Arrival checklist

[Bug&Bug 147]

Hi all

 

The day for my flight is arriving soon and im starting to put a to do check list of things to do. This is what I have so far from reading previous messages, in no particular order: 

 

1. Bank account - put me in a joint bank account with my USC spouse.

2. Credit score - put me as authorised in USC credit card.

3. Sort out driving license.

4. Declare my non resident status to my current country and register in my consulate.

5. Qualifications - how important is to get qualifications transferred if ive been working for years? Also sign up to get a PE license.

6. Learn about how the bizarre healthcare system works and learn how to get my prescriptions.

7. Learn the basics on taxes and pensions in the US.

8. Anything around identity fraud i need to do? I see so many horror stories about how anyone will open credit cards in your name.

9. Get a US phone number.

10. Job hunting.

 

All ideas and tips appreciated, am I missing things?

 

[Adventine 3,196]

You've already got a considerable list! All these things are definitely good to do as soon as you can (although I can't advise on #5). 

 

A few more things to consider after your arrival:

 

- Using your shiny new US phone number, enable 2FA (two factor authentication) with all your online banking accounts. 

 

- For taxes and pensions, the Bogleheads wiki and forums are great places to start: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Main_Page

 

- Get to know your neighbors, join local organizations, and start building that social network. It'll help with the homesickness and potentially with the job search.

 

 

Edited February 5, 2021 by Adventine

[JeanneAdil 6,504]

you''ll have to wait for the SS# and card to arrive to do some of these things like credit card and driving licence

# 8  about fraud / just be careful about online shopping and using debit card at gas stations as criminals attach devices to gas pumps to steal debit card accounts 

[Timona 4,207]

27 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

you''ll have to wait for the SS# and card to arrive to do some of these things like credit card and driving licence

# 8  about fraud / just be careful about online shopping and using debit card at gas stations as criminals attach devices to gas pumps to steal debit card accounts 

 

Yap. @JeanneAdil is right. I never pay at the pump. I only did it 4 times in January and guess what? I got hit the 4th time, which was the last Sunday of January 2021, basically a week ago. Luckily, my bank shut it after the first attempt which the fraudsters were trying to get away with $144. Later on, my bank told me that multiple transactions were attempted at 6 different online stores. 

 

[StrawberryKiss 170]

@Timona Yes, Texas is really bad when it comes to that. Glad you didn't get screwed over!

[Bug&Bug 147]

Thank you all!

 

@Adventine I feel this is the worst possible timeline to get a network and meeting people.... Ugh...

 

[JeanneAdil 6,504]

44 minutes ago, Bug&Bug said:

Thank you all!

 

@Adventine I feel this is the worst possible timeline to get a network and meeting people.... Ugh...

 

 

not really,  go to internet / there are some good sites to meet and talk to people / and use whatsapp, (example)  to keep in touch with family / you have no idea how homesick you are going to be

[Bug&Bug 147]

17 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

 

not really,  go to internet / there are some good sites to meet and talk to people / and use whatsapp, (example)  to keep in touch with family / you have no idea how homesick you are going to be

Thankfully its not my first international move! But there was nothing like a global pandemic my first time.... 

 

Ill defenetly join some online local groups!

[JeanneAdil 6,504]

Congratulations

 

and welcome to US

 

 

Edited February 5, 2021 by JeanneAdil

[TBoneTX 45,288]

If you haven't done so and there's still time, compile and bring with you official copies of every personal "life" document that you have -- birth certificate, divorce certificate if applicable, university/school transcripts, key medical records, vaccination record (optimally, more than one copy stamped or signed on clinic letterhead), and anything else that you can think of.

 

Try to renew your current driver's license for the longest term possible, and (for employment purposes) get your qualifications evaluated & transferred, just in case.  It's better to have things and not need them than the converse.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

3 hours ago, Bug&Bug said:

Declare my non resident status to my current country and register in my consulate.

Submit the P85. You may get some money back from HMRC if too much has been held out of your taxes. It also is your way to notify the government that you are leaving the country. 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/income-tax-leaving-the-uk-getting-your-tax-right-p85

https://www.gov.uk/tax-right-retire-abroad-return-to-uk

I think it’s a good idea to keep your UK bank account open. If you get a tax refund check in £££, there’s a lot of extra fees to deposit it in a US bank account. Sending it by mail to your bank or a relative to pay in for you is easier. Transfer over money you need. We do our Christmas and birthday shopping on UK websites and pay out of the UK bank account. 

[Letspaintcookies 2,310]

6 hours ago, Timona said:

 

Yap. @JeanneAdil is right. I never pay at the pump. I only did it 4 times in January and guess what? I got hit the 4th time, which was the last Sunday of January 2021, basically a week ago. Luckily, my bank shut it after the first attempt which the fraudsters were trying to get away with $144. Later on, my bank told me that multiple transactions were attempted at 6 different online stores. 

 

I do it all the time. The only time my cc was used for fraud was after I used it at the county office to register a car.

[Adventine 3,196]

6 hours ago, Bug&Bug said:

Thank you all!

 

@Adventine I feel this is the worst possible timeline to get a network and meeting people.... Ugh...

 

Yeah, not the best time to see people in person X)

[Scandi 4,166]

5 hours ago, Letspaintcookies said:

I do it all the time. The only time my cc was used for fraud was after I used it at the county office to register a car.

And we only use our debit card for ATM withdrawals once every other month or so and only at Bank of Americas own ATMs. Yet someone managed to use my husband's card number and pay for stuff in a city we had never even been. 

 

OP: When you get added as an authorized user on your spouse's credit card you can also apply for your own credit care, a secured one. Then you can add your spouse to your card as well (more evidence of co-mingled finances too if you ever need it). I got my own secured credit card when I moved here and got a good credit score within just a few months. I added my US husband as an authorized user on it. A couple of years later I got myself a regular cash back credit card instead. 

 

We never needed SSNs to add each other as authorized user on our credit cards (I assume because when you're an authorized user you're not the account holder, you just happen to have your own card to that account). They never asked for it, only the names.

Edited February 6, 2021 by Scandi

[Bug&Bug 147]

My god ive been looking at phone plans and the prices!!!

I now get unlimited data and hotspot for £23 all included.  And what im seing in the USA is around $70-90!😰

 

Also looking for rental properties and they all ask for SSN to do background checks....this is going to be fun.....