r/AmericanExpatsUK

US citizen here, living in the UK for around 30 years. I recently spoke to an IFA who couldn’t advise me because of my US citizenship, and during that conversation I discovered that I should have been filing US tax returns all these years. I genuinely had no idea.
I’ve since done some research and found the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures for people in this situation.
Has anyone here actually been through the process after many years of not filing? How painful was it, and roughly what did it cost you to get everything sorted?
Any experiences or advice would be really appreciated.

Hi all. American expat-to-be here, getting ready to move to London. I currently work in state government in Oregon (I'm in Portland) and I'm trying to get a sense of whether the workplace culture is comparable over there.

To be honest, part of what's pushing me out is the office dynamics here. There's a lot of what I'd call bullying, plus a fair bit of performativity... managing up, kicking down, constantly jockeying for advancement, sabotaging and blocking peers, cronyism/nepotism, prioritizing being loud and visible vs. developing subject matter expertise or improving processes. That kind of thing. It's hard to characterize exactly but hopefully you get the gist. It strays far from the ideal of anything resembling meritocracy. Mostly a lot of bullshitting.

So my questions for anyone who's worked (or is working) in London:

- Is this sort of thing as prevalent, less so, or just different in flavor?

- Are there workplace dynamics or unwritten norms that might catch an American off guard? Things I wouldn't even know to look for?

- Anything you wish you'd known about UK work culture before starting?

Would really appreciate any honest takes. Thanks!

Our baby is a dual citizen (UK/US). We will be living in the UK permanently as of next month.

We are currently getting his US passport and I understand this is valid for 5 years and cannot be renewed, instead it must be a new and in person application with both parents.

Practically does this mean we need to travel to the US within the 5 year window and get an appt at a USPS facility (or similar location within the US)?

If so, would they send his US passport to an overseas address or would I need it shipped to a US address (a friend) for them to then send directly to us (eg via UPS)?

Like, it’s good but not great but I don’t know if I like it or hate it and I might be starting an addiction. I’ve only had canned so far. It goes down so easy and the bubbles to sweet ratio is just right.

Hello All! I'm an American, over here on a spousal visa, and have had a US driving license for over 23 years. I just passed my UK theory test, and went on to schedule my practical test and there are zero appointments available at the 5 different test centers near me in North London. I even looked at other smaller cities near friends and family in the Midlands and even those are not available.

Any tips or tricks? I've read that I should log onto the website at 6am on Mondays when they release new appointments, but wanted to hear from others who were able to successful book an appointment.

Also just kind of flabbergasted by this as well!

Thank you so much!

29F - I am looking at moving to London for three months with a program my company hosts. Options for dates are October- Early Jan or April - June.

I want to use this time to explore the city and the surrounding countries. I have no strong preferences on weather (I am from Wisconsin in the US) but I want to get an understanding of how well I will be able to successfully explore the areas.

Additionally, any recommendations on where I should look for housing in the Paddington, Marylebone, or Notting Hill area?

Working on a move first thing in the new year. Family of four, BUT we also have 5 pets. 2 large dogs and 3 cats. After reading thread after thread about how hard it is to rent with pets in London- do we have any chance at all of finding a rental home that will say ok to 5 furry friends? I know new laws were recently passed in favor of renters but seems like it’s still a big hurdle to find pet friendly places. Is there hope for us?? Be honest but be nice 😬🫪

Hi all! I'm moving to the UK for my Master's and am looking for the best way to set up a phone plan. I'm hoping to keep my US number (as it's connected to Whatsapp/much of my personal work/etc.) and am thinking I'll add an e-SIM with a local provider to have a local phone number.

Sounds like a local number will be necessary for many purposes, namely banking and OTP? But would love to cheapest option as I'll still have my US number

Appreciate any advice or redirection!

HI All! I know that people say to bring certain things, like spices and cold meds, but I am wondering how I should bring these. Should I bring them in my checked bags on my flight? Or should I pack them in boxes I am shipping (via either UPS or DHL)? Things I want to bring: cold medicines, supplements, spices (Old Bay for sure!), prescription medication, cough drops. And if I'm packing in shipped boxes, am I listing this stuff on my ToR? Thanks for your help!

I’m moving to Glasgow next week, trying to figure out which bank to go with. I need something set up on day 1 to give work.

HSBC UK app failed me from the US, and there seems to be limited options to sort it out from here. There appears to be one branch in Glasgow, Falkirk, Stirling, Edinburgh, so I should be able to do it in town.

Do I care about a physical branch? I like having a person to talk to if needed, but maybe not necessary.

Starling and Monzo are the highest rated digital banks, Revolut advertises multicurrency (not sure how much that matters with Wise available?).

We’ve had Chase rewards credit cards forever, not sure if it makes any sense to get a Chase UK bank account. I see they have an office in Glasgow, not quickly finding if they have a retail branch.

American immigrant living in the UK for 13 years now. Word to the wise.. It's fun to try to integrate, but don't repeat every "cool" british slang thing you hear until you know the FULL meaning.

To preface, I know this next bit makes me sounds like a twat but I meant no malice and if you don't know what the word is, I'm not going to say it.

So shortly after moving here, I asked a room full of new people i had just met if anybody wanted anything from the p***-shop as I'd overheard somebody call a cornerstore that on the bus. You could hear a pin drop after i said it.

Tbh.. To this day, I do think that word needs explained because, while I now fully understand the context and how bad it is, for somebody who's not great at world geography, it genuinely sounds like it could be the right term for somebody from Pakistan. I'd never heard Pakistani before and STILL, even if I had, I'd probably think it sounds like a regular acceptable shorthand. Like calling somebody a Brit or a Yank.

Bonus story.. I heard a word once and in the context it was used, I thought it was just fun British slang for an idiot. Cue literal months of me walking around and just being like:

Man, I was such a nonce the other day...

Somebody kind finally asked me if I knew what I was saying and I'm still mad at all the people I thought were laughing at my stories about being an idiot but likely just laughing at me for calling myself a fuckin paedophile. I worked at Build-A-Bear at the time for fucks sake! I really cringe at the possibility I might've called myself that in front of a customer.

Justification.. People do interchange and casually say it to mean a twat or knobhead sometimes and to my mind, nonce sounds similar to dunce which is a term for a stupid person.

Does anyone have any fun or cringy stories of misusing Britishisms?I

Woooo! My skilled workers visa was approved and now just waiting for the rest of my family. Question about packing for the move: our plan is to move with just clothes and main sentimental things but overall slowly getting furniture when we’re there. Has anyone else done this? When you flew with your stuff did you use all suitcases or some boxes? How many of those bags did you take? I’m going to start looking at flights asap since I have a start date in October

(This is mostly just me ranting). Hello, I am an American (22F) looking to move to the UK. I completed my BA in May 2025 and have been considering grad school in the UK for some time now. I don’t necessarily need an MA; my primary reasons for grad school are to extend my time there on a graduate visa and because the work I wish to do mainly centers on English culture and would require me to live there.

For context: I love English period dramas more than anything, and I’d love to work on the creative team behind them (somewhere working in development or as a producer).

The career I’d like to have would require me to live in England. I’ve done a great deal of research into Visa information, and I’m not eligible for the HPI. I’ve considered the Global Talent visa, but I don’t have enough experience under my belt to qualify either. My two likely routes, as I know them, are: staying in America long enough to build my resume/network and then hopefully transfer to the UK office at whatever company I work for, or go to grad school. I am currently looking into the Fulbright scholarship to fund my studies, which would definitely be helpful. However, if I don’t receive the scholarship, I’m honestly not sure if I will follow through with grad school. Seems too big of a financial risk, without the guarantee of a reward (job!!).

At the end of the day, living in England has been a dream of mine. I don’t mean to stay there forever; I would just like to experience living there for a few years. I worry that if I don’t take action now (grad school), then I won’t have the opportunity to do it later in life once I grow older and “settle down” (although that’s probably just my anxiety talking).

My reason for posting is that hopefully someone out there has a similar experience/ insight to my dilemma. Is it better to start now or wait a few years and transfer to London? I don’t want life to pass me by and regret my decision to not move while I’m young and have the flexibility to do so.

I am applying for my spouse visa next week and I was wondering what other people’s experience has been trying to find work in the UK on a spouse visa?

I do not have a degree, but have 16 years working experience, including 7 years in management (fintech and healthcare operations).

I’m a bit anxious about how long it could take to find something. I’m willing to take any work, but I get the feeling my lack of “UK work experience” will make anything difficult to get.

27/7 - in-person appointment at us embassy London

05/08 - passport mailed by US department of state

11/08 - email from us embassy london asking for postage (next day required)

13/08 - Royal mail notification that passport is otw

14/08 - missed delivery

15/08 (today) - picked up passport from post office

16/08 - flight tomorrow

Cut it really close but everything worked out!!

Hi, I need some help with recommendation for moving companies. Need them to do all packing and paperwork. I plan on whole shipping container. If you have any experience with any of these companies please let me know. Thank you.

Hello everyone!
I’m Oleksii, 21, from Ukraine. I’m looking for a host family through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
I’m calm, polite and responsible. I don’t smoke or drink, I prefer a quiet lifestyle, and I’m happy to help around the house. 🏠 ✨
I have a Law degree, my English is B1, and I hope to continue my studies in the UK.
If you have experience with Homes for Ukraine, I would really appreciate any advice on finding a host family.
Thank you! 🙏

We are leaving in 3 weeks and I've been researching options for shipping including Send My Bag, MyBaggage, UPakWeShip. I've come across Expat Shipping, for which it is unfortunately impossible to search for reviews due to its name. Has anyone tried this service before? I'm paralyzed with indecision because it seems like shipping either goes totally smoothly with no issues or it's a catastrophic failure. We have already submitted our TOR and are sending about 10 medium/large boxes. Any advice is welcome.