Next Steps!

Officially moving to the UK and leaving on Monday night

So I need to know.. what are the next steps?!

I know I need to bring the visa letter and make sure they stamp when I go through customs. Then I need to pick up my BRP card.

Do I still need to fill out a landing card or do I not need one now that I have a visa?

Any other tips?

Also, I am wanting to do a little get away weekend/road trip with the hubs to celebrate. We live in Leicester (1.5 hr North of London) A little drive is fine but not like 4-5 hrs! Any ideas on where we should go?!

I would even do something like Amsterdam if it's a cheap weekend.

Let me know! Thanks friends!! xx

Officially moving to the UK and leaving on Monday night

So I need to know.. what are the next steps?!

I know I need to bring the visa letter and make sure they stamp when I go through customs. Then I need to pick up my BRP card.

Do I still need to fill out a landing card or do I not need one now that I have a visa?

Any other tips?

Also, I am wanting to do a little get away weekend/road trip with the hubs to celebrate. We live in Leicester (1.5 hr North of London) A little drive is fine but not like 4-5 hrs! Any ideas on where we should go?!

I would even do something like Amsterdam if it's a cheap weekend.

Let me know! Thanks friends!! xx

Passport and visa letter at border control. They need to stamp the vignette page. Make sure it’s legible. You do still fill out a landing card and will until you get citizenship.

Get your name on as much mail with your spouse as possible. You’ll need it for the next visa application. If you plan on working, apply for a National Insurance number. You can open a bank account. Apply for a provisional license to use as id or if you want to drive later on.

Register with a GP and dentist. Change your address with your US bank accounts and credit cards.

Oh and don't enter via Ireland.

If your husband hasn't already done this, have him turn "paperless" off of all accounts!  And, like Kristie said, get your name added to as much as you can (but consider keeping your bank accounts separate).

Keep your US credit card(s), update your address on them.  That'll get you some post pretty quickly.  And you need post sent to you to confirm your UK address so you can apply for your provisional license, open a UK bank account, etc.

Hmmm... York?  Lake District?  Cheddar Gorge?

Cheddar!

I used to live there; it's gorgeous!  If you're into natural beauty and the outdoors, well worth a visit.  Mind the goats though; they own the place. 

Register with a GP and dentist. Change your address with your US bank accounts and credit cards.

Oh and don't enter via Ireland.

Is that necessary to change my address for my US bank accounts and credit cards? I have my address here as my mom's address and was thinking it would be better to leave it that way? I really want to try to maintain my US credit intact in case we ever decide to move back. Educate me. 

Hmmm... York?  Lake District?  Cheddar Gorge?

I second this, @CarlyAmerican4!! If you come to the Lake District then we can meet up for coffee... or wine!! 

Is that necessary to change my address for my US bank accounts and credit cards? I have my address here as my mom's address and was thinking it would be better to leave it that way? I really want to try to maintain my US credit intact in case we ever decide to move back. Educate me. 

I could be wrong, but changing the address of your US based credit card will not cancel out any credit history you have. The accounts themselves are still based in the US. So if you continue to use the card, it will still register under your US credit score. If you aren't sure, just double check with the credit card company.

Changing my address with my credit union caused so many problems with my online banking that I had to change it back. It was an awful, awful experience. That, with my botched transfer, just convinced me to leave it as my mom's address in the states.

The border was easy. As stated above, passport and approval letter. Make sure they stamp it!

When I got here I registered with the NHS, registered with the local GP, got added to the lease, added to the electric bill, the water bill, opened a bank account, then got a phone contract with Three. and officially changed my number. My US number deactivated the day I arrived in the UK. So, if you are tied into a US phone provider contract you need to take care of it now before you leave if you can.

I have had issues with my NIN, as I can NOT get a real person on the phone but that's my problem, you might not have as much trouble. I would also recommend keeping a box/drawer with your important stuff/mail/etc so you don't lose it. You'll need to carry your BRP if you visit Amsterdam, so make sure you take good care of it! Getting the BRP was easy. We went to the post office, I showed them my passport and the situation and she pulled it out of an envelope and voila!

When I was added to Tom's lease, since I am an Non-EU and not a British citizen we had to travel to another town so they could "verify" that I am legal and a real person. You should consider that if you're going to be doing something similar. If your husband owns his house it shouldn't matter. I'm not at that point yet! I also got a library card, costa card, greggs card, etc. of the places I knew I would frequent, and it helped make me feel like I live here.

Good luck!

I changed my address on my credit cards but not on my bank account (credit union). I’ve had zero issues with the credit card. It shouldn’t affect it but I would say if you bank through a credit union, keep a US address.

I could be wrong, but changing the address of your US based credit card will not cancel out any credit history you have. The accounts themselves are still based in the US. So if you continue to use the card, it will still register under your US credit score. If you aren't sure, just double check with the credit card company.

I was just thinking it would be easier to just leave it all as is. I would prefer to leave them alone if I can, but if it's something I'll end up needing for FLR/ILR then I'll change them.

Yes on the landing card. You will always need to fill out a landing card until you get citizenship.

And go to Amsterdam, if you can. It's a short flight and a fantastic city.

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I was just thinking it would be easier to just leave it all as is. I would prefer to leave them alone if I can, but if it's something I'll end up needing for FLR/ILR then I'll change them.

No, it's not required for the visa. Just another suggestion for mail that I'm used to making as some have difficulty finding enough sources. You only need 3 though so in your situation you should have no trouble at all getting enough! 

If your husband hasn't already done this, have him turn "paperless" off of all accounts!  And, like Kristie said, get your name added to as much as you can (but consider keeping your bank accounts separate).

Keep your US credit card(s), update your address on them.  That'll get you some post pretty quickly.  And you need post sent to you to confirm your UK address so you can apply for your provisional license, open a UK bank account, etc.

Hi! Was wondering why consider keeping bank account separately?

@carlyamerican4 that's so exciting you're finally moving. Best of luck!

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