scotslass

SCHOOLS

Does anyone know exactly who can and can't attend public schools for free?

I'll be coming to the US on a non-immigrant /temporary worker visa. Hopefully for 3 years. My children will be on category 03 visas and will need to attend elementary schools. I believe attending private (fee paying) school is allowed, but I'd like to know exactly what options are open to us on this, before we commit.


HEALTHCARE

I know healthcare insurance can be really expensive and I've found an annual travel insurance policy, from a reputable provider in the UK, which seems to cover everything we could need. But it seems too good to be true - has anyone else gone down this route, and if so, have you come accross any small print I should be aware of?


thanks

Angry White Pyjamas

What is this? A convention for people wanting info on US Schools and Health Care suddenly?

ladyofthelake

What's a category 03 visa when it's at home? Never heard of that.

Public school is free to everyone. Myself and kids are on non immigrant visas too, they enrolled in school no problem.

Healthcare -----> if it seems too good to be true...it probably is!
Besides, how can a travel insurance be valid if you are setting up residence here?

fatbrit

The UK healthcare insurance you mention is unlikely to cover you once you've left. Most are geared more towards the holiday crowd. And even though American immigration will state that you are not an immigrant, I believe the insurers providing a travel policy will rule otherwise when it comes to coughing up.

Your employer should be making some some contribution to your health insurance. Time to ask if you have not already done so. Buying it yourself will take a hefty chunk out of your budget and, unlike employer coverage, will probably not cover pre-existing conditions.

BritGuyTN

no idea about schools, but the travel insurance option is not going to work - i'm 99% sure on this.

especially with kids you could be landed with massive medical bills without insurance.

this 'could' is not based on a hypothetical scenario - I have insurance and a recent trip to A & E cost me $3700 for 3 hrs - that after insurance paid their chunk

Bob

Travel insurance from the UK probably won't cover you unless you have return tickets, and anything over 6 months is a laugh as they'll consider that you've taken residence abroad and void your cover...but I used www.worldwideinsure.com to cover me for the one way travel.

Education and health insurance will depend on where you live, but free education, kids should get into without any trouble....medical insurance, you just have to pay for it...

scotslass

Hi, thanks for the useful feedback. (Unlike the nippy sweety who obviously feels forums are only for tallking about TV programs and sausages).

An 03 visa is for dependants of 01 visa holders. - Basically specialist business and arts types. Who will are admitted as temporary workers.

The travel insurance is aimed at people travelling /taking a year out for periods of up to a year. They are also happy to cover us for pre-existing conditions (my son has asthma) for an annual premium of around £1000 for a family of 4. SO I'm thinking it will be good for the short term until we get out there and set up proper healthcare cover. But obviously dont want to get caught out. Hmm will investigate further I think.

Thanks again.

Angry White Pyjamas

You're welcome. Except this was the 3rd thread asking pretty much the same question in the space of an hour or so. I think forums are for talking about anything but a wee search of them first often helps. You never know what you may turn up.

Ah you mean an O-3 (and O-1) visa. The sort normally used by musicians, actors etc.

Anyone legally living in the USA can attend public shool. It has to be the school for which you are living in the catchment area of though, so its very much a lottery as to quality etc. As far as im aware anyone legally living in the USA can attend private school too should they wish to pay for it.

Healthcare is a minefield. Do a search of the forum you'll find plenty on it even from just last night. Searches are good.

Ray

O-3 are the spouse and any unmarried children under 21 years of age of the principal O-1 visa holder.

ladyofthelake

I've heard of the O-1 visa, and O-3 visa, but not the 03 visa. Sorry to be a pedant but 03 (ie zero three) could've meant anything.

Ray

I made an allowance for the OP origins ...

Angry White Pyjamas

I didnt. Sorry.

fatbrit

Status is totally irrelevant. Legal or illegal actually makes no difference for enrollment in the public school system.

Angry White Pyjamas

You could be right there. So to the OP: Anyone can go to school here.

Elvira

Where we live they require proof of residence in the form of an apartment lease, mortgage or property tax.