My understanding is once I return to live in the UK I cannot have a US bank checking account unless I have a physical US address. If I don't list a US address my checking account will be closed, is this the same for credit cards that are not attached to a bank account? Additionally, even if I list a US physical address, I will need a US phone number for authentication? I am aware of GV but not sure if it will work for me.

I have heard it is impossible to get a UK credit card immediately so I don't want to close all my accounts as soon as I move. However, I don't have a permanent usable physical US address. What are my options, I think I must be missing something? Are there reasons to keep US bank/phone/CC accounts active after moving? I do not plan to live in the US again, but I do want to keep my IRA's and other retirement accounts active. I have a WISE account is that enough?

Who told you that? You certainly can retain your US bank account and credit cards whilst living outside the US.

Might be worth getting an Amex card while you're in the US, then you can simply switch it over to a UK one when you move. We're doing the same in reverse in a few months, we set up Amex accounts specifically for that purpose last year, then we'll have a card and credit score of some sort straight away. https://www.americanexpress.com/us/c...-relationship/

Yes I know I can keep them (as long as I have a physical a US address), I don't and won't have one. Are you saying I don't need a physical address in order to retain these accounts?

Yes, I have my AMEX and will attempt to transfer it to UK.

I had a US bank account (Chase) and credit card for over 10 years despite never having a US address, as my US employer would only pay salaries to a US bank account. I voluntarily closed it a while back, but there was never any pressure from the bank even many years after I ceased working for the US employer, which they must have known as the salary payments stopped. Annually, they sent a WBEN (?) form to my overseas address, for completion and return.

You do not need a physical US address to keep your US bank account and credit card.

Can you explain how this works? My bank requires a home address to be completed and the advisor told me that if I move permanently from the US I cannot have a checking account.

We opened an account with Chase 28 years ago…before we moved to the US…before we had a US address. We have been living outside the US for almost 10 years…it is not a problem. Paperwork, debit and credit cards are sent to our overseas address. Many people who spend winters in Florida etc have US bank accounts. If your bank will not accommodate you, I suggest you move. Try Chase.

Some US banks may not allow overseas addresses but plenty do. We have a US HSBC bank account and credit card both with our UK address.

our daughter has just moved over from the US and has changed her Chase US bank account and credit card to her UK address. She also set up a Wise account with UK sort code and account number plus debit card that she used while opening a UK bank account. She actually opened a Chase UK bank account, all done online and completed within an hour or 2.

!

Also worth noting…I still have a Nat West Bank account, although I have lived outside the UK for almost 30 years. They also send correspondence, cards etc to an overseas address.

Think there might be a digit missing from that number JG!

Thank you.

When I get this type of response in my day to day dealings. I apply the rule of three. I contact someone else at the same business 3 times to see if the answer is the same. Rarely is it the same. As others have said, before you move, open other account(s) elsewhere. Personally I never use just one bank in any country. Its like putting all your eggs in one basket.

I have to disagree with you there. One bank, one credit card in each country. Makes life and tax returns simpler.