Moving to US Jan 2020. Need advice with finances
Mar 9th 2019, 8:38 pm
#1
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 6
Moving to US Jan 2020. Need advice with finances
Hello,
I appreciate if someone can take time to help with the below.
I plan to move to California next January having had a green card for 3 years now.
I have paid to my retirement scheme for 14 months now so it'd be just over 2 years of contribution when I move. I will have had NI contribution for 9 years.
Wondering if I should stop paying to my retirement scheme now or continue paying? Having read other thread it seems to be difficult to transfer to US?
How about the NI contribution. Should I make voluntary payments after moving?
Also, I'm worried I will have no credit record in US when I move so not sure if I can lease a car or rent for example? Is there a way to build up credit? Do banks like HSBC value UK credit in their US branches?
Thanks
Allen
I appreciate if someone can take time to help with the below.
I plan to move to California next January having had a green card for 3 years now.
I have paid to my retirement scheme for 14 months now so it'd be just over 2 years of contribution when I move. I will have had NI contribution for 9 years.
Wondering if I should stop paying to my retirement scheme now or continue paying? Having read other thread it seems to be difficult to transfer to US?
How about the NI contribution. Should I make voluntary payments after moving?
Also, I'm worried I will have no credit record in US when I move so not sure if I can lease a car or rent for example? Is there a way to build up credit? Do banks like HSBC value UK credit in their US branches?
Thanks
Allen
Mar 9th 2019, 8:59 pm
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,159
Re: Moving to US Jan 2020. Need advice with finances
Welcome.
Retirement scheme. Correct. Don't try to move it. Leave it where it is and collect when it becomes available.
No further contributions allowed..
NI voluntary contributions. Yes, Contribute if allowed.
Credit. It doesn't take long to build. You may get more questions on this.
There's further posts on these topics for which you can search.
Just curious.
How did you get your Green Card?
Have you been a tax resident before?
Will you be trying to line up a job before you come? (Might like to think about a virtual address and phone number.)
Which part are you coming to? Buy or rent?
Good luck!
Retirement scheme. Correct. Don't try to move it. Leave it where it is and collect when it becomes available.
No further contributions allowed..
NI voluntary contributions. Yes, Contribute if allowed.
Credit. It doesn't take long to build. You may get more questions on this.
There's further posts on these topics for which you can search.
Just curious.
How did you get your Green Card?
Have you been a tax resident before?
Will you be trying to line up a job before you come? (Might like to think about a virtual address and phone number.)
Which part are you coming to? Buy or rent?
Good luck!
Mar 9th 2019, 9:00 pm
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2014
Location: Anchorage, AK, USA
Posts: 1,347
Re: Moving to US Jan 2020. Need advice with finances
I have bad news. There's quite a lot of information missing from your post, but it sounds like you have had a green card for three years, while living outside the US. It is very likely that after that amount of time, your green card is considered abandoned by USCIS, and so not valid.
https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/aft...nent-residence
https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/aft...nent-residence
Abandoning Permanent Resident Status
You may also lose your permanent resident status by intentionally abandoning it. You may be found to have abandoned your status if you:- Move to another country, intending to live there permanently.
- Remain outside of the United States for an extended period of time, unless you intended this to be a temporary absence, as shown by:
- The reason for your trip;
- How long you intended to be absent from the United States;
- Any other circumstances of your absence; and
- Any events that may have prolonged your absence.
- Note: Obtaining a re-entry permit from USCIS before you leave, or a returning resident visa (SB-1) from a U.S. consulate while abroad, may assist you in showing that you intended only a temporary absence.
- Fail to file income tax returns while living outside of the United States for any period.
- Declare yourself a “nonimmigrant” on your U.S. tax returns.
Mar 9th 2019, 9:56 pm
#4
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 6
Re: Moving to US Jan 2020. Need advice with finances
I have bad news. There's quite a lot of information missing from your post, but it sounds like you have had a green card for three years, while living outside the US. It is very likely that after that amount of time, your green card is considered abandoned by USCIS, and so not valid.
Thanks for the heads up. I have a re-entry permit.
Last edited by Noorah101; Mar 9th 2019 at 10:14 pm.
Mar 9th 2019, 9:59 pm
#5
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Moving to US Jan 2020. Need advice with finances
Also wondering how you have maintained status for 3 years.
Mar 9th 2019, 10:02 pm
#6
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Joined: Mar 2019
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Re: Moving to US Jan 2020. Need advice with finances
thanks for the advice.
Got the green card through diversity lottery as an Irish- German.
Not sure what a tax resident is. Never lived in the US if that helps answer.
I'm applying for jobs. Have an ex classmate there so can use his address.
LA, renting initially until I'm sure I like it there.
Cheers
Got the green card through diversity lottery as an Irish- German.
Not sure what a tax resident is. Never lived in the US if that helps answer.
I'm applying for jobs. Have an ex classmate there so can use his address.
LA, renting initially until I'm sure I like it there.
Cheers
Mar 9th 2019, 10:03 pm
#7
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Moving to US Jan 2020. Need advice with finances
You got your GC 3 years ago, how have you maintained it living in the UK?
Mar 9th 2019, 10:12 pm
#9
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Joined: Jan 2014
Location: Anchorage, AK, USA
Posts: 1,347
Re: Moving to US Jan 2020. Need advice with finances
I have bad news. There's quite a lot of information missing from your post, but it sounds like you have had a green card for three years, while living outside the US. It is very likely that after that amount of time, your green card is considered abandoned by USCIS, and so not valid.
Mar 9th 2019, 10:18 pm
#10
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 6
Re: Moving to US Jan 2020. Need advice with finances
That may not be enough. It sounds like you haven't done anything else to maintain status, and you haven't been filing a US tax return. You might want to have a consultation with an immigration attorney, rather than making a lot of plans and then being turned away at LA airport.
Mar 9th 2019, 10:19 pm
#11
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Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: Moving to US Jan 2020. Need advice with finances
Have you been filing a US tax return during the years since you became a US PR? US PRs are required to report all worldwide income. Have you maintained a US address? US bank? You must have ties to the USA in order to maintain US PR status while abroad.
Rene
Mar 9th 2019, 10:19 pm
#12
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Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: Moving to US Jan 2020. Need advice with finances
Rene
Mar 9th 2019, 10:31 pm
#13
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Re: Moving to US Jan 2020. Need advice with finances
I have been a student in UK until last January, although I was working part time at the same time.
Have maintained a bank account, an address, and got a drivers license last summer.
Never filed tax return.
Can I file tax return when I move? How often does it need to be done?
Thanks
Allen
Mar 9th 2019, 11:15 pm
#14
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Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: Moving to US Jan 2020. Need advice with finances
Thanks for the information.
I have been a student in UK until last January, although I was working part time at the same time.
Have maintained a bank account, an address, and got a drivers license last summer.
Never filed tax return.
Can I file tax return when I move? How often does it need to be done?
Thanks
Allen
I have been a student in UK until last January, although I was working part time at the same time.
Have maintained a bank account, an address, and got a drivers license last summer.
Never filed tax return.
Can I file tax return when I move? How often does it need to be done?
Thanks
Allen
Interesting that you maintain a US address but claim to never have lived in the USA.
If you were only working part time, you might not have earned enough income to warrant filing a US tax return, so double check www.irs.gov.
Rene
Mar 9th 2019, 11:34 pm
#15
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Posts: 9,652