TJ (L) hope you have a lovely day despite your hubby's deployment.

Sounds like your plans are all coming together quite nicely - your NOA2 will be here before you know it :)
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-15 20:06:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

GRATS!! P3 is about 2 weeks away so start organising (I'm sure you have already but it's all go from here!)!! i'm predicting that if you send the docs off as soon as you get P3 you'll have an interview before the end of August :) That's my guess. Woot!


Thanks Vanessa - I'm still bouncing today :dance: Police certificates are in hand. Affidavit of support here, just waiting for Ted to scan and send through tax transcripts and payslips. Once he gets the new case number from NVC I'll book in the medical at Brisbane. So apart from filling in the forms I'm good to rock :) Woot!!!!
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-15 17:25:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
My turn....finally :) At 6am this morning Ted rang me to tell me the most awesome news.... On July 13, 2010, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Cant stop smiling gang :)
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-14 15:30:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Well its now been 3 months since NOA1 and still no sign of NOA2 - this wait is frustrating and disheartening :( I wish VSC would hurry up!
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-13 17:00:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Dont want to hear that Bex - havent had mine yet!!! lol
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-09 01:14:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Hey Jess - I dont have NOA2 yet and I went and got my police certificate organised 2 weeks ago. I got them to send it to my home address and there was no issue with that however it was a Queensland one. At the bottom of the request form I filled in there was an option of where to send it to and I opted for myself :)

Hope that helps and good luck.
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-05 00:09:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh love that ice cream place :) Yeah the dogs not that good at taking photos hey which is why I'm getting them done at the photo shop :P I do our company banking down at Southport Park so next week when I'm down there will get them done - all in the name of working of course :rofl:
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-02 22:38:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Hey Bex with regards to the US sized passport photos (if you need any more done) there is a camera/photo shop at the Southport Park Centro shopping centre - Sunshine photos? or something dumb like that. I phoned them last week and said I needed passport photos in US size and they said that it was no problem - that they have software that will alter the photo sizes to different country requirements :)
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-02 21:22:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

It's only a week for Anzac Square.


Thanks Deb :)
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-02 17:33:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Hey Bex I'm going to the same one - what was the time delay between phoning and being able to get in for an appointment?
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-02 15:55:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Thank you Vanessa. I'm really hoping to get NOA2 within the next 4 weeks so might wait a little longer before booking the medical. The police check I only ordered last week and got yesterday so that should be right for a while :)

Thanks as always for your help :D
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-02 00:28:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Thanks Vanessa - my links thing didnt work lol.

Question for you - do I need to wait for NOA2 before booking in the medical? (I'm going to the one in Brisbane).

Regards
Carey
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-01 23:54:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Specific doctors and there's not a lot of them.

Here's the list that I found on the embassy website....http://photos.state.gov/libraries/australia/39176/pdf/listofdoctors.pdf

Regards
Carey
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-01 21:09:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

That's definitely all you get, Carebear. I'm in QLD too, and I almost laughed when I opened up the envelope - terribly cheap looking, isn't it? It's just the one page.


Thanks so much - LMAO yeah its rather cheap looking - I kept peering in the envelope and expecting something much more interesting to materialise :) Ta for putting my mind at ease :)
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-01 04:27:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
I think you should Bex - you know you want to for giggles sake.

Now question time - I got my Oz police certificate today (quite impressive as it only took 9 days) but am wondering if I was just supposed to get a one page police certificate. Were there supposed to be copies of my fingerprints with it? If not then what on earth did I pay $158 for??? lol Sorry just panicking the police may have cocked up.
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-01 02:32:00