As we're all waiting, it's hard to stay focused and not get out of sorts. Here's a list of what to do while waiting for the visa decision. If you can think of other ideas, please chime in!
1. Fill out your Transfer of Residence application if you plan to ship anything to the UK (besides your plane luggage):
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-transfer-of-residence-tor-relief-tor01Allow at least 4 weeks for UK customs to make a decision. The exemption is valid for 12 months after approval, so do this early.
2. Digitize any important paperwork/mementos, either if you need a backup copy or if you are trying to downsize for the move. My recommendation: the Fujitsu ScanSnap 1300i. Compact and portable, and it even comes with adapters for both UK and US. (I also backed up files on an external hard drive and DropBox.)
3. Visit friends and family, especially elderly/ill ones who may not make it until your next visit to the US.
4. Study for your UK driving theory and hazard perception test.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code5. Study for your Life in the UK test:
https://www.gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test/book-life-in-uk-test6. Eat food that you'll miss in the UK, such as hot dogs, dill pickles, Mexican food, mac & cheese, Dunkin' Donuts, etc.
7. Visit local attractions and favorite places near you that you will miss. Even if you come back to visit, those places may change.
8. Stock up on your favorite clothing that's hard to get in the UK (such as inexpensive bras, jeans, etc.)
9. Stock up on your favorite personal items that will be hard to get in the UK (stick deodorant, your favorite shampoo, etc.)
10. Search for the GP (doctor) in your area of UK and gather information about what paperwork you'll need to get registered.
http://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/GP/LocationSearch/411. Read up on UK culture, customs, and culture shock/adjustment
Some recommendations:
Very British Problems (hysterical but quite informative)
Watching the English (more serious and in-depth)
Stuff Brits Like
12. Watch British TV. This site is great for access to British TV channels:
https://www.firstonetv.eu/Index13. Make holiday cards to send out just before you leave the US (and therefore save a ton of postage), or to leave with a friend/family member to distribute for you.
14. Go on Google Earth and get to know the neighborhood where you'll live. (I can actually see my wife's car parked in her driveway! It's lovely to feel as if I can see it.)
15. Take regular screenshots of your call record logs/email logs for future Further Leave to Remain visa applications.
16. Research UK cell phone plans to find one that's best for you. My personal recommendation: GiffGaff. Cheap, flexible, and no contract needed.
https://www.giffgaff.com/17. Mail cards/letters to your significant other. Even if you're chatting/texting/emailing daily, it's still nice to get something tangible.
18. Make plans for your next holiday in the UK.
19. Start making a homemade gift for your loved one in the UK.
20. Take one last road trip...or two or three.
21. Do something/visit someplace you've always wanted to do/see, but didn't because it was too expensive/far away/hot/cold/inconvenient/etc.
22. Keep a daily journal.
23. Compile to-do lists for right before you leave and right after you arrive in the UK.
24. Investigate Amazon UK, Ikea UK, or whatever your favorite international store might be.
25. Cook a meal (or buy a meal) for someone you love who will stay in the US. Or go shopping together, or whatever it is that you like to do together. There will come a time when you would give anything in the world to have that chance again.
26. If you have young relatives/friends who aren't old enough to remember you clearly, write them an age-appropriate letter for them to read after you've left. Or get a toy, like a recordable book or teddy bear, for you to leave a personal message.
27. If you live in a sunny area, go outside and soak up lots of rays. You'll miss it in the UK.
28. Plan your first trip together, whether it's within the UK or going abroad.
29. Reach out to someone else who's applying for a visa and has questions. Offer what help and support you can.
30. Use your experience to become more compassionate and understanding of immigrants in the US. Find a local refugee or New American center and offer your help. Read up on local immigration law in the US and find out how you can advocate for immigrants.
31. If you belong to a faith community, research it in the UK. See what options might be available.
32. Look into volunteering opportunities, in the US before you leave and/or in the UK after you arrive. My personal favorite is Silver Line, an organization that calls senior citizens in the UK who live alone:
https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/Or the Samaritans:
http://www.samaritans.org/volunteer-usOr any of the many great causes.
33. Binge-watch Netflix. 'Nuff said.
34. Make sure you have enough prescription and OTC medication to last you through your first few weeks (or even months) in the UK, just in case it takes a while to get registered with a GP. (Some items that are hard to get or expensive in the UK: Flonase, Neosporin, real Sudafed, Benadryl, value size bottles of ibuprofen, Aleve, etc.)
35. Take a deep breath, and have faith. It's all going to be okay.