E-Visas Lead times? & US Medical costs?
Oct 5th 2005, 4:38 pm
#46
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Re: E-Visas Lead times? & US Medical costs?
Just want to add that the GP I had was a super Dr. No complaints about the job she did, she was just put into a difficult position by the way the NHS works.
Oct 5th 2005, 4:50 pm
#47
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: E-Visas Lead times? & US Medical costs?
You story seems to go all over the place ...
You are getting your greencard here
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showp...3&postcount=55
And you cannot get a green card fron an E-2 anyway ...
Surely your on an L-1 ..
You are getting your greencard here
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showp...3&postcount=55
And you cannot get a green card fron an E-2 anyway ...
Surely your on an L-1 ..
Oct 5th 2005, 4:51 pm
#48
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: E-Visas Lead times? & US Medical costs?
Originally Posted by Vicky88
E2 is not a waste of time for us. We could do green card, but why bother. We get everything we want the way it is. We come and go as we please, still entitled to SS benefits if they exist upon retirement.
Originally Posted by Vicky88
Piss poor medical - too me that is struggling to be able to get an appt. with some underpaid, overworked GP. Then needing specialist care and having to wait forever to even get into see a specialist. Time I needed it, took 4 months to get an appt. which was made at a time I would be out of the country. Was told stiff shit, get to the back of the line and wait for your number to come up again.
Oct 5th 2005, 4:52 pm
#49
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: E-Visas Lead times? & US Medical costs?
Originally Posted by Ray
You story seems to go all over the place ...
Think I'm ready to call BS.
Oct 5th 2005, 5:08 pm
#50
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Re: E-Visas Lead times? & US Medical costs?
Not BS at all guys. If you want I can forward relevant emails to you, though I guess you will call that BS as well. Just let me know your addresses.
We were going to do Green Cards, however, decided not to. Our original plan to do so, was because of the changes to Immigration Law that came into effect this year. However, lawyer agreed, that given our situation, there was no advantage by doing so. As we were going to have pay the costs ourselves $6k+, we figured we may as well wait until we were forced to go for the GC and see if we could get the employer to pay.
Think you need to check your facts on SS. UK citizens are entitled to SS retirement benefits , even if they are not resident in the US, provided they have sufficient credits. UK citizens can get a benefit on less than 40 credits, you can use credits from the UK to make up the balance once you have 24 or 28 US credits. Suggest you get the Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions handbook by Attorney Joseph Matthews with Dorothy Matthews Berman to get yourself up to date.
We certainly can get a Green Card from an E2, because it is not our own business, the Agency who employs my husband can sponsor him. They have done so for others, and their cards have been approved and laywer could see no problem with us doing so.
We were going to do Green Cards, however, decided not to. Our original plan to do so, was because of the changes to Immigration Law that came into effect this year. However, lawyer agreed, that given our situation, there was no advantage by doing so. As we were going to have pay the costs ourselves $6k+, we figured we may as well wait until we were forced to go for the GC and see if we could get the employer to pay.
Think you need to check your facts on SS. UK citizens are entitled to SS retirement benefits , even if they are not resident in the US, provided they have sufficient credits. UK citizens can get a benefit on less than 40 credits, you can use credits from the UK to make up the balance once you have 24 or 28 US credits. Suggest you get the Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions handbook by Attorney Joseph Matthews with Dorothy Matthews Berman to get yourself up to date.
We certainly can get a Green Card from an E2, because it is not our own business, the Agency who employs my husband can sponsor him. They have done so for others, and their cards have been approved and laywer could see no problem with us doing so.
Oct 5th 2005, 5:14 pm
#51
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: E-Visas Lead times? & US Medical costs?
Originally Posted by Vicky88
Not BS at all guys. If you want I can forward relevant emails to you, though I guess you will call that BS as well. Just let me know your addresses.
Originally Posted by Vicky88
Think you need to check your facts on SS. UK citizens are entitled to SS retirement benefits , even if they are not resident in the US, provided they have sufficient credits. UK citizens can get a benefit on less than 40 credits, you can use credits from the UK to make up the balance once you have 24 or 28 US credits. Suggest you get the Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions handbook by Attorney Joseph Matthews with Dorothy Matthews Berman to get yourself up to date.
Oct 5th 2005, 5:22 pm
#52
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: E-Visas Lead times? & US Medical costs?
Also, think it's a weird decision if you've decided you like SD (and why not? I like the place, too. Was there 2 weeks ago) and you want to stay not to go for the GCs while you have the opportunity? The mood in the US is decidedly anti immigrant at the mo and you could wake up tomorrow with the opportunity gone -- as a few on this board have despite their best efforts.
Oct 5th 2005, 5:23 pm
#53
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Re: E-Visas Lead times? & US Medical costs?
Hmm what's this karma BS? I never look for blue blobs on my posts cause I don't consider myself that interesting.
With regards to the SS I've got all good news for you.
Noncitizens legally living in the US are entitled to all the SS benefits that they or their spouse or parents have earned, under the same rules as US citizens.
Non-US Citizens living abroad, receive benefits based on whether the US has a mutual agreement with their home country, which the UK does. So as long as you live in one of the approved countries you will get your benefits. Has to beat the pitiful allowance that UK pensioners get.
In addition, your dependents or survivors are entitled to benefits as long as they have lived in the US for at least 5 years, during which time they had the famly relationsip with the worker on whose record the claim is being made.
I believe you do have the right to transfer your US credits to the UK, but I don't believe that would be beneficial for most.
With regards to the SS I've got all good news for you.
Noncitizens legally living in the US are entitled to all the SS benefits that they or their spouse or parents have earned, under the same rules as US citizens.
Non-US Citizens living abroad, receive benefits based on whether the US has a mutual agreement with their home country, which the UK does. So as long as you live in one of the approved countries you will get your benefits. Has to beat the pitiful allowance that UK pensioners get.
In addition, your dependents or survivors are entitled to benefits as long as they have lived in the US for at least 5 years, during which time they had the famly relationsip with the worker on whose record the claim is being made.
I believe you do have the right to transfer your US credits to the UK, but I don't believe that would be beneficial for most.
Oct 5th 2005, 5:29 pm
#54
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Re: E-Visas Lead times? & US Medical costs?
Part of the issue for us, is my husband might be forced to take a permie position. Hubby has been on contract for 3 years now, company normally will not let it go beyond 2 years, so if some useless creature in HR kicks up, that is of course if they could get their head out of their ar$e for long enough to realise how long it has been, permie may be the only option.
If we went ahead with GC now, we would have to start it using the Agency as the sponsor. Depending on where we were in the procedure, if we were forced to change sponsor, we could have to go back to the start again.
We know he is onto a good thing where he is, work in his field when you are over 40 is not easy, so if push comes to shove, permie he will become. At that time company will sponsor the GC.
So have I got every confused enuf?
If we went ahead with GC now, we would have to start it using the Agency as the sponsor. Depending on where we were in the procedure, if we were forced to change sponsor, we could have to go back to the start again.
We know he is onto a good thing where he is, work in his field when you are over 40 is not easy, so if push comes to shove, permie he will become. At that time company will sponsor the GC.
So have I got every confused enuf?
Oct 5th 2005, 6:00 pm
#55
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: E-Visas Lead times? & US Medical costs?
Originally Posted by fatbrit
Also, think it's a weird decision if you've decided you like SD (and why not?
Oct 5th 2005, 6:05 pm
#56
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: E-Visas Lead times? & US Medical costs?
Originally Posted by Vicky88
We certainly can get a Green Card from an E2, because it is not our own business, the Agency who employs my husband can sponsor him. They have done so for others, and their cards have been approved and laywer could see no problem with us doing so.
Oct 5th 2005, 6:06 pm
#57
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Re: E-Visas Lead times? & US Medical costs?
SD = San Diego, never even been to South Dakota, never ever want to either. For me, I don't think that I would want to live outside the bounds of California, if I am staying within the US. Actually besides Las Vegas and Hawaii, there isn't any other place that I even want to go and visit in the US. Have done NY etc. and just don't see the attraction.
SD has great weather, and the casual life that we like. Hubby only ever wears shorts to work, and no such thing as a tie in his wardrobe.
SD has great weather, and the casual life that we like. Hubby only ever wears shorts to work, and no such thing as a tie in his wardrobe.
Oct 6th 2005, 3:04 am
#58
Mr. Grumpy
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 3,100
Re: E-Visas Lead times? & US Medical costs?
Originally Posted by Vicky88
When we were living in the UK we were paying 15,000 pound+ pa for what I can only qualify as piss-poor medical care and a possible pathetic pension.
I'm not sure you understand taxation here
NI in the UK and medicare/social security here make up roughly the same percentage of income deduction
only difference here is that you CAN'T get healthcare unless you are elderly or destitute
forget piss poor - you pay for it and get NONE
this seems to be misunderstood by most brits before coming here, it certainly was by me
Oct 6th 2005, 3:22 am
#59
Re vera, potas bene.
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Cape Cod MA..Davenport FL
Posts: 2,405
Re: E-Visas Lead times? & US Medical costs?
Originally Posted by Bob
yup, it's all relative...we did have fairly decent medical here too, but since the merger...well it's not final...the benefits are being changed and made to be a bit shit...well shittier....at least there were two options, pay a hell of a lot more for shite coverage, or don't pay more but have the coverage get worse 
but on the plus, they are planning on using the PTO system of the other company, so it'll mean actually having sick days set aside rather than having that come out of the holiday time...oh the joys
but on the plus, they are planning on using the PTO system of the other company, so it'll mean actually having sick days set aside rather than having that come out of the holiday time...oh the joys
Doctors..well we don't see one unless something is hanging off.....mostly because I don't trust doctors........and the pills they give you for one thing seem to give you 3 other things wrong.........
Oct 6th 2005, 3:23 am
#60
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 83
Re: E-Visas Lead times? & US Medical costs?
Originally Posted by Vicky88
Isn't the 14 to 16 week wait only applicable if you tick yes on Q38? Have you called and asked?
Last time we renewed in London it took us about 3 weeks to get an appt and the visa was issued the same day.
Also has the paperwork been prepared by a lawyer? We were fortunate in that our sponsor was a Qualifying Company registered with the London Embassy.
I don't know about the school thing as we don't have children, but personally I much prefer to pay $700 for medical insurance in the US than put into the NHS system in the UK. When we were living in the UK we were paying 15,000 pound+ pa for what I can only qualify as piss-poor medical care and a possible pathetic pension. Our insurance companies have always come to the party in the US. Key is to make sure you stick within the guidelines of their plan. Hubby had to have a knee operation in the US. Called the specialist on the Tuesday, had a consultation on the Friday, and had his operation the Friday after. Cost to us for that one was $20 copay for the initial Dr's visit. Physio was fully covered.
I incorrectly stated before that our deductibles were outrageous. What I should have said is some of our co-pays are outrageous. For example, for prescriptions we pay the first $300, then $45 per prescription.
All in all, have to say I prefer the US over the UK and Australia. A lot of what goes on there is shallow, but then again maybe I am just shallow myself and happy to be that way.
Last time we renewed in London it took us about 3 weeks to get an appt and the visa was issued the same day.
Also has the paperwork been prepared by a lawyer? We were fortunate in that our sponsor was a Qualifying Company registered with the London Embassy.
I don't know about the school thing as we don't have children, but personally I much prefer to pay $700 for medical insurance in the US than put into the NHS system in the UK. When we were living in the UK we were paying 15,000 pound+ pa for what I can only qualify as piss-poor medical care and a possible pathetic pension. Our insurance companies have always come to the party in the US. Key is to make sure you stick within the guidelines of their plan. Hubby had to have a knee operation in the US. Called the specialist on the Tuesday, had a consultation on the Friday, and had his operation the Friday after. Cost to us for that one was $20 copay for the initial Dr's visit. Physio was fully covered.
I incorrectly stated before that our deductibles were outrageous. What I should have said is some of our co-pays are outrageous. For example, for prescriptions we pay the first $300, then $45 per prescription.
All in all, have to say I prefer the US over the UK and Australia. A lot of what goes on there is shallow, but then again maybe I am just shallow myself and happy to be that way.
What medical Insurance company are you with? how long? and any problems?
What does it cost to see a GP
Lastly it can not be all that bad, seeing as everyone has moved to the US or is in the process!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
