Wahid Younis

Thanks everyone! Much appreciated.

Sorry I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post it in but it's an urgent question. I've been in the US for a month now on a spouse visa and today I need to travel back to the UK for an emergency. I still haven't received my green card yet but I have the temporary i-551 on my visa which is in my passport. Does that mean I can return to the US without any issue? Thanks for your help.

Hi W199, I'm completing the application online to open a non US resident HSBC Premier checking account and it's asking for my FTIN, which I don't have atm. I'm assuming that I just tick the box that says "FTIN not legally required"? Thanks

Hi, does anyone know if the IRS tax the money that's transferred from a UK bank account to a US bank account? Or is it covered under the US UK double taxation treaty?

If I'm going to be honest, I'm confused now. I thought I only needed an AHC (Animal Health Certificate) and rabies vaccination to take my cat to NYC. In the GOV UK link you sent me, it states the following: Travelling to a non-EU country If you’re travelling to a non-EU country, you’ll need to get an export health certificate (EHC). You’ll also need to complete an export application form (EXA) if you’re in England, Scotland or Wales. The export health certificate and the export application form for each country and pet will tell you how to apply. So here it's saying that I need to get an EHC and complete and EXA. I don't really understand why this is required when I'll already be getting an AHC. Seems like to me that an AHC and EHC are the same thing? When you go to the following link https://www.gov.uk/export-health-certificates, I can't find a EHC for exporting a cat to the USA, which confuses me even more. Also when you go to the Netherlands Government page https://english.nvwa.nl/topics/travelling-to-the-netherlands-with-your-dog-or-cat/travelling-with-your-pet-from-a-country-outside-the-eu-via-the-netherlands, it says the following about cats in transit: Travelling with your pet and making a transit I am arriving by plane with my dog or cat from a third country before travelling on to another third country. Dogs or cats in transit must meet the EU import requirements. Exceptions are only permitted if the animal remains in the international area of the airport, at your own risk and under the following conditions: The dog or cat must remain within the international transit zone of the airport and may have no contact with other animals. Under no circumstances may the dog or cat leave the international zone, including in the event of delays. In case of unforeseen events, such as medical necessity or delayed flights, the international zone of the airport does not have the required facilities to house the animals, not even temporarily. It is therefore preferable for the animal to meet the EU requirements. That is the safest option. If you continue your journey with your pet by boat or car (for example to the United Kingdom), this exception does not apply, and your pet must at all times meet the EU import requirements. If your pet is travelling in cargo and temporarily staying in one of the sheds at the airport, your pet needs to meet the EU import requirements and Customs or the NVWA will inspect your pet. So based on this, as long as I'm in transit and don't leave the international area of the airport, then I don't need to meet the EU import requirements, but just to be on the safe side, it's best if the cat does meet the EU import requirements. So if you look at this page https://english.nvwa.nl/topics/brexit/taking-pets-to-and-from-the-united-kingdom-after-brexit, then the only requirements are to for the cat to be microchipped (my cat already is), have a rabies vaccination and an AHC, which is basically the same requirements as NYC. Therefore both the EU and NYC requirements will be satisfied with the same things. It also has the same requirements on the GOV UK website https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/travelling-to-an-eu-country-or-northern-ireland. Interestingly, I found this article on transiting through Amsterdam https://www.petrelocation.com/blog/post/pet-travel-layover-and-transit-requirements-at-airports. So best case scenario, I don't need to show any document when I'm transiting through Amsterdam and worse case scenario I do, but I'll have those documents anyway as the requirements are the same as NYC. The only thing I'm worried about now is the EHC and EXA mentioned on the GOV UK website. Does anyone have any experience with this? Your help will be really appreciated. Sorry for the long message, but I need to be absolutely sure about this. Thanks Yes absolutely and thank you so much!

Ikr! I'm so glad it's worked out this way. So I only need a health certificate and rabies vaccination for NYC right? I'm just wondering if there's any UK requirements?

So an update from my side. I spoke to a KLM agent earlier and confirmed that I can fly with my cat in the cabin. Over the phone, she actually created a temporary reservation to confirm this and was able to add my cat to the reservation which was approved immediately. The flight is from Leeds Bradford to JFK via Amsterdam. She kindly sent me a email confirmation of this for my records. She also confirmed that I only need the documents which are required by the final destination. It costs £175 to add my cat to my flight, so I'm going to go with this method now. Thanks everyone! You've been a huge help.

So I don't need to do this? There's no issue if they mistakenly still think I've left the country even though I haven't? Yeah it's just a one time thing only.

Ah ok, so you cancelled the return flight and received credit for that which can be used at a later date at your own choice?

That's a great idea. I'll do that. Thank you!

I'm looking at flights and the round trip flights are cheaper than the one way flight. Was wondering if there's any risks to that or is it pretty safe as a one off?

Has anyone done the throwaway ticketing hack before? It's where the round trip ticket is cheaper than a one way ticket, and you just don't use the return flight.

This is what it says on the KLM website: Travel documents Make sure to arrange your pet’s vaccinations, health certificates, and travel documents well in advance. Dogs and cats travelling within the European Union must be identified by an electronic chip. They must also have a European passport, confirming that they’re properly vaccinated. For travel outside the European Union, other rules might apply. We recommend consulting the embassies of your departure, transfer, and arrival countries to find out which documents are required. Is your pet refused transport or refused upon arrival, because of non-compliance with the rules established by us or by your departure, transfer, or arrival country? Please note that KLM is not responsible for any costs incurred as a result of the refusal (such as rebooking fees, hotel stay, or kennel fees). Not sure if the European passport applies to me if I'm just transiting through Amsterdam. I will cal KLM tomorrow. Can you share the URL with me please?

I've had a look and found that KLM allow pets in the cabin. There's flight from Manchester to JFK via Amsterdam but would I need a pet passport for this since I'd technically be entering the EU? What restrictions did you find on flying with pets directly to the US from the UK? Thanks

Which airlines in the UK allow you to carry your cat with you in the cabin? Could you give some examples please? I'm struggling to find one. I called Aer Lingus yesterday and they said that they don't allow pets in the cabin area, but they've partnered up with PetAir UK to transport pets in their cargo. In terms of Virgin Atlantic, on their website it says their pet service is currently unavailable.

This is great. I'll do this instead. I actually bank with HSBC anyway and also have a premier account with them, so this should work out. Thank you!

Thanks everyone. This has been very helpful. I called my bank today and they said I can do the international transfer using the mobile banking app and it only costs £5. I'm going to transfer it to my wife's account for the time being, until I get my own account.

Thank you so much. I feel like I know what I need to do now 😊

Thank you! This is so helpful. I think I'm going to go with the Silver package option as well and sort all of the vet stuff myself, including his transport to the airport. So just to confirm, you used the broker option with PetAir UK and didn't get an agent to collect your dog from the cargo department because you did this yourself as you were on the same flight?

Hi everyone, I'm going to be moving to NYC towards the end of May/beginning of June and I would like to transfer some of my savings before I depart. What's the best way to go about this? Can I open a US bank account with an SSN? What's the most cost effective way of transferring my money to minimise any fees etc? Thanks for you help

Thanks for sharing this with me. I've decided to use a pet transportation service for my cat :)

Thanks Sukie. So just to confirm, you collected your cats yourself from the cargo department and didn't use an agent for this right? I'm leaning towards in doing the same thing, whereby I fly the day before my cat arrives. Luckily my wife has an apartment right next to JFK.

Thanks Ewan. This is really helpful. I actually got a quote from PetAir UK last year. Based on the comments in this thread, the safest option for me is to use a pet transportation service, and since most people like yourself have had a great experience with PetAir UK, I've decided to go with them. It makes sense about the routes being limited because when I got the quote last year, they said it would be from London and not Manchester, so looks like that's going to be my only option. I still need to decide whether I fly from Manchester, which would be separate from my cat. In this case, I guess I would have to make sure I arrive into JFK before my cat does. Are there any advantages to being on the same flight as my cat, since he will be in the cargo hold anyway? Thanks for bringing the temperature issue to my attention. I wasn't aware of this. This now makes things a bit difficult for me. In NYC it can be 29C from June to September, so I would have to either send my cat just before June or after September. The only issue with waiting until after September is that my visa is only valid for 6 months from the medical exam date, which was 23rd March. Unless I move first to NYC and leave my cat behind and then sip him over in October, but that would mean being apart from him for like 4 months, which is the last thing I want to do. It looks like my only option is to move with my cat at the end of May/beginning of June. I need some assistance/guidance with the quote PetAir UK provided to me last year. It seems like they tried to upsell me on certain services, which looks like are not required. Therefore I would to minimise the cost as much as possible and only do the required stuff with them. Here's the quote: Our Silver quote includes the following: Airline ticket from London to New York, United States (subject to availability) with BA Airline surcharges (Handling / Security / War Insurance / Fuel / Airway Bill / Transit Fees) Custom made PetAir UK IATA approved wooden travel container with bedding and watering facility (see below) Export customs entry Airport visit on day of departure for check in assistance The Gold service also includes: Pre-travel veterinary health examination Fitness to fly certificate (Vet completed document) Acclimatisation Declaration (Vet completed document) Collection from your home (BD postcode) and transport to the airport (includes one night boarding) Check in We can provide the above services for a total cost of: Silver £1068.20 and Gold £1498.20 (VAT not applicable as destination is outside EU) Please note: If taking our Gold service, your pets annual vaccinations (including Kennel Cough for dogs) will need to be up to date for them to be able to stay overnight in our facilities. This is a requirement of the kennels. ****Please read below regarding the mandatory broker for clearance: **It is essential to use a broker at your chosen destination, to clear customs on arrival for your pets. As part of our service, we can arrange this for you. The cost for this is would be an additional £330.00. Please be advised that this cost is for remote customs clearance ONLY. You will still be required to collect your pet(s) from the cargo department, which can involve long waiting periods, driving back and forth to various offices and payment of any extra handling or pet health check fees. Alternatively, we can organise for a trusted pet handling agent (like us) to attend the airport, check on your pet(s) wellbeing on arrival, top-up water and complete the customs clearance in person. They will then bring your pet(s) out of the cargo area and meet you at a pre-arranged place near the airport, where you can be reunited with your pet(s). If you choose this service, you will be given access to this agent prior to departure, to answer any questions you may have about the process on arrival. The additional cost for this service is: £650.00. I assume you went for the Gold package? In terms of the mandatory broker, did you pay the additional cost and use the broker PetAir UK provide? Also based on what you said, it sounds like I can go to the cargo department myself to collect my cat and therefore won't require an agent, saving me £650? Thank you so much for you help.

Thanks for this. It's really helpful. I checked the link and NY only requires a health certificate and rabies vaccination, which shouldn't be difficult I imagine. How much do pet moving services cost and what can I expect? Is there anything to watch out for with these kind of services? Thanks

Yeah there's only 2 airlines from Manchester that fly directly to JFK and they are Aer Lingus and Virgin Atlantic. I called Aer Lingus some time ago about this and they said they don't allow pets in the cabin or in the cargo hold. I still need to contact Virgin Atlantic to see what options they have. Thanks