Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
 

Hi all,

Just got my L1 visa in the passport and I am travelling on the 14th (flight is booked already). The 16th in the morning I need to be in my company office to do something about I-9 form and later on, I want to get the most out of my time there until I fly back to the UK to pack and so on.
Given that I will be in US soil from 14th to 26th of July... Can you guys help me with the sequence of things I need to do?
I know there are constraints about SSN not be able to be issued right away and so on.

1- SSN; Can I do it the 16th or it is true I need 2 weeks or so?
2- Driving License/ State ID; Any chances of getting it without SSN?
3- Bank Account; will they ask for SSN to open it?
4- Mobile number; are they any pre-reqs to have a number? PAYG will work in the meantime

I will give the company address for the stuff until I rent an apartment. I have read this is OK.

Cheers!

re: Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
 

Two weeks was previously recommended to allow the record of your arrival to sync through to the "SAVE" computer system that SS use to verify your presence. My experience on an L1 is 7 years ago now, you need someone with more recent experience than me on this one.

depends on the state. Have you looked up the requirements of the applicable DMV? They vary from state to state.

depends on the bank and how much they are used to dealing with folk newly arrived in the US. You do not need an SSN for a non-interest bearing account, but many banks have computer systems that require it in lieu of a unique identifier (which your passport will do). You need to find a branch with humans that understand rather than "computer says no".

I used my work mobile phone and kept my UK one ticking over on PAYG. I know the mobile phone business is very different to the UK, hopefully others will be along to help.

re: Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
 

I have seen in Texas asks for it, as well as for many other things like eye test and so on... not sure if all this must be met or they just go through with missing things.

I will try to open something to get my paychecks until I get there again in Aug.

I am doing the same, just moved to PAYG the UK one. US one I will get a work phone, but not from day 1 so thinking to get one there to give to bank and rest of the places and once they give me the work number I port the personal to work.

Re: Go the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
 

What does "they just go through with missing things" mean. Texas, as well as many other states in the union, do not accept UK licenses as a straight transfer from a UK driver's license to a State driver's license. This means that you will have to take the practical test and the driving test and will have to have a vision test if you pass both of the other tests before your driver's license will be issued. Nothing can be missed.

Normally if a social security number is required to obtain a driver's license, the DMV will accept a letter from social security that states you are ineligible to receive a social security card. Since this is not the case, you wouldn't be able to get the letter.

You can attempt to apply for your social security card while you are here on your first visit. Wait a few days and then go into the social security office with a completed form and apply. Bring your passport and active visa with you.


Go the bank that your company uses for their banking needs. As am employee, they are more apt to open an account for you without a social security card as your company is a valued asset to the bank. You can always change banks later.

Re: Go the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
 

Sorry, I wrote in a rush and did not explain correctly. I meant a few folks I know got the driving license in Texas after exam but without eye test and a few other papers asked in the website.




I will ask for it, some geographies do not have banks, in UK we do not have it, whereas in France or Spain we do. I need to check the case for US.

Re: Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
 

Okay. I can't wrap my head around a business that does not use a banking institution but I'm still learning something new every day

Re: Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
 

Re: Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
 

Wells Fargo have been good with new immigrants.

Re: Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
 

Re: Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
 

Has been for a while. When you get established you can always change bank. It's what I did.

Re: Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
 

I'm gonna go for it! :)

Re: Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
 

SSN - wait a minimum of 7 days to allow USCIS database and SAVE to synchronise/
DL - Texas = minimum of 30 days of proven residence. SSN on L1 is obligatory
Bank account = Wells fargo or Bank of America
Mobile number - t-mobile prepay.

sequence - bank account, phone, ssn and DL
you can drive on your British license for up to 90 days but you will need 2 visit to DPS. 1st is application and knowledge test which cannot be done until you have 30 days of proven residency ( lease/bank account, utility, ssn and i94) then road test. Do the first visit about 30-60 days after arrival then that gives you time to schedule road test which can be up to a 3 week wait.

Re: Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
 

Re: Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
 

Just to add to PetiteFrancaise's good advice.....see if your employer has a credit union or affiliation with one. Most large companies do and a HR rep, or Google, can tell you.

If you plan on transferring your current phone to a US number it will need to be an unlocked phone. Meaning you own it free and clear. From Europe, it will be a GSM only phone. For now that limits you to ATT or TMobile. Verizon and Sprint still have legacy CDMA 3g networks, which a GSM only phone won't have. Verizon will be ending CDMA within a couple of years. But for now I don't know if Verizon will allow you to activate(use) a non-CDMA phone on their network. Be careful about establishing new phone service here. All phone companies have plans that can commit you to a 2 year contract. They often come with a new iPhone/ Android phone that has monthly payments over and above the cost of phone service. Example an iPhone X for an additional $45 for 24 months. Roughly the price of an iPhone X if you bought it outright in full. There is nothing wrong with that, I have been with ATT since the Cingular days(early 2000's) and make monthly payments on my iPhone X. It just makes it tougher to change from 1 provider to another without paying an early termination fee. AND paying off the full price of any phone that you are making monthly payments on. If you prefer, you can pay for any phone in full upfront when you want to establish new service. That way you will be off contract from the get go.

Re: Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
 

So, T-mobile prepay is month to month. You can cancel at any time and no tie ins - actually that is all t-mobile plans.
If you do need a phone to get you going then last week t-mobile were offering a couple of smart phones for free if you paid $100 in advance for your pre-apy. They weren't super high end but for a few months, you can't beat free!