What to do when moving - Aus to US

[BirdLord 0]

Hi,

I’m going to be moving to MN soon from Aus on the K1 visa and I’m incredibly lost as to what I need to do!! I know I’ll need to finish my phone plan and cancel my part of the rent etc but do I need to cancel my bank accounts? What else??

 

Also once I’m married do I need to change my last name with anything here in Australia? Such as my super annuation, passport, or ATO? 

 

I’ve tried googling for detailed lists as to what I need to do but there’s nothing!!!

Any help is very appreciated!

Thanks.

[Roel 7,193]

Um there is no detailed list anywhere because it's an individual issue. Everyone has different things they need to wrap up before leaving the country. 

Use your common sense. 

[BirdLord 0]

13 minutes ago, Roel said:

Um there is no detailed list anywhere because it's an individual issue. Everyone has different things they need to wrap up before leaving the country. 

Use your common sense. 

I realise that. But there’s usually someone’s own experience others can go off of or examples.

I’m asking for any help in case. This stuff isn’t exactly common knowledge to people who are new to immigration. That’s why a forum exists in the first place. 

[Ashley Scott 180]

4 hours ago, BirdLord said:

Hi,

I’m going to be moving to MN soon from Aus on the K1 visa and I’m incredibly lost as to what I need to do!! I know I’ll need to finish my phone plan and cancel my part of the rent etc but do I need to cancel my bank accounts? What else??

 

Also once I’m married do I need to change my last name with anything here in Australia? Such as my super annuation, passport, or ATO? 

 

I’ve tried googling for detailed lists as to what I need to do but there’s nothing!!!

Any help is very appreciated!

Thanks.

This really breaks down to an individual basis depending on the ties you have to Australia but I can give you a small breakdown of what we did when my husband moved from the UK if it helps at all. 

 

• Sell items/give away items (anything and everything he was not bringing with him)

• See family and friends (make sure to say "goodbyes")

• Book Flight

• Cancel rent/put in notice

• Cancel all utility bills (water, electric, etc)

• Cancel cable and return equipment

• Cancel internet and return equipment

• Cancel mobile phone (which he did NOT do before he came over and it ended up being a HUGE headache to get it done from the US.  I HIGHLY recommend cancelling your contract before you come over)

• Figure out bank situation (we left my husbands UK account active, with a small balance in it, for our trips to the UK.  Figured it would be easier to have a UK account to use while in the UK.  We may cancel it down the road)

• Mail forwarding (if needed)

• Pack checked bags (clothes and keepsakes)

• Pack carry on (ipad, documents, etc)

Of course there are going to be other things you come across as well.  If you are moving any large items over you will need to sort this with a moving company.  You will need to close any other accounts that you will not need (credit cards, loans, other services, etc).  Other than that I would suggest making a list and adding to it every time something pops in to mind.  And don't wait too long to get started  

 

Good luck on your move!

 

 

[BirdLord 0]

2 minutes ago, Ashley Scott said:

This really breaks down to an individual basis depending on the ties you have to Australia but I can give you a small breakdown of what we did when my husband moved from the UK if it helps at all. 

 

• Sell items/give away items (anything and everything he was not bringing with him)

• See family and friends (make sure to say "goodbyes")

• Book Flight

• Cancel rent/put in notice

• Cancel all utility bills (water, electric, etc)

• Cancel cable and return equipment

• Cancel internet and return equipment

• Cancel mobile phone (which he did NOT do before he came over and it ended up being a HUGE headache to get it done from the US.  I HIGHLY recommend cancelling your contract before you come over)

• Figure out bank situation (we left my husbands UK account active, with a small balance in it, for our trips to the UK.  Figured it would be easier to have a UK account to use while in the UK.  We may cancel it down the road)

• Mail forwarding (if needed)

• Pack checked bags (clothes and keepsakes)

• Pack carry on (ipad, documents, etc)

Of course there are going to be other things you come across as well.  If you are moving any large items over you will need to sort this with a moving company.  You will need to close any other accounts that you will not need (credit cards, loans, other services, etc).  Other than that I would suggest making a list and adding to it every time something pops in to mind.  And don't wait too long to get started  

 

Good luck on your move!

 

 

Thank you! This helps a lot  I was worried about my bank account but keeping it active might be a good idea! 

[Ashley Scott 180]

1 minute ago, BirdLord said:

Thank you! This helps a lot  I was worried about my bank account but keeping it active might be a good idea! 

Yeah, we were a little iffy on our decision on that as well.  I forgot to add that we changed his address on his bank account to his parents address in the UK.  That way there is still a place that any letters or whatnot can be sent to.  I do believe that he gave his mum access to his account as well in case anything needs to be taken care of while we are not there.  We transferred most of his funds to our account in the US but left about 100 pounds in that account.  Also, we have the TransferWise app that allows us to transfer money between the UK account and our US account if need be.  I am not sure if this decision is ok or not but its worked for us so far.

[TBoneTX 46,120]

Renew your driver's license for the longest possible period.  This might pay off if you must rely on it for a while to drive in the U.S.

 

Get multiple (at least 2) official copies of your medical records, vaccination records, school transcripts, previous divorce/death certificates (if a former spouse), and any other official document that would be expensive, time-consuming, or impossible to get from afar.

[TBoneTX 46,120]

In addition, if there's time and if your visa isn't already in your passport, renew your passport for the longest period possible.

[BirdLord 0]

6 hours ago, Ashley Scott said:

Yeah, we were a little iffy on our decision on that as well.  I forgot to add that we changed his address on his bank account to his parents address in the UK.  That way there is still a place that any letters or whatnot can be sent to.  I do believe that he gave his mum access to his account as well in case anything needs to be taken care of while we are not there.  We transferred most of his funds to our account in the US but left about 100 pounds in that account.  Also, we have the TransferWise app that allows us to transfer money between the UK account and our US account if need be.  I am not sure if this decision is ok or not but its worked for us so far.

I’ll definitely be looking into it  As I might need it for getting my super annuation once I get to retirement age lol (I have no clue how that will work internationally! 🤭 lol) Thank you for your help!

[BirdLord 0]

2 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Renew your driver's license for the longest possible period.  This might pay off if you must rely on it for a while to drive in the U.S.

 

Get multiple (at least 2) official copies of your medical records, vaccination records, school transcripts, previous divorce/death certificates (if a former spouse), and any other official document that would be expensive, time-consuming, or impossible to get from afar.

Thank you! I never thought about getting school records!

[BlueAriel 9]

Since the Australia financial year has already started, you’ll still need to file tax for this year come July/August 2018. So make sure you know who to contact from your workplace to obtain the full year tax PAYG statement when July comes around.

 

Should probably check what’s the minimum dollar requirement for any of your superannuation accounts as they may keep deducting fees from them if you don’t have enough super in some accounts. Best of all, consolidate all your superannuation accounts while you’re still in Australia. 

 

If you have any long term refills of medications, like asthma pumps, I’d suggest to get a refill for as long as you can. In case, you need them and you haven’t got health insurance during the first few months. 

 

One more thing to add to the checklist, indulge yourself in loads of great lattes, meat pies, sausage rolls and pavalova before you get here! 😊

Edited February 8, 2018 by BlueAriel

[BirdLord 0]

14 minutes ago, BlueAriel said:

Since the Australia financial year has already started, you’ll still need to file tax for this year come July/August 2018. So make sure you know who to contact from your workplace to obtain the full year tax PAYG statement when July comes around.

 

Should probably check what’s the minimum dollar requirement for any of your superannuation accounts as they may keep deducting fees from them if you don’t have enough super in some accounts. Best of all, consolidate all your superannuation accounts while you’re still in Australia. 

 

If you have any long term refills of medications, like asthma pumps, I’d suggest to get a refill for as long as you can. In case, you need them and you haven’t got health insurance during the first few months. 

 

One more thing to add to the checklist, indulge yourself in loads of great lattes, meat pies, sausage rolls and pavalova before you get here! 😊

Ah thank you!!! I’ll talk to my boss about that ASAP! I’m assuming I just file it like I normally would? (Through mygov)

and don’t worry, I will totally be doing that 🤤😭 I’m going to miss all the good Aussie food so much haha.

 

[BlueAriel 9]

17 hours ago, BirdLord said:

Ah thank you!!! I’ll talk to my boss about that ASAP! I’m assuming I just file it like I normally would? (Through mygov)

and don’t worry, I will totally be doing that 🤤😭 I’m going to miss all the good Aussie food so much haha.

 

Normally the end of Financial Year PAYG statement won’t come out until July, so you probably want to make sure you obtain the right email or phone number to the HR department so you can contact them come July.

And yes, you can file you tax return through ATO/mygov. If you’ve got past filing files from the ATO software still stored in your computer, I’d suggest to take a soft copy of those files with you if you’re not going to bring your computer with you. 

 

I changed my mobile phone contract to a prepaid so I can keep the OZ number if I go back to visit. It’s easier to change plans/contracts while you’re still there. 

 

Best of luck!! 😊

Edited February 9, 2018 by BlueAriel

[BirdLord 0]

Just now, Dee elle said:

Once you reach preservation age and retire you can withdraw or transfer to annuity etc... living overseas doesn’t matter to the Australian end but it will be taxable income on the US side 

Ah that’s good, sucks about it being taxable though 😭

[BirdLord 0]

Just now, Dee elle said:

Stop any insurance premiums that are associated with your super fund. Transfer to low fee industry fund that has zero exit fees 

Oh! Thank you I never would’ve thought about that