Originally Posted by Noorah101

Just a slight correction. You won't need to "renew" your green card after two years. You'll need to "remove conditions" during the 90-day window just prior to the expiration of your 2-year card.

Rene

Originally Posted by richbogle84

Hi Hoffage,

My wife and I stayed with her Grandparents in Minnesota when we first arrived in the US. It was not only the 'steady address' that we provided for immigration, but also the intentional destination for our holiday [vacation]. We spent three weeks there kicking back by the lake, and catching up with family from all over the place...good times! After that, we bought a car and road-tripped to Colorado, stopping off to see the sights and camp along the way. Once we get settled into work here in Colorado, we would like to buy a home here rather than rent if possible.

So we've been busy doing all the responsible things here (applying and interviewing for jobs, sorting out my driving licence, sorting out the wife's nursing licence, etc) but also trying to find a healthy balance of having fun. We've been trying to get out and enjoy Colorado every weekend, otherwise we risk getting cabin fever and forgetting how awesome this area actually is yknow? That's why we've been going on some hikes, seeing some sights, etc...there's certainly no shortage of things to do out here!

I received my Green Card in the mail but I will need to renew it after two years. After three years though, I'm eager to go through the citizenship process...then I can leave all the immigration processes, forms, and costs behind!

I think the important thing in moving to America [or potentially any new country] is to accept that things will be different and to embrace the differences. You don't have to love everything that's different about America, but life's a lot better when you choose not to resent the healthcare system for example, or how sales taxes work, or whatever it is. It makes for a much happier life!

As for me and my wife, moving country and starting out somewhere new certainly has it's challenges, but we love it here. I'm not entirely sure if that answers your question, but there it is.

Rich.

Originally Posted by monfed

Great to hear it's going well. May I ask how long it took for your green card to arrive? I know they say it can take 6 months, but...

Thanks.

Originally Posted by monfed

Great to hear it's going well. May I ask how long it took for your green card to arrive? I know they say it can take 6 months, but...

Thanks.

Originally Posted by chris197337

I entered via Chicago O'Hare and I think mine came after about 3 weeks. It came before the SSN. So I chased that up and went to the local Social Security office and got it a few days later. I have forgotten exactly how long it was now, but I think there was a 20 day guideline for the SSN. I know many people here have suggested that it's best to cut out the middle man and just go straight to the social security office or ring them directly.

The Green Card isn't the end of the world as obviously the stamp on your visa at entry serves as a temporary (Form I-551) authorisation for a year. So as long as you have access to the place you registered as living at, it will be fine. If not, I'd imagine you can log on/ ring and change the address the same as you would have to do if you have the green card. I think you are supposed to let them know within 9 days of a move regardless. You can pay the USPO to forward mail for a year too, although they won't forward credit cards, so may well not forward Green Cards either.

Originally Posted by chris197337

I entered via Chicago O'Hare and I think mine came after about 3 weeks. It came before the SSN. So I chased that up and went to the local Social Security office and got it a few days later. I have forgotten exactly how long it was now, but I think there was a 20 day guideline for the SSN. I know many people here have suggested that it's best to cut out the middle man and just go straight to the social security office or ring them directly.

The Green Card isn't the end of the world as obviously the stamp on your visa at entry serves as a temporary (Form I-551) authorisation for a year. So as long as you have access to the place you registered as living at, it will be fine. If not, I'd imagine you can log on/ ring and change the address the same as you would have to do if you have the green card. I think you are supposed to let them know within 9 days of a move regardless. You can pay the USPO to forward mail for a year too, although they won't forward credit cards, so may well not forward Green Cards either.

Originally Posted by monfed

I actually used my temp I-551 to satisfy I-9 requirements by my employer, it would just be nice to have the actual thing.

Originally Posted by richbogle84

Hi Beth,

Just coming back to your original question, I provided bank statements at my interview which covered the six months prior to the interview appointment at the US Embassy. I should also highlight, that since my wife and I were leaving our UK jobs behind us as part of the move to America, we used assets alone to meet the financial criteria.

Hope this helps,
Rich.

Originally Posted by Beth Kehpoda

Hi Rich,
I just want to say thank you so much for this thread you started. This has been so much help to my husband and I when figuring all this out. We've actually had a very quick turnaround luckily. It's amazing how much documenting you kept track of to post so just want to say thank you so much from my husband and I, and probably all the other couples you've helped out with this post.

Thanks,
Beth

Originally Posted by Beth Kehpoda

Hi Rich,
I just want to say thank you so much for this thread you started. This has been so much help to my husband and I when figuring all this out.

Originally Posted by lander91

...this is an incredibly helpful thread that I've been trying to find again for some time - I knew I'd seen it a while back but failed to bookmark it at the time.

...The list of forms needed is exactly what I've been trying to find, since I was quite overwhelmed trying to sort out which ones we needed and which we didn't need.

Originally Posted by Beth Kehpoda

... is it okay to use statements from printed online?