Hmm, my husband got a Bank of America checking account the day after he arrived on a K1 (without an SSN yet). He opened his own personal account and a joint one with me as well. I don't know where you are in Maryland, but this was in Gaithersburg if that's anywhere near.

I am 10 mins NE of Baltimore. It was the main branch that we went to. May be they have changed the rules. Last year I went to Susquehanna Bank and tried to open an account and they would not let me open one there either.

Re: US Drivers License
 

Good luck with getting a drivers license!

husband has been here since march and still hasn't been able to get one yet because of idiotic DL center employees (but in PA)

Change of address.
 

For those that don't know, you can get into some serious sh!t with the law if you have changed address without changing it on your driving licence and you get pulled over.

If your in Texas and your a lazy bugger like me go to,

www.txdps.state.tx.us

and you can order a new licence without the hassles of actually going to the DPS office.

I'm sure in every state you can do the same on-line.

It cost me $11.00, and it took 5 minutes.

The actual driving test here in Dallas is a piss take.

Re: Change of address.
 

You had to pay, that sucks. Hubby did his on line and I went to DMV (coz you have to have a PIN no. and they sent his and not mine), didn't cost us anything.

FWIW I opened a bank account with Chase bank in New York city last November without a SSN. I got my number in December and only remembered to tell Chase last week, but they didn't seem to mind.

Speaking of driving, I thought this was cute:
http://fun.tmc.dyn.ee/fahrschule.swf

My hubby opened an account with Bank of America here in NC with no SS No. When his number came through we put me on as a joint account and I have no SS number at all and am not entitled to one.

He did need his SS No. for his driving licence though and various proofs of identity and address.

Emm.

The more I learn about the US, the more it seems like 50 separate countries that just happen to share a few things like defence and currency (but certainly not a common language :) )

Here in CA, my wife and I opened a joint checking account with Washington Mutual while we were visiting on a visa waiver on the strength of my job offer letter and our passports - no SSN (or even visa!) necessary.

The day after I arrived (10 days ago!) I went to the social security office, filled out the form for a SSN, and was given a letter in return saying it would take up to 60 days to issue while they checked my status with immigration.

Since then, I have started work, been to the DMV, passed the written test (35/36 - yay!), and been issued a temporary drivers licence - all without a SSN.

About the only thing I've tried to do that was turned down for lack of a SSN was open an account at Sears.

If you want an easy ride, immigration-wise, start in CA. Let's just not discuss the cost of living, especially here in the Bay Area :eek:

Cheers,

Pat

bay area
 

well the bEST bay area to live in is in
TAMPA BAY.

GO BUCS

Re: MD Drivers License
 

How is it that tourists can come to the US for 90days and rent a car without a US license then?

Re: MD Drivers License
 

As a tourist, as long as you have a valid licence from the country you hail from you can drive a hire car. It would be impractical for all tourists to take a driving test just for 2 weeks holiday, don't you think?

This is the same for tourists all over the world, the country you are visiting honours your home driving licence for the short time that you are in their country.

In Europe (if you are interested) you can continue to use your European driving licence anywhere, without having to aquire a new one for the country you now reside in. For example, on my British issued European licence I was fully able to drive in Sweden when I lived there for 3 years and did not need to obtain a Swedish licence.

Emm.

Hi Emm,
I just asked this question in another post:
How long will they let you drive with an European licence after you arrive on a L-1 visa?
thanks,
Marko

It depends on the State you are going to. Here in North Carolina once you come into the State as a resident you have 60 days to get an NC license.

One way to get around this I have heard is to get an International Licence before you come, then you can drive for up to a year before you have to get your state licence.

One thing to consider though is that car insurance is way higher for those with an out of State licence. So once you have your SS number it is good to go ahead and get your license anyway.

Check out the local DMV regulations for your State on the web (sorry I don't have the URL but you can Google it easily enough).

Emm.

thanks!
 

after a quick search, it seems to be a year in Texas!
thanks,
Marko