Moving to the US from the UK: Complete Guide for British Expats (2026)

Moving to the US from the UK: what British expats need to know in 2026

More than 20,000 British people move to the United States every year, adding to an estimated 1.1 million Brits already living across the country. The US is consistently the most popular destination for UK expats, and the pull is understandable: a shared language, enormous career opportunity, sunshine that most of the UK never sees, and no income tax if you land in the right state.

But moving to the US from the UK is not a straightforward process. The visa system is strict. Healthcare works in a way that will genuinely shock anyone coming from the NHS. Banking, driving, taxes, and even basic social customs are different enough to cause real friction in the first year.

This guide covers the full picture for British expats making the move in 2026, from visa options and upfront costs to the best states and what daily life actually looks like once you arrive.

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Visas for UK citizens moving to the US

The most important thing to understand about moving to the US from the UK is that you cannot simply decide to go and live there. The US immigration system requires a specific legal basis for long-term residence, and identifying the right visa route before anything else is essential.

UK citizens can enter the US for up to 90 days without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. Working, earning an income, or establishing permanent residency on a tourist entry is not legal and will damage any future visa applications.

Work visas for British expats

H-1B (specialty occupation) is the most common route for skilled workers moving to the US from the UK. It requires employer sponsorship from a US company, a job offer in a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree, and survives a lottery system with roughly an 18% selection rate in recent years. The visa lasts 3 years and is renewable to 6. Be aware that H-1B costs rose substantially in 2025 and the visa is now tied to your employer, meaning changing jobs requires a new petition.

L-1 (intracompany transfer) applies if you work for a multinational company with US operations. This is often the least complicated route for corporate employees already working for a company with a US presence.

O-1 (extraordinary ability) covers individuals with exceptional achievement in their field. Less competitive than the H-1B lottery but requires substantial evidence of accomplishment.

E-2 (investor visa) allows UK citizens to work in the US based on a substantial investment in a US business. The UK's treaty status with the US makes this available to British nationals.

Family-based routes

If you are married to a US citizen, a spousal visa is your most direct path. The K-1 fiance visa brings you to the US to marry within 90 days. The CR-1 spousal visa takes longer but grants a Green Card immediately on arrival.

Other routes

The diversity visa lottery offers 50,000 green cards annually drawn from eligible countries. The UK has historically been excluded from the DV lottery in recent years due to high levels of immigration to the US, but it is worth checking the current year's eligible country list.

Student visas (F-1) are a common entry point for younger British movers who then transition to work authorization after graduation.

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How much does moving to the US from the UK cost?

Moving from the UK to the US is a significant financial undertaking. The costs catch many people off guard.

Visa and legal costs:

• Non-immigrant visa application: $185-$315
• Immigrant visa application: $325-$345
• Immigration attorney (strongly recommended): £1,500-£4,000+
• Medical exam required for most immigrant visas: $200-$480

Shipping and relocation costs:

• One-way flight from the UK: £500-£900
• Shipping household goods from the UK to the US: £680-£12,000+ depending on volume. A full 3-bedroom container typically runs £7,500-£9,000.
• First and last month rent plus deposit in a US city: $3,000-$6,000+
• Initial setup costs (furniture, phone, household items): $2,000-$5,000

Emergency buffer: Aim to have at least $15,000-$20,000 in liquid savings as a single person, or $30,000+ for a family, before your first US paycheck. A routine hospital visit without insurance can cost thousands of dollars. You will not have a US bank account on day one.

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The healthcare reality: from NHS to US insurance

This is the adjustment that hits British expats hardest, and it is worth spending real time on before you move.

In the UK, you go to the doctor. It is free at the point of use. Your GP is a ten-minute walk. You do not think about insurance networks, deductibles, or whether your insurer covers a particular specialist.

In the US, none of that is true.

The US healthcare system is predominantly private and insurance-based. There is no equivalent of the NHS. Medical care is billed directly to you or your insurer, and arriving without adequate coverage exposes you to costs that can be genuinely catastrophic. A routine hospital stay can exceed $10,000. An ambulance ride commonly costs $1,000-$3,000. Emergency room visits start at $250 and climb quickly.

What British expats need to do:

Get all dental work, eye tests, and routine health checks done in the UK before you leave. Costs for the same services in the US are significantly higher.

Arrange health insurance that begins the day you arrive. If your employer provides insurance, confirm exactly when it kicks in and buy private cover to bridge any gap. Insurance terms you need to understand:

• Premium: the monthly amount you pay for coverage
• Deductible: the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance covers anything (often $1,000-$5,000 per year)
• Copayment: a fixed fee you pay per doctor's visit
• In-network vs out-of-network: using a doctor outside your insurer's approved network often means paying much more

Employer-sponsored insurance typically runs $150-$300 per month for individual coverage, with the employer covering the remainder. If you are self-employed or between jobs, marketplace plans average $400-$600 per month for an individual.

The comparison with the UK is stark. A $100,000 earner in the UK pays National Insurance and gets NHS coverage. The same earner in the US keeps more take-home pay but spends an average of $7,700 per year on healthcare costs. The net financial picture depends heavily on your income level and whether your employer subsidises insurance generously.

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Banking, driving, and the first 30 days

Banking

You will need a US bank account and you will not have one when you land. Bring enough cash or accessible funds for your first few weeks. Chase, Bank of America, and Citi are the most expat-friendly banks for new arrivals. Bring your passport, visa documentation, and address proof. Some branches allow you to open an account before you have a Social Security Number.

Global banks like HSBC and Citi can sometimes allow account setup more easily if you already hold an account with them in the UK. Opening deposit is typically $25-$100.

Social Security Number

Apply for your SSN at your nearest Social Security Administration office as soon as possible after arrival. Bring your passport, visa, and I-94 form. The card takes 2-4 weeks to arrive but you need the number for employment, banking, and eventually credit applications.

Building US credit

Your UK credit history does not transfer. You arrive with no credit score, which affects your ability to rent an apartment, get a mobile phone contract, or eventually buy a car or home.

Apply for a secured credit card (Capital One Secured Mastercard is a standard starting point) as soon as you have your SSN. Use it for small purchases and pay it in full monthly. A responsible credit history builds within 6-12 months to the point where a normal credit card is achievable.

Driving

Your UK driving licence is accepted in most US states for 30-90 days after arrival. After that, you need a state licence. Visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), pass a written knowledge test and a road test, and pay the application fee. The tests are straightforward for most British drivers, though the road rules have some differences worth reviewing.

One significant adjustment: the US drives on the right. Most British drivers adapt quickly, but the instinctive lean toward the left when turning can persist for weeks.

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Taxes: what British expats need to know

The US taxes residents on income earned within the country, which is standard. What catches some British expats off guard is the filing requirement. Unlike the UK where most employees' taxes are handled through PAYE without filing a return, the US requires virtually everyone to file an annual federal income tax return.

You will also need to file in the state where you live if it has an income tax. States like Texas, Florida, and Tennessee have no income tax. For British expats moving to these states, the saving compared to a UK income tax bill plus NI contributions can be substantial. For a full breakdown of no-income-tax states, see our guide to the best states with no income tax.

If you maintain financial accounts in the UK while living in the US, you may have additional reporting requirements. Consult a tax advisor who specialises in UK-US expat tax before your first US tax year.

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Best states in the US for British expats

Where you land has enormous influence on your experience. British expats cluster in certain states for practical and cultural reasons.

New York City

The most natural destination for Brits, particularly those from London. A cosmopolitan environment with strong British expat networks including the British American Business Association. Finance, media, law, and the arts all have major presences. The cultural familiarity with a big international city makes the adjustment easier for many.

The trade-off is cost. New York is one of the most expensive states in the world. A comfortable single-person lifestyle runs $4,500-$6,000 per month. Housing in Manhattan is eye-wateringly expensive. Many British expats settle in Brooklyn, Queens, or nearby New Jersey for more manageable costs.

Austin, Texas

Austin has built a genuine British expat community of around 4,000 UK nationals. The tech scene attracts IT and engineering professionals. No state income tax, warm weather, and a relaxed creative culture make the lifestyle transition relatively comfortable. Less familiar culturally than New York but more affordable and with arguably better quality of life for people who do not need a major financial centre.

Houston, Texas

Houston is the most international city in Texas and one of the most diverse in the United States. The energy sector attracts significant numbers of British professionals, particularly from oil and gas backgrounds. No state income tax, lower housing costs than Austin, and a city large enough to have all the amenities a British expat expects.

Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh sits in the Research Triangle alongside Duke and UNC and has seen growing interest from British expats in tech, biotech, and academia. The cost of living in Raleigh is significantly more manageable than New York or California, and the quality of life is high. A flat state income tax at 4.5% and declining is the one UK-adjusted trade-off compared to Texas.

Florida (various states)

Florida's appeal to British expats is long-standing, particularly for retirees and families. No state income tax, warm weather, and established British communities in states like Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville. The British presence in Orlando's property market in particular is significant. For British expats comparing Texas and Florida, our moving from Florida to Texas guide covers the financial comparison in detail.

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Cultural differences British expats underestimate

A shared language creates a false sense of familiarity. British and American cultures are genuinely different in ways that take longer to adjust to than most people expect.

Scale and car dependency: American states are enormous and built around cars in a way that British states outside London are not. Even British expats from smaller UK states find the US level of car dependency striking. In states like Houston, Dallas, or even Austin, a car is not optional.

Healthcare as a financial risk: Covered above, but worth restating as a cultural point. Americans think about healthcare costs in ways that British people simply do not, because the NHS removes that anxiety. Developing the habit of verifying in-network status before every appointment, understanding your deductible, and keeping emergency medical savings is an active adjustment for British expats.

Tipping: A mandatory cultural practice in the US rather than the optional gesture it remains in the UK. 18-20% is standard for restaurant service. Bartenders, hotel staff, hairdressers, and many other service workers expect tips as part of their income structure.

Size of portions and everything else: This sounds trivial but it is genuinely disorienting. Houses are bigger, cars are bigger, portions are bigger, distances are bigger. The psychological adjustment to American scale takes longer than most British expats anticipate.

Directness about money: Americans talk about salaries, net worth, and financial goals in ways that British culture considers private or even rude. This is not universally true but the cultural difference is real.

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FAQ

Can UK citizens move to the US without a job?

It is difficult. The main routes without employer sponsorship are an investment visa (E-2 or EB-5), marriage to a US citizen, the diversity visa lottery (when the UK is eligible), or a student visa with plans to work afterwards. Moving to the US as a tourist and looking for work is not legal.

Do I need a visa to move to the US from the UK?

Yes, for long-term residence. UK citizens can visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. Working, earning income, or establishing permanent residency requires a specific visa.

How does US healthcare compare to the NHS for British expats?

The adjustment is significant. The NHS provides free healthcare at the point of use. The US system is private and insurance-based with no equivalent universal coverage. British expats need to budget for health insurance from day one and understand the US system's structure before arrival.

What is the best state for British expats to move to?

For career-focused expats, Texas (Austin or Houston) offers no income tax and strong job markets in tech and energy. For families, North Carolina and Tennessee combine good schools, lower costs, and reasonable taxes. New York remains the most popular choice for finance, media, and those who want the most familiar international-city experience.

Will my UK driving licence work in the US?

In most states, a valid UK driving licence is accepted for 30-90 days after arrival. After that, you must obtain a state licence by passing a written and road test at the DMV. The tests are straightforward for experienced UK drivers.

How hard is it to build credit in the US as a British expat?

Your UK credit history does not transfer. You start with no US credit score. A secured credit card used responsibly builds a usable credit history within 6-12 months. Many landlords run credit checks, so starting early matters.

Which is cheaper: living in the US or the UK for British expats?

It depends heavily on location and lifestyle. No-income-tax states like Texas and Tennessee can mean significant take-home savings compared to UK income tax and National Insurance. Housing outside major metros is often cheaper than equivalent UK locations. However, healthcare costs, tipping culture, and car dependency add expenses that the UK does not have in the same form. Overall, mid-tier US states like Raleigh or Nashville often compare very favourably to equivalent UK states on a net basis.