Comments on: Ticking all the boxes http://www.britoutofwater.com/2009/03/10/ticking-all-the-boxes/ One man's struggle in a foreign land Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:14:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Expat Mum http://www.britoutofwater.com/2009/03/10/ticking-all-the-boxes/comment-page-1/#comment-4368 Expat Mum Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:57:22 +0000 http://www.britoutofwater.com/?p=539#comment-4368 Well you see, it's simple. They have what you want/need; nobody else can supply it to you, so they can piss you around all they want. And they do. I remember two years after coming here, my temporary green card was up for renewal and we had to do the same "is your marriage for real?" dance. We arrived with envelopes full of joint mortgage paperwork etc., stressed out in case we'd forgotten something. Two minutes of chatting to a very nice man, I have to say, and he waved away the envelopes saying "Oh, don't worry about that, I'm sure you're fine." Wouldn't happen today though. I'm just glad I did the citizenship thing, but that's a whole nuther story. Well you see, it’s simple. They have what you want/need; nobody else can supply it to you, so they can piss you around all they want. And they do. I remember two years after coming here, my temporary green card was up for renewal and we had to do the same “is your marriage for real?” dance. We arrived with envelopes full of joint mortgage paperwork etc., stressed out in case we’d forgotten something. Two minutes of chatting to a very nice man, I have to say, and he waved away the envelopes saying “Oh, don’t worry about that, I’m sure you’re fine.”
Wouldn’t happen today though. I’m just glad I did the citizenship thing, but that’s a whole nuther story.

]]> By: Almost American http://www.britoutofwater.com/2009/03/10/ticking-all-the-boxes/comment-page-1/#comment-4364 Almost American Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:31:17 +0000 http://www.britoutofwater.com/?p=539#comment-4364 Apparently I'm glad I did this ten years ago when it was a lot cheaper. I have friends who'd like to become citizens now but can't afford it! Yet another element of discrimination in the system - have enough cash to buy an education and you can get a visa to stay, have enough cash once you have a green card and you can eventually become a citizen. Have they made the process difficult enough that you need to hire a lawyer? (Adding yet more expense!) The final step to citizenship was easy enough to do without a lawyer 10 years ago. (Well, kind of, but I've blogged about that already.) Apparently I’m glad I did this ten years ago when it was a lot cheaper. I have friends who’d like to become citizens now but can’t afford it! Yet another element of discrimination in the system – have enough cash to buy an education and you can get a visa to stay, have enough cash once you have a green card and you can eventually become a citizen.

Have they made the process difficult enough that you need to hire a lawyer? (Adding yet more expense!) The final step to citizenship was easy enough to do without a lawyer 10 years ago. (Well, kind of, but I’ve blogged about that already.)

]]> By: Sarah Playle http://www.britoutofwater.com/2009/03/10/ticking-all-the-boxes/comment-page-1/#comment-4359 Sarah Playle Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:44:23 +0000 http://www.britoutofwater.com/?p=539#comment-4359 Bernard Sumner, Phil Cunningham, Stephen Morris - although what about "Hookie" and Gillian? Good luck - although remember the quote about "would you want to be a member of any club that would have you as a member??" I am sure the paperwork is just the same were you to be applying for UK residency. It will be worth it in the end. Bernard Sumner, Phil Cunningham, Stephen Morris – although what about “Hookie” and Gillian?

Good luck – although remember the quote about “would you want to be a member of any club that would have you as a member??” I am sure the paperwork is just the same were you to be applying for UK residency. It will be worth it in the end.

]]> By: jinksy http://www.britoutofwater.com/2009/03/10/ticking-all-the-boxes/comment-page-1/#comment-4357 jinksy Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:42:48 +0000 http://www.britoutofwater.com/?p=539#comment-4357 Are you now tempted to be an illegal immigrant, instead?! Are you now tempted to be an illegal immigrant, instead?!

]]> By: LB http://www.britoutofwater.com/2009/03/10/ticking-all-the-boxes/comment-page-1/#comment-4350 LB Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:33:26 +0000 http://www.britoutofwater.com/?p=539#comment-4350 Let me know if you have any tips once you get through the marathon... I'm gathering the lucozade stores to do it myself - and (probably foolishly) trying to avoid using the lawyers. I suspect this will mark me for instant ejection from the country, but we'll see.... Anyway, good luck! You know it's worth it really. I mean, think of all the tax returns you'll get to do if you leave to live in another country. Who wouldn't want a green card? Let me know if you have any tips once you get through the marathon… I’m gathering the lucozade stores to do it myself – and (probably foolishly) trying to avoid using the lawyers. I suspect this will mark me for instant ejection from the country, but we’ll see….

Anyway, good luck! You know it’s worth it really. I mean, think of all the tax returns you’ll get to do if you leave to live in another country. Who wouldn’t want a green card?

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