The Preparatory Phase <> USA Calling

The US Visa got approved :)

Background

I am not kidding when I say that there is a different kind of adrenaline rush when hear "Congratulations your Visa is approved, wish you a safe travel to the US". But there is a lot more behind this scene.

It does happen to most of us that we start preparing for the US travel just after we get the visa interview date. Same happened with us. Oh, did I mention that I was travelling with my husband as a dependent? This piece of information makes a lot of difference, trust me.

Emotion: When you know you are leaving behind everything to be with your soulmate, it feels different and amazing. I never looked back. I never wished I had a job rather than having to come to the US as a dependent.


Getting back to the main topic, my preparation started when my husband got an approval notice from USCIS.
What do we usually do when we start preparing ? We start looking for what others have to say about it on google, and it did help :)

Search, THE GOOGLE SEARCH ( This is a dependent, wife of H1B approved searching on Google):

1. What do we take to the US when we travel from India
2. Which Indian Stuff we do not get in the US (Best is to search for a specific location rather than the US)
3. Best flights to travel (With insurance)
• Make sure you get a flight where you can sleep during US night time, this helps reduce jet lag tenure   
4. Luggage restrictions 
5. Way to reach your hotel/home once you land
• Not required if you know someone will be there to receive you :)
6. Best residential area near your office. Look where your colleagues stay  
• Will be helpful if you get a house, electric and internet connection before you land 
• Any of your friends who are already staying there can help you (We were very fortunate in this matter)
• Renters insurance and lease agreement comes when you decided to book an apartment (House here is called apartment and society becomes community) 
7. Ways to commute to the office and back home 

This research helped me a lot and went on till my last bit was packed in the luggage.

Some of the things which you need to take care before leaving India:

1. Your bank accounts
2. Mobile connections 
3. Thinking about carrying an Indian SIM card if your OTPs are important
4. Passport expiry date
5. Where will you keep your bike/moped 
6. What will you sell on OLX or Quickr 

Apart from all this, preparing your mind to settle in a different country is very important :)