Moving to America from the UK is undoubtedly a very exciting time. Whether you are moving to the U.S. for work or for a change of scenery you will need to be organised to ensure you take everything you need ‘across the pond’.
Here are the most important legal and practical considerations ahead of your moving day to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Documentation requirements for entering the United States of America
Foreign nationals entering the United States via U.S. Customs and Border Protection are usually required to present a passport and valid visa issued by a U.S. Consular Official, unless they are a citizen of a country eligible for the
Visa Waiver Program.
The Visa Waiver Program
The Visa Waiver Program allows foreign nationals from eligible countries to be admitted to the U.S. for a limited time of no more than 90 days without obtaining a visa.
Working and long stays
If you plan to work in the U.S. or stay longer than 90 days you should
consult the U.S. State Department for guidance on visas and work permits as they vary significantly depending on where you’re moving from, and what type of work you’re doing.
Customs restrictions
The
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has a list of items strictly prohibited from entering the country.
The U.S. CBP is present at all ports of entry to the United States and is responsible for protecting the nation from all threats.
The items prohibited from entering American shores include:
- Narcotics
- Fireworks
- Firearms
- Poison
- Dangerous toys
- Selected knives
For a more exhaustive list of prohibited and restricted items in the USA
check here before you travel.
Ask your removal firm
It is also recommended that you liaise with your international removal firm, as they will have the knowledge and expertise to help you decide what you can and can’t take with you and will advise you on the forms you need to complete to notify the U.S. CBP.
If you haven’t found a removal company to oversee your move to the United States then compare international removal companies near you to find the best service for your move to America.
International removals packing advice
Before you begin packing, we’d advise you to discuss with your international removals company how to best approach this task.
Most international moves are better packed by your chosen removals firm as U.S. customs is known to be very strict when it comes to owner-packed items.
Save space
With space at a premium, you may want to consider having a big clear out before you move. Donate any clothes you haven’t worn in a while and only pack the items you really need.
Additionally, consider vacuum packing your clothing into ‘space bags’ to compress a considerable amount of clothes into your suitcase. They are ideal for bulky belongings such as winter clothing, bedding and soft toys.
Power supply differences
It’s worth remembering that electrical goods use a different power supply in the U.S. The U.S. power supplies are 110-120v @ 60Hz – half the voltage of the power supply in the UK, although many appliances operate at both voltages.
Our
moving abroad packing tips can help offer advice when it comes to packing for your international house move.
Keepsakes and mementos
Childhood mementos are another tricky aspect of packing up your belongings and moving to the U.S. If you have any relatives or close friends that are going to remain in the UK you may consider asking if they have any space to store such treasured items for you until you’re settled or you return.
Try not to take bulky photo albums; pack your photo collection into a single photo box or you could even share some of the pictures with friends and family who may appreciate the memories themselves.
International removals storage
Alternatively, your international removals company may have the facility to store items and beloved mementos you don’t decide to take, saving you unnecessary hassle.
Books and DVDs
You may have an extensive book and DVD collection to sort out before you make the move from the UK to America.
Books
Books are unfortunately some of the heaviest items you are likely to pack and will take up a lot of room.
Therefore, you may have to make the decision to sell most of your books or donate them to charity shops. You can always restart your book collection in America and save money on shipping costs.
DVDs
DVDs pose a different issue as U.S. and UK region DVD players differ. If you don’t want to lose your DVDs, you can always purchase a multi-regional player.
Avoid the temptation of purchasing new material items you’ve envisioned in your new home in the U.S. as they will simply increase your removal costs from the outset.
Be sure to focus on packing the necessities you’ll require from day one. If you have essentials that you will need sooner than your books and DVDs, for instance, you could liaise with your international removal company who can offer an airfreight shipment which will arrive much faster than your container or groupage.
How long does shipping belongings to America take?
There are several ways you can have your possessions transported, depending on the volume/weight of the goods, the speed of delivery, your route and of course, your budget.
Types of international shipments
The majority of large household shipments travel by sea. They are packed to prevent damage during transit, then loaded into their very own sealed 20 foot or 40 foot steel shipping container and delivered directly to port ready for shipment.
Both
full container load and shared container load (groupage) are often packed on-site.
Full containers are usually loaded at home, while items to be shipped in groupage – the merging of many small shipments within a single container – are stored for consolidation with loading at your removal company’s depot.
For priority transport, your international removals firm may be able to arrange air freight to the U.S. depending on availability.
It is important to note that as air freight is a speedier service you will ultimately pay a premium for transport and storage. Typically, international movers will only use air freight for the smallest high priority items which have to be shipped immediately, then wait a few weeks for the bulk of their possessions which are shipped by sea freight.
Shipping transit times
Below is a table of approximate shipping transit times to some of the major cities in the United States of America from the UK.
| City |
Sole Container |
Groupage |
| Boston |
4-6 weeks |
8-12 weeks |
| Chicago |
5-7 weeks |
8-12 weeks |
| Houston |
5-7 weeks |
9-13 weeks |
| Los Angeles |
6-8 weeks |
9-13 weeks |
| Miami |
4-6 weeks |
8-12 weeks |
| New York |
4-6 weeks |
8-12 weeks |
| San Fransisco |
6-8 weeks |
9-13 weeks |
Official documents
Official documentation is an obvious requirement, particularly on arrival in customs and when you are looking for employment.
Make sure applicable references and educational and medical certification is stored away safely but is also easily accessible when you step off the plane onto American shores.
Visa
A visa is a document that entitles the holder to travel to the United States and to apply for admission on arrival. It’s important to remember that the visa itself does not guarantee entry – your eligibility to be admitted to the country is determined by an immigration official at the port of entry.
UK applications for visas to travel to America are usually handled by the US Embassy in London, although in some cases immigrant visas are processed by the National Visa Center in the States.
Types of visa
There are two types of visas available: non-immigrant and immigrant. Non-immigrant visas are designed for those intending to stay in the country for a shorter period – whether for tourism, business, work or study – but not indefinitely. Immigrant visas are for those who intend to live permanently within the United States.
Documentation required for a non-immigrant visa
The specific documentation you will have to provide to the US Embassy to support your application varies depending on the type of visa you require. We’ve outlined the core requirements below. You can check the specific documentation requirements for your specific visa category at the
Embassy website.
- Printouts for the confirmation of completing the online non-immigrant visa application form DS-160, and the appointment confirmation page.
- A passport or other travel document valid for the period of your stay. For non-UK passport holders, the document must be valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay.
- A 5 x 5 cm colour photograph, taken within the past six months.
- For non-UK or EU passport holders, evidence of your status in the United Kingdom.
- Evidence of previously issued US visas, if these are not shown in your current passport.
You will also have to provide relevant documentation if you have ever been arrested and/or have a criminal conviction, have a medical ineligibility, or have previously been denied entry into (or been deported from) the United States. The consular officer is also entitled to ask for additional documentary evidence, such as confirmation that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses while in the US.
Documentation required for an immigrant visa
As you might imagine, for immigrant visas the document requirements are rather more thorough. You will need to provide originals or certified copies of each of the following (where relevant) for each member of your family:
- A passport valid for travel to the United States, with at least eight months validity from the date on which the visa is issued. Children may be included on the parent's passport, but photographs of children over 16 must be printed in the passport.
- Full birth certificates for you, your spouse, and all unmarried children under 21 – even if they are not immigrating with you.
- Adoption certificates (issued by a public authority) where applicable.
- Deed poll or other legal evidence of a change of name, where applicable.
- Marriage certificates for your current and any previous marriages.
- Divorce decree or death certificates for any previous spouses.
- Police certificates from the UK Criminal Records Office, and from any other nations you have lived in for more than 12 months since the age of 16, and any country where you have been arrested, even if you were not resident there.
- Court and prison records, if you have ever been convicted of a crime.
- Military records, where applicable.
- Two 5 x 5 cm colour photographs, taken within the past six months.
- Form I-864 contractual affidavit of support, where applicable.
- For employment-based visas, a recent letter from your employer confirming that the job offer upon which your application is based is still available to you.
- Certified English translations for any non-English documents provided.
- The appropriate visa fee.
Failure to provide all the correct documents at your visa application interview can result in your application being denied, so if in doubt ensure you check the US embassy website or contact them directly for advice.
Passport
Obviously, you’ll need your passport when you travel to the US, but what’s a little less obvious is that your passport must be valid for the duration of the visa you have applied for.
If you intend to live in America for 3 years then your passport must be valid for the next 3 years; so, replace your passport early if necessary.
Life in the USA
One of the wonderful things about moving to America from the UK is the sheer diversity on offer. Whether you dream of sunny beaches, busy cosmopolitan life, the suburban Midwest, or something in between, you’ll find it amongst the diversity of the 50 states.
Variety exists in terms of culture and history, climate, wages, entertainment and overall quality of life, and so it pays to do your research before emigrating to the US to ensure you choose the right state and city.
Cost of Living in the USA
One key area of interest for most people relocating to the US is the cost of living. It’s important to note that cost of living in America varies hugely depending on where you are.
For example, New York, Los Angeles, and Miami are amongst the most expensive places to live in the U.S, and will set you back a fair amount in terms of property, utilities, and overall cost of entertainment and leisure.
That said, there are more affordable places to live as well, and so doing some research by city or by state is recommended.
Housing
If you’re moving to America for work, you may be lucky enough to have accommodation arranged by your employer. Otherwise, you’ll want to either start looking into rental options or engage a US real estate broker (specifically a buyer’s agent) to arrange for the purchase of an appropriate property. Some people find it useful to rent initially with a view to buying a property in the longer term.
If you currently rent your home in the UK, you will usually have to give your landlord at least one month’s notice before quitting the property. If you own your property, you’ll have to decide whether to sell up or to let it out in your absence.
Note that if you have a mortgage on your property you will have to apply to your lender for consent to let, and this is usually only granted if you can confirm that you will be returning to live in the property within a fixed period (for example, up to three years).
US Healthcare system
The convenience and care provided by the NHS will become a thing of the past for many British ex-pats, as the US healthcare system is reliant upon insurance – and it’s not cheap.
You will need health insurance to access any kind of medical care, and so this should be budgeted into your costs of the move and sorted as soon as you arrive.
Unlike the NHS, sadly healthcare is not one of the things made free at the point of access through taxes – which
you will also be liable to pay if you pass the Presence Test – each year.
Moving to America with pets
You may have pets that you will want to bring over to America with you, but it’s important to know exactly what you will need to make this happen.
There are regulations you must follow that may differ from state to state.
- All dog owners must submit a CDC dog import form
- As the UK and Ireland are rabies free you will not require a rabies vaccination
- Upon entry to some states, you will need a health certificate to state that your pet is fit and healthy to travel
- Your pet must appear healthy upon arrival
- Your dog must be at least 6 months old at the time of entry to the U.S.
- Dogs must be microchipped
To learn more about
moving overseas with pets you should research if this is right for you and your animals wellbeing.
Moving to America FAQs
How much does it cost to move to America from the UK?
The cost of moving to the U.S. from the UK will depend on which state you will be moving to and how many of your belongings you decide to ship. You should be aware of additional costs such as taxes, visas, and if you might need to pay for storage.
It is important that you do your research to make sure that you can afford the move.
Can I move to America without a job?
It is possible to move to America and obtain certain work visas without a job offer, but you will have to meet requirements and prove that you have enough funds for your stay until you find a job.
These visas are limited and are not easy to obtain, receiving a job offer will make your application easier.
What is the cheapest way to ship furniture from the UK to the USA?
The cheapest way to ship furniture from the UK to America is by sea freight using shared containers.
How do I choose a good international removals company?
To choose a good international removals company you can use our online quote form to receive quotes from multiple moving companies. You should compare costs and reviews to find the company best suited for your move.