Moving to The United States from The UK

If you are considering making the move from the UK to the United States, this guide will tell you everything you need to know – from visa requirements to cost of living differences; healthcare top tips to rules about moving country with your pets – helping you to feel empowered when the time comes to make the big move.

Quick United States Facts:

1. Population: 331.9 million (2021 estimate)
2. Official Language: English (de facto) is spoken by 78.5% of the population, with Spanish being the second-most spoken language at 13.2%
3. GDP Per Capita: $70,248 USD (2021 estimate)
4. Random Fact: The flag of The United States was created by a high school student, Robert G Heft, who drew it as part of a school project (for which he received a B- grade!)
5. Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of late 2023, £1 = $1.21, €1 = $1.05, $1 CAD = $0.72, $1 AUD = $0.63

1. Moving Costs to The United States from The UK

First of all, let’s take a look at the approximate moving costs you may encounter when moving to the United States from the UK.

To move your belongings from the UK to Los Angeles, a 20FT moving container will cost around $6,000, while a 40FT can command costs of $9,000.

The same service, but to New York, will cost around $4,500 for 20FT containers, and $9,000 for 40FT containers.

More information about moving costs can be found on this page.

2. How Long Does It Take To Move to The United States from The UK?

While moving somewhere in the UK may take a few hours, there can be big discrepancies in move time duration when it comes to America due to the vastness of the country.

Let’s take a look at some states from a range of locations in the north, east, south and west of the country to give you an idea of move time, from both London and Scotland starting locations in the UK.

• London Heathrow to New York – 7 hours, 21 minutes – $400
• London Heathrow to Los Angeles – 11 hours, 21 minutes – $400
• London Heathrow to Minneapolis – 18 hours, 47 minutes – $780
• London Heathrow to Dallas – 9 hours, 56 minutes – $750
• Edinburgh to New York – 6 hours, 57 minutes – $435
• Edinburgh to Los Angeles – 10 hours, 46 minutes – $450
• Edinburgh to Minneapolis – 19 hours, 24 minutes – $750
• Edinburgh to Dallas – 9 hours, 28 minutes – $690
  

This duration covers the flight time only, so additional time will need to be added to get you from the terminal to your final location.

3. Moving Restrictions to The United States from The UK

Moving from one country to take up residency in another will incur various restrictions – most notably, this comes in the form of visa requirements, which we will cover in the next section. 

As remarked on the Gov.uk website, “When you are physically present in a state, even temporarily, you are subject to that state’s laws.” You must research and understand the individual state’s laws to abide by them throughout your stay, or residency.

Similarly, it’s a good idea to get to know the state’s safety protocol in the event of emergencies – these can include alerts on your mobile phone from the Federal Communications Commission – in the event of weather-related incidents or AMBER alerts, which concern abducted children. 

4. Visa Requirements to The United States from The UK

Alongside a valid UK passport, you will need a visa to grant you entry into the States. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates will carry the most up-to-date information for you to look at.

The visa application needs to be planned as visa appointments are notoriously hard to secure. An expedited service is available for last-minute travel, subject to the availability of the office.

For shorter trips (less than 90 days in duration), you can apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) which is a waiver in place of a visa. This is subject to your individual applicability, and comes with a list of countries that prevent you from having the waiver, as well as these additional points, as outlined by Gov.uk:

• A criminal record of any form
• If you have been arrested, even if this didn’t come with a criminal conviction
• If you have previously been refused entry to the States, or if you have been deported from the States
• If you have outstayed the duration of a previous ESTA visa waiver

In all cases, you need to speak to a visa specialist to advise you on your individual circumstances and always keep up to date with the latest changes in the rules.

5. Cost of Living Differences in The States

While this article is covering the States as a whole, house prices will obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price.

As a general note, it is estimated that the cost of living in the States is 23.7% higher than that of the UK, with rent being around 63% higher.

Monthly Rental Prices in The United States:

• 1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $1,850+
• 1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,500+
• 3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: $3,000+
• 3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: $2,500+

The United States Home Purchase Prices:

• Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $4,900+
• Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the City: $3,350+

Source: Numbeo

6. Tax Treaties in The States

When it comes to considering what your take-home income from employment in the States will be, tax treaties need to be included in the equation. The IRS notes that “residents of foreign countries may be eligible to be taxed at a reduced rate or exempt from U.S. income taxes”.

While this may be the case in the country, individual states can still operate under their own rules, meaning that the tax exemption treaty might not apply in a particular state. It’s important to review this on a case-by-case basis and enquire about your specific state and their jurisdiction instead of assuming you will be eligible for this, as it may not be the case.

In these situations, you will still be required to pay income tax on your U.S. tax return. 

7. Working Rules in The States

There are several permits and visas required for UK citizens to enable them to work in the States legally. According to Total Law, these can range from:

• Employment-based immigrant visa
• Non-immigrant work visa
• Permanent Residence Card (Green Card)
• A work permit

Under these titles, there are many variations of work visas available, all with different specialisms – in the case of non-immigrant work visas, you can apply for a P3 for artists and entertainers, or an ‘I’ visa for journalists or members of the media, to name two options.

You will usually need a U.S. employer to ‘sponsor’ your visa application – this means they will start off the application process for you, and prove your employment opportunity in the States. This will need to be completed well in advance of your visit to ensure everything is in order when it comes to starting work.

Green Cards are seen as permanent residency cards, and are granted through various schemes, including – but not limited to – those who show ‘extraordinary ability’ in certain sectors; those who hold a degree that would align with a job seen to be of ‘national interest’ for the States, and those who can invest between $50,000 and $1 million into U.S. businesses.

Whatever your employment circumstances, it’s important to have your visa ironed out before entering the country to ensure a smooth transition. It’s also important to get up to speed with taxes and any beneficial programs, such as healthcare schemes so that you are completely clued up on your rights.

8. Healthcare in The States

While the UK benefits from the NHS, offering free healthcare to those who need it, as well as elective private healthcare for a fee, the States have no such system, and all healthcare – whether urgent or elective – is paid for by the individual.

The U.S. government, however, does have two health plans – Medicare and Medicaid – which can help eligible individuals with the cost of healthcare. 

Medicare is federal health insurance for those aged 65 and over, as well as some younger people with disabilities, and individuals with end-stage renal disease. You can opt-in to different plans, covering you for hospital stays or the cost of medication, usually with an excess to pay (around 20% of the cost). 

Medicaid covers an estimated 84.5 million citizens (2023 estimate) who are low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and those with disabilities. Usually, individuals won’t pay anything if the procedures are under ‘covered medical expenses’, but costs may incur for some specialist items or services.

For full information on these schemes, take a look at their individual websites.

9. Rules Around Moving With Pets in The States

Moving house includes lots of boxes of belongings – but it can also include some particularly important furry friends, too! If you are needing to move to the States with a pet in tow, here’s what you need to know.

When moving from the UK in particular, the US Embassy says that cats and dogs do not require permits to enter the States, nor do they require a rabies vaccination as the UK and Ireland are considered rabies-free. However, they do suggest that it is a good idea to get a general health certificate for the pet to check that they are fit for travel before making the move.

They continue to say that it’s best to check your individual situation with the airline you are travelling with, as well as the State Department of Agriculture to see if there are any documents you need to have before boarding, as well as how to register your pet when you have landed in the States.

10. Similar Cities

While there are several states to choose from in the States, each with its personalities and quirks, when it comes to similar cities we can draw comparisons between the UK’s London and New York, as both metropolitan, bustling cities.

Both London and New York are expensive cities, but consumer prices in New York are 23.5% higher than those in London, without rent being counted. When rent is included, this rises to 33.4%.

With both places having expensive options for eating, New York comes out as slightly more expensive, being 15.6% higher on average when compared to London. With a bigger jump in price, groceries are around 63.8% higher than in London.

As a result of these price hikes, local purchasing power is 22.6% higher than in London.

11. Pros and Cons of Moving to The United States from The UK

Perhaps you’re moving for a new job opportunity, or just want to try out a completely different country and climate – whatever your reason for wanting to move from the UK to the States, let’s take a look at some of the main pros and cons associated with moving.

Advantages of Moving from the UK to the US	Disadvantages of Moving from the UK to the US
Career opportunities - the US has a diverse job market, offering plenty of options for those looking to further their career	Visa restrictions - depending on your history, you may not be granted entry to the country, and visa applications are notoriously lengthy processes
Higher salaries - the US heralds higher salaries than those seen in the UK	Healthcare - there is no NHS in America, and all medical care will need to be paid for by the individual
Different environment - depending on where you move to, the geographical landscape of the States is likely to be different to what you've experienced in the UK, which can be an enticing factor	Distance from 'home' - you will have a sea parting you from your family (if they are still in the UK), adding extra time and cost to otherwise quick trips to catch up with each other

Whatever you decide, it’s important that you understand the legal factors affecting your move – be sure to speak to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates for all the information you need.