Melancholic Mage

Thank you for that, you mentioned as such in a different thread I believe. I looked into it as a result and my phone doesn't support eSIMs being a Samsung Galaxy S10+. I'll have to look into getting a new phone in the States then porting my UK number to an eSIM to resolve my mobile woes. First thing's first though: getting a State license, a car, then a job to pay for such. Then a home. Then... I don't know. It never ends. Plus side is I have a Starling account and I admit I'm tempted to consolidate my accounts to keep it and only it. Starling are great and good reminder about the text codes not being there. I'm just waiting out my bonus interest with NatWest at the start of the month from my savings account before I consider closing it. That and any outstanding fees I owe from car loans, insurance, etc.

In honesty there's been a tad bit of pressure from my other half's side but it's warranted. My interview was on September 11th and I didn't start making any finalisations or moves until I had my visa in hand on the 16th. So it's short a month by a week or so if you count from my embassy date. Our circumstances are unique however. We don't have any real places of comfort in the UK and hotel costs stack up. We've been somewhat effectively homeless since we received a no-fault eviction notice from our UK flat over a year ago. (Landlord wanted to sell - we couldn't dispute it. The laws do little to protect honest tenants.) My spouse's family have room to accommodate us in the US. Here? It's two adults sharing a single bed when we're not in a hotel. Hence more urgency to get things tied up.

Old enough to know better but young enough that I'm unfamiliar. I invested into pensions in whatever work I picked up from an early age and saved very hard too. I do believe with my last job and with transferring my pensions all into one place as much as I could over a few years, there may be 10k+ in there now. I was planning to move it to a ROPS in America I believe it's called, but I'll keep an eye on the tax forms once I'm in the States. Thanks. Looks like this is a topic for a new thread. It's not the cost (although admittedly I hate paying for anything I simply don't use, however minor) it's the faff on. Having to remember to switch sim cards and make a small transactional message or call every three months is annoying. Then I have to top it up every few years and convert USD to GBP - it's just another niggly irritating sprinkle on top of the immigration shiz sundae. With my flight leaving so soon I don't want to risk switching mobile providers to one that gives me more time between sim card deactivation - however desired. I checked. You have to be in the UK to activate the sim, so if it doesn't port fast enough I lose my UK number. Not worth the risk. I just have to grin and bear it until I can close my accounts and get my UK number transferred to my US one for certain on all my log ins. Just something that takes time while I acclimate to my new life. I'm doing my absolute best to play it safe within the boundaries of my circumstances.

Thanks for that, all makes sense. Do pension amounts above £10k need filing as well? I plan to empty two of my accounts but given this I'm wondering if it's best to close them now to avoid the paperwork. I'll never keep £10k in them let alone more than that, however. It's all meant to be spare chump change incase I need it in future back in Blighty. I do have over £10k but that is all going to be transferred to my husband: probably once I land in the US. I imagine at that point it's fine since it's in a monitored US account. His family don't use accountants and manage to file their finances without issue so I'm sure I can too, immigrant or no. We got through the mess of immigration forms and filing alone so confident we'll be okay. Just when I think I have things prepared in my head though I hear things I didn't at all consider. Thank you for all the info.

Thank you! Admittedly I don't understand half of the abbreviations you just slung at me there. I know the IRS but have zero familiarity with all the other forms you mentioned. Could you explain a bit more? Every little helps, Tesco! Agreed, I'll definitely always have one account but I was going to keep them pretty minimal in funds. I did consider leaving maybe £500/£1k in my NatWest savings account to just let it sit there and grow, but my biggest concern is possibly causing problems with IRS and also getting locked out of my banking. (2FA being on my UK number and I'm having a nightmare trying to figure out a better way of keeping it active other than paying 50p every three months to send just one text to keep it alive.)

Thanks for all the tips. As it stands my one-way flight is booked for October 1st. It's coming up fast! I have one online bank account with Starling, then two accounts with NatWest which I've had since I was young. I mulled over all options and ultimately something @OldUser said in another thread resonated with me. 'Don't burn any bridges.' I've downgraded my accounts to ensure they're fee free but ultimately I've decided I'm going to let them sit there. Most of my transactions should I need to make them will be with Starling, and my NatWest accounts which hold the majority of my life's savings will be used to finalize any outstanding payments. Then I'm going to move over all my money to Wise, then from Wise, to my husband. It's a tad messy and in the future I may close the accounts for good if the banks don't wise up and do it themselves, but it's good to have them as options for now. I appreciate all the advice though and admit I was tempted to just shut down shop entirely with everything in the UK. But it's proving more a headache than I thought so... When I transfer via Wise I'll let you all know how that goes. Right now though I'm stuck in financial limbo.

I received my passport with my visa inside five days after my interview. Considering that includes a weekend, it was three working days which was incredible and not what I expected. I did pay extra for expedited delivery to my chosen address however. I absolutely agree with OldUser. I wouldn't even think about booking flights until you have your passport and visa in hand. I didn't start any kind of process of finalising my accounts in the UK until the day I had my visa in hand.

Transaction rates are apparently high with most known UK bank accounts, hence the third party transfer options like SL2024 said. I'm still trying to get my accounts in order and I'm finding it a struggle - I thought tying up loose ends in the UK would be one of the easier parts but as it turns out it's definitely not.

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.

Thank you everyone. I have a Samsung Galaxy S10+. (I tend to buy older models for frugal reasons and only upgrade when there's a real issue with my mobile, should anyone be shocked by this haha.) Regardless, I'm new to eSims and just looked it up: sadly my phone doesn't support them. It was a good idea though! I was planning to upgrade my phone at some point once I got myself settled into a job in America. My husband wants to add me onto his phone provider, so that might also limit my options once I'm there but I would rather trust his guidance in the new world. I'm currently with Lebara in the UK. I'm aware that UK numbers can 'expire' with certain providers if you don't use them, so I'm pretty anxious to try and figure this all out before I leave. Question appleblossom, when I'm in the USA, do you think it's possible to switch my UK number to an eSim should I get a phone that supports them? I'm very new to them so apologies if this is basic. Also, if I switch my WhatsApp to my US number, does it port over all chats that I had on my UK number without a problem?

Does anyone have experience with SIM only cards? I plan to keep my UK number and only activate UK PAYG plans when needed, but will this make the number 'expire' if I don't use it often enough? Also, does anyone have a good way of using UK and USA sims together in a dual-sim phone? My current phone supports this but I have to remove my SD card to enable it and as I'm sure most will agree it's not very convenient to say the least. Just trying to navigate how to access both my UK and new USA number the easiest. My current provider in the UK actually appears to allow me to add other numbers for access on their app, but skeptical if this will work on US numbers let alone numbers from different providers. Kinda lost.

Hello again, I'm in the process of soon moving to the USA as my visa's been approved (yay!) but I'm having trouble figuring out when and how to transfer my funds using Wise. I'm honestly a little confused about it. Do I need to connect my UK bank account, transfer the funds to my Wise account, then from Wise transfer GBP to USD into my husband's USA bank account? Is that exactly how it goes? Also, for those in my situation or those who've traversed it, when did you move your funds over? Days before your entry flight into the USA or when you were actually in the US? Just trying to gleam a little guidance here.

I'm sure I saw an option in the portal to re-arrange the date if I recall correctly. There's instructions via email/your appointment letter in how to rearrange the date somewhere. Regarding the passport, they take away the beneficiary's to then apply the visa inside it. So if your husband sponsored you, then it's your passport they take. If you're the one sponsoring him, then it's his passport they will take when you attend the interview.

Hello, I used Britannia Movers. They were excellent, incredibly friendly, and the contents of my small flat in the UK got here without any incident. (No furniture: just books, figures, clothes, electronics, a bicycle, nerd trinkets...) Cost me about £2.5k via sea freight for around 20ish full boxes. (I tried to whittle down my stuff beforehand but my circumstances didn't give me much time - I recommend you do so to save on price! Still WAAAAY cheaper than other quotes I got and reasonable for a one-off life move.) Arrived in the USA in a few months and was kept updated the entire time. No horrors. No breakages. Everything was just as I left it. My USC's family were impressed with the professionalism. I tried Pickford's at first because of their reputation but honestly it was completely undeserved. They were scattered, unhelpful, didn't walk me through the process, and were uninterested in helping me with customs forms. Getting hold of them was a headache. I lied in the end and said I cancelled my move because of their blundering. Complete opposite of Britannia Movers. Good reviews too - give them a shot. https://www.britannia-movers.co.uk

@WoodlandsFamily https://www.cdc.gov/immigrant-refugee-health/media/pdfs/Vaccine-Requirements-According-to-Applicant-Age-panel-physicians-p.pdf This is what Visa Medicals gave me and what they follow for vaccine requirements. According to this, you just need a COVID jab within 6 months old. Ages are also specified here. I would email or call them directly to clarify if they need the first two COVID vaccines but looking at this I don't personally believe so. Some people at my medical were told they could get one set of vaccines in a set then they were expected to follow up on extra doses later in the States, but that may be dependant on visa type.

I'm shocked what sounds like such a clear-cut domestic abuse case can be treat so suspiciously if there's clear photo evidence, medical records, social workers etc. And deeply sickened because from what other members have outlined? Sadly it makes enough sense for me to believe it. I have to question though. Do people willingly volunteer to go through such violence that it lands them into hospitalisation, just for fraudulent immigration into the US? Surely if this woman has broken bones or fractures that would help her case with USCIS because of the extreme bodily harm. It's hard to believe someone would willingly undergo that rather than go through proper immigration procedure... right? Perhaps I'm being naive. It boggles my mind the extreme lengths people can go. Either way, this situation sounds beyond messy and it may be better you keep it at arm's length OP, however painful. Your involvement may only further complicate things or even put you in danger. I wish her and you all the best.

Just to follow up on this, I had my therapist pull through and write out a letter regarding my condition as well as give me a diagnosis sheet. This is NOT covered by the Patient Access app as my therapy is/was through psychiatric services. The details of my condition in depth are not held via the GP. I wrote out an accompanying sheet detailing my condition, diagnosis, prognosis, and followed this up with my therapist letter. My GP tried to charge me £40 when I asked for just a quick paragraph explaining I wasn't at risk etc while my therapist drafted up my letter for free, and obviously this was done by the person who is actually medically qualified to provide such an informed opinion. I would advise others who follow after me to go through this with care. My GP could just be terrible, which they absolutely are, but they can't give details into in-depth mental health conditions. If you had tablets for mild Depression or Anxiety then your GP summary should be enough. Otherwise, it's not. See my latest thread for full details of medical:

I should correct my previous comment. I'm not anti-vax, I'm anti-COVID vax, exactly as TiffAndMike describe here and for the exact same reasons. Coupled with the experience of others within my social circle being physically affected to the point their lifestyles have been altered. But I respect America and its laws. I love my husband. I'll do anything to be with him, so I got my extra jab. There's a bit of irony in the USA being the land of the free, yet those seeking such liberties must comply to having their bodies injected. It makes perfect sense to protect those born and living on that soil and I don't argue with that in terms of vaccines. What I do argue with though is the requirement of getting a COVID booster if your last COVID jabs were over 6 months ago. There's countless statements that the first two doses are regarded as base protection. That and honestly, getting COVID jabs does not protect the populace of America anyway. Or any populace – it's meant to protect the person. It DOES NOT prevent spread. But we can't argue with USCIS requirements. If you get a doctor's note from Ukraine regarding her bad reaction, and get it updated on her medical records, then I believe they may consider a waiver. As for your children, they'll have to get the vaccines. Unless you follow legal procedures on moral/ethical/religious grounds (which is the rejection of ALL VACCINES based on religion/beliefs) as other more experienced members have outlined, there's no getting around it. I looked myself to be honest. Here's the vaccination requirement list by age for reference: https://www.cdc.gov/immigrant-refugee-health/media/pdfs/Vaccine-Requirements-According-to-Applicant-Age-panel-physicians-p.pdf If it helps, I've actually had three jabs in the space of one week (COVID booster, Polio, Hepatitis B) since I just had my medical a few days ago. I'm still chugging along (albeit with much fatigue) despite my immune system having absolutely no idea what's going on. Doctors will keep an eye on you for any adverse or allergic reactions when you get your booster here. You'll be in good hands.

I'm pretty anti-vax and I had to bite the bullet and get the booster jab. As well as the first two COVID vaccinations. I have family who have been personally affected, but more in the breathing department and less in the 'tennis ball knackers' department. Unless your wife had a severe adverse reaction documented on her medical record, the only way around the vaccinations is on moral or religious grounds. But this is rejecting all vaccines, not just the COVID jabs. So the chance of a waiver I've heard is slim. Plead your case during the medical by all means but unless it's documented I don't think you'll be able to slip by USCIS's immigration requirements. Certainly not with tennis ball testicles at any rate. Probably make a right 'racket'. 🎾

I would wait for your letter just to be sure. Visa Medicals usually ask for your interview date which is given in that. I would also contact them straight away once you have said letter to make an appointment. A few dates I had in mind around my schedule were booked up when I called a week or so after. I didn't think there'd be so many clients to be honest. Once your appointment date and time is booked, Visa Medicals will send you an email detailing everything you need. Also, make sure to phone for your appointment. Despite their website insisting you can book via email or online form, they will tell you to call them regardless. Hope this helps.

I think just seeing them to feel like I'm actually under qualified medical professionals would be nice. The nurse who jabbed me didn't even stick a plaster over the injection site, let alone clean it. I'm not joking. Or wait five minutes to see if I'd have a severe allergic reaction which I thought was mandatory care. And being unable to stick my COVID booster on my records to boot, admitting she didn't know how to? I just feel sick and I can't tell if it's from severe stress or from the Td/IPV payload. Thanks for sharing your experience. Makes me feel better rocking up there without much other than confusion and injection marks. I fly soon after the medical to see my partner again so my extra worry is if I need anything else before the embassy appointment, I'm going to struggle timewise to arrange things. Unless I just get whatever is missing in the USA.

Thank you so much. You've helped me feel a bit better. I'm furious with my doctors, I had to even correct the nurse who was dithering around for about 40 minutes looking over the vaccination sheet I brought. Literally 40 minutes. I didn't think it would be so hard to tell if I had such-and-such or not. I'm going to pay £30 tomorrow to get the first of the three jab course of the Hepatitis B vax since the visa medical list price it at around £90, so I might save some money... unless they offer one jab that's as good as all three. Then I'd have wasted £30 I could have put towards the full dose. I simply have no idea. I'm just trying to show the medical staff I'm trying to fill out what's missing when I go down there in a few days at this point. I'm so worried they'll reject my medical. The embassy doesn't worry me, it's this that does.

So, went to the doctors today with my list of vaccinations needed... And they were completely baffled. Confused. Apparently I had 2/5 Polio vaccinations (which she kept asking me why that is like I would know because ****ty parents), I don't have Hepatitis B which I need 3 jabs of for a full course, and they topped me up with some tetanus booster today. There's no records of me having chicken pox, I have no idea if I need full courses of vaccinations to clear the medical, and if I do how do I get them all before my embassy appointment next month when I need to leave weeks between each jab? I'm now completely thrown, confused, feeling like a pincushion, and hemorrhaging money. And this isn't even mentioning the mental health letters and such that I apparently need as backup. Can someone for the love of America please tell me if one recent dose of each vaccine is needed, or am I going to be kept in the UK like some sort of test rat while they inject me with every single thing to complete every single course needed? I literally don't know what to do from here. And my doctors are completely useless to the point they couldn't even update my COVID booster onto my vaccination records. They're that bad.

Thank you. I had to bite the bullet and get the darn thing but I was thankfully heard by the medical staff who helped explain the vaccines they stocked. The dose I got was confirmed to be just another version of the Pfizer jab which I already had as my second dose, so that made me feel better about it. As much as I can be at least.

Just a quick follow up, this is all vaccination requirements by age: https://www.cdc.gov/immigrant-refugee-health/media/pdfs/Vaccine-Requirements-According-to-Applicant-Age-panel-physicians-p.pdf And to clarify, the first two COVID jabs are no longer enough unless you got your second jab within 6 months of your medical. The booster/additional jab is required if you got your vaccination over 6 months ago.