Moving our Household from UK to USA
Apr 23rd 2003, 6:04 pm
#31
British/Irish(ish) Duncs
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2003
Location: Cambridge MA, via Mississippi and Belfast Northern Ireland.
Posts: 700
Re: Moving our Household from UK to USA
Originally posted by Sue65
HI I forget to say in my last posting that we moved with our cat too.
Unless the procedure has changed we had to bring him in a special cat
carryer that we got from a company in the uk that specialises in them
we werent allowed to just bring a normal one this was made of wood and
had special dimensions to fit in the hold. you have to write LIVE
ANIMAL on the sides and top also only water in a bottle that fixed to
the front (like a guinea pig or hamster cage). He had to have
documentation with him saying he had his inniculations ect and a vet
had to take his temprature within 24 hrs of travel. The INs checked
all this when we arrived. We actually did give him a cat vallium as
are vet recommended and he did really well even when the plane was
struck with lightning!!!
so you may want to start looking into some of this now as there is so
much to do before you leave.
sue
HI I forget to say in my last posting that we moved with our cat too.
Unless the procedure has changed we had to bring him in a special cat
carryer that we got from a company in the uk that specialises in them
we werent allowed to just bring a normal one this was made of wood and
had special dimensions to fit in the hold. you have to write LIVE
ANIMAL on the sides and top also only water in a bottle that fixed to
the front (like a guinea pig or hamster cage). He had to have
documentation with him saying he had his inniculations ect and a vet
had to take his temprature within 24 hrs of travel. The INs checked
all this when we arrived. We actually did give him a cat vallium as
are vet recommended and he did really well even when the plane was
struck with lightning!!!
so you may want to start looking into some of this now as there is so
much to do before you leave.
sue
Apr 23rd 2003, 8:23 pm
#32
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Moving our Household from UK to USA
17782023 wrote:
> Besides my wifes family are in the USA and we are going to live with
> them first whilst we get settled so we will never be left on our own
> with no family back up.
You could need all the help you can get.
> Besides my wifes family are in the USA and we are going to live with
> them first whilst we get settled so we will never be left on our own
> with no family back up.
You could need all the help you can get.
Apr 23rd 2003, 11:39 pm
#33
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Moving our Household from UK to USA
17782023 wrote in message news:...
> Originally posted by Sue65
> > HI I forget to say in my last posting that we moved with our cat too.
> > Unless the procedure has changed we had to bring him in a special cat
> > carryer that we got from a company in the uk that specialises in them
> > we werent allowed to just bring a normal one this was made of wood and
> > had special dimensions to fit in the hold. you have to write LIVE
> > ANIMAL on the sides and top also only water in a bottle that fixed to
> > the front (like a guinea pig or hamster cage). He had to have
> > documentation with him saying he had his inniculations ect and a vet
> > had to take his temprature within 24 hrs of travel. The INs checked
> > all this when we arrived. We actually did give him a cat vallium as
> > are vet recommended and he did really well even when the plane was
> > struck with lightning!!!
> > so you may want to start looking into some of this now as there is so
> > much to do before you leave.
> > sue
>
> I have 3 cats and we are devastated at having to chose which ones to let
> go and who to keep but we cant possible take them all. Where do we find
> out about the conditions for taking them? Is it a standard thing or
> varies by airline carrier? I knew about the innoculations thing but the
> rules on carriers are new to me i thought as long as its big enough for
> them to stand freely thats ok but i didnt know about wooden boxes etc\
I know that must be difficult for you people thought we were mad
bringing our cat at the time, untill we met another english couple who
bought there old english sheepdog!!! We were glad we did though and
apartments genrally with except cats with a pet deposit of about on
average $100. I cant remember off hand the company we got the carrier
from though i think you should be able to get something like it on
the internet i just remeber it being important the dimensions so they
could fit propably in the hold. we got are imformation from our own
vet pre internet days. I believe it does vary by airline carrier so
you may want to phone round a few airlines and ask them specifics BA
is normally helpful. I can only go by what are travel agent told us at
the time things may not be so strick these days. Though i do remember
the tempreture and physical being important in fact i think the
physical t could be done earlier but the temp had to be done at least
24hr before to make sure he was fit to travel. I hope this helps.!!
> Originally posted by Sue65
> > HI I forget to say in my last posting that we moved with our cat too.
> > Unless the procedure has changed we had to bring him in a special cat
> > carryer that we got from a company in the uk that specialises in them
> > we werent allowed to just bring a normal one this was made of wood and
> > had special dimensions to fit in the hold. you have to write LIVE
> > ANIMAL on the sides and top also only water in a bottle that fixed to
> > the front (like a guinea pig or hamster cage). He had to have
> > documentation with him saying he had his inniculations ect and a vet
> > had to take his temprature within 24 hrs of travel. The INs checked
> > all this when we arrived. We actually did give him a cat vallium as
> > are vet recommended and he did really well even when the plane was
> > struck with lightning!!!
> > so you may want to start looking into some of this now as there is so
> > much to do before you leave.
> > sue
>
> I have 3 cats and we are devastated at having to chose which ones to let
> go and who to keep but we cant possible take them all. Where do we find
> out about the conditions for taking them? Is it a standard thing or
> varies by airline carrier? I knew about the innoculations thing but the
> rules on carriers are new to me i thought as long as its big enough for
> them to stand freely thats ok but i didnt know about wooden boxes etc\
I know that must be difficult for you people thought we were mad
bringing our cat at the time, untill we met another english couple who
bought there old english sheepdog!!! We were glad we did though and
apartments genrally with except cats with a pet deposit of about on
average $100. I cant remember off hand the company we got the carrier
from though i think you should be able to get something like it on
the internet i just remeber it being important the dimensions so they
could fit propably in the hold. we got are imformation from our own
vet pre internet days. I believe it does vary by airline carrier so
you may want to phone round a few airlines and ask them specifics BA
is normally helpful. I can only go by what are travel agent told us at
the time things may not be so strick these days. Though i do remember
the tempreture and physical being important in fact i think the
physical t could be done earlier but the temp had to be done at least
24hr before to make sure he was fit to travel. I hope this helps.!!
Apr 24th 2003, 3:03 am
#34
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Moving our Household from UK to USA
17782023 wrote in message news:...
> Originally posted by Sue65
> > HI I forget to say in my last posting that we moved with our cat too.
> > Unless the procedure has changed we had to bring him in a special cat
> > carryer that we got from a company in the uk that specialises in them
> > we werent allowed to just bring a normal one this was made of wood and
> > had special dimensions to fit in the hold. you have to write LIVE
> > ANIMAL on the sides and top also only water in a bottle that fixed to
> > the front (like a guinea pig or hamster cage). He had to have
> > documentation with him saying he had his inniculations ect and a vet
> > had to take his temprature within 24 hrs of travel. The INs checked
> > all this when we arrived. We actually did give him a cat vallium as
> > are vet recommended and he did really well even when the plane was
> > struck with lightning!!!
> > so you may want to start looking into some of this now as there is so
> > much to do before you leave.
> > sue
>
> I have 3 cats and we are devastated at having to chose which ones to let
> go and who to keep but we cant possible take them all. Where do we find
> out about the conditions for taking them? Is it a standard thing or
> varies by airline carrier? I knew about the innoculations thing but the
> rules on carriers are new to me i thought as long as its big enough for
> them to stand freely thats ok but i didnt know about wooden boxes etc
Don't be worried. Check with the various airlines to see what their
policy is. Our 2 cats came with delta whilst we travelled on
continental from Manchester UK to Manchester NH (2 years ago). We used
a company based at Manchester airport in the UK (skymaster)- you can
find links to reputable companies at various airport locations here-
http://www.ipata.com/company.htm - they should be able to give you all
the latest advice on procedures. We purchased a recommended carrier
which was good for both cats. They put the live animals stickers on
and took care of the paperwork. We didn't have to have any vets
reports at all. The professionals that ship live animals recommend
that you do not sedate them. We had a water bottle 'drip' on the door
of the carrier and another with frozen water which melted during the
journey. It was only 12 hrs door to door in any case. The cats weren't
friends with us for the first few days but that's just cats for you.
They are both healthy and bouncing about in the forest at the back of
our new home.
Good luck.
> Originally posted by Sue65
> > HI I forget to say in my last posting that we moved with our cat too.
> > Unless the procedure has changed we had to bring him in a special cat
> > carryer that we got from a company in the uk that specialises in them
> > we werent allowed to just bring a normal one this was made of wood and
> > had special dimensions to fit in the hold. you have to write LIVE
> > ANIMAL on the sides and top also only water in a bottle that fixed to
> > the front (like a guinea pig or hamster cage). He had to have
> > documentation with him saying he had his inniculations ect and a vet
> > had to take his temprature within 24 hrs of travel. The INs checked
> > all this when we arrived. We actually did give him a cat vallium as
> > are vet recommended and he did really well even when the plane was
> > struck with lightning!!!
> > so you may want to start looking into some of this now as there is so
> > much to do before you leave.
> > sue
>
> I have 3 cats and we are devastated at having to chose which ones to let
> go and who to keep but we cant possible take them all. Where do we find
> out about the conditions for taking them? Is it a standard thing or
> varies by airline carrier? I knew about the innoculations thing but the
> rules on carriers are new to me i thought as long as its big enough for
> them to stand freely thats ok but i didnt know about wooden boxes etc
Don't be worried. Check with the various airlines to see what their
policy is. Our 2 cats came with delta whilst we travelled on
continental from Manchester UK to Manchester NH (2 years ago). We used
a company based at Manchester airport in the UK (skymaster)- you can
find links to reputable companies at various airport locations here-
http://www.ipata.com/company.htm - they should be able to give you all
the latest advice on procedures. We purchased a recommended carrier
which was good for both cats. They put the live animals stickers on
and took care of the paperwork. We didn't have to have any vets
reports at all. The professionals that ship live animals recommend
that you do not sedate them. We had a water bottle 'drip' on the door
of the carrier and another with frozen water which melted during the
journey. It was only 12 hrs door to door in any case. The cats weren't
friends with us for the first few days but that's just cats for you.
They are both healthy and bouncing about in the forest at the back of
our new home.
Good luck.
Apr 24th 2003, 3:03 am
#35
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Moving our Household from UK to USA
17782023 wrote in message news:...
> Originally posted by Sue65
> > HI I forget to say in my last posting that we moved with our cat too.
> > Unless the procedure has changed we had to bring him in a special cat
> > carryer that we got from a company in the uk that specialises in them
> > we werent allowed to just bring a normal one this was made of wood and
> > had special dimensions to fit in the hold. you have to write LIVE
> > ANIMAL on the sides and top also only water in a bottle that fixed to
> > the front (like a guinea pig or hamster cage). He had to have
> > documentation with him saying he had his inniculations ect and a vet
> > had to take his temprature within 24 hrs of travel. The INs checked
> > all this when we arrived. We actually did give him a cat vallium as
> > are vet recommended and he did really well even when the plane was
> > struck with lightning!!!
> > so you may want to start looking into some of this now as there is so
> > much to do before you leave.
> > sue
>
> I have 3 cats and we are devastated at having to chose which ones to let
> go and who to keep but we cant possible take them all. Where do we find
> out about the conditions for taking them? Is it a standard thing or
> varies by airline carrier? I knew about the innoculations thing but the
> rules on carriers are new to me i thought as long as its big enough for
> them to stand freely thats ok but i didnt know about wooden boxes etc
Don't be worried. Check with the various airlines to see what their
policy is. Our 2 cats came with delta whilst we travelled on
continental from Manchester UK to Manchester NH (2 years ago). We used
a company based at Manchester airport in the UK (skymaster)- you can
find links to reputable companies at various airport locations here-
http://www.ipata.com/company.htm - they should be able to give you all
the latest advice on procedures. We purchased a recommended carrier
which was good for both cats. They put the live animals stickers on
and took care of the paperwork. We didn't have to have any vets
reports at all. The professionals that ship live animals recommend
that you do not sedate them. We had a water bottle 'drip' on the door
of the carrier and another with frozen water which melted during the
journey. It was only 12 hrs door to door in any case. The cats weren't
friends with us for the first few days but that's just cats for you.
They are both healthy and bouncing about in the forest at the back of
our new home.
Good luck.
> Originally posted by Sue65
> > HI I forget to say in my last posting that we moved with our cat too.
> > Unless the procedure has changed we had to bring him in a special cat
> > carryer that we got from a company in the uk that specialises in them
> > we werent allowed to just bring a normal one this was made of wood and
> > had special dimensions to fit in the hold. you have to write LIVE
> > ANIMAL on the sides and top also only water in a bottle that fixed to
> > the front (like a guinea pig or hamster cage). He had to have
> > documentation with him saying he had his inniculations ect and a vet
> > had to take his temprature within 24 hrs of travel. The INs checked
> > all this when we arrived. We actually did give him a cat vallium as
> > are vet recommended and he did really well even when the plane was
> > struck with lightning!!!
> > so you may want to start looking into some of this now as there is so
> > much to do before you leave.
> > sue
>
> I have 3 cats and we are devastated at having to chose which ones to let
> go and who to keep but we cant possible take them all. Where do we find
> out about the conditions for taking them? Is it a standard thing or
> varies by airline carrier? I knew about the innoculations thing but the
> rules on carriers are new to me i thought as long as its big enough for
> them to stand freely thats ok but i didnt know about wooden boxes etc
Don't be worried. Check with the various airlines to see what their
policy is. Our 2 cats came with delta whilst we travelled on
continental from Manchester UK to Manchester NH (2 years ago). We used
a company based at Manchester airport in the UK (skymaster)- you can
find links to reputable companies at various airport locations here-
http://www.ipata.com/company.htm - they should be able to give you all
the latest advice on procedures. We purchased a recommended carrier
which was good for both cats. They put the live animals stickers on
and took care of the paperwork. We didn't have to have any vets
reports at all. The professionals that ship live animals recommend
that you do not sedate them. We had a water bottle 'drip' on the door
of the carrier and another with frozen water which melted during the
journey. It was only 12 hrs door to door in any case. The cats weren't
friends with us for the first few days but that's just cats for you.
They are both healthy and bouncing about in the forest at the back of
our new home.
Good luck.
Apr 24th 2003, 3:04 am
#36
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Moving our Household from UK to USA
> I have 3 cats and we are devastated at having to chose which ones to let
> go and who to keep but we cant possible take them all. Where do we find
> out about the conditions for taking them? Is it a standard thing or
> varies by airline carrier? I knew about the innoculations thing but the
> rules on carriers are new to me i thought as long as its big enough for
> them to stand freely thats ok but i didnt know about wooden boxes etc
p.s.
The missus asked me to post this link too -
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm
The pet passport scheme has been extended betweeen the UK and US so
there may be info on here which is helpful. e.g. maybe you can get
your cats a passport but remember to tell them not to smile on the
photo.....
> go and who to keep but we cant possible take them all. Where do we find
> out about the conditions for taking them? Is it a standard thing or
> varies by airline carrier? I knew about the innoculations thing but the
> rules on carriers are new to me i thought as long as its big enough for
> them to stand freely thats ok but i didnt know about wooden boxes etc
p.s.
The missus asked me to post this link too -
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm
The pet passport scheme has been extended betweeen the UK and US so
there may be info on here which is helpful. e.g. maybe you can get
your cats a passport but remember to tell them not to smile on the
photo.....
Apr 25th 2003, 12:04 pm
#37
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Moving our Household from UK to USA
S B wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> 17782023 wrote:
>
>> Besides my wifes family are in the USA and we are going to live with
>> them first whilst we get settled so we will never be left on our own
>> with no family back up.
>
> You could need all the help you can get.
When you move to the US you will be treated as having no credit history,
even by banks you have dealt with in the UK. You will only need to get
your UK history checked if you ask them to, but in some cases (like buying
a house) your lack of a US history will mean you do have to. In some cases
(credit cards) they will refuse to check your UK history, and so won't
give you a card.
Some stores (but not all) will give cards to people with no history, and
that's about the only sensible way to build up a credit history. After you
have had store cards you will be able to get credit cards.
As for the driving licence, your UK licence is valid for 12 months, not 6,
and an international licence is pointless, so don't get one. For people
who come from non-treaty countries there is a shorter period. Your wife,
OTOH, can only drive on a UK licence for 30 days, as she is a US citizen.
You will be charged more for insurance if you have a foreign licence, and
it is generally over twice as expensive to start with. OTOH, a foreign
licence makes you immune from points for speeding, etc, although you still
have to pay the fines, of course.
In some states, they will refuse to issue a driving licence if you don't
have your I-94 (landing card). Since Immigration take that when you apply
for a green card, you can get stuck where you can't drive on your UK
licence any more, and can't get a US licence unless you pay for a
substitute I-94.
We also fell into a trap because my wife had a UK provisional licence (=US
learner's permit). In the UK you must list learners on your insurance, but
in the US you must not list them.
news:[email protected]:
> 17782023 wrote:
>
>> Besides my wifes family are in the USA and we are going to live with
>> them first whilst we get settled so we will never be left on our own
>> with no family back up.
>
> You could need all the help you can get.
When you move to the US you will be treated as having no credit history,
even by banks you have dealt with in the UK. You will only need to get
your UK history checked if you ask them to, but in some cases (like buying
a house) your lack of a US history will mean you do have to. In some cases
(credit cards) they will refuse to check your UK history, and so won't
give you a card.
Some stores (but not all) will give cards to people with no history, and
that's about the only sensible way to build up a credit history. After you
have had store cards you will be able to get credit cards.
As for the driving licence, your UK licence is valid for 12 months, not 6,
and an international licence is pointless, so don't get one. For people
who come from non-treaty countries there is a shorter period. Your wife,
OTOH, can only drive on a UK licence for 30 days, as she is a US citizen.
You will be charged more for insurance if you have a foreign licence, and
it is generally over twice as expensive to start with. OTOH, a foreign
licence makes you immune from points for speeding, etc, although you still
have to pay the fines, of course.
In some states, they will refuse to issue a driving licence if you don't
have your I-94 (landing card). Since Immigration take that when you apply
for a green card, you can get stuck where you can't drive on your UK
licence any more, and can't get a US licence unless you pay for a
substitute I-94.
We also fell into a trap because my wife had a UK provisional licence (=US
learner's permit). In the UK you must list learners on your insurance, but
in the US you must not list them.
Apr 25th 2003, 5:29 pm
#38
British/Irish(ish) Duncs
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2003
Location: Cambridge MA, via Mississippi and Belfast Northern Ireland.
Posts: 700
Re: Moving our Household from UK to USA
Originally posted by Alun Palmer
S B wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> 17782023 wrote:
>
>> Besides my wifes family are in the USA and we are going to live with
>> them first whilst we get settled so we will never be left on our own
>> with no family back up.
>
> You could need all the help you can get.
When you move to the US you will be treated as having no credit history,
even by banks you have dealt with in the UK. You will only need to get
your UK history checked if you ask them to, but in some cases (like buying
a house) your lack of a US history will mean you do have to. In some cases
(credit cards) they will refuse to check your UK history, and so won't
give you a card.
Some stores (but not all) will give cards to people with no history, and
that's about the only sensible way to build up a credit history. After you
have had store cards you will be able to get credit cards.
As for the driving licence, your UK licence is valid for 12 months, not 6,
and an international licence is pointless, so don't get one. For people
who come from non-treaty countries there is a shorter period. Your wife,
OTOH, can only drive on a UK licence for 30 days, as she is a US citizen.
You will be charged more for insurance if you have a foreign licence, and
it is generally over twice as expensive to start with. OTOH, a foreign
licence makes you immune from points for speeding, etc, although you still
have to pay the fines, of course.
In some states, they will refuse to issue a driving licence if you don't
have your I-94 (landing card). Since Immigration take that when you apply
for a green card, you can get stuck where you can't drive on your UK
licence any more, and can't get a US licence unless you pay for a
substitute I-94.
We also fell into a trap because my wife had a UK provisional licence (=US
learner's permit). In the UK you must list learners on your insurance, but
in the US you must not list them.
S B wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> 17782023 wrote:
>
>> Besides my wifes family are in the USA and we are going to live with
>> them first whilst we get settled so we will never be left on our own
>> with no family back up.
>
> You could need all the help you can get.
When you move to the US you will be treated as having no credit history,
even by banks you have dealt with in the UK. You will only need to get
your UK history checked if you ask them to, but in some cases (like buying
a house) your lack of a US history will mean you do have to. In some cases
(credit cards) they will refuse to check your UK history, and so won't
give you a card.
Some stores (but not all) will give cards to people with no history, and
that's about the only sensible way to build up a credit history. After you
have had store cards you will be able to get credit cards.
As for the driving licence, your UK licence is valid for 12 months, not 6,
and an international licence is pointless, so don't get one. For people
who come from non-treaty countries there is a shorter period. Your wife,
OTOH, can only drive on a UK licence for 30 days, as she is a US citizen.
You will be charged more for insurance if you have a foreign licence, and
it is generally over twice as expensive to start with. OTOH, a foreign
licence makes you immune from points for speeding, etc, although you still
have to pay the fines, of course.
In some states, they will refuse to issue a driving licence if you don't
have your I-94 (landing card). Since Immigration take that when you apply
for a green card, you can get stuck where you can't drive on your UK
licence any more, and can't get a US licence unless you pay for a
substitute I-94.
We also fell into a trap because my wife had a UK provisional licence (=US
learner's permit). In the UK you must list learners on your insurance, but
in the US you must not list them.
Thats interesting about the credit record. Does this mean that you are essentially just building one from scratch again? Does this make things difficult to get an ordinary credit card and bank account etc? So even if i was an undischarged Bankrupt in the UK it would make very little difference, if any difference to my USA credit status? Thats a tempting way to dump off my debts.
I knew that my UK licence was good for a year already. My wife has a Mississippi state licence already so she should have no problem in getting a MA licence issued. We have applied for DCF visa through London so if succesful then i will be granted permanent resident status at point of entry. What is the I-94? I had intended to just get on with it and get a US Licence from MA. As i understand it you get a stamp in your passport at POA then the actual Green(pink) card arrives around 3 months later. Does this mean that i need to wait until i get this card before i can get a US driving licence?
Thanks for your advice.
Duncan
Apr 25th 2003, 9:16 pm
#39
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Moving our Household from UK to USA
17782023 wrote in
news:[email protected]:
>
> Originally posted by Alun Palmer
>> S B wrote in
>> news:[email protected]:"]news:3-
>> [email protected]:[/url]
>> > 17782023 wrote:
>> >
>> >> Besides my wifes family are in the USA and we are going to live
>> >> with them first whilst we get settled so we will never be left on
>> >> our own with no family back up.
>> >
>> > You could need all the help you can get.
>> When you move to the US you will be treated as having no credit
>> history, even by banks you have dealt with in the UK. You will only
>> need to get your UK history checked if you ask them to, but in some
>> cases (like buying
>> a house) your lack of a US history will mean you do have to. In
>> some cases
>> (credit cards) they will refuse to check your UK history, and so won't
>> give you a card.
>> Some stores (but not all) will give cards to people with no
>> history, and
>> that's about the only sensible way to build up a credit history.
>> After you
>> have had store cards you will be able to get credit cards.
>> As for the driving licence, your UK licence is valid for 12
>> months, not 6,
>> and an international licence is pointless, so don't get one.
>> For people
>> who come from non-treaty countries there is a shorter period.
>> Your wife,
>> OTOH, can only drive on a UK licence for 30 days, as she is a US
>> citizen.
>> You will be charged more for insurance if you have a foreign
>> licence, and
>> it is generally over twice as expensive to start with. OTOH, a foreign
>> licence makes you immune from points for speeding, etc, although
>> you still
>> have to pay the fines, of course.
>> In some states, they will refuse to issue a driving licence if
>> you don't
>> have your I-94 (landing card). Since Immigration take that when
>> you apply
>> for a green card, you can get stuck where you can't drive on your UK
>> licence any more, and can't get a US licence unless you pay for a
>> substitute I-94.
>> We also fell into a trap because my wife had a UK provisional
>> licence (=US
>> learner's permit). In the UK you must list learners on your
>> insurance, but
>> in the US you must not list them.
>
>
> Thats interesting about the credit record. Does this mean that you are
> essentially just building one from scratch again? Does this make things
> difficult to get an ordinary credit card and bank account etc? So even
> if i was an undischarged Bankrupt in the UK it would make very little
> difference, if any difference to my USA credit status? Thats a tempting
> way to dump off my debts.
>
> I knew that my UK licence was good for a year already. My wife has a
> Mississippi state licence already so she should have no problem in
> getting a MA licence issued. We have applied for DCF visa through
> London so if succesful then i will be granted permanent resident status
> at point of entry. What is the I-94? I had intended to just get on with
> it and get a US Licence from MA. As i understand it you get a stamp in
> your passport at POA then the actual Green(pink) card arrives around 3
> months later. Does this mean that i need to wait until i get this card
> before i can get a US driving licence?
>
> Thanks for your advice.
>
> Duncan
>
> --
> Posted via http://britishexpats.com
>
You get an I-94 from immigration when you arrive, but you have to turn it
in to apply for your green card.
news:[email protected]:
>
> Originally posted by Alun Palmer
>> S B wrote in
>> news:[email protected]:"]news:3-
>> [email protected]:[/url]
>> > 17782023 wrote:
>> >
>> >> Besides my wifes family are in the USA and we are going to live
>> >> with them first whilst we get settled so we will never be left on
>> >> our own with no family back up.
>> >
>> > You could need all the help you can get.
>> When you move to the US you will be treated as having no credit
>> history, even by banks you have dealt with in the UK. You will only
>> need to get your UK history checked if you ask them to, but in some
>> cases (like buying
>> a house) your lack of a US history will mean you do have to. In
>> some cases
>> (credit cards) they will refuse to check your UK history, and so won't
>> give you a card.
>> Some stores (but not all) will give cards to people with no
>> history, and
>> that's about the only sensible way to build up a credit history.
>> After you
>> have had store cards you will be able to get credit cards.
>> As for the driving licence, your UK licence is valid for 12
>> months, not 6,
>> and an international licence is pointless, so don't get one.
>> For people
>> who come from non-treaty countries there is a shorter period.
>> Your wife,
>> OTOH, can only drive on a UK licence for 30 days, as she is a US
>> citizen.
>> You will be charged more for insurance if you have a foreign
>> licence, and
>> it is generally over twice as expensive to start with. OTOH, a foreign
>> licence makes you immune from points for speeding, etc, although
>> you still
>> have to pay the fines, of course.
>> In some states, they will refuse to issue a driving licence if
>> you don't
>> have your I-94 (landing card). Since Immigration take that when
>> you apply
>> for a green card, you can get stuck where you can't drive on your UK
>> licence any more, and can't get a US licence unless you pay for a
>> substitute I-94.
>> We also fell into a trap because my wife had a UK provisional
>> licence (=US
>> learner's permit). In the UK you must list learners on your
>> insurance, but
>> in the US you must not list them.
>
>
> Thats interesting about the credit record. Does this mean that you are
> essentially just building one from scratch again? Does this make things
> difficult to get an ordinary credit card and bank account etc? So even
> if i was an undischarged Bankrupt in the UK it would make very little
> difference, if any difference to my USA credit status? Thats a tempting
> way to dump off my debts.
>
> I knew that my UK licence was good for a year already. My wife has a
> Mississippi state licence already so she should have no problem in
> getting a MA licence issued. We have applied for DCF visa through
> London so if succesful then i will be granted permanent resident status
> at point of entry. What is the I-94? I had intended to just get on with
> it and get a US Licence from MA. As i understand it you get a stamp in
> your passport at POA then the actual Green(pink) card arrives around 3
> months later. Does this mean that i need to wait until i get this card
> before i can get a US driving licence?
>
> Thanks for your advice.
>
> Duncan
>
> --
> Posted via http://britishexpats.com
>
You get an I-94 from immigration when you arrive, but you have to turn it
in to apply for your green card.
Apr 10th 2004, 7:32 pm
#40
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2004
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 6
Re: Moving our Household from UK to USA
Hi Alun....or SB or anybody else tuned into this thread!
We're having a new house built and the builders have run an extra 240v line to one of the reception room where I was hoping to keep my UK hifi up and running. I've sent them a couple of UK receptacles (sockets to you and me) so that there's no way anybody can plug anything US in there....but the building super says they haven't ever seen the UK socket so aren't sure how to wire it....could you give me some info on what you've done?
Thanks
Stuart
We're having a new house built and the builders have run an extra 240v line to one of the reception room where I was hoping to keep my UK hifi up and running. I've sent them a couple of UK receptacles (sockets to you and me) so that there's no way anybody can plug anything US in there....but the building super says they haven't ever seen the UK socket so aren't sure how to wire it....could you give me some info on what you've done?
Thanks
Stuart
Apr 17th 2004, 6:13 pm
#41
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Moving our Household from UK to USA
mac the knight <member23303@british_expats.com> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
>
> Hi Alun....or SB or anybody else tuned into this thread!
>
> We're having a
> new house built and the builders have run an extra 240v line to one of
> the reception room where I was hoping to keep my UK hifi up and running.
> I've sent them a couple of UK receptacles (sockets to you and me) so
> that there's no way anybody can plug anything US in there....but the
> building super says they haven't ever seen the UK socket so aren't sure
> how to wire it....could you give me some info on what you've done?
>
>
> Thanks
>
> Stuart
>
>
Just have them wire the ground (earth) to the middle pin and the two
opposing 120v phases to the other two (normally live and neutral) to get a
240v drop between them. This is only the same as what you end up with when
you use an isolating transformer. Note that the Hi-Fi will still be live
when it is off (if that bothers you, then you can always unplug it).
Some LP record decks would run the wrong speed due to the different
frequency, but most would be OK as the better ones used DC motors, and most
people only have CDs now anyway.
BTW, the NEC, which is the model wiring code in the US, says only that
voltages over 150v cannot be supplied to a 'standard receptacle', by which
I assume they mean a US 120v one, so there should be no problem with the
code in using UK outlets for UK voltage.
Alun
(My e-mail reply is longer and probably just more confusing!)
Disclaimer: I am an electrical engineer, but not a PE in any state of the
union, and I take no responsibility for other people's installation work.
news:[email protected]:
>
> Hi Alun....or SB or anybody else tuned into this thread!
>
> We're having a
> new house built and the builders have run an extra 240v line to one of
> the reception room where I was hoping to keep my UK hifi up and running.
> I've sent them a couple of UK receptacles (sockets to you and me) so
> that there's no way anybody can plug anything US in there....but the
> building super says they haven't ever seen the UK socket so aren't sure
> how to wire it....could you give me some info on what you've done?
>
>
> Thanks
>
> Stuart
>
>
Just have them wire the ground (earth) to the middle pin and the two
opposing 120v phases to the other two (normally live and neutral) to get a
240v drop between them. This is only the same as what you end up with when
you use an isolating transformer. Note that the Hi-Fi will still be live
when it is off (if that bothers you, then you can always unplug it).
Some LP record decks would run the wrong speed due to the different
frequency, but most would be OK as the better ones used DC motors, and most
people only have CDs now anyway.
BTW, the NEC, which is the model wiring code in the US, says only that
voltages over 150v cannot be supplied to a 'standard receptacle', by which
I assume they mean a US 120v one, so there should be no problem with the
code in using UK outlets for UK voltage.
Alun
(My e-mail reply is longer and probably just more confusing!)
Disclaimer: I am an electrical engineer, but not a PE in any state of the
union, and I take no responsibility for other people's installation work.
