Relocating to England: A Guide to Moving from the US to the UK (2024)

Moving back to the UK from the USA can be an exciting yet challenging journey.

Pros:

  • US citizens living in the UK will have access to the UK’s National Health Care Services. You can access this service with little to absolutely free of cost.
  • The United Kingdom is known for its peerless education system. This country is an excellent place to increase your educational knowledge.
  • Relocating to the UK provides an immense travel opportunity to visit and embrace the beauty of various European countries and cities.
  • The United Kingdom provides compelling job opportunities, and this country offers a tremendous work environment.

Cons:

  • Compared to many US cities, the cost of living is pretty much high in the UK. It can be way too expensive if you live in a city like London.
  • The United Kingdom offers smaller accommodation places to live. Being a US citizen can be challenging when living in tiny houses or apartments.
  • Immigrating to the UK from the USA comes with strict and complex UK immigration rules and regulations. Visa processing is time-consuming and requires legal help.
  • You might require adequate time to adjust to the UK’s culture and understand its history. Cultural differences can become an obstacle for US citizens.

FAQ’s

Can I Move to the UK Without a Job?

Yes, you can move to the UK without a job. You can undoubtedly relocate to the UK from the USA without a job offer through a valid family, business and student visa route.

Moving to the UK to Join Family Members

You can choose the UK family visa route to reunite or join your family members in the UK. However, several eligibility criteria and requirements must be fulfilled before applying for a family visa.

How Hard Is It to Move to The UK?

Due to the complex UK immigration rules and regulations, it can be difficult for US citizens to relocate from the US to the UK. However, you can overcome this challenge with the help of experienced and knowledgeable immigration solicitors.

How Much Does It Cost to Move to The UK?

Moving to England from the US can be expensive, depending on your visa type. Applicants need to pay the visa application fee, health surcharge fee, shipping, accommodation, logistics, and other relevant costs. You can calculate all the expenses and prepare for your relocation as per your requirements.

Cost of Living in the UK

The UK has been declared the 7th most expensive country in Europe and 14th most expensive in the world. Using public transportation, suitable accommodation, and earning your daily meals can be expensive. It’s evident that the cost of living in the UK is higher than in most US cities.

Do You Get Free Healthcare If You Move to the UK?

You can avail free healthcare in the UK once you become a permanent resident or obtain an indefinite leave to remain. Apart from that, you can get free healthcare if you have already paid a health surcharge.

Moving to the UK With Pets

Relocating to the UK from the USA with your pet is allowed if it has been microchipped, has a pet passport or health certificate, and has been vaccinated for rabies. By following these steps, you can certainly move to the United Kingdom with pets.

How Do I Get UK Citizenship?

To get UK citizenship, you need to legally stay in the United Kingdom for at least five years under a valid visa route. Skilled work visas and Family visas allow one to live in the UK for a more extended period. After this period of time, you can apply for ILR. If you successfully hold the ILR for 12 months, you can apply for naturalisation as a UK citizen.

What is a Self-Sponsored Route?

With the Self-Sponsorship route, you can apply to work in the United Kingdom for your own company without needing a UK Sponsor. Moreover, if you plan to settle in the UK, this could lead to permanent residency and British citizenship for you and your dependent family members. The Self-Sponsorship route is suited for businesses looking to expand their business in the United Kingdom and have the capital for it. If you are a successful businessperson who has identified a business opportunity in the United Kingdom, or if you have a brilliant business concept and want to explore it in the United Kingdom, you should definitely take up this path.

Eligibility Criteria For Self-Sponsorship

  • You should have expertise, talent, or qualification in the field where you intend to start a business.
  • You must have a business idea or have identified an existing business in the United Kingdom to expand.
  • You must have sufficient financial means to support your business in the United Kingdom.
  • You must have acquaintance with a UK local who is settled in the country or is a British citizen to take on the obligations of the Authorising Officer.
  • You must pass the approved English language test at Level B1.

Application Process for Self-Sponsorship

You must first apply for a Skilled visa route to apply for this route. It is a combination of a Skilled visa and a sponsor licence. Visit the official website of the UK government and apply for the Skilled worker visa. Prepare all the necessary documents, such as a copy of your passport, bank statements, a detailed business plan and an endorsem*nt letter from your company’s key personnel. Attach all your original documents and application and re-check twice to avoid errors. You must pay the application fee before you submit your application.

is a specialist immigration law firm with extensive experience with work visa applications. We have an in-depth understanding of immigration law and are professional and results-focused. For assistance with your visa application or any other UK immigration law concerns, please contact us on +44 20 7404 7933 or at contact us today. We’re here to help!

Relocating to England: A Guide to Moving from the US to the UK (2024)

FAQs

Is it hard for a US citizen to move to England? ›

Moving to England from the US can be expensive, depending on your visa type. Applicants need to pay the visa application fee, health surcharge fee, shipping, accommodation, logistics, and other relevant costs. You can calculate all the expenses and prepare for your relocation as per your requirements.

Is it worth it to move from the USA to the UK? ›

You can look forward to excellent healthcare, education, and entertainment while living in the UK. The food is also fantastic, if only because it's such a multicultural country that you can get an Indian, Italian, or Chinese meal wherever you live.

How much money do I need to move to the UK? ›

As a rule of thumb, we recommend having around $10,000 when moving to London – that's Aussie/New Zealand dollars, not British pounds. If you can save more than $10,000 even better! So unless you're partying like Leo after winning an oscar, you won't hit the end of your $10k before then.

Which is better to live in the UK or the US? ›

Four categories – health, transport, housing, miscellaneous (largely private insurance) – account for 95% of the American advantage over the UK in living standards. Healthcare spending accounts for 12 of the 30 percentage point gap; housing 9 percentage points; transport 4 percentage points.

Can a retired US citizen move to England? ›

The U.K. recently closed its retirement visa program, meaning retirees don't have a straightforward way to get into the country. Fortunately, the U.K.'s other visa avenues are still open. So, retired couples can apply for work, ancestry or family visas. These visas have varying costs and requirements.

Can I move from the US to the UK without a job? ›

First things first, you're going to need to find a visa that allows you to live in the UK without having a job. This is the biggest hurdle that you're going to have, as you have to meet very specific criteria, and realistically, there's not a lot you can do if you're not eligible for one of the following visas.

What is the cheapest way to move from USA to UK? ›

By ship. The cost of transporting your household and personal items by ship is almost five times cheaper than by air. However, it takes several months to receive your things. If you want to use this option, consider moving your things a few months before your trip.

Is it cheaper in the UK than the US? ›

Cost Of Rentals In The UK Vs The US

The cost of living in the UK versus the US is slightly lower, as the UK has a cost of living index that is set at 7.73% lower than that of the US.

How hard is it for an American to move to England? ›

Moving to London as an American can be relatively straightforward, thanks to strong US-UK relations and a common language. However, ease of relocation can vary depending on factors such as visa type, job prospects, and housing availability. Planning and research are key to a smooth transition.

How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in UK? ›

In 2023, we have calculated that a single person needs to earn £29,500 to have an acceptable standard of living, up from £25,000 in 2022. A couple with two children need to earn £50,000, compared to £44,500 in 2022.

Why would an American want to move to the UK? ›

Reasons of course include such things as having family in the UK, cultural differences/preferences, a different lifestyle, world-class educational institutions, and much more.

How long can US citizens stay in the UK? ›

You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities. You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

Is it hard to get a job in the UK as an American? ›

Starting anew with the job application process can be overwhelming, especially in a country where you have little or no experience working. Luckily, with plenty of opportunities for expats available on the island, finding a job in the UK is far more achievable than it might initially seem.

What is the easiest way to move to the UK? ›

Spouse Visa: Also known as a marriage visa, this is one of the fastest and easiest ways to immigrate to the UK from the United States. Fiancé Visa: You can apply for this visa if you intend to join your partner in the UK and get married within six months after your arrival.

Is the UK safer than USA to live? ›

If we look at the 2022 crime rate of both countries, we'll see that the UK and the US are pretty close – the US – 47.81 and the UK – 46.07. Yet, when it comes to school shootings, the UK is much better. People generally don't fear each other because they are unarmed, and shooting sprees are an unlikely scenario.

Does the UK have free healthcare? ›

The United Kingdom has a national health service (NHS) with access based on clinical need, and not ability to pay. All individuals, irrespective of their nationality or immigration status, are eligible to access primary, emergency and compulsory psychiatric care, free of charge.

Are salaries better in UK or USA? ›

Pay in Britain has long lagged behind the United States, with the average worker earning £17,000 less per year. The average salary was just over £52,000 in the US last year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. But the UK equivalent was £35,000, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Is it hard for an American to get British citizenship? ›

British citizenship by naturalization

This is the most common route to British citizenship for Americans. In most cases, you will be eligible for British citizenship if you have lawfully lived in the UK for at least six years (which includes one year of Indefinite Leave to Remain status).

Can I migrate to the UK without a job offer? ›

It is possible to get a work visa or work permit in the UK without a job offer by applying for a High Potential Individual visa, Graduate visa, or Global Talent visa.

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