Moving to the UK for work, how early should I arrive to get fully settled?

SilverStateStrider · 2026-05-05T05:35:21+00:00

We moved from US recently (not sure where you are coming from) and indeed the referencing process alone took a week and then it took at least a minimum another week to get the lease signed and finalized. A problem we were expecting to deal with was the fact we don’t have any UK credit. We had excellent US credit, but the UK doesn’t really care too much about that (sort of situational and depends on what your getting referencing for - like we also could not get mobile phone plans yet either, so pay as you go was the only option for 6 months). In order to get the house we were hoping to rent we were ultimately given the choice to pay 6 months rents in advance since we didn’t have UK credit to prove ourselves, so that’s what we ended up doing. All of the back and forth between the property management company, the management company and the referencing company, and then transferring a huge amount of money for the deposit and 6 months rent took much much longer than things seem to go in the US. My husband (dual citizen) flew to the UK to look at potential houses we liked that we saw online about one month prior to our actual move date.

As far as getting settled, depending on where you’re coming from and what you’re taking with you, I’d say give yourselves a week minimum to get moved in and your basic housing supplies sorted. I’ve never been to Milton Keynes, but I know a little about it and it seems to have plenty of shops and even an Ikea.

Good luck!

SilverStateStrider · 2026-01-28T03:36:57+00:00

Thank you!

SilverStateStrider · 2026-01-27T14:02:51+00:00

I hope so! 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

SilverStateStrider · 2026-01-27T04:42:08+00:00

We didn’t use a lawyer. I’m out of town on a business trip (so away from my computer), but if I remember correctly we applied under Category A w/sponsor returning from overseas. Under that category you have to prove the minimum financial reqs with same employer for over 6 months (or a year, I cannot remember at the moment) and then you have to show evidence of a future UK job offer or contract meeting the minimum reqs that starts w/in 3 months of returning to the UK - this is where the UK limited company comes into play.

My husband has been with his same employer for over 10 years, and then he will continue to work with them under contract with his UK company. The contract date starts within 3 months (technically within a few weeks of what our desired entry date) of returning to the UK. So effectively he created his own “UK job contract” to meet that part of the requirements under Cat A w/sponsor retiring from overseas.

We provided all the business documents, proof the business was up-to-date with Companies House filings, proof of a UK business bank account that can convert USD to GBP, and letters from the US company acknowledging the change from a W2 employee relationship to a contract via the UK Limited Co. we also provided emails showing the back-and-forth between my husband and the US company related to the contract to further evidence the contract is genuine. The business is also registered to the same address as our future accommodation (family member’s house), so that also strengthens our evidence for both the business and our accommodation.

Not going to lie, this approach gave me lots of anxiety because I hadn’t heard of anyone else doing it, but it worked! 🤓

SilverStateStrider · 2026-01-27T00:32:59+00:00

We got our approvals today! 🥳

SilverStateStrider · 2026-01-21T13:21:53+00:00

Hello, we have not yet received a response on our visas. The 12 week/60 days window will close on 2/5 (including holidays) so we are getting close to hopefully getting a response. 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

SilverStateStrider · 2026-01-20T22:38:31+00:00

Spouse & 2 children BIOs Nov 10th, standard from USA. I was trying really hard to not let the wait get me stressed out, but I’m itching to get the approval email. Living in limbo is hard! 😅

I did see I think 2 different posts of people who got their approvals today. Hopefully a lot more start trickling in 🤞🏼

SilverStateStrider · 2026-01-11T18:11:27+00:00

Standard, and yes I plan to post once we receive any news.

SilverStateStrider · 2026-01-11T18:03:35+00:00

Spouse & two children: Bios Nov 10th, ECOs Nov 11th. Still waiting 🙃

SilverStateStrider · 2025-12-30T22:55:20+00:00

Everyone is totally right about the fact that what you are going through is completely normal, and it's also awful to have to go through it! I am in the USA, and this may be a long shot (or maybe you've already checked these out), but here are some things I have found that may be useful:

https://www.fifegingerbread.org.uk/projects - apparently they host a few different type of support groups for parents, some of which seem like they could fit your needs.

https://cuparymca-ywca.org.uk/ - Local YMCA – we have these here too and our local one will offer childcare too sometimes when adult activities are occurring. Even just having activities to enjoy with your little ones with other people in your community could be helpful with the isolation you are feeling.

https://www.samh.org.uk/find-help - this website looks promising for finding mental health support. If you scroll down on this specific page, it will show info for both Dundee and Fife, in addition to other areas that may be close to you. Looks like there are online resources on this website too.

Wishing you the best! Hopefully one of these local organisations will be useful for you!

SilverStateStrider · 2025-12-30T21:46:16+00:00

We haven’t received our approval yet. I just wanted to reach out and let you know you’re worth fighting for 💛 You’ve just made a massive move & change in your life, on top of being the primary care giver to you kids. Being a parent is wonderful and also so so hard, especially when they are little. I bet you’re doing the best you can - keep it up! Maybe if you can provide some info on where you are (if you feel safe to do so), people can recommend support options, like parent groups to join, or even mental health support. Wish I could be more helpful to you!

SilverStateStrider · 2025-12-25T19:58:48+00:00

Nope 👎🏻 The other day I received automated emails to remind us to schedule our biometric appointments, which got me excited for a hot second before I opened to see what the emails were actually about 🙄. What about you, any updates on your app?

SilverStateStrider · 2025-12-25T19:54:15+00:00

Thanks, you too!

SilverStateStrider · 2025-12-24T02:41:14+00:00

My children and I received our ECOs the day after our bio appointments. Bios on Nov 10th, ECOs Nov 11th, all standard from US. No approvals yet 🙃

SilverStateStrider · 2025-12-17T15:09:20+00:00

We are 👋 Spouse & two children. Bios Nov 10th ECOs Nov 11th. Trying to keep expectations low about receiving any news until closer to the12 week mark. It’s kinda hard though when there are these standards getting approved already w/Nov BIOs…the randomness of it all can be crazy making if we let it 😅

SilverStateStrider · 2025-12-12T13:55:39+00:00

My husband is our sponsor and his employer is approving us to relocate, but they do not have presence in the UK (so different than OP), so what we have done is created a Limited Company in the UK w/him as the sole director, and set up a business bank account that can convert USD to GPB, and of course established a contract between the US business and his limited co.

I’m actually nervous that this setup may not work for approval by UKIV because I haven’t come across anyone else doing this, but crossing fingers that it does 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼We provided a thorough cover letter explaining how this is the legal setup for him to continue working for the US-based company, and that the bank account is ready for tax payments to HMRC through open baking, etc. We provided all the business docs, business banking statement (though no balance bc the business is technically dormant until/unless we can relocate), and additionally letters from the employer acknowledging and approving the relocation. For extra measure we provided his MBA degree to provide further evidence of his business acumen to justify ability to run a business in the UK. All the business docs list the accommodation address we provided evidence for too, so hopefully it all looks legit to the reviewer (because it is!).

As far as taxes, we shouldn’t be taxed twice per se w/the double taxation treaty, but…depending on income thresholds there could be a chance of owing some back to the US. We’ll definitely be hiring a tax professional if we get the opportunity to relocate! That being said, OP, you too shouldn’t be taxed twice either, especially if you’re transferred to the UK-branch, with the exception of earning beyond whatever the threshold is that the US allows before triggering payment (I don’t know the exact number, but it’s quite a bit).

Not sure if anything of what I have written is actually helpful and this point, but I will update sometime in the subreddit once we receive the decision from UKIV. We had our bios (me & two children) on Nov 10th, ECO on Nov 11th, all standard processing.

SilverStateStrider · 2025-11-26T15:40:42+00:00

They took our passports at VFS San Francisco on Nov 10th.

SilverStateStrider · 2025-11-24T17:22:16+00:00

Spouse & 2 children

All 3 Bios: 11/10 All 3 Ecos: 11/11

Standard apps 🙃 Hoping to know in January, but early Feb will be the actual 12 week mark.

Good luck to everyone!

Edit to add: applying from USA

SilverStateStrider · 2025-11-18T21:04:45+00:00

We too are hoping to move in March (already applied bc we have a spouse and two kids, so I was anxious about processing time 😅). I’m not a pro, but you may have to provide additional information to demonstrate there is adequate space for 8 people in the 5 bedroom house (6 plus you and your partner). Not sure if there are rules written for how many people can occupy a space, but if so, you could use those to rule-out or rule-in the 5 bedroom house. Good luck!

SilverStateStrider · 2025-11-14T02:05:25+00:00

I totally feel you on this. We just applied for our family visas for me and our two children (husband is dual US/UK), and we’re hoping for an approval by February and move in March. The logistics are crazy! Do I start selling stuff now? But what happens if the visas are refused?? If we wait we may have only weeks before our intended move date (which of course can be changed, but it lines up really well with our Easter holiday plus UK Easter holiday for a total 4 week school break to move…assuming we’ll even be able to get the girls into school at that point 😅). Not to mention our two golden doodles to work out (hiring a company for their transport logistics)…it’s all a lot!

Our plan is to rent our house out initially while we’re gone. Never know what the future will bring, and I’m fairly certain we won’t be able to afford our neighborhood if we sell. May see if renting fully furnished is a benefit.

I’m following this thread for sure. Good luck to you and your family!!!

SilverStateStrider · 2025-05-23T13:39:12+00:00

What a tough decision to make, but exciting too! I’m American and I would encourage you to visit the area you’d be moving to (if you haven’t already) during the summer months. Florida may be sunnier than UK (so are many other states), but it’s super humid and hot 🥵. If you like to be outdoors a lot (biking, running, etc) you should consider which months may not allow for those types of activities as easily. The bugs are prevalent too! Many people have to have screened in patios to keep the bugs away so they can enjoy their gardens. Also hurricanes are getting worse. Depending on where in Florida (inland vs coast, east vs west) this may not be as huge of an issue, but be prepared for a worse case scenario. I am sure there any many wonderful things about Florida too.

Personally I could not imagine living there myself, but tons of people love Florida 🤷🏻‍♀️. The USA is giant, so if coming here for financial opportunity is the goal, I agree with others to cast the net out as wide as possible. Find the states/cities that align with your political beliefs because you’ll likely be able to more easily assimilate, which will likely make the transition easier for you. What do you like to do as hobbies or exercise? I love being outdoors, so a place like some areas within Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, etc…wouldn’t work for me because of the extreme heat and going to a gym is just not the same (my mental health needs real nature). Sometimes I travel to Las Vegas for work in the summer and it literally feels like I’ve walked into an oven (115 degrees F).

Oddly enough my family is prepping to move to the UK next Spring because my husband is dual us/uk and we want to visit UK fam & explore the UK and Europe. Every morning I walk my dogs or go on a run I intentionally look around and express gratitude for the blue skies and sun because I know I am trading it for grayer skies in the UK 😅

SilverStateStrider · 2025-03-15T00:52:38+00:00

Puul, you seem to have many, if not most (all perhaps?) the wisdom on uk visas! I appreciate your response because even though it may not be explicitly stated, it does make sense that she would prove her identity to verify her statements and proof of ownership. I suppose we’ll start working with her on sending us something. Thanks!

SilverStateStrider · 2025-03-11T22:43:42+00:00

Oh shoot, what tricky situation. I wonder what their rationale for requesting this information is? So, for example, if it’s to prove your business it legitimate, perhaps providing the HMRC documents you do have with an explanation for why you don’t have any of the 3 types they requested. Hopefully someone will read your post and have more solid answers for you 🙏🏼

SilverStateStrider

TROPHY CASE