Maybe I'm not as ready as I thought... I need a checklist. :)

Hey Everyone,

So I was approved for my spousal visa (YAY) and now am in the process of getting everything ready for my big UK move.  I've been reading the forum and the wikis like crazy the past few days trying to soak in as much info as I can.  But I think I'm starting to get a bit confused.

What I could use is a checklist.  A list of things to make sure I do once I get to the UK (or even some things I can do before hand).  Example: I was reading about NI numbers... didn't even know about that (naive of me...) So obviously that's something I need to apply for.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  I just want to make sure I don't miss a step...

Thanks!

Everyone's path is different, but here's basically what I did:

• 1. Got married!
• 2. Got spousal visa/moved over
• 3. Registered for GP.  They made me produce my marriage certificate as well as my visa. I know this varies from practice to practice (as the receptionist stated "It was within their rights to add additional requests for proof." Whatever.  )
  
• 4. Opened a bank account after two months.  All I needed was some "official" mail in my name (we used a water bill and, as back-up, a bank statement from my US bank that was sent to my UK address). I got the account at HSBC.
• 5. Applied for NI number (called up Job Centre plus, they sent me a form that I mailed back. Voila!--which was good, because the, ahem, professionals, at Manpower told me I couldn't work on a spousal visa until I called Job Centre in front of them to prove them wrong.)
• 6. Got provisional driver's license and began taking lessons (had to send in passport, so timing for this requires some thought).
• 7. Got driving license (passed test!) and a job (the same week!).
• 8. Began studying for KOL.
• 9. Found somewhere to horseback ride! (It's important to look around for the things that will nurture and maintain you as well as your marriage!)
• As this was all going on, I was also collecting any and all "official" type mail I got to use in my eventual ILR and citizenship apps--since everything seems to be up in the air.  I'm focusing on collecting things now and sorting through them for what I actually need later.

I'm sure others will have more to say! Congrats!

Thanks so much Jennie. This is exactly the kind of checklist I need.  Want to make sure I don't miss a crucial step.

Wow thanks for the thread Jessica.  There are a lot of us moving this fall so this should be uber-helpful!

What about registering with a GP?  Do you just take your visa in with you and fill out the new patient paperwork?  I'm hoping I don't have the issue that some others have had with the doctor's office saying you aren't qualified to receive NHS!  

Argh! I knew I would forget stuff! I did register with a GP early on.  Will add.

Thought it would be useful for all of us Fall movers!!! Plus, I <3 lists. hahahaha.

JessicaKate and others there is a 4 page thread about this same topic that mirrajay started called 'Establishing your life in the UK'  http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=56169.0

Wow thanks for the thread Jessica.  There are a lot of us moving this fall so this should be uber-helpful!

What about registering with a GP?  Do you just take your visa in with you and fill out the new patient paperwork?  I'm hoping I don't have the issue that some others have had with the doctor's office saying you aren't qualified to receive NHS! 

Just adding my 2p about registering with a GP. The one I registered with was pretty cool about not giving me some BS about not being qualified for NHS care. All they needed was my passport and a bill in my name (so I produced the updated council tax bill we got shortly after I moved over here, since that's the first thing my husband did). The receptionist mentioned wanting to see my marriage certificate but when I spoke to the registration officer the next day they just took my new patient paperwork and registered me with my husband's doctor. Fairly easy IMHO, at least for the surgery I registered with, but I'm sure it's a similar set up for most places

My first GP when i moved here to Scotland in 1999 didn't even bat a eye. Just said I had moved into the area and needed to register. Did it that day. No fuss what so ever. Tho that was a long time ago .. and it was up in Aberdeen so they may be a bit more used to non scots cos of the oil industry up there i dunno.

DC Girl, thanks for the link.  This site is so massive it's easy to overlook info.

Just adding my 2p about registering with a GP. The one I registered with was pretty cool about not giving me some BS about not being qualified for NHS care. All they needed was my passport and a bill in my name (so I produced the updated council tax bill we got shortly after I moved over here, since that's the first thing my husband did). The receptionist mentioned wanting to see my marriage certificate but when I spoke to the registration officer the next day they just took my new patient paperwork and registered me with my husband's doctor. Fairly easy IMHO, at least for the surgery I registered with, but I'm sure it's a similar set up for most places

I just walked in with my mother-in-law and handed in the form. She's lived in this village for 50 years, so I guess they just took her word for it that was her daughter-in-law newly arrived from the states. I didn't show my visa or anything. 
Just pointing out that taking one of your in-law's might not be a bad idea, if you live in a small village where everyone knows everyone. 

I just walked in with my mother-in-law and handed in the form. She's lived in this village for 50 years, so I guess they just took her word for it that was her daughter-in-law newly arrived from the states. I didn't show my visa or anything. 
Just pointing out that taking one of your in-law's might not be a bad idea, if you live in a small village where everyone knows everyone. 

Hehe, that's awesome. Unfortunately (or, maybe fortunately in my case) my in-laws live about 20-30 minutes from here, but once the registration officer found out my husband has been with the surgery for years now she breezed through the process and signed me off . 

I just walked in with my mother-in-law and handed in the form. She's lived in this village for 50 years, so I guess they just took her word for it that was her daughter-in-law newly arrived from the states. I didn't show my visa or anything. 
Just pointing out that taking one of your in-law's might not be a bad idea, if you live in a small village where everyone knows everyone. 

We are moving to a small village and my hubby and MIL know the doctor pretty well...I'm sure one of them will be with me anyway since I can't find my way out of a paperbag...so that will probably help. 

We are moving to a small village and my hubby and MIL know the doctor pretty well...I'm sure one of them will be with me anyway since I can't find my way out of a paperbag...so that will probably help. 

Yeah I'm bringing Hubby too, since he's been with the same GP since birth.  But that's funny about the paperbag comment... It took me ages to be able to finally walk to town center alone- fearing I would get lost. The month I was there before the wedding I finally got it down though.... My hubby helped me study a local map (he also helped me study which coins were which so it wouldn't take me forever to make change).  Have yours print out a map from Google Maps.  It'll definitely help.

We are moving to a small village and my hubby and MIL know the doctor pretty well...I'm sure one of them will be with me anyway since I can't find my way out of a paperbag...so that will probably help. 

Ha. I am famous for my ability to get lost on a straight line.  So, so pathetic.  I'm slowly getting the hang of it about a year in.