08, August, 2008
One of the first things that needed to happen upon our arrival is for me to either register my Green Card for 100 Euros or to register myself as a spouse of a citizen, which would allow me to work and live in Ireland, for free. We opted for the latter...
Our first stop was to the GNIB (Garda National Immigration Bureau) to register myself; 3 hours later, a photo, registration card, and passport stamp was issued. I'm now legally allowed to live and work in Ireland!
Next stop, we need a PPS number (an identification number like our social security number) to be used for income, tax, and other purposes. This is done at the Department of Social and Family Welfare. In order to obtain a PPS number, one needs to have proof of address which can be done through an electricity, cable, or gas bill. Without our own permanent address we were not able to accomplish this today, but they recommended that we have our cousins write a letter confirming that we are residing with them and attach their utility bill with it. Added to our to-do list for Monday.
After checking with several banks, we decided we wanted to bank with AIB (Allied Irish Banks) and spoke with customer service about opening up a checking account. Guess what, we need a PPS number and/or a utility bill for proof of address. Without a PPS number indicating our address, this wasn't going to happen today.
Obtaining cell phones (or mobile phones as they call them here) should be much easier, or so we thought. We checked with 4 different cell phone companies and decided on Vodaphone for its service and plans...for Brian, it was about the coolest phone out there. :) Once we decided on a company, we were ready to purchase phones immediately to help us communicate with each other, family and friends, and with anyone that we would need to talk with regarding renting, jobs, etc.. We learned that we can't get cell phones until we have a bank statement or letter from the bank confirming our proof of address. Wow, this was proving to be a little more challenging than we thought.
Patience is key to getting started...
One of the first things that needed to happen upon our arrival is for me to either register my Green Card for 100 Euros or to register myself as a spouse of a citizen, which would allow me to work and live in Ireland, for free. We opted for the latter...
Our first stop was to the GNIB (Garda National Immigration Bureau) to register myself; 3 hours later, a photo, registration card, and passport stamp was issued. I'm now legally allowed to live and work in Ireland!
Next stop, we need a PPS number (an identification number like our social security number) to be used for income, tax, and other purposes. This is done at the Department of Social and Family Welfare. In order to obtain a PPS number, one needs to have proof of address which can be done through an electricity, cable, or gas bill. Without our own permanent address we were not able to accomplish this today, but they recommended that we have our cousins write a letter confirming that we are residing with them and attach their utility bill with it. Added to our to-do list for Monday.
After checking with several banks, we decided we wanted to bank with AIB (Allied Irish Banks) and spoke with customer service about opening up a checking account. Guess what, we need a PPS number and/or a utility bill for proof of address. Without a PPS number indicating our address, this wasn't going to happen today.
Obtaining cell phones (or mobile phones as they call them here) should be much easier, or so we thought. We checked with 4 different cell phone companies and decided on Vodaphone for its service and plans...for Brian, it was about the coolest phone out there. :) Once we decided on a company, we were ready to purchase phones immediately to help us communicate with each other, family and friends, and with anyone that we would need to talk with regarding renting, jobs, etc.. We learned that we can't get cell phones until we have a bank statement or letter from the bank confirming our proof of address. Wow, this was proving to be a little more challenging than we thought.
Patience is key to getting started...
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