kazorreo

I am a dual British-Canadian, born and raised in Canada, went to university and worked in the UK since 2015. Due to covid, I have been working for a UK business remotely from Canada, living in my parents’ basement, since the end of March, still paying for my flat, etc in the UK, not thinking for one second things would go on this long. But, as I am now being required by my employer to return at the start of January (offices are not open and work will continue remotely)...again, to sit in my flat alone....I think, given what’s going on, I’d feel better wrapping things up in the UK and moving back to Canada permanently. Trying to think of all the things that need to be done and I am truly overwhelmed! I have concerns re who to ship stuff back with (only personal belongings, no furniture), bank accounts (how do I get last pay, etc if I close accounts...or do I cancel credit card and leave account active with a couple hundred pounds in it?), HMRC, getting flat deposit back (I’m told you often have to fight for this, and, again, if account is closed, how?), selling car, post redirection, cancelling car and home insurance, internet, council tax, tv licence, etc....and getting everything done while quarantining the 1st 2 weeks and only wanting to stay a week or so after that. What am I missing? Any advice from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

christmasoompa

Hi, welcome to BE.

This may help - https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Depar..._(UK_to_Canada)

And this list too - https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Arriv...Do_List-Canada

Obviously a lot of that won't apply to you as a citizen, but it may help get you started. You'll be fine, just do yourself a list and you'll get it sorted step by step, pretty much everything other than packing up your flat could be done remotely so you could make a start before you head back to the UK (and if you've got a friend that you would trust to oversee packers and sell your car for you, you wouldn't even need to return at all!).

Best of luck.

Hurlabrick

+1 what Christmasoompa said, especially the links to wiki. Great checklist there with everything you can think of. Draw up your own list and start working methodically through it.

Simply keep your UK bank account open with a few quid for a year or so, then either keep it (I have kept mine now for the 3 years since moving back to Canada), or just transfer the last of the money out and leave it - most UK banks don't charge for keeping current accounts open.