Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
Jul 8th 2018 | 10:07 am
#16
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 143
From: Dallas, Tx
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.
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.
I will ask about the credit union, good tip.
Re mobile, I do own an unlocked device, I think I will go for pre-pay T-Mobile/ATT until I get the company phone (will take a few weeks), then port my number to become the company one.
At least I will be able to give number to estate agents, bank,...
cheers!
Jul 8th 2018 | 10:10 am
#17
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 143
From: Dallas, Tx
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!
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!
T-mobile prepaid seems OK for unlimited, also ATT.
However, prices are really high compared to UK bundles.
Jul 8th 2018 | 10:20 am
#18
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 243
From: Lone Star State
Re: Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
The number of towers, equipment infrastructure, upgrading towers to 4g to 5g.... is so much greater here in the US. Britain is smaller than New Mexico. A lot less capital investment=less costs to pass on to the customer.
Jul 8th 2018 | 6:10 pm
#19
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 143
From: Dallas, Tx
Re: Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
I believe T-Mobile Unlimited for $75/month will my go to once I arrive for a month or 2.
Jul 16th 2018 | 9:59 am
#20
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Joined: Mar 2018
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From: Dallas, Tx
Re: Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
Update to help new members with same queries!
Bank of America worked pretty well without SSN and because I work for a trusted employer, they gave me a credit card with a higher limit. Yet to provide the SSN when issued, I told them I will pop on their branch once I have it.
Before to get to BofA went to Chase, next door of my employer's office, they declined to open an account.
Mobile wise, my employer just gave me an AT&T contract, so discarded the idea of T-Mobile pre-paid, but it seems good for the rest of the folks.
Yet to go to for the SSN number, next week, as I entered the country 14th of July.
Driving license... probably somewhere later once I am permanently in Dallas... so far I am going now to spend some time between Chicago and London flying almost on weekly basis.
Bank of America worked pretty well without SSN and because I work for a trusted employer, they gave me a credit card with a higher limit. Yet to provide the SSN when issued, I told them I will pop on their branch once I have it.
Before to get to BofA went to Chase, next door of my employer's office, they declined to open an account.
Mobile wise, my employer just gave me an AT&T contract, so discarded the idea of T-Mobile pre-paid, but it seems good for the rest of the folks.
Yet to go to for the SSN number, next week, as I entered the country 14th of July.
Driving license... probably somewhere later once I am permanently in Dallas... so far I am going now to spend some time between Chicago and London flying almost on weekly basis.
Jul 17th 2018 | 1:19 am
#21
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,333
From: Was Virginia, now Yorkshire.
Re: Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
Thanks for the update, sounds like it's going well for you!
Jul 17th 2018 | 4:29 am
#22
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 143
From: Dallas, Tx
Jul 20th 2018 | 10:55 am
#23
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 670
Re: Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
TD opened a bank account for me without address or ssn on the proviso I provided them soon.
Think to some extent it depends on who you speak to, they can be flexible. Some banks however follow strict policy...
anyway no no complaints for TD, got a fee free premier account with free atm etc and cards there and then, also credit card. Happy days. Kind of gone off the other big banks since...
Think to some extent it depends on who you speak to, they can be flexible. Some banks however follow strict policy...
anyway no no complaints for TD, got a fee free premier account with free atm etc and cards there and then, also credit card. Happy days. Kind of gone off the other big banks since...
Jul 27th 2018 | 4:25 pm
#24
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 29
From: London
Re: Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
Thanks for the bank recommendations,am taking note of these for when the time comes
Aug 3rd 2018 | 11:30 pm
#25
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 143
From: Dallas, Tx
Re: Got the Visa --> Sequence to follow now...
An update here on my case, this may benefit new joiners:
1- SSN; Can I do it the 16th or it is true I need 2 weeks or so? --> I entered the country on the 14th, I went to the SS office the 20th with low expectations, just to try and I was able to get it. Now the card just arrived.
2- Driving License/ State ID; Any chances of getting it without SSN? --> Without SSN and probably a proof of address it is not possible, at least in Tx. So I will have to wait until I have my house there.
3- Bank Account; will they ask for SSN to open it? --> Chase rejected me and the BofA gave me without a problem with the caveat I provide the SSN once I get it.
4- Mobile number; are they any pre-reqs to have a number? PAYG will work in the meantime --> The company gave me an At&T from day 1, but I believe prepaid T-Mobile/ AT&T is an option without address, bank account or anything like that. I recommend to have number before bank, so you can provide it to the bank and also enroll in the mobile banking.
Hope this helps.
Cheers!
1- SSN; Can I do it the 16th or it is true I need 2 weeks or so? --> I entered the country on the 14th, I went to the SS office the 20th with low expectations, just to try and I was able to get it. Now the card just arrived.
2- Driving License/ State ID; Any chances of getting it without SSN? --> Without SSN and probably a proof of address it is not possible, at least in Tx. So I will have to wait until I have my house there.
3- Bank Account; will they ask for SSN to open it? --> Chase rejected me and the BofA gave me without a problem with the caveat I provide the SSN once I get it.
4- Mobile number; are they any pre-reqs to have a number? PAYG will work in the meantime --> The company gave me an At&T from day 1, but I believe prepaid T-Mobile/ AT&T is an option without address, bank account or anything like that. I recommend to have number before bank, so you can provide it to the bank and also enroll in the mobile banking.
Hope this helps.
Cheers!
