20 Latest posts on SAUSA Forums http://www.sausa.org/index.php Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:32:49 +0000 60 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7320-asylum-another-one/
http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2012/02/22/we-want-out-of-sa

What is most reflective of the state of mind of most South Africans is the tone and nature of most of the reader comments - which range from people variously stating how miserable it is in SA, lots of racist comments, and an attack on those who have left, or who could even THINK of leaving South Africa. Really tiresome drivel, for the most part.]]> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:32:49 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7320-asylum-another-one/ http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7319-boerewors/ Anyone know where I can get Boerewors in central Florida? Costs $110 to FEDEX from NC. (Although that boerie is yummy)Anyone.....anyone.... - My tummy is grumbling! Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:40:43 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7319-boerewors/ http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7318-cruise-ship-crew-member-visiting-usa/
My SIL is working on cruise ships. She wants to visit us for one month before her next cruise begins. She will enter on her B1/B2 visa for visiting us. My question now is how does she change her status to C1/D to start working on the cruise?

I've heard so many different things and have no idea what the correct answer is. Her hiring company (Steiner) just said they deal with the work visa and can't help with the change. The embassy/consulate told her she has to file for change of status during her visit which takes up to a month to get done. She'll only be visiting for a little less than a month...]]> Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:03:20 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7318-cruise-ship-crew-member-visiting-usa/ http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7317-what-happens-if/ This may sound like a morbid question, but what happens if your green card sponsor dies before your case number becomes current? Does the immigration petition lapse automatically, or is there a way you keep your place in the queue? (We are on an F3 petition..currently looking like around 7 years before our number becomes current) Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:54:24 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7317-what-happens-if/ http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7316-take-over-a-car-lease/
Thanks,

Graeme.]]> Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:12:48 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7316-take-over-a-car-lease/ http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7315-phoning-sa/
Some of the oldies in my world dont have a computer, let alone skype.

Thanks
Kathie]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:42:45 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7315-phoning-sa/ http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7314-medical-insurance/
We have a hospital plan in SA, which has worked for us as we are not a sickly family. My research shows that for my wife and I we would get a general cover for about $270, each of our children would add $50 each to this figure, based on a $5000 co pay per visit to hospital. Any comments about different plans or insurance companies in North or South Carolina area. Are there other options out there for us.]]> Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:17:05 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7314-medical-insurance/ http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7313-weekly-updates-relating-various-visas-ask-the-consular-officer-a-question/
For those of you in the UK, you might be interested to know that the below URL provides weekly updates on various US immigrant and Non-immigration visas :

http://www.usvisalaw...uk/whatsnew.htm

For example the US embassy in London will be hosting a live webchat tomorrow where you may ask questions relating to Immigration visas, Green card matters etc. and the questions will be answered by a Consular Officer. You may also post your questions ahead of time and you should be able to review the answers later]]> Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:48:49 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7313-weekly-updates-relating-various-visas-ask-the-consular-officer-a-question/ http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7312-travel-insurance-when-travelling-to-sa/
Most standard company Medical Insurance does not cover travel outside the USA, so if yours does not - what do you do?

Purchase Medical Travel Insurance? Go without, and if something catastrophic happens in SA, just end up in the public hospital? (e.g. if you are in a car accident, and you don't have proof of medical aid on you, you will likely be transported to a state hospital - although you could end up in a private hospital if that is closest and your condition is life-threatening, but once stablized, if they cannot ascertain your medical aid, you will be transferred to a state hospital).

It seems to me that most Medical Insurance gives you pretty good cover for private hospital, but for anything serious, they strive to repatriate you (covered by the insurance) so that you can 'recover' here in the USA.]]> Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:19:47 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7312-travel-insurance-when-travelling-to-sa/ http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7311-driving-record/ Could someone clarify if a driving record is based on how long you have had your license for or actual driving in the US. Would it work in our favour to do another trip to get our driving license ie. have a so called driving record for the interim period before we relocate. Previously mentioned $10000 per year for insurance has got me thinking that another trip may be worth the effort. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:15:21 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7311-driving-record/ http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7310-medical-insurance-car-insurance-and-buying-cars/
We won a diversity visa and arrived in the USA on the 11th January. We need to find medical insurance, buy a car, and then insure it. Any advice on these subjects would be just great.

Thanks so much
Kathie]]> Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:37:04 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7310-medical-insurance-car-insurance-and-buying-cars/ http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7309-3-weeks-in-the-usa/
We then went to Charlotte N Carolina, this area has more appeal. A friend of ours took us around and showed us the good sides and the not so good side of town, the general feel of the place was positive. The Nascar Speedway and Whitewater Center definitely is a drawcard for outdoor enthusiasts. I would seriously consider Charlotte as a potential place to settle.

Our daughter has had scholarship offers to Colleges / Universities so we combined a lsd and college search into the equation. Williamsburg Virginia was very much a university type town, rich in American history. Would I live there - No, locals seemed to think the Washington area would have more to offer us. Great college (William and Mary) with nice staff and pupils (those who we dealt with). From Virginia we headed to Burlington Vermont, again nice college, staff and pupils. The only con about the place is dealing with snow and weather, the area is the least populated area of the US and hence does not have to much industry so employment is an issue. We the moved accross state to New Hampshire, Hanover seems to have a lot of old school money which makes it tick, again dealing with weather would make it not an ideal place to settle.

It was then back to NY, the vibe generated by the city, the historic appeal of the old buildings and the modern influence makes this a must do place on holiday. To live here depends on your line of work and age, total no for me, yet my son cannot wait to get back.

What I found on my travels is that the US operates on a different level to SA, opportunities are out there, you just have to look for them. Try to network with as many people as possible this seems to open doors to areas you never thought existed.]]> Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:48:27 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7309-3-weeks-in-the-usa/ http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7308-certified-copy-of-passport/
Should I call the IRS and ask them?

Any assistance is appreciated
Thanks]]> Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:15:22 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7308-certified-copy-of-passport/ http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7307-sarb-exchange-control-changes/

** Important Exchange Control Changes **

South African resident individuals may now use their R1 Million Single Discretionary Allowance for Foreign Investment purposes without having to obtain a SARS Tax Clearance Certificate.

In addition to the above, clients can still use their annual R4M Foreign Investment Allowance as per normal by obtaining a SARS Tax Clearance Certificate.
New limits are as follows:
R1,000,000 pa per adult - No SARS Tax Clearance Certificate required(travel, gift also included in this allowance)
R4,000,000 pa per adult - SARS Tax Clearance Required

Please give me a call or send me an email for any questions or assistance.

Tanya vd Westhuizen
Exchange4free
Tel: 082 832 4837
tanya @ exchange4free.com]]> Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:37:59 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7307-sarb-exchange-control-changes/ http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7306-going-to-boston/

ACCOMMODATION: I'll be arriving by myself with 2 suitcases, so ideally i would like to get furnished accommodation for the first few months. I've had a look at share accommodation and sublets on Craigslist but no luck so far. If any forumites have a room, or know of somebody that has, it would help a lot.

CAR: I will rent a car for the first week or so but I plan to buy a small (compact) used car initially. Any suggestions on the popular makes over there? Something like a small Hyundai, Kia or VW Golf that is cheap and runs on fumes.

Any advice will be appreciated.

]]> Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:27:24 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7306-going-to-boston/ http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7305-the-emotional-rollercoaster/
ARE WE THE ONLY ONES WHO ARE GOING THROUGH ALL OF THIS?
ARE WE WEIRD?

How did YOU cope with all this? How would you do it differently? How do you REALLY prepare your kids for what's coming? With Oupa and Ouma not being there with you everyday anymore?

The rollercoaster... this rollercoaster, is one I do not know how to conquer, nor tame. Your earnest testimonies will be of great value!]]> Sun, 15 Jan 2012 17:59:21 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7305-the-emotional-rollercoaster/ http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7304-neep-help-regarding-an-itin/ Let me start by saying we have been here since Sept 2010 and are going back in April
My wife and I are preparing our tax and both have a SSN but my son doesn't. We don't own a house(rent) or a car(lease) so our only deduction/ credit can be our son. But in order to put him in the return we need an ITIN for him. If we don't claim him we owe about $2200 in taxes which we don't have. So he is our only saving grace (sounds bad). Has anyone ever had to get an ITIN? I spoke to the IRS but they seem clueless and say you can only get one when you send in your returns. We leaving in 99 days and need to know the outcome before then so we can make a plan (don't know what the plan would be though as we live paycheck to paychek)
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks

P.S. I called the SA consulate in New York and got no help (typical government)]]> Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:02:57 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7304-neep-help-regarding-an-itin/ http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7303-follow-our-story-as-we-settle-in-the-usa/ My family and I decided to settle in Texas. Although the blog is not quite up to date, you can see what fun we are having. A more recent development is that I have been employed back in Africa Kenya on a contract basis of 3 months on and 1 month home in Texas.
Anyway for those who are interested copy this into your browser. http://tramptravellers.blogspot.com/
All the best to all of you for 2010
Stu
]]> Sun, 08 Jan 2012 01:31:42 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7303-follow-our-story-as-we-settle-in-the-usa/ http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7302-registering-a-business-entity/
Thanks]]> Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:10:06 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7302-registering-a-business-entity/ http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7301-voyager-miles-sky-miles/
Our questions are as follows:
How many tickets are we allowed to buy at a time?
Will we be able to buy tickets for our parents?
How much must you fly before you get benefits such as free tickets?
Which service providers have this on offer?]]> Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:06:02 +0000 http://www.sausa.org/index.php/topic/7301-voyager-miles-sky-miles/