Chartreuse,
Thanks for that, strangely all jobs posted state experience needed, no mention of a cert, but I have about 10yrs experience all told having driven different types, where would I check that out for certain for Florida, which dept??

And yeh I know what you mean. I sometimes feel I should be licensed because of the amount of arses I have to wipe as they are not able to themselves...

You should get booster jabs of things you should be current on, such as tetanus (which is something like every 10 years). Talk to your GP and make sure you are uptodate and have the records.

The main reason is cost. You'll pay, even if you have insurance, to get it done in the US.

School kids in the US often are required to get Hep A & B jabs, which seem silly to most from the UK but in some parts of the US are a good idea. It's not that the streams are overflowing with raw sewage or anything, it's that a lot of immigrants from Latin America and Asia are infected and you never know if you get in a fight or might shag one of them (especially in the building trades and/or living in Florida)

If you do forklift and warehouse stuff like that, try and bring some sort of proof of experience, it seems like you can get a certificate for everything here.
Also many jobs aren't advertised in papers.
Dh works for a nationwide grocery chain in their distribution centre near here. They have about 5000 employees and just post jobs on the board and in the careers section of their website (careers or jobs is written int he tiniest letters ) They get so many applications from friends/family and neighbors they don't usually use the newspapers.
So if you know of companies you'd like to work for check their websites as well as looking in the papers.

Thanks for that Mummy,
I like that approach as I would canvas the area and also keep a constant eye on the local papers which I have as my home page, also a Realtor I am in contact with has been very good in helping me out and sent me links to sites and stuff...

Just panic. That's all I can suggest.

Only on weekdays, never ever on weekends...but thanks for that also...

As part of your research into the whole credit thing...get yourself over to the MYFICO forums and read, read, and read some more.

Simple mistakes could affect your credit file for years and it is a really big deal over here that can affect how much you pay for your mortgage, car insurance, even whether you get a job in some cases. Done the right way, you can get yourself a decent credit score within 6-9 months. The golden rule - never, ever miss a payment when its due and be selective about the credit you apply for.

Good luck.

Because they will ask for it!

I'm not sure you need parents birth certificates, unless you are claiming "chargeability" to their country of birth instead, but you will need your own. And you should always have your birth certificate available.

You need long form birth certificate, the short form ones that don't show parents details are worthless.

It's a lot more hassle to renew passport overseas, so do it now if it will expire anytime soon.

Also bear in mind that you haven't got the visa yet - they deliberately select more "winners" than visas available.

Handy for all manner of reasons for extra proof for getting passport if you lose it, for citizenship if you stay around for it, for some arkane banking reasons etc.

As for vaccinations, no idea, but it'll save a bundle, usually when doing citizenship as you'll already be having the greencard when you arrive. This is also more important for any kids, but you don't have any so that's sorted.

Aye, around here you need a special license to drive a fork lift and another one to actually lift loads using one, which is daft....but if you get a job with a temp agency and work 20 hours, they'll usually pay for the license, well that's what a mate said happened, so something to look into if your in a big city type of area.

You'll have to have an immigration medical at the designated doc in London. If you can, get your jabs beforehand at your own doctor; it's much less expensive.
While you are at it, ask your doc if there is anything else he'd recommend for you. My DH only needed a tetnus update.

Explanation at London:
The Medical Examination

Plus info:
Medical Examination Fees:
15 and over - £180
14 and under - £90
Fees are payable at the time of the medical examination. The fees are payable in cash or by credit card, Visa and MasterCard only, and debit card.

And read this one:
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new...018a_Oct08.pdf


Vaccination Chart

Do I have this wrong then, I have my original birth certificate, but I also need a cert. copy of it as well??

Can I not photocopy my Original??
I am Australian by birth but have Scottish parents, so...?

You'll need to give over your original birth certificate in your visa application. It will be returned to you, but a lot of people feel better having a spare 'original' (ordered from BDM or equivilent in Australia; instructions here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/re...city_3272.html)

Photocopies will suffice for almost anything else; it's just a handy document to have on you.

Just make sure both parents' names are on whatever BC you have; that's the visa requirement.

Right so that's OK then, both parents names are on it, so check that off...
and done six copies of it on standby

Tidy up your UK financial stuff:

One or two bank accounts max.
One or two credit cards max.
Pension sh!t.
All directed to reliable UK mailing address (parents, sibling or friend).

Start looking at your contracts (phone, sat telly etc) to start closing them down.

Start looking to sell stuff you ain't bringing over.

Get fresh issues of everything with an expiry date - dl, passport, bank cards.