“Welcome to the United States of America.”
No, this wasn’t border patrol at the airport late last year. This was the bold heading on the green-hued letter I received in the mail last week, informing me that my application for permanent residence had been approved:
I am now the owner of a U.S. Green Card!
It’s a small green (yes, it is actually green) ID card that looks not unlike a driver’s licence, but with a few extra holograms dotted here and there. As a legal resident of the U.S.A., I can work, pay taxes, drive, and not be forcefully separated from my American husband by the immigration authorities (always nice to know!). For all intents and purposes, I can do everything an American can do – except vote, that is.
The first clue came two weeks ago, with the return of the 50-plus photos that we had used as evidence of our relationship after we got engaged in Tokyo. A few days later, the official letter arrived, and then finally – finally! – the Green Card itself.
Given our previous experiences with U.S. bureaucracy, I didn’t want to get my hopes up until the card was in my hands. When it was, we went out and celebrated, not with champagne, but with fancy burgers and local craft beer. I have to say it felt like a suitably ‘American’ way to mark the occasion.
While on paper receiving a U.S. Green Card simply means you’re a legal resident, for me it felt like more than that.
It felt like a relief, as well as a cause for celebration. It felt like a relief because we have spent the best part of three years trying to get married and live in the same location. It felt like a relief because I can now live as a fully-fledged member of society. It felt like a relief because it means I can leave the country.
I can cross borders! I can travel! I can visit my family in the Outer Hebrides!
It’s not that I’ve been desperate to leave – far from it. But the knowledge that you cannot leave a country or a cross a border is very strange; at times it has felt almost claustrophobic. I’ve thought about the ability to move between countries a lot since the arrival of that small piece of green plastic. Not for the first time, I’ve thought of how very lucky I am to be in possession of a British passport, a passport that has allowed me freedom of movement since I first applied for one at the age of 12.
Like most travel lovers, I get restless when I’m in one place for too long.
I don’t feel the need to hit the road and leave all my belongings behind like some do (I like having a home base too much to give it up completely), but I crave a change of scenery on a pretty regular basis. I love being immersed in the unknown, meeting new people, being challenged and intrigued by new sights, new sounds, and new tastes.
So it’s unsurprising then, that the first question asked by those who know me well was “Where are you going next?” The truth is I don’t know yet. As I was told in writing not to expect my Green Card until the end of the year, the surprise arrival caught me unawares. My travel plans may be up in the air, but the difference now is that I’m actually allowed to make travel plans.
Now that the U.S. is officially my second home, I’m more than ready for another adventure and some new suitcase stories – both near and far.
And when I do hit the road, or take to the skies, I’ll be holding my trusty passport, and my new Green Card, extra close. I know how much they mean now.
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Congratulations! I know this has been a long time coming for you. I hope your first trip is an awesome one 🙂
Sophie Cliff
Thank you, Sophie!
Congratulations.Will wait with excitement to hear where you are going to visit next.Have you considered Central America?My daughter on route at present to live/work in Antigua city in Guatemela[compulsory year abroad for 3rd year of uni]for 7 months and i am hoping to go over from Lewis in Feb for 3 weeks.
Thank you Peggy! I’ve never been to Central America, but Guatemala sounds amazing! I hope your daughter (and you, when you get out there) have a wonderful time 🙂
Aw congrats!! So many great trips ahead then!x
Thanks Camila! I’m in trip planning mode already! x
Congratulations Katie! Very happy for you 🙂 I can totally imagine not being able to leave the country would make you feel claustrophobic – I think I’d feel the same.
Oh, also – I’ll be in New York next month, 9-11 October (but really only fully the 10th). If you’re about for a coffee or something, let me know.
Thanks so much Kirsten 🙂 I can hardly believe it’s finally here! I’d love to catch up while you’re in NYC – I’ll send you an email and we can make some plans!
A huge congratulations! What a relief!!
Thank you so much, Virginia!
Hi Katie,
Congrats on the Green Card. Must be a relief. On the voting issue, I was just wondering, does this mean you’ll never be allowed to vote in the U.S.? Given that it’s now your home and you’ll be paying taxes to the government you’d think that you’d have a legal right to decide who that government would be. Don’t imagine that’s taken into consideration though I suppose.
Look forward to seeing where your travels take you now.
Coggs
Hello James, thanks for your congratulations! Yes, only US citizens are allowed to vote, so unless I ever become a US citizen (something I couldn’t do for quite a while, anyway), I’ll never be able to vote here. I agree, it seems strange to allow people to work and pay taxes, but give them no say in how the country is run. That might be the topic for another blog post 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
Would you mind explaining why you couldn’t leave the country? It’s fascinating to hear about expat struggles from someone who lives in my home country. Congrats on getting the card!
Thanks Ava! When you apply for a Green Card, you’re just not allowed to leave the country until it’s approved and you have it in your hand. If you do, the USCIS (the department that deals with visas etc) will cancel your application, and you can’t return to the US. So it would be a huge risk to take! Luckily there are plenty of amazing places to travel to here in the US 🙂