Gaylord

Hi There

Just getting ready for the big move to the US of A and Im just worried
about a couple of things, Im going in on a K1 Visa.

1) How do I open a bank account? I remember reading somewhere that i need a
Social Security number? is that right, when do I get one of those?

2) I intend to take my computers over both are high spec machines and I
could sell them in the UK, however I like things the way they are and dont
want to lose data etc, I know people have taken computers over on the plane,
but can I take them over now esp with the 9/11, I could just imagine getting
at the baggage and them refusing to take them.

3) As Im moving to oregon, after I get hitched, does anyone know how long if
takes for the fingerprints and AOS apointments, results.

Thanks for looking at this, and taking the time to reply to it.

jeffreyhy

Gaylord,

You open a bank account by going into the bank, filling out some forms, and leaving some amount of money behind.

You do need either a SS# or an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) from the IRS.

You can get the SS# by applying for it at a SSA office in Oregon. Apply anytime between roughly 10-14 days after entry (to give the CIS time to get you into their SAVE data base) and day 76 after entry. Search for posts by Michael D Young on this topic - he explains everything very well.

Regards, JEff

sibsie

Though having a SSN to open a bank account isn't a requirement under the Patriot Act, the majority of banks are insisting on it as part of their internal policy.

You may have to do some shopping around to get a bank to open an account without a SSN. I've managed to find one who will open it provided I take in some proof of residence, birth cert, passport and proof of legal entry into the US. I have to say that even that wasn't easy. I contacted a lot of banks who all cited "Patriot Act", when I enquired.

mdaitc

1) when i opened an account (whilst on a VWP) they just wanted details of my passport and address i'm staying at, i don't have an SSN or ITIN.

2) i'm putting mine in boxes and using a packing company and shipping them to he US (but them i am bringing 4 or 5 over). BUT... i've brought my laptop over without problem, and 2 PCs in component parts in my suitcase - obviously not the case. I just made sure they were in anti-static bags. Then buy a case here, it's quite usual that your UK power supply isn't dual voltage so you'll need another one. Personally, i'd also get a UPS, because after 240V i find that 100-120V sucks :-(

3) how long is a piece of string? :-)

Matt

mcjimbo

Hi Gaylord,

In response to:

1\ I was just out in the States about 3 weeks ago. I'm hopefully immigrating on a K-1 around May.

Anyway we spoke to a number of banks their about getting a joint account, and they asked for the following:

* SSN
* Proof of address
* Government issued photo id

2\ I brought my PC over from Australia about 3 years ago to the UK. I just bought the tower, and went to a local pc shop to get a shipping box which they provided. Make sure its well padded in foam, and roughly fits your case. You may also want to fill the box with additional foam or newspaper scruntched up to form a buffer.

You can actually check the box, and it counts towards your 2 cases of luggage, as long as it weights under 32 kg's.

The other option is pull your pc apart and buying a new case with power supply when you get to the states, as you'll probably need to replace the power supply anyway. A new clone case costs nothing anyway.

I know when i brough my pc over, the case was the most heaviest part. The motherboard, cd roms, video cards and ram etc don't weigh a whole lot. Plus you could put them inbetween your clothes in anti-static bags in the middle of your bag which should ensure they arrive the other end in one piece.

3\ no ideas... i watch this space

katina

I think I post this almost every time this comes up, but my husband got a checking account at Bank of America without a SSN (actually, the day after he arrived on a K1!). So if Bank of America is in your area, you might want to try it.

sibsie

Katina the new regulations came into effect in October 2003 so things have changed quite a bit. It really does vary from bank to bank and branch to branch.

corts

Be careful with the PC as most airlines/travel insurance companies won't pay for any damage to it during a flight. Check with your insurance company just in case.
I just brought the HD with me and sold the pc back home.

katina

I just called Bank of America's 800 number to check what the current requirements are. The representative sounded like she doesn't get that question very much, but she checked on it and then said this:

If you're not a U.S. citizen, but a resident alien, you can open an account without an SSN at a Bank of America branch, but you need:

(I think it was a "you need one of the following," but I'm sorry I can't remember exactly... Obviously the Mexican ID wouldn't be one of the required for everyone, so maybe it was one of these three things.)

-alien registration receipt card (??)
-EAD (I think she didn't specify stamp or card...)
-Mexican consular ID

A non-resident -- someone just visiting, she specified -- needs:

-foreign passport with a photo
-nonimmigrant visa or border crossing card

Just in case this slightly incomplete info helps anyone! Their number is 1.800.900.9000.

jeffreyhy

katina,

I think that your discussion with the BoA person may have been a bit superficial.

Anyone opening an interest-bearing account, for example, will need to have either a SS# or an ITIN. Not because the Patriot Act (may or may not) requires it, but because the IRS requires it.

Regards, JEff

katina

My mistake -- I should have mentioned that I only asked the rep about checking accounts, which in most cases would not pay interest.

Lindsey

Hi

I just went through Portland, Oregon for my AOS from a K-1 visa and it was
all pretty quick and straight forward

Firstly, they didn't do fingerprints - said they didn't need to from a K-1.
It took under 3 months from my application to the interview and they
approved me on the day. Got my green card about 3 weeks after that. They
did my EAD on the day I applied. They said at the time (August) that AP was
taking about 6 weeks because they were a bit behind - think its usually
about 4 weeks. We asked to make sure if it really would be 6 weeks and not
drag into 6 months because we wanted to arrange a wedding party in the UK -
she said it would be done in the 6 weeks, but 3 days later we received it in
the post!

All in all, I think its a pretty good office to be going through.

For the bank account - I didn't need to SSN to get an account. My account is
with Pacific Continental - don't know how common they are accross different
parts of Oregon. I also got added to my husbands account with Selco (in the
Eugene area) without needing a SSN.

I have no idea about computers on planes but I have travelled with my laptop
since 9-11 - don't know if a desktop computer would be any different.

Lindsey



"Gaylord" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Hi There
    > Just getting ready for the big move to the US of A and Im just worried
    > about a couple of things, Im going in on a K1 Visa.
    > 1) How do I open a bank account? I remember reading somewhere that i need
a
    > Social Security number? is that right, when do I get one of those?
    > 2) I intend to take my computers over both are high spec machines and I
    > could sell them in the UK, however I like things the way they are and dont
    > want to lose data etc, I know people have taken computers over on the
plane,
    > but can I take them over now esp with the 9/11, I could just imagine
getting
    > at the baggage and them refusing to take them.
    > 3) As Im moving to oregon, after I get hitched, does anyone know how long
if
    > takes for the fingerprints and AOS apointments, results.
    > Thanks for looking at this, and taking the time to reply to it.

Mrraveltay

Gaylord wrote:

    > Hi There
    >
    > Just getting ready for the big move to the US of A and Im just worried
    > about a couple of things, Im going in on a K1 Visa.
    >
    > 1) How do I open a bank account? I remember reading somewhere that i need a
    > Social Security number? is that right, when do I get one of those?

For an interest bearing account you may need an SSN.
For some banks, it may be difficult to get an account without an SSN.
In any case, there has been ample discussion here regarding the ability
of a K-1 to get a SSN without an EAD. Seaching the archives for "K-1
SSN" should give you insight on the issue. (To make a long story short,
it is much easier if you have the EAD)

    >
    > 2) I intend to take my computers over both are high spec machines and I
    > could sell them in the UK, however I like things the way they are and dont
    > want to lose data etc, I know people have taken computers over on the plane,
    > but can I take them over now esp with the 9/11, I could just imagine getting
    > at the baggage and them refusing to take them.

Losing data shouldn't be an issue. Just take the hard drive(s)

or
Pack the computer in a secure package, and use part of your baggage
allowance to move it. Note, you might check to see the airline's
responsibility if something happens to the computer. It might be worth
it to insure it.
or
ship it

    >