Things you need to do before leaving the UK

[Twinkles 10]

I have a question regarding credit. Does your UK credit score follow you to the US? I'm a bit old school and I've never had a credit card so I have no credit record at all. And being self employed, I just cant get one now. Is this going to be a problem or can I just start off small and build up over there? Obviously I'll have access to a joint account at the start.

I was in the same position as you. I needed and wanted to establish my own credit rating here in the US.

CapitalOne bank helped me. I paid a very small deposit, they issued me a secure credit card.

Max limit on it was $200. I applied for it online.

I kept the card for 12 months, used it every month, paid the balance off every month.

12 months later, i visited Capital One branch and explained to them, that i had been with them 12 months and could i now have a proper credit card. Took the manager a short amount of time, he did all the form filling for me and i was approved instantly.

He even helped me close my secure credit card account down and get my original deposit back.

What was really nice was, the new credit card gives a bonus of $100 dollars reward, if you spend $500 or more in first 3 months.

I bought our England flight tickets with the new card have just redeemed that sweet $100 reward.

I know its not much, but i also get 1.5% back on everything i buy and (and this is a biggie for me)

No foreign transaction charges when using my card abroad.

On a side note, if you also open a checking account with them and in the future you make a trip to the UK and need British pounds.

Bank will order for you, for zero bank handling fee. Some banks rub hands together when you visit abroad. Charge fees like $10 to change currency and 3% foreign transaction fee on everything you buy, ATM fees and so on.

I think with the card i have ATM fees abroad get waived.

I recommend this bank, i think they are immigrant friendly and understand were we are coming from and what our future needs are going to be.

I dont feel like they are taking advantage of my britishness here, as i feel that other banks do, if you know what i mean.

Edited December 5, 2014 by Twinkles

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

My experience with credit--

I added my husband to several of my cards. That actually gave him a credit rating. He tried the free credit report thing once out of curiosity and found out he was reported under his name/SSN on those cards.

In Target once we were buying a TV and the guy asked if he wanted to apply for a Target card. Sure, give it a go. Bam! Instant approval for $500.

He is self-employed, mostly as a subcontractor to one business, but when he does jobs on his own he has to collect state sales tax. He registered his "business" with the state comptroller to remit the tax. That started daily/weekly credit card offers in the mail....American Express, Discover, Chase, etc. He responded online for a Visa card and got approved in about 30 seconds for $8800.

So basically without really trying, the credit just evolved over time, starting from my good rating I suppose.

I will say that early on...maybe 8 months after marriage, we decided to buy a new house. Because he was an unemployed immigrant with no American credit card in his name, I applied for mortgage pre-approval only in my name. I figured I would get less red tape and a better rate that way. I know everybody on VJ stresses a home in joint names is important for removing conditions on the greencard, but that didn't seem to matter in our case.

[Twinkles 10]

My experience with credit--

I will say that early on...maybe 8 months after marriage, we decided to buy a new house. Because he was an unemployed immigrant with no American credit card in his name, I applied for mortgage pre-approval only in my name. I figured I would get less red tape and a better rate that way. I know everybody on VJ stresses a home in joint names is important for removing conditions on the greencard, but that didn't seem to matter in our case.

When we applied for removal of conditions, we were at the time renting a basement and even that tenancy, utilities etc were only in my Husbands name.

[wbeem 568]

I recently had my iPhone unlocked and will be doing my daughter's this evening. I just did it online with our network provider (we both have iPhones). There is usually no issue getting them unlocked while your contract is still running. It seems the issues which have arisen with networks refusing to unlock phones are often those which arise after the contract has been terminated. I have ordered another sim and tested it in mine and it works fine. We will be using them when we go over at Christmas time, so if there are any issues, there is time to resolve them before we move permanently.

For what it's worth, I'm with EE and it cost me £20.40 to get an iPhone unlocked.

[-PiLoT- 11]

I have two question

1, Why do i need medical records?

2, im pretty sure all my school records are missing during many years of travel, also i didnt do very well in any of my gcses anyway. so is it worth seeking out my National records of achievement folder, or shall i just get a GED?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I have two question

1, Why do i need medical records?

2, im pretty sure all my school records are missing during many years of travel, also i didnt do very well in any of my gcses anyway. so is it worth seeking out my National records of achievement folder, or shall i just get a GED?

I have an opinion on that I will offer. Others may disagree.--

I have been to many doctors and specialists in my life for myself and with family members. They never ask for previous records. They won't look at them if you bring them. They want to do their own tests and such. All have a survey to fill out so it is useful to know what surgeries and years you had them for the form, but nobody needs to read a report about those surgeries. If you are currently on medications, then they will want to know what meds and dosage.

If there is something significant in you medical history that you want for your reference, then get it but I don't see a real need to have documentation of every doctor visit in your life.

I think the educational records are more important if you have a university degree. Most jobs that hire non-degreed persons just want to know if you graduated from high school. Say yes and give a date and school name. Don't go into GCSEs. They won't get it. Nor do those kinds of jobs usually ask to see a high school transcript of your courses and grades.

Again, it is an opinion.

[yuna628 9,671]

I have two question

1, Why do i need medical records?

2, im pretty sure all my school records are missing during many years of travel, also i didnt do very well in any of my gcses anyway. so is it worth seeking out my National records of achievement folder, or shall i just get a GED?

1) Long time experience in the US healthcare industry here... No you don't need to bring your medical records, unless you have something serious, strange, or something in particular. When you go to any doctor in the US you will have to fill out HIPPA forms and medical history forms that will basically ask you anything you can think of regarding yourself or your family's medical history. If you need a particular medication you are used to taking in the UK, speak to the doctor about it.

Now there are times when another US doctor (usually a specialist) will request your PCP to send over your already established medical records -- but unless you have some ongoing health concerns, you should have no worries or need.

2) Depends. Some employers are looking for foreign workers to have transcribed education records using some companies that provide this. GCSES won't make a single bit of sense to an American. They will just want to know if you graduated from high school or have a GED, did you graduate from university (some ask for a GPA), or won't really care much at all. All depends on the field of employment.

[-PiLoT- 11]

I have an opinion on that I will offer. Others may disagree.--

I have been to many doctors and specialists in my life for myself and with family members. They never ask for previous records. They won't look at them if you bring them. They want to do their own tests and such. All have a survey to fill out so it is useful to know what surgeries and years you had them for the form, but nobody needs to read a report about those surgeries. If you are currently on medications, then they will want to know what meds and dosage.

If there is something significant in you medical history that you want for your reference, then get it but I don't see a real need to have documentation of every doctor visit in your life.

I think the educational records are more important if you have a university degree. Most jobs that hire non-degreed persons just want to know if you graduated from high school. Say yes and give a date and school name. Don't go into GCSEs. They won't get it. Nor do those kinds of jobs usually ask to see a high school transcript of your courses and grades.

Again, it is an opinion.

makes sense. tbh the only surgeries ive had was a 3 time reoccurance of glue ear as a child and a rather nasty car acident, but nothing pertaiting to needing checkups or further attention. nor do i have any allergies.

the school thing maybe a pain the butt though, since i want to go back to college and do a course in welding since that pays well where im going to be. but this course i think needs a high school diploma. so im leaning heavily on getting a ged

[2ndMessiah 184]

makes sense. tbh the only surgeries ive had was a 3 time reoccurance of glue ear as a child and a rather nasty car acident, but nothing pertaiting to needing checkups or further attention. nor do i have any allergies.

the school thing maybe a pain the butt though, since i want to go back to college and do a course in welding since that pays well where im going to be. but this course i think needs a high school diploma. so im leaning heavily on getting a ged

Believe me. You will develop allergies.

If you are looking to get into a community college, you should be able pass the entrance exams. At that point your previous education is not that important.

Just be careful to get into a reputable school. As an LPR depending on income you can apply and get Fafsa. Government funding that pays for your classes etc.

[-PiLoT- 11]

Believe me. You will develop allergies.

If you are looking to get into a community college, you should be able pass the entrance exams. At that point your previous education is not that important.

Just be careful to get into a reputable school. As an LPR depending on income you can apply and get Fafsa. Government funding that pays for your classes etc.

true but if i develop an allergy then it wouldnt be in my medical history. besides, apparently not even the mosquitoes or the chiggers went after me over there

[2ndMessiah 184]

true but if i develop an allergy then it wouldnt be in my medical history. besides, apparently not even the mosquitoes or the chiggers went after me over there

It was just an observation about allergies not a comment about medical records.

I never had any apparent allergies until I came to the US. It took nearly five years, but Virginia finally got me. I developed some very interesting breathing problems with chest pains. Heart attack... No. Allergies Yes..

But this is wondering off topic.

[Lucy-Luke 0]

Hey guys, I have my medical on Friday. I'm pretty sure I'm at the Benitinck Street location and I was just wondering if the center is easy to spot from the street? Get pretty nervous and anxious about travelling to places I'm not familiar with and obviously I don't want to be late for my appointment.

I looked a little on google maps but wasn't able to make anything out. Thanks!

[BarryP 0]

I remember having the same worries when I went to my medical. I used the map they gave me and Googlemaps on my phone and found it really easily. The building looks more like an office block than a surgery, though, but it's clearly marked out.

[Yoveeta 36]

maybe it's a silly question to ask, but maybe someone of you was in my situation before leaving to US.. If things will be at the speed of best scenario, I might have my credit card balance still unpaid.. Should I tell my bank that I'm moving abroad, or just inform them I'm 'travelling', because I'm afraid they might force me to settle down everything.. I was planing to pay my l balance from US..

[Kat&Jon 85]

Is there any way this thread can be pinned since its full of a lot of very helpful information?