Looking into a possible transfer to the uk

Hi everyone,

I just joined this forum to start looking into a possible relocation from NY to the UK.  I have been coming and going from the UK for the last few years but now my company is looking to move me over there permanently.  I have so many questions involving me and my family.  Things like potential tax pitfalls, pet relocation, integrating into society instead of my usual skirting of it now.  I have been staying in London 6 months at a time for the last 3 years as a specialized worker so I have never really needed to get a UK bank account or do UK taxes and stuff.
My move is covered by my company and they are supplying me a visa as well but it may not cover my wife.  She is social worker so my be able to get in under a sponsorship company if she can find a job willing too.
Anyways, I look forward to learning from everyone. 

I think the biggest consideration is that it would be a temporary move.  A transfer work visa will allow you and your wife to live and work for a maximum of five years (she needs a Tier 2 ICT dependent visa), after which you must leave the UK for a minimum of a year before attempting to qualify for another work visa.

You won't be able to change companies or buy a house (unless you pay cash).  But you also shouldn't have any tax concerns as your company should keep you "whole" as a part of your contract.  You'll need their assistance to getting a bank account.  Moving pets is expensive but easily done.  Will be much less expensive to move them back at the end of the assignment (I'll explain more later).  Social integration is very much getting out what you put in.   

Social work is very in demand here but I'm not sure if your wife would need to obtain UK qualifications to be desirable.  Have a look at the 'calling all social workers' thread.

Well for now the max I would stay is 3 years per my visa.  I don't think I would be staying much longer even if I wanted to.  This transfer would be pretty much a money grab for me.  I would make as much money as possible for the 3 years then get out as well as most likely leave my company at the same time.  The burnout rate for the job is near 100% and its my turn next.  Actually the only reason it isn't 100% is because I'm the only one left that hasn't burned out yet but I'm getting there. 

My main concern is really taxes and potentially having to get a UK license.  The pets are  not so bad as its mostly a money thing which my company will be paying for, I'm just overly worried about the possible stress on them for such a long trip. 

What do you mean by my company keeping me "whole"?  I will admit my company and myself are both new to this and no one is really sure of how it will be handled.  Right now my basic understanding of it will I will transfer over, live in company supplied housing or hotels, drive a company car but also I will most likely need to purchase and insure a car separately for my wife, get paid through a UK bank account and just plain work.  I will be coming back to the states a couple times a year but it would only be for short stays.  I will still be keeping my 2 houses here as well. 
I believe we will both need to get a UK driving license after a year.  It hasn't been an issue yet as I come and go so often now im still able to use my us license.  I would at a minimum get an international license either way.
Taxes are really the biggest thing.  It could turn my money grab plans into a potential money loss if I miss something.  I am talking to an accountant and lawyer but I really need to figure it out for my self.  I sort of know how UK taxes work through friends but no one is doing what I am doing in terms of transferring.  I make mid 6 figures a year and losing half that to UK taxes is just too much.  I believe I also will lose another chunk of that to us taxes as well.

You would only owe US taxes if you hold assets in the US (renting a home for example).  Because UK taxes are higher than US taxes, you won't owe US tax on your income.

In my experience with work visas (both my own and ones I've issued at work), we ensure the employees pay is 'equalised' meaning they are paying their US tax rate and the company pays the extra UK tax on their behalf.  This keeps them 'whole' meaning they haven't taken a pay cut by moving to the UK.

Pets are tough as it's going to depend on the individual animals.  Some will handle the stress better than others.

The drivers license is a pain but nothing to fear.  You can drive on your US license for a year.  Getting a UK license is expensive and time consuming.  I spent about £600 in lessons (learning how to pass the test) and fees.  Public transportation is pretty good here (depending where you will be living if course) so you may find you don't need a car.

Got it, thanks.

I have some fairly substantial assests in the US that will most likely be on the hook for.  Couple houses, many cars etc.  I will need to look into that.
I don't think my company will cover the tax gap.  They really don't do well on offering future help.  They will give me more money now and hope that works.  If I go to them at a later date with issues they will simply say we already gave you money so figure it out.  I get into quite a lot of tax troubles with them in the states, never mind adding the UK in. 

Got it, thanks.

I have some fairly substantial assests in the US that will most likely be on the hook for.  Couple houses, many cars etc.  I will need to look into that.
I don't think my company will cover the tax gap.  They really don't do well on offering future help.  They will give me more money now and hope that works.  If I go to them at a later date with issues they will simply say we already gave you money so figure it out.  I get into quite a lot of tax troubles with them in the states, never mind adding the UK in.

Just to throw this out there: if it is your company sponsoring you to move over, they have to be or become UK compliant in terms of UK employment law and tax... Generally it would be a UK subsidiary that would be sponsoring you, or the UK office of the company that employs you. They must be on the list of Tier 2 sponsors, being able to sponsor the Tier 2 ICT visa...

A quick google will allow you to check if the company is currently set up to sponsor or if they will need to go through the process in order for you to come over. The fact that they don't think that your wife would be able to come over with you sends a slight red flag for me, as it seems they are not familiar with the system.... so I thought I would pipe in and check!

My company is waiting for tge visas now.  They have already been denied twice but this time they invested alot to get it right.  The final word should be in this week.  It's supposedly a tier 2 ICT visa good for 3 years.  I haven't seen it so I can't say for sure but its really the only option.  I believe that covers my wife without issue but again I'm totally unfamiliar with this process and she has been looking into coming over on her own until I get a full fledged visa.  I'm in London so much it would have made sense for her to move over while I travel back and forth until I got mine.  She is a social worker so in theory she could have an easier time getting sponsored.
My company is difficult to deal with at best.  I know it's going to get screwed up somehow.  They will pay a penalty as I am sure I will sometime down the road.  They are very unfamiliar with the UK system but they tend to bully their way around things.  Just keep throwing money at it until it happens sort of way. 
I'm trying to do as much on my own as possible as well as learn what I can but I will end up having to rely on them ultimately.  If I can figure out things before they come up I will be much better off.

You should be applying for a Tier 2 ICT dependent visa simultaneously with yours.  She does NOT need sponsorship by a new company.  Whether you cover the cost of the visa or your company covers the cost of your dependent visa depends on the deal you negotiate.