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I received back what seemed to be a rather generic email from the U.S. Embassy London, mainly answering questions that I had not asked. What their reply did say however was to bring the available documents I have to my appointment. I've printed their response and also my initial email and will show security if asked, but I do have the single page showing my appointment date and courier information. The appointment date has been confirmed, so not receiving an actual email/letter from the embassy doesn't mean I don't have an appointment. Visa Medicals only wanted my case number/visa category and asked if I had an embassy appointment, they did not want to know when that actual day was. They had all my details anyway and I noticed DS-260 data was on form DS-7794 that I received at the end of the medical appointment at check out.

The only number that I found was from the AIS site. It was mainly aimed at NIV, although I was able to talk with someone, (in the U.S. I think). After explaining my situation, they sent me the confirmation email from the Visa Appointment Service website, (already had that)! The lady said then to email technical support, which I did. Untimely, I have a a genuine appointment. Hopefully I will get a reply from someone soon and before my interview appointment. I still want to attend, even if they don't send me the email from the Immigrant Visa Unit. After some setbacks, things were all turning around nicely, all to be stumped, (temporarily I hope) by the lack of email! Just not sure where: lndivsubmissions@state.gov is initiated. Is it a part of the appointment website, that should automatically send out a set number of days prior to your interview. Or is it manually initiated in the U.K. by the Immigrant Visa Unit.

I actually scheduled the appointment about 4 weeks ago, so I decided to drop the embassy an email via the navigator system this morning. I think it’s impossible to call them, so an email Is the only option. I have the medical next week so would like to get a email reply soon.

I have a rescheduled interview for January 16th. I remember last time, that an email appointment confirmation was sent early in the morning to me 14 days before the interview that I had then subsequently cancelled. I have the appointment confirmed via the appointment scheduling website, (https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-gb/iv/users/sign_in) along with the courier confirmation page, but no email yet. I know that the email is needed, along with the courier confirmation for the interview and to be allowed access to the Embassy. Has anyone experienced delays with getting their email from: lndivsubmissions@state.gov, that confirms the date and time of the interview and also contains all the steps to complete? With New Year, I maybe jumping the gun and need to wait a day or two, but it would be nice to be in receipt of that email.

It’s just like a regular interest account. Report on Schedule B also FinCEN114 & 8938 if threshold specify. Depending on your accountancy method, you may import via a 1099-int substitute.

Another superb update, thank you! All very useful information …

Visa medical will let you know the earliest date. Got mine a week and two days before the interview. The minimum was 7 days. So if you had a Wednesday interview for example, the earliest would be the previous Wednesday for medical.

Trying to reschedule an interview today. I see that the appointment website is down though.

Cancelled the first, now rescheduling.

Trying to book an IR1 appointment for January, but on the U.S. Embassy website there are no appointments at all showing. Only 10th /12th December are available. Is it perhaps due to the new year, as in the past there’s usually 4 to 6 weeks of appointments showing to book. Thanks in advance.

All standard with APIS data being captured and transferred to CBP at check in. Nothing to worry about.

Just awaiting January appointments to come Online. Then to sale the house and make the move. Hopefully it will be sold quickly!

Good luck with the move -)

If you use a CPA they may question your address change for your 2024 IRS tax return, especially if you file jointly. By far the easiest option is to just have your post forwarded. Any U.S. employer will have no interest or understanding of a P45. Ultimately just sign up for an HMRC account and view income and deductions.

Pleased that you’re getting somewhere with this now. The P45 really shows earnings from April 6th and the final tax code and tax paid. Do you have an HMRC account? Handy for this sort of thing, as it’s in real time with your employer, so all up to date earning etc will be documented. I understand you wanted to get this sorted ASAP so you can then ascertain how much you can transfer to the U.S. hope your are starting to find your feet and settle. Oh btw, it’s the December 31st exchange rate used for form FinCEN114. You may use the average exchange rate for uk sourced income, or the spot rate for the day if a single transaction.

SRT stands for Statutory Residency Test. It’s a series of tests HMRC makes to consider if you are still UK resident for taxation. For example if you work outside the UK for an average of 35 hours a week, then you’re a non UK resident straight away. You’ll only then be taxed on UK income. MFJ means Married filling Jointly, your US husband will know what to do with the annual 1040 As for FinCEN114, if all your assets are over $10k, then you need to file. Pensions are a little murky, but generally if a private pension then it’s reportable. Company pensions are not held in your name and therefore not normally reportable. Hope this helps and that you’re settling in ok…

As an employee, your former employer is obliged to send you a P45, (3 parts). This can be emailed to you, (password protected) soon after your final payment. You should be able to do a rough estimate of your tax liability from worldwide income to the date your left the UK, (providing you meet HMRC's SRT as a non resident). Your UK earnings will have no impact on the IRS return for 2024, as you only became a 'U.S. Person' on arrival, (unless you voluntarily opted to file MFJ with your U.S Spouse). As such however, you now declare your worldwide income to Uncle Sam, to include FinCEN114 if you hold more than $10,000 outside the U.S, even for a day (simple form).

These forms can catch people out. The fines and penalties for failure to file can be life changing. The rule of thumb is if you have a total of under $10k in non US assts then you’re fine. Yes this does include pension funds owned by you. If you have any trusts then your file form 3520, (complicated and beyond the scope of this topic). Not sure of your age, but the pension funds grow tax deferred. Don’t take an HMRC hit for nothing.

Absolutely astonishing, thank you very much!

The US authorities will need you to report any foreign bank accounts on an annual basis. Take a look at those forms I mentioned, (you can Google them). You US accountant will know what to do though. Once a UK bank knows you’re a US resident, the balances are reported to the IRS. The Treasury form is straight forward, and is only needed if you have over $10,000 in non US bank deposits or retirement savings.

Wishing you well for next Tuesday, will be here before you know it! Keeping UK accounts is best, as you’ll not be able to open another in the future as a UK non resident. The banks will report you to the IRS under FACA, once you become a US resident. (They cross reference with Treasury form FinCEN114 and IRS form 8938, (if threshold exceed)). Your CPA will know what to do when you file your 1040 for 2024.

It’s easy to transfer from your UK bank to the US, but not visa versa. To transfer from a US account the UK, you must present yourself before the banking officer at a local branch and then they will set up the ‘wire’ it’s a bit like banking of the 1980’s (have a well know major US bank too). Wise uses peer to peer transfer, so no international transaction per se. If you transfer from your UK account to the US with Wise for example, then the funds are simply credited to you from their US bank to your own, (same in reverse). Credits to the UK are made within seconds, to the US about a day. It uses ACH, so once set up it’s a dream to use. For international banking, I’ve found Wise to be invaluable. Another important note is the massive savings with exchange rate and fees against traditional banks.

Some network providers block their app from overseas. If you can do it from your CC or Debit Card that would circumvent. Be carful and check their T&C’s with regards the time period to make and receive a text or phone call. It can catch you out, (as it did me). You then loose your number. So make sure you use the number and make a note on your calendar to do so. We loose much more then just a number, WhatsApp authentication, MFA etc.

Think about getting a Sim only contract, they’re very inexpensive. You can then have MFA for your UK banking and other apps. Change to a local relatives address as they won’t allow you to have a contract with a Stateside address.

We’re both in the UK. House sell stalled,(really want it sold first) and job pushed back. All these little things that add to the move! As it’s over 6 months out, didn’t want the chance of the process timing out.