Given I have been talking about this bloody Green Card for since May 2023 I thought I better do some therapeutic closing thoughts on the whole thing, If not aware already, I moved to the US for work in 2021.
I have always wanted to live and work in the US since University. When I was in Swansea Uni (briefly) I used to pin photos of US houses about my PC to motivate me to do coursework. Then when I was contracting I was lucky enough to do some work in Salt Lake City, Dublin California and Burlington, Washington – these experiences just made me even more hungry for it and ever since then I really tailored my career to making sure that opportunity came about.
Thankfully, with my current company, the HQ are in the US and it is where my customer base is. In the UK I was essentially working all day and all night, even when I was doing the Special Sergeant gig, I was getting pinged during my full shifts at night, it was just not sustainable. The VP and company supported my move over, something which I will forever be grateful for and the journey started.
I was on an L1-A Visa which is a multi-national manager/executive visa so a great one, but it was only for 3 years initially (extendable to 7). I convinced the company to get the Green Card app in ASAP so to avoid the cost of an L1-A renewal (we achieved this).
Initially, it was the I-140 submission, the I-140 is really important because when you have that, in most cases it is then a case of when and not IF. If you are reading this, you likely know me so patience is not something I am blessed with. Quite frankly, I was an absolute maniac through the whole process, refreshing endless apps a 100 times a day. The I-140 was submitted in May 2023 and was approved in January 2024 when I was away in Nashville with the boys for an Islanders trip.
I submitted the I-485 immediately, which is essentially the conversion to a green card. That wait was longer, from January 2024 right through to December 2024. We had tech layoffs in November 2024 and even though I had no reason to be worried for my job, I suppose nobody does, so the stress as unbearable. I famously was so stressed during this time, I accidentally drove up a road near my apartment on the left hand side, half-way up when the road signs with back to front I realised and thankfully there was a cut-through not too far up.
With the approval in December being perfect timing, a great time to draw a line under it and look forward to 2025 and new year and my first year as a permanent resident of the USA! This now means I am not tied to my job/company/location etc, I and only I decide if/when I return to the UK.
I have applied for Global Entry, a little perk of being a Permanent Resident but I am mostly looking forward to when I arrive back from my holiday to Jamaica in March, the immigration officer will more than likely now say…. WELCOME HOME! I cannot wait for that greeting.
Moving internationally during Covid was stressful but the GC process was worse. I know many people who are going through it and are completely chilled but with my impatience, I was psychotic. It is now thankfully OVER!
