Tesco

Thank you @SL2024. It's nice to know my efforts aren't entirely wasted. We are saving for our own home and don't have ownership over bills where we are, hence our personal circumstances being more complicated than others and older folks on here quick to judge. I'm sure we're not the only ones reliant on kind family as a stopgap. 
 
In the end, in the mess of everything, it turns out we didn't pay our fee for my green card when we thought we did. USCIS sent us a payment notice, and it was the proof of address we absolutely needed to get everything rolling. We have a joint bank account now, I now have a State ID, and I've passed through my US driving theory yesterday all off the back of it. Mistakes into miracles. 
 
I would suggest anyone in a similar position getting set up this way not to pay the green card fee until a notice is sent. It doesn't even delay the green card, which I also now have. 
 
Regarding HMRC I reported not having my P45 and explained why. They will ask at the end of the form if you go through it online regardless of the warnings. It took some time and an error on their part making me resubmit the form again, but I got a message on my online account a few days ago saying the tax has been calculated and they owe me half a grand. They should be sending a cheque in the post. (Here or within the UK remains to be seen.)
 
It all got sorted out in the end. But they didn't make it easy. What happened with my employer refusing to give me my paperwork, who's to say. I can't say I care anymore. 

Trying to reschedule an interview today. I see that the appointment website is down though.

Cancelled the first, now rescheduling.

Can your husband add you to a utility bill? And sorry to hear that you might not post updates on this. I do find your posts informative and helpful.

As an employee, your former employer is obliged to send you a P45, (3 parts). This can be emailed to you, (password protected) soon after your final payment. You should be able to do a rough estimate of your tax liability from worldwide income to the date your left the UK, (providing you meet HMRC's SRT as a non resident). Your UK earnings will have no impact on the IRS return for 2024, as you only became a 'U.S. Person' on arrival, (unless you voluntarily opted to file MFJ with your U.S Spouse). As such however, you now declare your worldwide income to Uncle Sam, to include FinCEN114 if you hold more than $10,000 outside the U.S, even for a day (simple form).

SRT stands for Statutory Residency Test. It’s a series of tests HMRC makes to consider if you are still UK resident for taxation. For example if you work outside the UK for an average of 35 hours a week, then you’re a non UK resident straight away. You’ll only then be taxed on UK income. MFJ means Married filling Jointly, your US husband will know what to do with the annual 1040
As for FinCEN114, if all your assets are over $10k, then you need to file. Pensions are a little murky, but generally if a private pension then it’s reportable. Company pensions are not held in your name and therefore not normally reportable. Hope this helps and that
you’re settling in ok…

Wise is probably the easiest option, the difference nowaways is relatively small compared to the amount of money you are transferring 

Absolutely astonishing, thank you very much!

Absolutely astonishing, thank you very much!

Wishing you well for next Tuesday, will be here before you know it! Keeping UK accounts is best, as you’ll not be able to open another in the future as a UK non resident. The banks will report you to the IRS under FACA, once you become a US resident. (They cross reference with Treasury form FinCEN114 and IRS form 8938, (if threshold exceed)). Your CPA will know what to do when you file your 1040 for 2024.
 

For anyone's interest, I made a quick chat with Lebara. Like with everything these days, getting answers was like pulling teeth. But.
 
The sim card stays active for 90 days (with Lebara at least). You need to make a chargeable transaction within to keep that card active (top-up, make a SMS, or take out a plan). Should this fail, the sim deactivates and you need a 'voucher' to reactivate the card. This voucher is apparently physical so it will go to whichever UK address is on file which is concerning. (I don't have much family and I have been a victim of Domestic Violence so I'd rather not have anything go to UK addresses.)
 
I tried pushing to find out exactly what happens to the UK number if the sim card isn't re-activated but all I could get was the number is kept for a further 90 days on their systems. After that, I imagine the number gets wiped.
 
I can't say for other providers but the 90 days sounds like a standard timescale.

Yep, no need to ever burn bridges.

Ask GP Reception to give you access to your records on Patient Access, you can then download and print at home. Saves a BIG headache with not then having to rely on others. You will see any Consultant notes and print along with SCR and medications. We were DQ’d and received IL within a few weeks, it’s super quick. A little too quick as it only gave about two weeks to arrange and attend medical prior to interview.

Have a look at Norse Airlines, (used to be called Norwegian). Flying from London Gatwick to several U.S. hubs. I see one into Orlando for around £180, although I did see one for £80 the other day! Aer Lingus have good prices with the actual U.S. POE being Dublin, then an internal onward flight.

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

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.

Just to note if anyone doesn't have the Tetanus booster, the NHS offer this for free. Talk to your GP to get your vaccination to save yourself £50 or so.

I didn't have a urine sample and mine cost £475 in total. £385 for the medical and then £90 for the Tetanus Booster and first Hepatitis B dose

It's nice you took note of that. I was anxious about my MH history more than anything. They did throw me some curveball questions but otherwise didn't question my responses. They accepted all paperwork which I was worried they would request further information. They still could since they mentioned if they needed anything else they would contact after 5 business days once results were back.
 
It was about as expected otherwise. I considered the tube briefly but for personal reasons and after recent events (riots) felt safer to walk. I was admittedly exhausted but felt the exercise was better than risking the horror stories you hear about the Underground.
 
 
Thank you. I noticed there's simply not enough information about the medical on here yet a lot of people ask questions about it. Thought I'd at least help even the information gap.
 
To answer your questions...
 
Did you have a urine sample?: No, I didn't have to give one. I believe that's for teenagers and under.
Did you take anyone with you?: I was flying solo, hence my heightened anxiety. (I have hyper-vigilance which doesn't help when it comes to situations like these.) It's also one of the reasons I decided to walk and avoid the tube. I was a recent victim of assault so admittedly that contributed towards my behaviour.
Can family members come into the building/accompany?: Yes they can. There was a few families there and at times the mother/father went in alone. Regarding children/teens, their parents appeared to be able to accompany them. If you're asking if someone who ISN'T part of the visa application can accompany, I don't believe so.
Is what they gave you left to be taken to the interview?: I honestly can't recall but I was going to take it to the interview regardless. I know they send the medical records to the embassy so I think it was mainly for my own records.
What was the total cost?: Overall it cost me £425. £385 for the medical and an additional £40 for the Hepatitis B jab. The payment will come up as 'Knightsbridge Doctors' on your bank statement.
 
 

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 -).

Nothing is sent snail mail.

They aren’t going to reject your medical if you haven’t had some of the vaccinations before. As they can give you most of the vaccinations on the day for the ones that they tell you that you require. 
 
If there are some you can get that are cheaper elsewhere then you can choose to do that after the medical.
 
I would go to the medical and let them tell you which ones you need. I did and it turned out that there were some that I didn’t actually need. 

I just had my jab from Boots a few days ago.
 
They will take you into a private room and give you a form to fill in. Usual information: name, DOB, address, then a few checkboxes to ask if you have certain conditions and such. You sign, date, then hand it back to the doctor. They give you another information pamphlet regarding COVID / the Omicron variant dose that they're going to administer, along with a patient guide for clinical services.
 
They leave the room and come back with the vaccine. They ask which arm you prefer, pop it into you like a quick pincushion, then that's it. They keep you there for 5 minutes to make sure you don't have an allergic reaction of any sorts, then also advise you don't drive for another 10-15 minutes to ensure your wellness. They give you a slip with a Boots stamp detailing your vaccination, the date, location, and which batch number it is, then take you to the till to pay. They also give you a receipt which I was going to take down with me to the medical just as additional proof.
 
It cost £98.95. All in all I was in there for maybe 10-15 minutes if that.
 
I contacted Visa Medicals directly in London prior to my jab who confirmed that they're happy to accept Boots vaccinations. So I can at least say that it's definitely accepted as a Covid vax dose.

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!

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).