Moving to the US from UK

[StealingYourWiFi]

Hi all

My partner has a job in a fast growing California coast based company. They have a London office and the rest are in the US. He’s moving through the ranks very quickly and they are keen for him to move over to their long beach office.

It is something we are seriously considering however we are worried about visas etc. I am a qualified HCP here however my course is not transferable to the US. I could do the same job there but over there it is performed by people with high school diploma and on site training. So perhaps no chance of getting work.

How would a spouse visa work? We are not married but I suppose I might be willing to for a bit of Cali sunshine am I able to work X amount of hours or salary there under a spouse visa? 3 of his other UK colleagues have relocated using the spouse visa system but they are not working out there. We don’t have children, nor plan to and do not own property here.

It’s a complete mine field and all up in the air at the moment as he’s had no ‘official’ request to move but there’s been lots of joking about him moving there.

Thanks for any guidance, it’s massively appreciated. Feeling very overwhelmed!

It depends on the visa. If he were in an L1 visa you would be eligible for an L2 visa and that would enable you to apply authorization to work. Once you have that I don’t think there are any rules about the sort of work you can do but it does need renewing periodically and that can cause problems. If the move is expected to be long term you might want to ask if his employer will sponsor a green card once he’s there. That will give you all better employment stability as you won’t be dependent on his employer for your visa status.
California’s a lovely place to live but the cost of living is much higher than in the U.K. so he’d need a very generous salary boost to maintain a U.K. standard of living, ie make sure he’s paid a US-benchmarked salary, not a U.K. one.

Thanks Pineapple. Yes we’ve already made sure that there will be a good package in place before we think about moving.

That’s good to know about the spouse visa as I was unsure if I could work or not! I’d like to be able to do something to earn money out there! He already has a very generous healthcare package through his work and I’ve heard it’s great for the US team too.

If you are married you would definitely be able to work on an L-2 visa. Employment Authorization is taking longer to process though right now, so may be 4 months before you can work ($500 cost for EAD). Once you have that you can work anywhere. Without being married, you essentially are left with very few options even to live here, let alone work.
Health care coverage is something to look at very carefully. Even a 'good' policy in the US by local standards may be horrifying coming from the UK. My teenager cut his head at school a few months ago, was taken by ambulance to ER and had 3 stitches - total cost $1200 for the ambulance and $2800 for the stitches.
Overall cost of living here has increased drastically in the past 10 years and you definitely need to be asking for a substantial raise to bring you in line with US peers and to maintain living standards. Also remember that costs such as travel will increase for you so you need to add those in to calculations if they are not giving you a specific travel allowance.

We made the move 18 months ago, however we are married. I believe unless you are married you won't be entitled to a visa.

If you do get married then your OH needs a L1 visa, so that you can get an L2 visa to work. You then need an EAD.

Your OH will need to have worked for the UK branch for a year before they can apply to transfer him to the US - but this is one for the immigration lawyers to sort out for you.

As already mentioned everything here is ridiculously expensive - housing, food, healthcare - esp as you arrive with no credit history.

Happy to answer any questions you may have x

Thanks all. Yes it would likely be a L1 visa. I have a US connection with regards to my registration who is happy to speak with US hospitals and help with me getting a job there.

He has been with the company for over a year. Would an American Express card count as credit history there? All day to day spending is on that as we use it for the points.

Things to dig into
Health insurance, what plans do they offer, would they cover you if you are not married? Find out what the out of pocket maximum is on the policy and if the really good hospitals in the area are in network for that specific plan
Run the numbers for take home salary, make sure you include federal tax, state tax and city tax
How much will they cover for reloaction expenses.

What will they cover for housing allowance. That part of the country is mind achingly expensive to rent or to buy. If you are looking at properties online to get a sense, make sure you are looking in naice neighborhoods as they can vary a lot in a short distance
Do not plan on using any public transport, you will probably need two cars ... make sure you find out what the city tax is for cars
What happens when you all want to move back to the UK, will they pay to move you back? Make sure these costs are index linked

CA is a fabulous place to live, but go into it with your eyes wide open and a good package

Thank you. That’s all very helpful. We are definitely not taking this lightly! We have lots to think about.

Anyone who has made the move, was it worth it? We are definitely liking the idea of the climate change, being near the coast, we are both very active so would be keen on lots of cycling and hiking. He has very good health insurance through his work and I’d be looking to work in a hospital so hope they would have a good package too!

Hi Stealing! My husband and I lived in Texas for a while and I am a registered nurse! We were there while DH was doing research for his PhD so I entered on his student/lecturer visa and then went to the social security with all my paperwork and was granted a work visa and relevant paperwork.

What profession are you? I found it easier to sit my transfer exams (NCLEX) here as there are a few centres in the UK. But it definitely helps of you can find someone who will help you with navigating the relevant professional registration body!

A few other things to think about re healthcare -

= make sure that your health care package covers any pre-existing medical conditions lifelong

= Check that it covers for any hereditary conditions that you are aware of in your family (some don't cover for type 2 diabetes and it is only noted in the very very very small print)

= If there is any possibility that you may fall pregnant while there make sure that the policy covers you for maternity care including any post partum care! (I think you still have to pay a lump sum to actually give birth though).

= If you think you will be there more than a year or so, check that it also has a dental plan included (otherwise it gets expensive)

= If you as a HCP need any vaccines boosted e.g. Hep B it might be cheaper getting it done here than waiting until you are abroad.

= speak to your GP before you go about an extended prescription for any medications (eg the pill) as it may not be a brand that Is licensed for use in USA.

We had a great time in the States and if other commitments had not got in the way we would still be there. If you want to chat about anything message me and I will get bac k to you!!

Firstly - you will need to get married to get an L2 visa

On the L2 visa you need to get an EAD card when you arrive, you cannot work without this and is can take 4 months to arrive

You can get a US American Express card when you arrive if you already have one in the UK, they will set you up an account. This makes buying things easier, but doesn't help with credit history.

You will need to put deposits on utilities, might have to put down more on a rental, etc for the first year.

It is worth it? For my OH yes, he loves it here, he is in his element. For me, not so much, the weather is good, but I miss my friends and family, it's hard for me to work here, etc.

Thanks again! I will update in due course.

We moved and we love it here. Sunshine year round is just great. However health insurance is expensive and I would say that salaries are a good 20-30% higher to compensate for that. rents in LB will be similar to London. I would say a salary need to be starting somewhere from 85K and up at least and 100K would be better and that will all get used living.

We will never return to the UK now because our quality of life is better here. Just make sure that the salary is high enough- for comparison teachers in LA area make between 5o K ( starting) to 95 K a year so other jobs will usually be higher. Everyone is better paid here. The gun thing bothers me but we live in a safe area and I feel so much safer here than I did in London.
Go for it.

Hi I don't want to hijack your thread but DH has been offered a job in Indiana.

We are a blended family so I would look to join him in a couple of years with him travelling back regularly in the meantime.

My questions are:

1. What is healthcare like for dcs with special needs. Dd has asd,
2. What is the age for school leavers?
3. To be clear if you go to the local doctor is that covered by health insurance I.e even a trip for a sore throat etc?

name
Only able to answer 3. Generally you get a free well check annually. Otherwise we have to pay about $100 for a general dr visit, more for specialists, until our deductibles are used, then they’re 10% of the bill

We're in Orange County just south of Long Beach. You will need to get married. Then come out here and start enjoying the year round sunshine, coastal living, surfing, skiing, beautiful beaches and food. You will find work I'm sure. You may need to a short course or class. Good luck!

name that’s a very complicated question! With our policy it’s nominal charges for everything such as $50 per doctor’s office visits, up to a maximum of $3000 a year. There are plans where you pay more monthly but less (or nothing) each time you visit the doctor; if your DD sees the doctor a lot that might work out better for you. You would need to ask you DH’s company what plan(s) they offer. School leavers are typically 18, same as in the UK although college is 4 years not 3. School starts a year later though; kindergarten is equivalent to year 1 in the UK.

A warning to anyone planning on moving over on a L2 visa and hoping to work; in theory the EAD should take around 3 months, in reality they’re taking up to 8-9 months due to delays. I filed last month and still haven’t had receipt of my paperwork yet.

I know nothing of the visa and cost of living issues but I'd say living in California is wonderful, great climate and scenery - having been a student and frequent visitor. But can I ask where?

I am currently in San Diego for work and I think it's great. LA I'm not such a fan of, it's car, car, car and traffic is horrid if you need to get across town. San Fran seems lovely but it's small. (Im a Londoner and that affects my views but SF seems to have lost its lustre).

So I'd check out where you're going to live and what's important to you. Undoubtedly it's a great state - every type of landscape and great for the outdoors. But choose where you live carefully.

Troubled - slightly off topic but EAD taking 8-9 months?! Do you know if that varies by state or a blanket delay?

You can track your wait time here:
egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/#mainContent
For an I-765 (EAD) that’s gone to the National Benefits Center in DC, unrelated to a green card application it’s currently saying 7-9 months

Thank you very much for that link. We don’t arrive for a couple of weeks, but my husband will be thrilled to learn he may have a few extra months before he has to work

Haha you can keep an eye on it to know what to expect even if you haven’t left yet. If mine does come faster then I will be sure to come back and update. Good luck with the move

Thank you

Namechanger

1. Excellent healthcare available for children with special needs. American children see pediatricians as a matter of course, not GPs (they are known as Family Practitioners here).

However, who you see will depend on your insurance. If the insurance is HMO (health maintenance organisation) then you will see a gatekeeper type of doctor much as in the NHS. If your health insurance is PPO (preferred provider) then you get to choose your own providers from a list of various specialties that have a contract with the insurance company. You can choose a pediatrician.

1. You can leave school any time really. However, most teens in middle class areas leave after completing 12 grades of education, at age 17 or 18. In inner city areas and deprived rural areas, dropout rates are high. In Special Ed, depending on the IEP of the child, school districts often run courses for SN students until age 21.

American public schools are obliged to provide an appropriate education for all students enrolled, and can't turn anyone away because of ASD or any other SN. They usually employ school psychologists, SN specialists, TAs, and you don't have to wait months for assessments, etc. They also tend to provide equipment as indicated for students to enable the fullest participation in class - so laptops and specialist software to enable writing for students with dyslexia, etc. Your child with ASD would probably be much better catered for in an American public school than one in the UK.

Many school districts offer busing to and from school for all students but some only offer it for SN students. My local district offers wheelchair lift buses, carries all SN students who need busing, and brings students to OT and SLT sessions during school hours. School districts contract with OT, SLT, etc providers to provide services free to students who have been assessed as needing them. No waiting for months. MH services are also provided on the same basis.

When choosing a place to live, you would have to investigate different school districts (catchments) very carefully. Some schools have better reputations than others when it comes to SN education/services available. Usually you are better off in an affluent suburban area, but do not rent or buy a residence before finding out exactly where the School District boundaries are for both elementary and high schools.

1. Your health insurance policy dictates who pays, how much, and for what. Most insurance policies have out of pocket limits per calendar year, and also deductibles that must be met before they start paying their full rate (usually they pay 80%/you pay 20%). An out of pocket limit is the most you would have to pay in any given year before they start paying full whack. A deductible is the amount you must pay every year per person for sick visits, emergency room visits, etc before they start paying at all. Good insurance has a low deductible. It is more expensive than insurance with a high deductible. If you have a choice, you can weigh the likelihood of illness striking. You get one general wellness checkup per year that is covered fully, with most insurance plans. Sick visits are covered subject to deductible and out of pocket elements of the policy. Insurance tends to cover vaccinations too, most of which are mandatory. Doctor and ER visits apart from annual wellness checkups often require a co-payment of maybe $20 at the reception desk before you will be seen.

namechanger I have 2DC with ASD who are high functioning and in American public schools in New Jersey. Provision is excellent but you have to fight for it. You have to be picky about your school district and don't be shy about bringing in the state support at the first sign of trouble.

In New Jersey the best school districts for ASD are not necessarily the top ranked. You have to look at funding. Our district is low performing but has $28k per child while the top ranked districts have $12-18k per child. With any special needs, be extremely wary of going private. It's not like the UK and 99% of the time public is better for any child outside of the 'normal' range.

Once you arrive get your DC set up with an appointment with a developmental paediatrician. It takes 4-6 months for an appointment in my state. These appointments are vital as the doctor dictates the overall plan. DS has neurological issues and goes to CHOP which is in Philly. I'm happy to drive 3 hours to see the specialist because the team are the experts in this field. You will find there are so many therapists available and it's overwhelming at first. It's also very expensive. You should budget to spend your full deductible each year. We 'spend' (it's all reimbursed but we have to pay it first) about $70k on both DC at the moment so you need a cash buffer of about $10-15k. Thank goodness we have expat insurance that covers 100% of the cost and DHs employer pay for anything that isnt covered. The expat insurance wouldn't help you for the ASD in your case because it doesn't cover preexisting conditions. It's about £1000 a year for DHs employer and I highly recommend you get it. If your DD has an additional diagnosis it will cover the copays for that additional diagnosis. If your DD has a diagnosis of ASD I would not be surprised if she also has additional diagnosis such as anxiety, ADD, etc. which will be covered because they aren't preexisting conditions.