An estimated 20,000 Britons leave the UK to chase the American Dream every year. Those emigrating to the US from the UK do so for a variety of reasons, with some deciding to pursue exciting new career opportunities and/or relocate their family, and many others looking to spend their retirement years in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

While the process of moving to the US from the UK is relatively straightforward, there are several steps that you’ll need to follow in order to emigrate to America. With our guide, you should find that the process can indeed be a smooth, stress-free experience.

Do I need a visa to move to USA?

British citizens require either a visa or a visa waiver (ESTA) to enter the USA. For those looking to stay in the USA for an extended period, it is necessary to obtain an immigrant visa. 

In order to apply for an immigrant visa, UK citizens generally need to have received sponsorship from a U.S. citizen, an immediate relative or a prospective U.S. employer; they also require an approved visa petition.

How to get a green card

Once one has obtained an immigrant visa, it is necessary to enter the USA within the visa validity period to obtain a Permanent Resident Card (PRC), or ‘Green Card’. This allows the bearer to live and work in the USA, and you can expect to receive your permanent residence card within 90 days of entering the country on your immigrant visa.

If you are planning on moving to the USA, there are several ways in which you can acquire a Green Card. You can apply if one of your immediate relatives is a US citizen, or if they themselves hold a Green Card (bear in mind that there is no guarantee that you’ll receive one through this route). The most common way to receive a Green Card is through an offer of employment. You are eligible for this visa if:

• You have received an employment offer from within the United States
• You hold a specialist job, e.g., you are a member of the armed forces, or an employee of an international organisation
• You are an investor or entrepreneur (you must create or preserve at least 10 full time jobs in the USA, and you will need to invest a minimum of $800,000 in projects in Targeted Employment Areas (TEA) and rural areas, and $1,050,000 in all other projects)

You can file your application for a Green Card by post; the relevant forms are available for download from the US government website. Whilst some Green Cards have no expiration date, most are valid for a period of 10 years.

How to get your ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)

An ITIN, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, is a 9-digit tax processing number issued by the IRS to individuals who are not yet eligible for a SSN (Social Security Number). It enables residents with foreign status to file income tax returns and thus comply with American tax laws.

To apply for your ITIN number, you simply need to complete and submit the W-7 Form after you have received your visa. Tax rates vary from state to state, so it’s always best to find out how much tax you will be liable to pay, and how to go about paying it, before you move to the USA from the UK.

How to open a bank account in USA

There are several steps that you need to follow in order to open a bank account in the United States. Most US banks require you to make at least one visit in person in order to open a bank account. You can, however, open an American account with your existing bank; HSBC and Barclays both allow their customers to open international bank accounts online.

Whether you choose to open a bank account in the UK or in the USA, there are a few common documents and details that will be required to open your account. These include the following:

• Personal ID, i.e. a copy of a valid passport, driver’s licence
• Your contact details, including proof of both your UK and a US address, i.e. copies of utility bills, lease agreements, etc. Banks can accept a letter from your employer stating that you have a US residence.
• A scanned copy of your US visa
• Your ITIN (Individual Tax Identification Number)
• A minimum opening deposit

What is the currency in USA?

The currency that is used in the USA is the US dollar (USD), often nicknamed the Buck or Greenback. The dollar is the world’s most traded currency, and it is a core component of the USA’s economic and political dominance. There are seven denominations of dollar banknotes: the $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills. Each dollar is made up of 100 cents, while common coins include the quarter, dime and the nickel.

When moving to America from the UK, it’s important to maintain a close eye on the pound to US dollar rate, as this can help you to secure a favourable exchange rate for your overseas payments. You can even set up a rate alert from your account, so that you’ll be kept informed when your target exchange rate has been reached.

Foreign currency exchange for moving to USA

Making the move to the USA will require you to make more than one transfer from your UK bank account to your new US account, whether you’re buying a property in the USA or transferring savings over to your new account. 

Many high-street banks can charge up to £30 per transfer, which is why it’s worth utilising the services of a foreign exchange specialist. At Moneycorp, we offer low transfer fees and a competitive GBP to USD exchange rate, allowing you to get better value for money when you make international payments to the USA.

Sorting out the essentials

Moving to the USA from the UK will require you to notify the relevant authorities of your decision to leave. You’ll need to cancel your council tax, so inform your local council of your decision to leave and supply them with a forwarding address. It will also be necessary to notify the benefits and pension authorities. If you have any student loans, contact the organisation that manages them, and notify the tax authorities. The UK government website provides a full list of all the things that you’ll need to cover when moving abroad, and it is an invaluable resource.

Once you have finished your packing, it’s time to start moving your belongings. Companies like Pickfords and 1st Move International can build custom pallets for all of your items and help reduce the stress involved with managing your move.

Finding the right kind of visa

The visa application process is very time-consuming, so you’ll want to spend some time thinking through your options.

The option that best suits your needs will depend on your circumstances. If you’re moving to the US from the UK for professional reasons, your best option is most likely a sponsored employment visa; if, on the other hand, you have close relatives in the USA and are unlikely to receive job offers from companies in the USA in the foreseeable future, a far better option would be to ask them to file a Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) on your behalf. Those with considerable assets to invest would be well-advised to consider applying through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.

Find out more about the various visa categories that are available, and use the Visa Wizard tool on the US Department of State’s Travel section to discover which visa best suits your needs.

Tax and finances in the USA

Foreign nationals who obtain a green card or pass the Substantial Presence Test are considered U.S. tax residents for the purposes of collecting U.S. income tax.

One of the first things to bear in mind with the US tax system is that it is comprised of two layers of income tax: there are the federal tax rates (the top federal rate is 37%, and this rate applies to income for an unmarried individual greater than $578,125), and there are also US states’ income taxes.

If you enter the USA on a sponsored work visa, you will need to complete Form W-4, formally titled ‘Employee's Withholding Certificate’. It is your responsibility to inform your employer of how much federal income tax to withhold from your pay cheque, based on your filing status and tax credits; it is important that you supply an accurate figure, as mistakes here can result in an underpayment penalty being levied.

When you come to file your federal income tax return, you will need to file Form 1040. You may need to apply for an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) in order to be identified for tax purposes, in which case you will need to complete and submit an W-7 Form. ITIN numbers enable those who are not eligible for a Social Security Number, e.g. immigrants in the USA who have applied for legal status to work in the US and are still waiting for a decision, to meet their tax filing obligations.

Getting the necessary health and insurance coverage

Healthcare in America is provided by private hospitals and clinics, and so you’ll need health insurance to cover any costs that you might incur through periods of illness. If you intend on entering the United States with a work visa sponsorship, there’s a good chance that you will receive health insurance through your employer; many US employers offer health insurance benefits, and half of American employees participated in a workplace medical care plan in 2022.

If your employer does not provide health insurance as part of your plan – or if you enter the USA on another visa – you may wish to opt for more comprehensive medical insurance schemes, as opposed to budget options, as the latter may not cover all of your healthcare needs.

Finding accommodation in the USA

You’ll need to consider several factors when deciding upon the sort of accommodation that you’d like to buy or rent in America, such as your budget and whether you are travelling alone, or with a spouse and dependents.

It makes a certain amount of sense to start by taking out a short-term rental. This will allow you to know your new town or city better, and it will help you avoid falling into the trap of rushing to buy a property that does not satisfy your needs.

Once you have found a property that is to your liking, you will be required to tender a lease application. Credit and background checks are commonly carried out to ensure that you can afford to pay rent, and you will likely be required to supply references from previous landlords.

Expats employed in the USA will need to provide plenty of supporting documentation when buying property and applying for financing. It will often be necessary to enlist the services of a good estate agent, as this will make the process of purchasing process far easier.

Find out more about available accommodation in the USA today.