Living in America 2011

[MmeBucket]

We were a few messages away from being closed on the other one. Hope everyone finds me here.

I think I've been told that before about the flat rate boxes

If you could get an idea for postage that would be fab. Most UK clothes are too short and too fat for DD and effing pink is everywhere (plus quite often pale muted colours).

girl - you don't get to choose whether you're eb1 etc.

there's rules for all of it.

Can't remember whether it's the J or L visa, but one of them is for employees who'll return within 2 years, so if you end up on that one, you can't apply for green cards until you change visa status to begin with (and on one of them you're not even meant to buy a house, but hardly anyone knows that, certainly not realtors)

H visas are restrictive for the spouse, BUT easier to apply for green card on. also, the employee (your dh) can move jobs on that visa - there's paperwork to do, but it's possible.

there are some other possibilities as well. there's the green card lottery if you're not british by birth (dh was born in belfast, so able to apply), or you can import some money & invest it - it's not a ridiculous amount, I was quoted $50,000 by one lawyer, though I'm not sure if she was right.

One thing you do want, is an ITIN (Tax Identification Number). You get one anyway when you file your first lot of taxes, but they look the same as Social Security Numbers. Without a SSN you can do nothing - not even get a driving license. Your dh will need to get a SSN as soon as you land, but I'd advise getting a ITIN asap. So many forms insist that it's filled in (just for store cards & things that don't really need them) that without it you're really stuck.

Blimey, I know far too much about all this - it isn't even interesting.

Now who'd like to discuss the US tax system?

oh. my. god......I think I'll print it out and look at it again once I've birthed this baby! Good to know that it's easier to apply for a green card on a h visa - presumably you mean for him, not me? I haven't bothered to look into it yet for me at all because I'm assuming it's impossible, I'm a theatre director so would only get short term contracts anyway, though have heard there's an O visa for artists apparently?

Not heard about the ITIN before - am I even able to get one considering I'm on H4 so not able to work? DH's work I think is organising his SSN, again do I get one anyway? Is it like an NI number?

You need a social security number for so many things here. Often the health insurance people want it, it's difficult to get a bank account without one. Plus your husband will have to file a tax return and it's easier for him to file a joint one, thus using your allowance and then claim for your dependent (who will also need an ITIN). It's a lot of work to move abroad and start again! Good luck with the imminent birth!

if he applies for a green card, you can all apply, and you'll all get one. dd & I got ours through dh's application. once you have a green card to can do any job you choose (or none).

you can't get SSN or tax number til you land, so no point in worrying yet. (feels bad about making pregnant lady anxious) you can't have a SSN as you're not eligible to work. however, the tax number you will have to get, sooner or later, and because they come in the same format as SSN, most people can't even tell the difference - only the tax service people would notice. so you can use that for all the forms that people get you to fill in.

there is kind of a period when it feels like everything is hard work, but you do get over that. it's all those things you learnt how to do gradually - like tax, insurance, housing etc, just all happening at once. but you will be able to do it, it's just a pita for about 3 months, then things settle down & you can start to do the 'living' stuff - clubs, activities etc, without worrying about the rest of it.

we arrived in october, and by mid jan, i remember thinking 'right - now I can get on with life again'

I got my SSN long before my work permit arrived. Was that because I was on an L2 visa then? My two eldest just have the tax number but the baby has his own SSN obviously.

OK, so when we land, DH gets his SSN number, DC and I get ITIN numbers (none fo which can be done before we get there, thank god for small mercies)

Then when his application starts going through for a green card which his work have promised we just bung me and the DC on the application too? I didn't realise that, that's awesome

Then I can trek my kiddies round Hollywood earning their education fund

Feels like there's not much we can do for a while anyway - visa still has to come through and til the we're not booking flights, can't book shipping etc etc

pretty much - as long as you accept that 'bung on' the application mean countless forms filled out in triplicate.
tad - no idea how you got a SSN without the right to work. You're not meant to get one so that you don't get any fancy ideas about claiming SS without having paid in first.

if the form filling means I can work then I am all for it...this is way down the line I imagine though for a while, but brilliant news, I thought it would mean essentially I can apply for work visas but being in my industry that would mean applying for short term work visas over and over again. Thankyou!

Anyone in the Atlanta area?

I don't think there is anyone in the Atlanta area mtw, but don't quote me!

wow - really! I am surprised, thanks for the post

Don't worry mtw. Sometimes it's quiet on here for days and then there's a flurry of posts. Jabberwocky lives towards that way, but not that far south I don't think. Have you been in the States long?

10 years, but a couple of States - what about you?

3 and a half, but entirely in Oregon. Dh's job was transferred from York to here and we came when dd was 2 and ds1 8 months. We've since had ds2 who is now 9 months. What brought you here?

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Yay, Happy Thanksgiving! It's one of my favourite holidays (because until DS is old enough to know that we ought to be doing something it's just time off!)

Pissing it down here, am trying to devise ways to entertain a toddler in the dry without resorting to the dreaded soft play.

How's everyone?

You can get a bank account and a driver's licence without a Social Security Number - it is difficult, but very possible. You just need to quote the rules back to people. To get my DH's driver's licence without a SSN, we had to send back a form to the DMV in Virginia with several forms of identification, like Passport, UK Driver's Licence, some household bills, etc... We then go

Agggh - computer problems - sorry.

We then got a letter back that we presented to the DMV when he went for his test. All worked. And Bank of America will open a bank account without an SSN although they may need a letter from your employer.

Now, buying and registering a car was hard work! Both cars are still in my name but now we have Green Cards, everything is much easier!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

I got up & went shopping at 6 am. First time I've done that - was quite good, actually as shops not too busy (I think the mad all-nighters had gone to bed & the early risers were just getting there as I left).

Tomorrow we go in search of a washing machine & vacuum cleaner.

Everyone's disappeared again! I hope people managed to get some decent Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals and are enjoying some late autumn sunshine!

I got a few things online, and (on Saturday) went into the Carter's that I was walking past, got a few more snuggly PJs for my blanket-shunning son.

After two rocky nights, DS (16 mos) slept from 7pm-5.30am last night. I feel amazing!
Or I would if I hadn't broken a bone in my foot yesterday. I am so annoyed, and hobbling around with a cane is pissing me RIGHT off!
But, other than THAT - life is good :)