Leaving UK for USA
 

Hey,

So as per previous thread, we got visas and passports back. Arranged a start date of next Mon 20th, very excited.

Since this is the fist time I've travelled to US on business under a visa, can I double check my understanding.

During flight I fill in the CBP form, putting business as primary purpose.
Although I'll carry some cash $ it will be less than $10k so I don't need to declare this.

At US airport I'll need to join a queue for visa holders and speak with CBP agent, who hopefully will stamp my passport for I-94

That stamp will have a class and leave by date which I must check and ensure covers my whole stay.

That's it at the airport? Other than providing my passport with visa that's it?

Later on I visit gov website and download my I-94 record and supply to the new employer on first day along with my passport documents I ordered to complete an I-9

Oh and on leaving I hand back the existing I-94 somehow, it tears off of passport, so they know I've left?

Did I miss anything important out, tiny but nervous to overlook anything 😬

Edit, update to say visa is E2

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

What visa are you moving under?

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Hi,

E2 visa

I hope I understand the process.

I'm there for a week to get started under US rules then coming back for a few weeks to finalise UK 'stuff' and vacate property ready for rental before coming back to US 'permenantly'

Hence asking about process to leave correctly too, as until we're back properly my first visit is a short one and a learning curve too.

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

You're not entering for "business", it's to take up employment, for which you have a visa.

Also, most airports divide arriving passengers between USCs and "everyone else" (it seems to vary which line permanent residents are assigned to), so unless you see a clear sign otherwise, or are directed by a CBP officer managing the queues, you should join the "everyone else" queue.

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Ok thanks, so on this form 6059B https://www.cbp.gov/travel/clearing-cbp/traveler-entry-form

I should not put business?

Also on this form I don't put down cash $ carried less than $10k right?

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Check box 10? .... Good question, I am not sure, but I think I would put "no" because to me business means meeting clients, sales visits, head office meetings, etc, not coming for a job.

Maybe that's just me? :unsure:

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Hmmm I'm unsure too. It's business right, since that's why I'm going, not a holiday...

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

I'm not sure it matters either way - they don't seem to pay a whole lot of attention to most of that form's questions, and in any case Q10 is trumped by your visa.

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Ok, think I'll put business to be safe since it's clearly not a holiday and if told otherwise downgrade it at the airport.

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Do I have the I-94 process right?

Other than arriving with CBP form and passport with visa are they expecting anything else from me at point of entry?

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

You don't need to hand in your I-94 when leaving the country as you'll be flying and so have an electronic I-94 that will automatically update.

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Ahah great, so I arrive, present passport, check stamp says E2 and right end date before leaving the CBP area and then later go online and download the I-94 record, that's literally it?

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Yeah. The only things I've used my I-94 for is driving licence and social security.

You'll probably use an I-94 as proof when filling out an I-9.

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Yes I've been told I need it for I-9 when I arrive.

Ok so sounds like there's nothing to it then.

I'll apply for SSN later.

And as for driving license, hadn't occurred to me do I need to do something with my UK license, it's been fine for holidays but living in the US?

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Each state varies. When you take up residency here then there will be some amount of time allowed on your UK licence, but after that you must get a state licence.

This will likely include a driving test - computer and practical.

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Unless things have changed in the last couple of years I had to show the I-797 at passport control when entering on a work visa. I would recommend to take all your paperwork in your hand luggage just in case. One time I was grilled and had to present just about everything but my bra size!

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Think you are moving to NYS? It's 30 days leeway to obtain a license:

https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/moving-new-york

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

He probably won't get his road test done within 30 days, but he should do the written test and mandatory classroom education done, and get his road test booked within 30 days. Then carry supporting documentation and be prepared in the, hopefully unlikely, event that he is stopped by the police.

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

I am moving to NY but under E2 no green card so license is required later if I become US resident?

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

There are different, often wildly different definitions of "resident", and if you buy/ rent a (primary) home, have a job, obtain an SSN, register a vehicle, put a child in school, etc., you are "resident" for the purposes of needing a local drivers license. :nod:

Please don't let anyone persuade you otherwise as you will only find out that you have a problem when you're involved in an accident, when the police will declare your UK license invalid, which will void your insurance, so not only are you on the hook for any damage or injuries you caused, but you won't even have the insurer's lawyers to manage things for you, and the police can prosecute you for driving without a valid license and without insurance. :eek:

The driver licensing process and test is an utter joke, embarrassingly easy (treat the test seriously, but it won't cause you a problem), and having a local license will help with car insurance, as well as serve as an ID whenever you are asked for one. In short: there is no good reason to not get a local DL.

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Right ok, thanks!

So I travel out for a week to start in US job then come back to UK for about 4 weeks or so. For that first week I won't need to drive and won't be renting a property.
Employer said I should hold off on applying for SSN until we come back 'for good'
When we do then, I'll need to apply for SSN and driving license.

Will my 30 days grace expire during that period from starting to returning?

I hope my UK license remains valid? This is an additional US license, a separate thing, is it valid in all US states?

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

If you arrive using your E-2, then technically you have probably "arrived", but IMO it is unlikely anyone would ever notice, and if you don't rent a home, and then leave a week later, I wouldn't worry, but would treat the 30 days as starting when you arrive "permanently".

I strongly disagree on the advice for an SSN, if you're coming next week, get your application in if at all possible (wait until the end of the week and hopefully your name will be "in the system"), then you'll have your number ready for you on your return - give your office address for them to mail the card to you.

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Ok cool, makes sense. Thank you.

Happy to sit the test and of course want to abide by the law, will book it when we return. We'll want a car but luckily shouldn't need one initially, being city based. Phew!

I agree with you and this is what I proposed to employer but have been told not to do this so I can double check once started but had better follow their advice.

It should literally be just 4 weeks or so and we'll be back properly, just long enough to pack our stuff, arrange to ship our cat and vacate the premises as they say :)

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

By the way I don't even have an I-797 but I think this is normal arriving as E2 non-immigrant at this stage, AFAIK.

Please let me know if I'm mistaken here.

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

You should definitely give it some time to settle in before you make a decision on a car. Living in NYC, you may find it cost effective to just rent when you want to get away for the weekend. Otherwise, you will either be paying to rent a parking space for the car or dealing with "alternate side," which is a big PIA!

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Totally, the way I see it, we won't need one in the city and as you say, it can even be a PITA.

I'm thinking from time to time we should just rent one for now, as and when we want to go explore.

For that I'll get a US license, but that should be no rush.

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

TBH I am not sure. We had non-immigrant visas, but each time entering the country we were always asked for the I-797 (USCIS approval notice). It is the same form that we needed to get the visa stamps/stickers in our passports at the embassy, if that helps. If in doubt, have every last bit of paperwork handy ;)

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

I'm taking everything I can find :)

Interestingly we didn't get to keep anything handed over at the US embassy London.

Most if not all of which was a pack handed to us from legal team day before. Contained a bunch of forms, one may have been I-797 but I'm not sure.

I could I guess ask for an electronic copy although with one day left it might be a little late.

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

It will probably be in that packet from the attorney :thumbsup: Have a safe flight!

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

On my way, up in the sky over the Atlantic. Thought I'd say hi because I can and it's kinda fun :)

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Hope you've brought your snow boots -- there's some forecast for tonight!

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Being charged $100 for 10mb of bandwidth? :rofl:

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

At least!

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

I have no good snow clothes, left UK where I was outside catching some rays last few days.

I'm in for a shock, aren't I

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Luckily for you it's in the mid 30s (F) today -- over ten degrees warmer than it has been recently. But it's definitely time to spring for some winter woollies! ;)

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Thanks for the tip. Actually to be fair I have a jumper hoody coat scarf gloves and hat, was all I could find suitable for the cold, maybe it'll do. If not, shopping time. Just need to remember to dress aappropiately before heading out rather than get caught out.

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Ok so I made it.

There was snow.

Some days weather says it's cold but it seems warm. On Tuesday I took coat but was roasting, sweating buckets.

Other days like today the very next day, it seems warm then an arctic wind chills you to the very core.

This will take some getting used to.

Have achieved a number of key things since arriving, CBP no issue, visa stamps good, I-94 good, I-9 done, getting set up at work all good, bank account opened.

I'm just wondering, before I return to the UK for a few weeks is there anything I should really try to sort out or address before return? Something I may kick myself for not doing once back?

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Applied for an SSN? Any sort of waiting list for a driving test you should join?

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Good points.

My company has explicitly told me to wait for SSN application until back again.

I seem to have a temp one for payroll in the mean time.

As for driving test, yikes I don't feel remotely prepaired for that. I guess I should look into it though in case of big waiting times.

Thanks for that, I'll look into it tomorrow.

Re: Leaving UK for USA
 

Not sure why they would tell you that as the issuance of an SSN to you is, to be honest, none of their business.