Tesco

We have the medical booked for later this month and can relate with some of what your concerns are. Firstly getting to London isn’t always the easiest and feel this is the hardest part of the whole process. Try and take a friend with you for moral support, failing that just try and relax and focus on organising the London trip and transport method. We have London Paddington train all booked for the medical with a nice walk, with ample time going and returning. Also think about your new life and focus on the positives and don’t worry (too much) on the days events. we printed the SCR from Patient Access, (used App). Your record will have a section with documents and consultations. In there you will find all your mental health records, which you will need, (they will ask). If you don’t see any consultations notes ask your GP practice and they’ll add this, (make sure you log off/on for updates to be effective). I don’t think they will be concerned with the notes of non medical professionals, the words of CPN’s etc will hold weight. finally, don’t leave too short of time. It’s better to twiddle your thumbs, then be in a rush. (Adding self generated anxiety) good luck!

Have Boots booked for next Saturday. Will either take the vaccine email, print out or SCR with it added.

We cancelled and did nothing for 5 months. Scheduled an interview then without any issues. Don’t leave it for a year though, as they may close your case. You may be able to schedule and cancel until the time is right for you, although I’m sure there are limits.

Wise is a really good system and easy to use and set up. You can transfer to your U.S account and also U.S to U.K account too. Best to keep your U.K bank accounts open and simply register to a family members address. Saying that many banks will allow a non resident to maintain a current account, (overseas address). As far as I can remember only NS&I will permit a savings account with a U.S address, (FACTA compliment). There can be no more ISA contributions on departure. My advice would be to keep all your accounts in the UK open, as trying to open a new one may not be possiable. Keeping the ‘bridge’ open can also help with HMRC’s final tax return payments/credits. Direct Debits and things like your mobile phone account should you keep it going, (authorising WhatsApp etc).

Don’t forget you’ll need a COVID jab to get medically cleared. Visa Medicals don’t administer these sadly. You can do it after the fact and then send on the evidence via email if this works better for your schedule.

Take a look at the IRS link below so as to come back into compliance with your filing obligations. Hopefully you can avoid substantial penalties. https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/us-taxpayers-residing-outside-the-united-states

I have a good friend that is Spanish and in a similar position. I understand that the tax authorities try and hold on to you as a tax resident, despite being overseas. Best seek professional advice as a part of pre-move tax planning.

Thank you… will look at booking a slot at Boots and so much easier than driving a fair distance to one of those pharmacies listed. Will get vaccine prior to medical though. Interesting thought though, if you did have the COVID 19 jab after the medical and consequently emailed the record. Would the medical date be when you physically undertook the medical exam, OR the date of the subsequent COVID 19 jab….

Brilliant thank you. Really helpful information 😊

Your booster is straightforward as done Stateside. For the ‘within 12 months’ in the UK, I guess can you use other companies, or only the ones Visa Medicals show, (two). Not local to any of them and would like to try an alternative location. Just wanted to see if others have had their vaccine from a different location in the UK and if that had a hand written card of proper print out of the record

I think Visa Medicals could do with updating their website. Also what evidence do they require? The signed card like the NHS handed out, or something more specific. Other places will also do private jabs, but what vaccination evidence is given and accepted? Getting a notice to say you need the COVID vaccine on the appointment letter can cut it fine for many, especially if you’ve just made the Embassy appointment and not left much time in between.

I see that Boots also administer Covid vaccinations. Best part of £100 though!

Don’t forget to file FinCEN114 and 8938 if relevant.

You could just purchase a sim while in the U.K. (EE O2 etc), a 30 day sim will give the data you want and a number, (which you wouldn’t really need). I just use WhatsApp and everyone uses that to contact me. It’s the good data package that you’d need though. You could turn off VM on your U.S. mobile number if you wanted while in the U.K., or you could add a modified OGM asking people to contact you via other means.

Patient Access was an App already installed, but also there is a website too. Initially it showed very little until we asked GP Reception to grant FULL medical record access. After a week it was done and all consultations going back many years then showed up. Current and past medication and the all important summery record. There is also the NHS App, although in our case Patent Access worked. You can download and print the summery along with medications to include any major or on-going health issues. Some GP Surgeries can give you a hard time, but ultimately they have a legal duty to provide access, albeit in certain limited circumstances it can be denied. Once access is granted there is no expiration.

Did you not need the IL at the medical, or just to make the appointment for the medical?

Ask GP Reception to give you access to your records on Patient Access, you can then download and print at home. Saves a BIG headache with not then having to rely on others. You will see any Consultant notes and print along with SCR and medications. We were DQ’d and received IL within a few weeks, it’s super quick. A little too quick as it only gave about two weeks to arrange and attend medical prior to interview.

They will want the IL at Visa Medicals. Early June is about right based on our timeline. Had to reschedule interview as the medical would have to have taken place in just a couple of weeks time to have made the interview as originally scheduled.

We had the same dates, but are rescheduling. I did see a couple of appointments left for the 9th.

Does the London Embassy conduct IR1 interviews on a daily basis or only on some days? Also, I see that many interviews are undertaken early in the morning; does anyone know if afternoon appointments are also available? Need to reschedule an interview and trying to align with train times. From what I see you first need to cancel the appointment and then select an alternative. Are you then presented with a list of days/times available after you’ve cancelled that original appointment? Thank you