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Has anyone received their passport back on a weekend? The DX website doesn’t say much on this with regards the U.S. Embassy.

Congratulations! Nice that it's all at and end and you have everything for the trip Stateside.

A few weeks away!

Thank you for the feedback to my questions. Your portrayal and in-depth explanation is superb, thanks again.

Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever read such a wonderfull and comprehensive review. It’s increadalbally helpful, thank you. As the medical is just a few weeks away, the information is immensely helpful. Did have a couple of questions: Did you have a urine sample? Did you take anyone with you? Not sure is family members can come into the building due to the limited space. Did you notice anyone accompany the examinee? is what they gave you when you left to be taken to the interview, or is it just for your records? what was the total cost? wish you well for the interview and hope you can update on how it goes -).

Once you call Visa Medicals, they will tell you when you can have the medical appointment. They will not book for less than a week out. So if your interview is on a Thursday, your medical will not be any sooner than the Thursday before.

Nothing is sent snail mail.

The easy option is to leave it with Visa Medicals. Apart from the COVID vaccine already discussed, they’ll sort you out on the day. Just get your side taken care of and leave the rest to them.

It’s going to a different address, but will be there to sign. I don’t want to take any chances with anyone else attempting to sign and the potential of added problems or abortive delivery. After 3 strikes you have to go to the local DX office and pick it up with ID, that’s a 40 mile drive in my case. Life will revolve around DX and the certainty of securing the passport. Will keep an eye on tracking detail and stay home for that delivery window.

Have recently booked DX for delivery. Reading the instructions it looks like a lot of ID is needed is the recipient does not sign on delivery. You can track and will have an idea of when it will be delivered. Maybe the best option to be at Grandmas to sign.

Hadn’t booked the medical, so it was straight forward. Simply cancelled the visa interview appointment and did nothing.

We have the medical booked for later this month and can relate with some of what your concerns are. Firstly getting to London isn’t always the easiest and feel this is the hardest part of the whole process. Try and take a friend with you for moral support, failing that just try and relax and focus on organising the London trip and transport method. We have London Paddington train all booked for the medical with a nice walk, with ample time going and returning. Also think about your new life and focus on the positives and don’t worry (too much) on the days events. we printed the SCR from Patient Access, (used App). Your record will have a section with documents and consultations. In there you will find all your mental health records, which you will need, (they will ask). If you don’t see any consultations notes ask your GP practice and they’ll add this, (make sure you log off/on for updates to be effective). I don’t think they will be concerned with the notes of non medical professionals, the words of CPN’s etc will hold weight. finally, don’t leave too short of time. It’s better to twiddle your thumbs, then be in a rush. (Adding self generated anxiety) good luck!

Have Boots booked for next Saturday. Will either take the vaccine email, print out or SCR with it added.

We cancelled and did nothing for 5 months. Scheduled an interview then without any issues. Don’t leave it for a year though, as they may close your case. You may be able to schedule and cancel until the time is right for you, although I’m sure there are limits.

Wise is a really good system and easy to use and set up. You can transfer to your U.S account and also U.S to U.K account too. Best to keep your U.K bank accounts open and simply register to a family members address. Saying that many banks will allow a non resident to maintain a current account, (overseas address). As far as I can remember only NS&I will permit a savings account with a U.S address, (FACTA compliment). There can be no more ISA contributions on departure. My advice would be to keep all your accounts in the UK open, as trying to open a new one may not be possiable. Keeping the ‘bridge’ open can also help with HMRC’s final tax return payments/credits. Direct Debits and things like your mobile phone account should you keep it going, (authorising WhatsApp etc).

Don’t forget you’ll need a COVID jab to get medically cleared. Visa Medicals don’t administer these sadly. You can do it after the fact and then send on the evidence via email if this works better for your schedule.

Take a look at the IRS link below so as to come back into compliance with your filing obligations. Hopefully you can avoid substantial penalties. https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/us-taxpayers-residing-outside-the-united-states

I have a good friend that is Spanish and in a similar position. I understand that the tax authorities try and hold on to you as a tax resident, despite being overseas. Best seek professional advice as a part of pre-move tax planning.

Thank you… will look at booking a slot at Boots and so much easier than driving a fair distance to one of those pharmacies listed. Will get vaccine prior to medical though. Interesting thought though, if you did have the COVID 19 jab after the medical and consequently emailed the record. Would the medical date be when you physically undertook the medical exam, OR the date of the subsequent COVID 19 jab….

Brilliant thank you. Really helpful information 😊

Your booster is straightforward as done Stateside. For the ‘within 12 months’ in the UK, I guess can you use other companies, or only the ones Visa Medicals show, (two). Not local to any of them and would like to try an alternative location. Just wanted to see if others have had their vaccine from a different location in the UK and if that had a hand written card of proper print out of the record

I think Visa Medicals could do with updating their website. Also what evidence do they require? The signed card like the NHS handed out, or something more specific. Other places will also do private jabs, but what vaccination evidence is given and accepted? Getting a notice to say you need the COVID vaccine on the appointment letter can cut it fine for many, especially if you’ve just made the Embassy appointment and not left much time in between.

I see that Boots also administer Covid vaccinations. Best part of £100 though!

Don’t forget to file FinCEN114 and 8938 if relevant.

You could just purchase a sim while in the U.K. (EE O2 etc), a 30 day sim will give the data you want and a number, (which you wouldn’t really need). I just use WhatsApp and everyone uses that to contact me. It’s the good data package that you’d need though. You could turn off VM on your U.S. mobile number if you wanted while in the U.K., or you could add a modified OGM asking people to contact you via other means.