I'm a tad concerned and need pointing in the right direction.

Hi All

I have a few questions and I was hoping some of you might know the answers, I'm not even sure where to post this and whether it is a topic that can be answered.

Here goes:-

As a few of you know I am a (British Born) UK Citizen who has recently gotten US Citizenship.  I left the the UK 10+ years ago when I was 28 yrs old.  I was naive about moving and just flew to the US on a round trip ticket and got married and stayed (went very easy for me and found a loop hole, I'm sure it has all changed now).  When I flew out I had a return ticket for 5 weeks later and had no intention at the time of staying permanently in the US.............in the end I did.  I think I was supposed to let the UK Govt or at least someone of authority that I wasn't coming back but I didn't.  In fact the only people who knew were family, friends and the NHS.  I told my doctor and he had all my medical records transferred to the central place where they store all old records.  When I needed some of my medical records forwarded on it was fairly simple to do.

I never filled out any HM Revenue forms so I don't know what I need to do or whether I have to do anything or let anyone know that I am coming home.  My NI Contributions are probably way under the limit for getting my state pension and I have no idea what other stuff needs to be done.

Are there any Brits out there who have left the UK and now gone back after a long period of time who can help.

I just don't know where to turn..........I was going to just get on a plane and fly home but now I am wondering if I should be filling out paperwork or letting the UK Govt know.  As I said I have no idea what I need to do or should have done 10 yrs ago (even though the 'shoulda done' is too late now).

Nothing to worry about.  I assume your UK passport is still valid?  Do you still have you NI number?  You are in the same situation as someone who left the UK for 10 years and properly prepared... 

I am no expert, but my bf lived in the US for five years (on an H1B Visa) and he had no problems when he went back to the UK.  Best luck.

I was going to just get on a plane and fly home

Yep, that's all you do.

Vicky

I lived outside the UK from 89-99 and didn't do anything special when I left or returned.  The only problems I ran into were registering with a GP, they kept asking for my NHS number, I had no clue but they sorted it out in the end; and trying to open a bank account - if you've been out of the country for a while it can be hard to get a current account. I had left a savings account open and just used that until I found a bank that gave me a current account.

Regarding your state pension, you can make voluntary NI contributions for the years you were away if you want to.

Thanks Everyone.