Thinking of Moving to America?

Q. What visa do I need to move to America?

This is the big one, and the honest answer is that it depends entirely on why you are going and for how long. In broad terms, US visas split into two families. Nonimmigrant visas are for a temporary stay, for example to work for a set period, to study, or to invest. Immigrant visas (the route to a "green card") are for people intending to live in the US permanently, often through an employer or a close family member who is a US citizen or permanent resident.

The right category depends on your job, your employer, your family, your qualifications and more. The official starting points are below. Read them to get your bearings, but do not try to pick your own route on complex cases.

Q. Can I move to the US from the UK without a job offer?

Yes, some routes do not need a US employer, but each one has strict rules. The US has no general "come and live here" visa, so you need a category that fits your circumstances.

• E-2 treaty investor: the UK is a treaty country, so British nationals can apply if they invest a substantial amount in a US business that they will develop and direct. There is no fixed minimum figure. What counts as substantial depends on the size and cost of the business.
• Family: a US citizen can sponsor a spouse, children (including married sons and daughters) and, once the citizen is 21 or over, parents, brothers and sisters. Green card holders can sponsor some close relatives too.
• Self-petition green cards: people with extraordinary ability (EB-1A), and some advanced-degree holders through a National Interest Waiver (EB-2), can file for themselves without a job offer.

Some common misunderstandings: the O-1 visa for people with extraordinary ability still needs a US employer or US agent to file for you. There is no US retirement visa. Visitors on ESTA or a B visa cannot work in the US.

Q. Which US visa is right for me as a Brit: E-2, L-1, H-1B, family or a green card?

We cannot choose a visa for you, because the right route depends on your circumstances. Here is a plain-English outline of the main options.

• E-2 treaty investor: for British nationals investing a substantial amount in a US business they will run. There is no fixed minimum. It is a temporary visa, not a green card.
• L-1 intracompany transfer: for people moving within the same company. You normally need one continuous year working for the company outside the US in the last three years. L-1A covers managers and executives, L-1B covers specialised knowledge.
• H-1B: for "specialty occupation" jobs that normally need at least a bachelor's degree in a related subject. A US employer files for you. An annual cap (65,000, plus 20,000 for US master's degree holders) means most applicants go through a registration and a selection now weighted by wage level.
• Family: for spouses, children and some other relatives of US citizens and green card holders.
• Employment green cards: permanent residence through work. Most need an employer to sponsor you, though a few categories let you file for yourself.

For your own case, speak to a qualified US immigration attorney. You can find one in our Directory.

Q. How long does it take to get a US visa from the UK?

There is no single answer. It depends on the type of visa and how busy each office is at the time. It helps to understand the stages, because each one has its own wait.

• Petition: most work and family routes start with a petition to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), filed by your employer or relative. E-2 applicants usually apply straight to the US Embassy instead.
• Waiting for a green card number: for many family and employment green cards, there is a queue set by category and country of birth. It is published monthly in the Visa Bulletin. Spouses, unmarried children under 21 and parents of adult US citizens do not have to wait in this queue.
• Paperwork and interview: you complete the online forms, gather documents and attend an interview at the US Embassy in London.
• After the interview: some cases need extra checks before the visa is issued and your passport is returned.

USCIS publishes current processing times for each form, and the State Department publishes live interview wait times for each embassy, including London. Check both, as they change often.

Q. How much does it cost to move from the UK to the USA?

Costs vary so much between families that any single figure would mislead you. It is more useful to know the main categories, so nothing catches you out.

• Visa and legal fees: government filing fees, visa application fees, medical exams for green cards, and immigration attorney fees. USCIS fees are listed in its fee schedule and are adjusted each year.
• Shipping: usually priced by volume. Air freight is faster, sea freight is slower.
• Flights: one-way fares for everyone, plus extra baggage.
• Pets: vet checks, paperwork, and pet transport, which is often the single biggest pet cost.
• Temporary housing: somewhere to stay while you look for a longer-term home.
• Deposits and set-up: rental deposits, utility deposits (common when you have no US credit history), furniture and household basics.
• A car: most of the US is car-dependent, and insurance can be higher for newcomers with no US driving record.
• Health cover: you need US health insurance from the day you arrive. Some employer plans have a waiting period before cover starts, so check for a gap.

Q. What is the real cost of living in the US compared with the UK?

Salaries are often higher in the US, but some costs work very differently from the UK. These are the ones that tend to surprise British newcomers.

• Healthcare: there is no NHS. As well as a monthly premium, most plans have a deductible (the amount you pay before the insurer starts paying) and co-pays for visits and prescriptions.
• Childcare: there is no nationwide equivalent of the UK's funded childcare hours, although some states and cities offer free pre-kindergarten.
• Rent and housing: these vary hugely by city and neighbourhood.
• Cars: outside a few big cities, most households need a car, which means the cost of buying, insuring and running one.
• Tipping: tips are expected in restaurants, bars, taxis and salons, and are a real part of the bill.
• Sales tax: prices on the shelf usually exclude tax, which is added at the till. Rates are set by states and local areas.
• Utilities: air conditioning or heating can be a big seasonal cost, and water or rubbish collection is sometimes billed separately.

For official figures on what US households spend, the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes the Consumer Expenditure Surveys, broken down by region and income.

Q. Which US state should we move to from the UK?

We will not rank states, because the right place depends on your family and plans. For many people, the visa or job decides the area first. After that, these are the factors people usually compare.

• State income tax: it varies a lot. As of 2026, Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming charge no individual income tax, and Washington taxes capital gains but not wages. No income tax does not always mean lower tax overall, because property and sales taxes differ too. Some states also treat UK income differently from the federal return. California, for example, does not follow the US-UK tax treaty.
• Cost of living: housing costs in particular vary hugely between and within states.
• Climate: from long snowy winters to hurricane seasons and desert summers.
• Schools: state schools are usually tied to your home address and school district, so families often choose the district before the house.
• Healthcare: insurance plans and prices vary by state.
• Community: some cities have large British communities, pubs, clubs and sports groups. See our Community page.

Q. How do I ship my belongings from the UK to the USA?

Most people moving long term use an international removals company that handles sea freight (cheaper, slower, usually several weeks) or air freight (faster, pricier, for the essentials you cannot wait for). A good mover will manage packing, the shipping container, and the US customs paperwork for household goods.

Sensible steps when choosing one:

• Get several written quotes and compare what is actually included, such as packing, insurance, customs clearance and delivery to your door.
• Ask whether they are members of a recognised industry body, and check independent reviews.
• Declutter first. You pay to ship volume, so the less you take, the less it costs.
• Keep important documents, medication and valuables with you, not in the container.

We do not name specific removal firms here, because we cannot vouch for them. Compare a few reputable international movers yourself and check current reviews before booking.

Q. Should I ship my belongings from the UK to the US or sell up and start again?

There is no right answer, and most people end up doing a bit of both. These are the practical points people usually weigh up.

• Electrics: the UK runs on 230 volts and the US on 120 volts, with different plugs. Many UK appliances, such as kettles, toasters and hairdryers, will not work properly without a transformer. Laptops and phone chargers often work anywhere, so check the label for "100-240V".
• Size: US bed and mattress sizes are different, so UK bedding may not fit. Large UK furniture may suit, or not suit, a US home.
• Shipping cost: removal firms usually price by volume (often in cubic feet), so it helps to think about the bulky items first and get more than one quote.
• Sentimental items: photos, heirlooms and things you cannot replace are often the easiest decisions.
• Timing: sea freight can take weeks, so plan what you will live with in the meantime.

Q. Can I take my dog or cat from the UK to the USA?

Usually yes, with planning. The rules are set by US authorities and they changed recently, so use the official pages rather than older blog posts. For dogs, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its import rules in 2024, and there are specific requirements around age, microchip, a CDC import form, and where the dog has been. Start with the CDC page for dogs.

You will also want the US Department of Agriculture's APHIS "Pet Travel" pages, and it is wise to involve a vet early, because timing of paperwork and treatments matters.

Q. What do I need to sort out in the UK before moving to America?

A few UK loose ends are much easier to handle before you go than after. A rough list:

• Tell HMRC you are leaving. Depending on your circumstances you may need to complete a form P85, which helps get your income tax right and may trigger a refund. If you file a Self Assessment return, that is handled differently.
• Look at your National Insurance and State Pension. Check your record and forecast, and understand whether paying voluntary contributions from abroad makes sense. See our pensions guide.
• Sort your healthcare gap. Once you move abroad permanently you are generally no longer entitled to routine NHS care, so tell your GP practice you are leaving and plan US health cover for when you arrive.
• Get your UK driving record. You can view or share your DVLA driving licence information online, which is useful evidence of your driving history when you deal with a US state licensing office or car insurer.
• Tell your UK bank and providers that you are moving, and keep any accounts you will still need. See our banking guide.

Q. Should I sell or rent out my UK home when I move to the US?

We cannot make this decision for you. It depends on your finances, plans and circumstances, and should be made with suitably qualified professionals in both countries. Here is how the main rules work.

• UK tax on rent: if you live abroad for 6 months or more a year, HMRC treats you as a "non-resident landlord". Your letting agent or tenant deducts basic rate tax from the rent unless HMRC approves you to receive it in full. You normally still declare the rent on a UK Self Assessment return.
• US tax on rent: once you are a US tax resident, the US taxes your worldwide income, so UK rent goes on your US return too. A foreign tax credit may reduce double taxation.
• Mortgage and insurance: most residential mortgages need the lender's permission before you let the property, and standard home insurance may not cover a let property.
• If a UK home is sold: non-residents must report the sale of UK residential property to HMRC within 60 days of completion, in many cases even when no tax is due. If you are a US tax resident at the time, the US may also tax the gain, measured in dollars, so exchange rate movements matter.

You can find cross-border tax specialists in our Directory.

Q. What is the checklist for moving from the UK to the USA?

Every move is different, especially once a visa is involved, but here is a rough shape to plan around:

• 6 to 12 months out: Confirm your visa route with an immigration attorney and start that process. Begin budgeting and researching where you will live.
• 3 to 6 months out: Get removals quotes. Start pet paperwork with your vet. Check your State Pension and NI position. Sort schools if you have children.
• 1 to 3 months out: Book shipping and flights. Tell HMRC, your GP, your bank and utility providers. Download your DVLA driving record. Gather key documents (passports, birth and marriage certificates, medical and school records).
• Final weeks: Confirm pet travel details against the official pages. Keep essentials, documents and medication with you. Set up somewhere to stay for your first days.
• On arrival: Move straight into the "Just Arrived" checklist for setting up your new life.

See the Just Arrived: First Steps checklist →