Quick response (there are some errors in some of the replies):

1) Your husband needs Tier 2 intra-company transfer visa (there are several types depending on length, seniority and pay). His company has to be a registered sponsor with Home Office, but the actual application must be made by him in US before coming over. It involves applying online, paying the fees, attending biometric session and sending off supporting documents to NY where the visa will be processed at the UK consulate. If he hasn't done this and has no such visa (a sticker in his passport), he will be refused entry and put on the next flight home. He cannot enter as a visitor and change to (switch to) Tier 2 work visa - it isn't allowed. You should apply as dependant, and when approved, you will be able to work. I suggest he contacts his company immediately and ask. It's not too late if the company is already a registered sponsor and you apply for visa without delay. The visa processing time is around 2-3 weeks.
See http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/vi...ing/tier2/ict/
And how to apply in US: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/co...e=UK%20English

2) Any children you may have in UK will only be US citizens, as neither of you is settled (i.e. a permanent resident) in UK. Your time in UK doesn't count towards settlement for most types of intra-company transfer (it normally requires 5 years). Prior to 1983, such children gained British citizenship at birth, so many US forces children became dual nationals. Not any more.

Push back hard for the answers you need from your husband's employer. Tell them in the nicest possible way that you require detailed information on how he will be paid, healthcare, your work options, housing details, etc.

I mention how he will be paid because in the 90s I worked for a U.S. based international company in Ireland and the UK for five years. I was paid in $ into my US bank account and continued to pay into Social Security and my company's 401k. I was given a monthly cost of living and housing allowance in pounds. I had local health coverage in both countries but my US health coverage remained in force. I was much younger then and in good health so never had to dive deep into details.

Just can't stress enough that you need to light a fire under your wishy-washy relo guy!

Good luck, you will have a ball.

Glad Alec was able to clarify about the working spouse as that has been my experience as well (technically I'm a working dependent (Tier 2 partner)). Other ex-pat spouses have been able to work but haven't (by choice or otherwise).

Prepare for some anxiety, because it will be stressful. But worth it.

Agree with others about using an ex-pat forum and the sponsoring company for information.

I've found blogging a nice way to keep in touch with friends/family back home. It's easy to do.

ukfrey.blogspot.com

"7) What are the hospitals like? "

Infinitely better than the conspiracy to make insurance CEOs rich you're lucky enough to be leaving. And far, far, more efficient than the nonsense your inept head of state is forcing on Americans.

Britain spends half the amount per person America does on healthcare. And we live longer.

Now apologise for asking such an offensive question.

But as a matter of interest: why DO you put up with such a farce? And then have the pig-ignorant gall to ask anything so obnoxious?

Because of all the stories we read in the newspapers and see on TV about health care being rationed and people with basic problems (for instance hip replacement) having to wait long periods (months) before surgery.

Also, quite a few drugs available in the US are not in the UK (yes, they are expensive ones and the OP is unlikely to need them). But here - when you have decent insurance - you can go to any hospital and see any specialist MD - pick the best in the country - not be stuck with a GP that happens to have an office near you and whatever specialist is available at a local hospital. I grant you have basic care for everyone. But we have as routine care more than your NHS provides (if you have decent insurance).

It is true that our healthcare system is a bad one. But the answer is not giving less to most people - it's to give top quality care to all people.

and it's true that there are not great hospitals in the US. there are also some of the best in the world. And there is no one stopping anyone from seeing the best MD in the best hospital.

My SIL needed complicated back surgery. And she interviewed the 2 MDs on the east coast that do that particular surgery before deciding which she wanted to do the surgery. No one told her what she had to go to a local hospital instead of Special Surgery - or god forbid what orthopedic surgeon would do the op. (Each of the 2 she interviewed - after getting recos from several local MDs agreed that the other was the only other MD qualified to do the surgery.)

"And there is no one stopping anyone from seeing the best MD in the best hospital."

Provided they can afford it. I would think the same is true in the UK - they have private hospitals and doctors there, too. There is also the little matter of people DYING in the US because they don't have health insurance. And going bankrupt because of medical bills even when they do.

<<I was paid in $ into my US bank account and continued to pay into Social Security and my company's 401k.>>

This seems like something important to know in advance.
Especially SS and the 401K.

>>But here - when you have decent insurance - you can go to any hospital and see any specialist MD - pick the best in the country >>

I may be wrong but this has never been my experience with medical insurance in the US. I was a public employee and we always had various types of medical coverage and husband has also. But most major, recognized medical insurance plans require that you belong to a closed system - that allows you to only see those doctors within their group. You can't just randomly call any doctor in your city and have your insurance cover it. Even PPO have very limited access to outside doctors anymore.

The only one that does do this is something like TriWest or Tricare (which is the military coverage for retired and their dependents).

Sigh, all this contradictory commentary is why I said go to an expat forum where people KNOW what they are talking about from first hand experience.

Obviously as there are conflicting opinions, some are right and some are wrong. You, Kendall, have no way of knowing which is which and that makes all of this thread a waste of time except the advice to talk to the person in your husband's company responsible for the relocation and log on to some US expat in the UK forums.

No - most people do NOT have closed HMOs. They were very popular at one point - and I believe still are in CA - but have been losing ground in recent years.

But everyone I know has a choice of plans from more limited options at slightly lower copays to a do what you want plan. I have the latter - an office visit to any MD that takes insurance is $25 (versus $300 or so for a regular office visit) and 80% of bill for MDs not taking insurance (in NY many MDs don;t take any insurance).

Yes, but here the insurance pays for any MD and any hospital. You don;t have to take the money out of pocket.

I had to have surgery several years ago and the hospital bill for 5 nights was about $95,000 - and I didn't pay a penny. (Naturally there was a small copay for several of the MDs and 20% for my Ob/Gyn/Surgeon - who doesn't take insurance - but my out of pocket was comparatively small.) And if one wanted to select an Ob/Gyn that did take insurance the total OOP would have been only aruond $3000.

Just because you and your friends have good insurance doesn't make it the norm for the whole country. Medical plans vary by state (never mind by employer). I just checked Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, and if you go out of network you'll pay 30 to 50% of the bill.

A major medical insurance provider (one of the largest nationwide) in our (one of the largest states in the country) also doesn't allow you to go out of network thrusdaysd.

I would bet this is the norm.

At any rate what difference does it make - the OP's company will provide insurance and or arrange to have additional coverage thru whatever program she can get from the British

Thanks! This is my first time on Fodors, so I didn't know where to post this question. But thank you all for so much info! I will definitely post this on an expat forum. Thanks!

The rules for overseas visitors and the NHS:
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNH...-services.aspx

Basically, you'd register with a local GP practice. You can use that website to find out about local services once you know where you'll be living.

You'd want to consider insurance to allow for, e.g., medical repatriation, at the very least; depending on what might happen, as someone only here for a limited time, you might also want to have cover for private care for non-urgent hospital operations, in case waiting times in the NHS go up again. That wouldn't stop you using local NHS GPs, walk-in or urgent care centres or A&E.

One thing you should know about US health insurance:

I live in the UK, but have health insurance, acquired through my employer, with a US company. In most (but not all) cases I am required to pay for my treatment up front and claim back later from the insurance company. It's the choice of individual providers whether or not they are willing to deal directly with foreign insurance companies.

NHS and medical issues and how much they cost besides no one has mentioned
....
teeth,

Officially there are NHS dentists but..

their lists will be full, so many Brits use Private Dentists, so I guess will you. Suggest you make sure that is included in any package.

We lived in the UK for about 5 years and there are a couple of things that spring immediately to mind. One is ask where the accommodation is that the company is providing. If you have a choice, get the full address details of all of them, including the full postcode and check exactly where the apartment or house is. I'm thinking particularly regarding public transport but also having things nearby like a decent supermarket, library, restaurants, any things you might like within an easy walk.

If you can live somewhere within 10 mins walk of more than one tube line, I think that's a big plus. Not only is it easier to get to places but if they are doing planned maintenance on a line or station, you have a choice of another line - they do maintenance every weekend, you can check on the Transport for London website www.tfl.gov.uk

The other thing is to register with a GP surgery as soon as you move in to your new place. If you are not registered you cannot see the doctor. You also cannot go to just any surgery, it depends on your address and if the surgery is taking new patients. This was different from Australia where we live, where you can see any GP. You do have to pay in Australia and in the UK it is free but we found the level of healthcare to be well below that in Australia.

Definitely check if the accommodation you are being given allows pets (most rentals don't) before you look into taking your cats with you.

Good luck with it all. We did the whole lot ourselves - planning, looking for jobs, finding a flat etc - so I am a little envious of you, especially having your rent paid. Wow. We found it hard at times but a fabulous experience.

One question - what is an upside-down loan?

Kay

RE: Skype. Don't let anyone tell you that Skype doesn't ever drop calls or that the connections can be poor. It can happen quite frequently.

Given the overall financial situation I think you might want to consider some other form of more reliable communication.

Tango is just one possibility and I find it to be much more reliable than Skype. You might even consider getting some sort of mobile phone plan while there.

re: phone -- we pay a grand total of &pound;5/month additional (from Sky) to have unlimited calls back to the states. Others have brought their VoIP numbers (MagicJack) etc with them to give families a local number to call.

re: upside down loan (@Kay) -- you owe more than it is worth -- typical for those that get 60-72 month car loans that don't pay off the principal as fast as it depreciates

(KP -- sell the car and pay off the loan or keep the car and keep paying the loan. Same with the student loans -- still your responsibilitly no matter where you live).

re: Dentist. Agreed -- private dentist here. We've got private health and dental. Not needed the former; have used the latter.

an up-side down loan is where you owe more in mortgage payments than the property is worth if you were to put it on the market for sale.