Moving to England

[naughtybear]

Darnit, my mum is ill. Not serious, but needs some help for a while. My lease is up the end of Feb and I was going to visit some friends across the country. I'm pretty much thinking I will go see mum for a while in England, maybe 6 months. Has anyone gone away for that long to take care of parents?

[NancysSummerSip]

Some things to consider:

Money - as in ready cash. Your lease is up, so no house to deal with. How much cash can you take with you, and how much will you need to sustain yourself while you are there for your own food, medicine and basic needs? If you need cash, what can you sell?

Your personal effects - can someone store them for you, or will you have to pay for storage?

Medical coverage - check your insurance policy to make sure it covers you overseas. Some do, some don't, and if yours does not, you may have to purchase additional coverage.

Clothing - do you have the wardrobe for an English winter?

Communications - cell phone and computer - taking them with you overseas means you need to make sure they will work overseas, so you have to check with your provider(s) on what kind of coverage you have.

Your kids/grandbaby - Will they be OK without you for six months?

Your legal issues - is your divorce ongoing, and can/will it be settled without you being here?

Are you healthy enough to travel? Do you need to update your vaccinations? (your doctor can let you know what shots you need for foreign travel, though he may not have the vaccines. There are private companies that provide them, and they are not cheap.)

Is your passport valid? If not, you need to allow at least six weeks for a rush renewal (and that costs extra). Does your drivers license expire in the next few months? You may need to go to the DMV to renew it ahead of time for identification purposes (I know you say you don't drive, but if you use it as a form of ID, it must be valid. Your address must be current, etc.)

Your mum will no doubt feel better seeing you. Take care of details before you go and it will be less of a worry when you get there.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Another thing....what is your resident status in the US?  If you are a naturalized US resident, it isn't a problem.  But living in England for 6 months can be considered abandonment if you have a green card.  TD says that you can apply to INS for an extension though.

[naughtybear]

immigration.findlaw.com/visas/can-a-person-with-a-green-card-travel-outside-the-united-states.html


Just the first link I looked at, I will check further. I see no need for me to panic about it and I won't right now but I will look into it all and reach out to my immigration lawyer friend.

[Sharon]

Will your DD have the support she needs while you are gone?  You have posted about her struggles, so I guess my question would be whose needs are greater your Mom's or your Daughters?

[naughtybear]

This wouldn't be for at least two months, mums needs are not dire. I'm hoping that DD gets better everyday but it will have to be a wait and see but maybe start planning thing. I wasn't going to rent until April anyway as I was going to visit friends in feb.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

My concern would be the perception that you are abandoning the US if you no longer have a valid mailing address.  Not having a job will work against you too.

What I would do is petition to stay as long as you can, but if it is not necessary, you can always return early.  When my mom was ill, I had scheduled 2 weeks.  She died before I had been there a week, and I wound up being out 6 more weeks too.  It is very difficult to leave, when you know your help is needed.

ETA:  Petitioning for more time also gives a stronger perception that you plan on returning since you went through the hassle of filing the paperwork.

[naughtybear]

Yes, thank you, the only thing I had thought of was seeing when my green card expired. I'll do the paperwork just in case. It does say they look at other things and for all intents and purposes I don't think they would refuse me. I have family here, I have bank accounts here, PO box, DL.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

It sounds like the timing is right for you to take care of her; I'm glad you have that opportunity. When my grandfather became terminally ill, my mother said a few times she wished she didn't have to take care of us (we were ages 10 - 16) because she'd just quit her job and go take care of him. Are you interested in permanently returning to England? Is that something your daughter would be interested in? Does she have dual citizenship? 

[NastyWoman]

Jan 29, 2017 15:10:56 GMT -5 naughtybear said:

Yes, thank you, the only thing I had thought of was seeing when my green card expired. I'll do the paperwork just in case. It does say they look at other things and for all intents and purposes I don't think they would refuse me. I have family here, I have bank accounts here, PO box, DL.

This is not an "ANYWAY" situation. Do it. File for the extended stay. What with the political climate right now don't assume for one second that rather flimsy evidence like, bank accounts, DL, PO box, or even the fact that you have family here will be enough. And even if they are when you leave, who knows if this is still enough six months later when you wish to return.

[naughtybear]

I said I would do it.

[naughtybear]

Others factors the USCIS might consider when determining your intentions as an LPR include (but are not limited to) the following:

Did you maintain family and community ties in the U.S.?

Did you file U.S. income taxes as a resident?

Did you maintain a U.S. mailing address?

Do you have a valid U.S. driver's license?

Do you own property or run a business in the U.S.?

Have you applied for U.S. citizenship?

Not quite so flimsy when it's a few things they actually look at.

YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO

[milee]

Jan 29, 2017 16:06:55 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Jan 29, 2017 15:10:56 GMT -5 naughtybear said:

Yes, thank you, the only thing I had thought of was seeing when my green card expired. I'll do the paperwork just in case. It does say they look at other things and for all intents and purposes I don't think they would refuse me. I have family here, I have bank accounts here, PO box, DL.

This is not an "ANYWAY" situation. Do it. File for the extended stay. What with the political climate right now don't assume for one second that rather flimsy evudence like, bank accounts, DL, PO box, or even the fact that you have family here will be enough. And even if they are when you leave, who knows if this is still enough six months later when you wish to return.

I had yet another immigration/citizenship discussion with my husband this morning.  Although we've been married for 27 years he's never become an American citizen, only holds a green card.  For years, I've encouraged him to get citizenship to protect himself against future changes in policy and he always acts like I'm being silly.  This morning, I pointed out that some of the Iranians being denied entry into the US are green card holders that helped us in the recent war... and are still being detained.  He rolled his eyes and said that it's unlikely any administration will ban people from the UK as Muslim terrorists.  I don't think that's the point, though.  If the ban were only about Muslim terrorists then Saudi Arabia and Egypt would be on the ban list.  It's obvious (to me anyway) that the changes afoot aren't just based on fighting terrorism and it's really naïve to expect future changes won't be a problem.  For example, what will happen if Trump realizes it might be easy to fix some of Social Security and Medicare's issues by denying SS and Medicare to green card holders?  Or in naughtybear's case, what if future decisions are partly based on who needed social benefits like government subsidies for health insurance?

I think he's being an idiot to think the green card and British citizenship are an infallible shield.  Oh, and I let him know that just like Gloria Steinem and Madeline Albright suggested, if the government starts a Muslim registry, I'm registering our family as Muslim so he might want to get started on citizenship before that happens. 

[milee]

Jan 29, 2017 16:14:49 GMT -5 naughtybear said:

Others factors the USCIS might consider when determining your intentions as an LPR include (but are not limited to) the following:

Did you maintain family and community ties in the U.S.?

Did you file U.S. income taxes as a resident?

Did you maintain a U.S. mailing address?

Do you have a valid U.S. driver's license?

Do you own property or run a business in the U.S.?

Have you applied for U.S. citizenship?

Not quite so flimsy when it's a few things they actually look at.

YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO

You are making a big assumption that these are going to be the same criteria in place when you want to return.  You are no longer married to an American, you do not have a minor child who is an American citizen and requires your care, you do not have a job in America, you don't own property in the US and you require social benefits (health insurance subsidy.)  I'm not being critical of these things, just stating that immigration policy is very much in flux right now and your case for re-entry might not be as strong as you think given that the current policies could very easily change in the near future. 

[naughtybear]

I'm not making any assumption because I am doing the paperwork for extension, I've already downloaded it, I am not leaving it to them to figure it out I, will have what I need. No way I am being detained in customs in this climate. I was however responding to what they look at and it's not flimsy if that is what they look at, not in my opinion.


I do own property, and not sure where I said I have the tax subsidy for ACA FTR I don't qualify for the subsidy.


I already get nervous when I have everything I need, I guess I am a nervous nelly.

[busymom]

Could you bring your mother here? That's what one of my neighbors did.  Neither of her parents were born in the USA, but she somehow was able to bring both of them here. Both are frail, and other relatives come & go during the day when she is at work to see they are cared for. Just a thought.

[milee]

Jan 29, 2017 16:50:28 GMT -5 busymom said:

Could you bring your mother here? That's what one of my neighbors did.  Neither of her parents were born in the USA, but she somehow was able to bring both of them here. Both are frail, and other relatives come & go during the day when she is at work to see they are cared for. Just a thought.

How did your neighbor deal with healthcare costs for her parents? Oh, and whisper the answer to me because I don't want my husband to hear the answer.    His concern about how to pay for her healthcare costs is the only reason his mother (British citizen) isn't living with us right now. If he could crack that nut, he'd move her here in a heartbeat... and I'd have to move out.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Jan 29, 2017 16:50:28 GMT -5 busymom said:

Could you bring your mother here? That's what one of my neighbors did.  Neither of her parents were born in the USA, but she somehow was able to bring both of them here. Both are frail, and other relatives come & go during the day when she is at work to see they are cared for. Just a thought.

Probably not.  If her mother needs medical care, that would be a nightmare in the US.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

TD and I used to go across the border all the time.  Despite the fact that he held a green card and owned property and had a job in the US, INS could be a royal pain in the ass to him when he was trying to enter the US.  I remember one time he was picking me up in Vancouver from flying from KY, and both of us got raked across the coals.  Not sure why, but as Seattle and Vancouver are almost equidistant from where we now live, I always flew into the airport that had the cheapest flights with the best connections.

He is now a dual citizen of Canada and the US.  Once he got his US citizenship, border crossings got a LOT easier.  

[NastyWoman]

Jan 29, 2017 16:17:09 GMT -5 milee said:

Jan 29, 2017 16:06:55 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

This is not an "ANYWAY" situation. Do it. File for the extended stay. What with the political climate right now don't assume for one second that rather flimsy evudence like, bank accounts, DL, PO box, or even the fact that you have family here will be enough. And even if they are when you leave, who knows if this is still enough six months later when you wish to return.

I had yet another immigration/citizenship discussion with my husband this morning.  Although we've been married for 27 years he's never become an American citizen, only holds a green card.  For years, I've encouraged him to get citizenship to protect himself against future changes in policy and he always acts like I'm being silly.  This morning, I pointed out that some of the Iranians being denied entry into the US are green card holders that helped us in the recent war... and are still being detained.  He rolled his eyes and said that it's unlikely any administration will ban people from the UK as Muslim terrorists.  I don't think that's the point, though.  If the ban were only about Muslim terrorists then Saudi Arabia and Egypt would be on the ban list.  It's obvious (to me anyway) that the changes afoot aren't just based on fighting terrorism and it's really naïve to expect future changes won't be a problem.  For example, what will happen if Trump realizes it might be easy to fix some of Social Security and Medicare's issues by denying SS and Medicare to green card holders?  Or in naughtybear's case, what if future decisions are partly based on who needed social benefits like government subsidies for health insurance?

I think he's being an idiot to think the green card and British citizenship are an infallible shield.  Oh, and I let him know that just like Gloria Steinem and Madeline Albright suggested, if the government starts a Muslim registry, I'm registering our family as Muslim so he might want to get started on citizenship before that happens. 

I am, to an extend, in the same position as your H Milee. The difference being that I am not married, to a US citizen or other. And under my country's law I would lose my citizenship if I were to become American. I had a very specific reason for not doing this and it turns out I was right on with my suspicion since DS2 and his family are moving abroad. This leaves me with a serious decision to make after I retire in 5 or so years. To paraphrase the Clash "will I go or will I go then" will be the question I will have to research

[swamp]

Jan 29, 2017 16:14:49 GMT -5 naughtybear said:

Others factors the USCIS might consider when determining your intentions as an LPR include (but are not limited to) the following:

Did you maintain family and community ties in the U.S.?

Did you file U.S. income taxes as a resident?

Did you maintain a U.S. mailing address?

Do you have a valid U.S. driver's license?

Do you own property or run a business in the U.S.?

Have you applied for U.S. citizenship?

Not quite so flimsy when it's a few things they actually look at.

YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO

Nobody is trying to be a dick to you, but trump is a loose cannon on immigration and I wouldn't put any stock on current regs being valid st any point in the future.

[naughtybear]

I know, I absolutely agree. I just don't think these things are flimsy when that's what they look at. I am not taking the chance,  in the last few days it's all become a monster of a nightmare for people. If I said well I have a blockbuster card, and a local bar or I have a punchy card from baskin robbins, those are flimsy. LOL

[NastyWoman]

Jan 29, 2017 17:32:19 GMT -5 naughtybear said:

I know, I absolutely agree. I just don't think these things are flimsy when that's what they look at. I am not taking the chance,  in the last few days it's all become a monster of a nightmare for people. If I said well I have a blockbuster card, and a local bar or I have a punchy card from baskin robbins, those are flimsy. LOL

In this brave new world bank accounts and DLs ARE flimsy. And that is not just because of the current EO. In the not too far of future (2018 to be precise) a DL from a number of states will no longer be accepted by the TSA as valid ID for travel within the US

[giramomma]

Jan 29, 2017 17:32:19 GMT -5 naughtybear said:

I know, I absolutely agree. I just don't think these things are flimsy when that's what they look at. I am not taking the chance,  in the last few days it's all become a monster of a nightmare for people. If I said well I have a blockbuster card, and a local bar or I have a punchy card from baskin robbins, those are flimsy. LOL

Look, all it takes is for May to piss of Trump.

How long do you think that's going to happen?

You think everyone stressed out with what's going on are all fly-by-night refugees? Please, think again.

I've got a fair amount of clients from India, here on green cards,  and I'm worried about them.

Look, in your situation, I would plan for the worst and hope for the best.

Meaning if you go back the the UK, hope you can come back, but I'd be making back up plans for if you can't.

[debthaven]

Paperwork aside, I think you should go. It will be a good break for you, and a good opportunity for you to reconnect with family members and your past. I think the break will do you good.

But obviously, you need to CYA for the paperwork.

Also, before you go, I'd try to set aside enough for DD and DGD to come visit you.

Lastly, perhaps a totally crazy thought, but there's a reason I'm asking ... might you want to take DGD with you to give your DD a break? Or have them visit? Do your DD and DGD have valid passports?

DH (who is British) took DS3 to the UK without me a few years ago, I was out of town for work. DS3 was 14. They took DS3 aside, separated them, and they were both interrogated (simultaneously, but by two different people.) The UK authorities couldn't understand why DH and DS3 would be travelling together to visit DH's family without DS3's Mum.

[chiver78]

I haven't read the whole thread, sorry. I hope your mom fares well, and that you can comfortably care for her. but please take care to make whatever moves you can before you leave in order to secure your ability to return. the recent bullshit executive order doesn't happen to include the UK, but who knows how the wind might blow while you're away?

[naughtybear]

That's all I said I didn't mention the other things, so that's on me. I don't think the requirements they look for are flimsy (one of them is a DL) All this is in the last what 6 days, I don't think I am in danger I WILL HOWEVER DO WHATEVER I NEED TO DO TO ENSURE I WILL BE BACK, me disagreeing with "flimsy" is not me NOT DOING EVERYTHING I CAN DO TO MAKE SURE I CAN ENTER THE US WITH NO PROBLEMS.



If I can't come back I will be sure to come back here and whine about it.

[debthaven]

No it doesn't include the UK (for now at least).

But, strange things happen. DH's best friend (also a Brit) has worked in the oil and gas industry for decades. Every month (if not week) he travels to Arabic countires, to the UK, to the US. He's travelled to the US at least 300 times.

Two years ago, suddenly, the US wouldn't let him in. His co lawyer petitioned, and was told that the less fuss they made, the faster the case would be dealt with. So they left it.

J requested an appt with the US consulate (it was offered). He was told that his case was still under investigation so they couldn't discuss it, but (and this is ALL they told him) bad luck for J, he had been seated next to somebody suspicious on a certain flight (neither to nor from the US) so now he had to be thoroughly investigated.

Six months later, no problem, J could again enter the US, his permanent visa was renewed.

You can't argue with these things, you just need to get all your ducks in a row, and hope for the best.

[naughtybear]

Yes, I don't understand why the green card holders aren't allowed back in. Such a mess.

[naughtybear]

Was he a green card holder?