MNers living in the USA

[MrsFrumble]

There used to be a brilliant, long running thread about 10 years ago; a little community of mostly immigrant Brits (but some native to the US) who just chatted about our day-to-day lives. I moved back to the UK in 2016 so stopped reading and posting.

I’m now back the US for the foreseeable future and was wondering if any of the original gang were still around, or anyone else would like to chat about life here. Election madness? The weather? Missing Marmite and decent cheese? Sadly I can’t remember anyone’s usernames or I’d try summoning…

Oh thanks, I didn't realize this either.

@ZZTopGuitarSolo we are just back from Brooklin Maine - magical place. We stopped in Belfast on the way back - what a great town. Had a fab meal there (not Los Gatos but another place - this is the third wonderful lunch I've had in Belfast), wandered around the art and bookstores.

We mailed our green card application package a couple of days ago. It’s a marriage-based filing as DH is a US citizen. I’ve since gone down a rabbit hole on Reddit, reading stories of marriage-based GC approvals taking anywhere between 3 months and 2+ years.

I’m currently on L1 which is non-transferable and tied to my employer. I absolutely hate my job (to put it mildly), so I’m just waiting for the I-485 receipt notice which would at least mean I’m ‘safe’ in the US no matter what happens to my employment. I loathe the fact that my whole life in NYC is currently dependent on my employer! No one - not one person - warned me about this aspect of the L1 when I emigrated. It’s a nightmare.

Anyway, now the waiting game… 😩

The move over from visa to green card is so stressful. I couldn't believe it when they were just randomly put in our post box one day. The freedom you have when they arrive is great. I hope it comes quickly for you.

Which visa were you on? Did you file an employment-based or family-based application? I’d be very interested in the timeline if you’re happy to share!

We were different to you, L1 & L2 visas. So work based.
It was around six months but I've heard that recent changes have slowed everything down. Hopefully not.

What year did you file?

I’m also on L1. My understanding is that once I get the I-485 receipt notice, I am no longer dependent on my employer to stay in the country. So that’s the first milestone I’m looking towards (apparently this alone takes 1-5 weeks…).

Hi everyone!

Update on my GC application is that we’re still waiting for the I-485 receipt notice despite submitting the application 3 weeks ago now. Anecdata suggests it should come in 2-6 weeks but I was really hoping we would be closer to 2 weeks than 6 weeks. The excruciating waiting game continues…

It’s getting a bit cooler in NYC. Autumn jacket is out of the wardrobe!

It’s getting a bit cooler in NYC. Autumn jacket is out of the wardrobe!

Oh god, I’m so envious! We’re on our 44th day of 100 degree+ this year here. I am so over it.

Fingers crossed on the receipt notice! 🤞

Still in the 80s here, but predicted to cool down at the weekend I believe!