Moving from the UK to the USA: what to consider

Moving from the UK to the USA is a huge moment – you’re moving to a new continent, after all. It can be stressful starting a new life, and there are plenty of different moving parts that you’ll have to consider. Below, we explore the crucial points to remember when you move from the UK to the USA.

Emigrating for work

One of the main reasons to move is for work. This can be stressful, especially if you have a family that you’re taking along too. On top of settling into a new job, you’ll have a new home and culture to get to grips with. Packing up your home and shipping its contents from the UK to the USA is a big aspect to consider. But once this part is sorted, you can begin to focus on buying or renting a home and getting your family settled.

Visas

It’s also important to consider whether you have the legal right to move to the USA. For this, you’ll need a visa. One of the most common paths to getting a visa is through employment. You might qualify for a working visa if you have an advanced degree and a job offer from a US company. You can also get a sponsored employment visa if someone in your near family has a job offer or if you’re an especially highly skilled worker.

The green card

If you’re concerned that you might not qualify for any form of visa, you still have the option to apply for a green card. Every year, the USA operates the green card lottery where 50,000 visas are offered to eligible foreign workers. This project is run by the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program and the winners are drawn from a random selection of entrants.

Other things to consider

Once this is all sorted and you have the legal right to move to the USA, there are still plenty of other factors to consider. For a start, you’ll need to work out your accommodation: if you’re settling in, it can be easier to rent initially, before pinpointing your ideal neighbourhood. From there, you’ll also need to sort out your healthcare. In the USA you’ll need insurance to prevent yourself from incurring large bills when you require treatment. Finally, it’s also important to sort out a car to drive and to get the paperwork in place to secure a licence.

Moving to the USA can be an exciting moment. You’ll be able to start a fresh life with a new job in an exciting place. And by following the advice above, you should be all set to thrive in your next chapter.