Bank of America

We got it, without a social security number we got our bank account established at the local bank in our area. To be on the safe side we went to the challenge of visiting the social security administration to start the process of getting a social security number. Application was done in advance so it was to get a number in the line and wait.

We had been pre-warned it could take some time and best would be to bring a book to read. It did not take that long 45 minute of waiting time was spent viewing the various amount of people for one reason or the other was there.

When A516 was called (our number) we were ready for the challenge. Can’t say that the woman behind the desk had a great smile on her face, I guess it looked like what we could expect.

Either or, me as an ex-pat wife and spouse did not have what I needed with me. Warning for whoever comes after me, bring your wedding certificate. We brought it with us to Oslo for the visa application, but it is also needed for the spouse if you have an E-1 visa and apply for a local social security number in the US. I need to go back and wait another 45 minutes or so until I can be approved with one number. After that it takes at least 4 weeks prior we get one.

Finished at the social security administration for this time we headed for the bank. Yes I picked Bank of America. They had not gone down the drain during the financial crisis and we hoped it will be up and running for the years we intend to be here.

To our surprise it was easier to get a bank account with debit card then what was expected. We brought our passport and the sweet girl who assisted us did a very clever job. In the end after 20 minutes we could walk outside to the ATM machine

and even do our first $ 100 deposit at the ATM machine. Next deposit will be 15^th February and from Norway.

There was one person who understood that is not so easy for foreigners. The girl in the bank, but she was from Bangladesh.