Maiba

Hello Wendle

I am in more or less the same position as you.
We submitted our I-130 in March, and got approval in June, so at the moment you have to factor 3 months alone for that.
After you have taken this first hurdle, it's a matter of how quickly you can get all the required documentation together. You also have to be aware that the embassy will start honouring the American holidays towards the end of the year, so you might not have your interview before January 09.

I am currently working on the tax returns for my husband, also self-employed.
It seems a bit confusing, but the guys in Philadelphia are extremly helpful, so if you have problems with certain parts of Forms 1040, 1040-SE and Form 2555, you can always give them a call and they will help.
I agree with Brodders that it gets easier once you have completed one form.
You will also need to get certificate of coverage from the Inland Revenue, i.e. your hubby is paying NHS contributions, so he does not have to pay the US equivalent.
Haven't found out yet whether this can be issued by our local office, or whether it needs to go to centres Inland Revenue.

Hope that helps and good luck!

Kind regards

Diana

meauxna

Can you tell us more about this part? I've not heard of people doing this with relation to the US tax returns...
thanks!

Elvira

I think she may be trying to get a statement of NHS coverage to get over the pre-existing conditions hurdle when trying to get health insurance in the US.

I've heard this mentioned before but have never come across anyone who actually got it. Or had NHS coverage accepted as credible prior coverage for US insurance purposes.

Tracym

We did get it to count as creditable coverage. Had a letter written by an NHS doctor.

carin123

If you dont mind me asking what did the NHS doctor state on the letter and was there a cost involved?

Tracym

Yes, the doctor charged us a standard letter writing fee.

Basically it just stated that my hubby (giving name and DOB) as a citizen of the UK had been covered continuously since birth by the NHS, Britain's national health service (think I have the wording right..or is it health system?).

We told the insurance co. that's what we would be sending, as an actual certificate would not be available - they said that was acceptable.

That was the last we heard about it - and thus far, they paid for meds for pre-existing condition without a problem.

Tracym

I do know other people have had some trouble.

However, the rules re. the NHS as creditable coverage appear to have been changed (favorably).

I'm not urging anyone to count this as a guarantee however. I hope so, but...

Maiba

Hi Elvira/Meauxna

basically, this is in addition to the tax return. As a US citizen living abroad you are entitled to the foreign earned income inclusion. However, according to information I got from the guys in Philadelphia, you also need to prove that you are not liable to National Insurance payments in the US (don't know what the correct term is, sorry).
Anyway, I have now had a reply from HRMC, see below.
Also, thanks for the tip on getting a statement from the GP to facilitate getting health insurance coverage.

Kind regards

Diana

Thank you for your query. I'm the National Insurance specialist inInternational National Insurance Issues here at HMRC. HMRC can assist US citizens who have lived and worked in the UK byproviding them with a standard letter to show the authorities in the USexplaining that they have been subject only to the UK's Social Securitylegislation and correctly paid National Insurance whilst resident andworking here. I suggest your husband write to my colleagues in Residency(Newcastle) who deal with these matters, giving his National Insurancenumber and explaining that he needs such a letter to show the USauthorities. My colleagues are at: HM Revenue & CustomsHMRC Residency (Newcastle)LongbentonNewcastle Upon TyneNE98 1ZZUnited Kingdom. You can also contact them on our helpline: National Insurance Helpline for non-UK residentsThis helpline answers queries regarding National Insurance status andentitlements, pension status and health care provisions, for peopleunder State Pension age who live or work abroad Opening hours 8.00 am to5.00 pm, Monday to FridayClosed weekends and bank holidays 0845 915 4811 If you're calling from abroad please telephone: +44 191 203 7010 When you and your husband move to the USA, and you work there, you willbe required to pay US not UK Social Security contribution there. You canfind out more about the requirements in the US on their websitehttp://www.ssa.gov/ http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agr...phlets/uk.html You might also find it useful, if you have not already, to look at ourleaflet for people going to the USA - it has useful advice about how tofuture claim pensions. If this link does not get you to the leaflet, amsure my colleagues in Residency (Newcastle) would provide you with apaper copy.http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/bene...sa33-oct05.pdf