We have arrived in the UK!!!

Hello,
We are here in the UK.  We received so much wonderful help and advice through the crazy visa process.  I thought this would be a good place to ask "What do we do now?"  lol
My husband is the American.  He has applied for his Provisional Driver's licence today.  I know he can drive for a year on his US one but he is interested in a job that requires a UK licence.
A few questions:
How does he go about getting a National Insurance number?
I was advised to get him a Notice of Correction to prove address in UK?

Any suggestions on how to build credit?
Advice on where we can get credit cards?
Open bank accounts?

I am British but have lived out of the UK for 17 years so I am starting from scratch too.  I have an online British savings account so I am going to see if I can turn it into a current account. Maybe I can add my husband to it?

Is there anything I missed?  All is quite unfamiliar to me too so there is probably something I have not thought of...

Thank you in advance...... 

He needs to apply for a National Insurance number through the Job Center.  He ca start working without one.

Building credit is tricky.  If you have a US American Express card, you can switch that to a UK card.  You'll need to call them to do so.

After living here about a year, I was able to apply for and receive a Capital One"credit builder" card.  I had a whole £500 limit.  I made sure to use it lots and pay the balance in full each month which resulted in frequent credit limit increases.

Thank you, we will let people know if we learn any new info along the way...

My British husband and I moved over here at the beginning of July from the US.  I am a US citizen. My husband like yourself had lived in the US for a long time, 22 years in fact.  He lived in the US for as long as he lived in the UK.

Me too, Lived in UK 20 years and the US nearly 22 years.  How are you finding it?  We have been here a week today and we just bought a car and are running around getting the children ready for school on Thursday.
It is quite the adjustment for my husband who is the American...plus living with in laws...lol

Building credit from scratch was tough. I felt like I was 18 all over again! I would definitely recommend getting him his own bank account, as that is a great way to start up his credit. Also, when possible, get both your names on the bills - if not just for future visa applying but also to help build a credit profile. Oh, and pay by direct debit! This is key.


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Thanks Dels.  As soon as we get his Provisional D/Lic we will try to open up a bank account in his name.  I am going to see if I can get a mobile contract. Wish me luck.
We don't really have any bills yet as living with my parents.  We really want to buy our own home.  Any advice on getting a mortgage??  You are right it is like being 18 again...but worse because at 18 banks were wanting my business and making offers!!  lol

Thanks Dels.  As soon as we get his Provisional D/Lic we will try to open up a bank account in his name.  I am going to see if I can get a mobile contract. Wish me luck.
We don't really have any bills yet as living with my parents.  We really want to buy our own home.  Any advice on getting a mortgage??  You are right it is like being 18 again...but worse because at 18 banks were wanting my business and making offers!!  lol

I'm in the process of buying a house now after having been here for 5 years.  Very few options for us out there.  But there are a few options.  We are working with a mortgage broker.  Do you have a decent deposit saved?

I am going to see if I can get a mobile contract. Wish me luck.
We don't really have any bills yet as living with my parents.  We really want to buy our own home.  Any advice on getting a mortgage??  You are right it is like being 18 again...but worse because at 18 banks were wanting my business and making offers!!  lol

Right?? Practically fighting off creditors then.

The general rule (who made up this rule, I do not know) is that before you buy it's best to have at least 2 years of solid credit behind you. That should make it much easier to get a mortgage. That being said,  sometimes just having a larger deposit. £ talks!