From office removals to complex commercial relocation projects, Bishop’s Move manages business relocations across the UK, delivering every move on time, within budget and with minimal disruption.
Making the move to America from the UK is a big step, and it’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed by the number of decisions that are involved. From visas and customs regulations to choosing where to live, understanding the associated costs of such a move and planning how to ship your belongings, there’s an awful lot to consider.
This guide is designed to help UK residents plan each and every stage of their move to the USA. Whether you’re relocating for work, family or lifestyle reasons, you’ll find practical advice, checklists, and answers to frequently asked questions to help you prepare, avoid delays, and settle into life in the USA as smoothly as possible.
Whether you’re heading to Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando or any other destination in the USA, Bishop’s Move is here to help and advise you so that you can plan every stage of your US relocation.
Visas & Legal Requirements: There are various visas available for those looking to move to America. Make sure to research thoroughly and choose one that is suitable for you and your circumstances.
Popular Expat Destinations: Cities such as Houston, LA, Miami, and New York have lots to offer when it comes to both careers and lifestyles.
Housing & Transport: Research accomodation, local transport and neighbourhood options before you move.
Shipping Belongings: Household goods can usually be imported duty-free.
Healthcare: There is no equivalent of the NHS in the USA. Arranging health insurance must be a top priority.
Costs & Budgeting: Factor in visa fees, shipping, and cost of living.
Support & Removal Services: Using a specialist removals company like Bishop’s Move helps make your relocation smooth and stress-free.
How to Move to America from the UK
Moving to the USA from the UK is an exciting step, but it’s not quite as simple as booking a flight and packing your bags. Whether you’re relocating for work, family, or a lifestyle change, there are essential steps to take for a smooth transition.
From obtaining the correct visa to shipping your possessions across the Atlantic, this guide breaks down how exactly you can move to the USA from the UK.
Am I Allowed to Move to the US?
With the correct visa, UK citizens are able to visit the USA for a range of time periods. For those hoping to move temporarily, a non-immigrant visa is necessary, but for prospective permanent residents, you’ll need an immigrant visa. Complete your research thoroughly.
Types of US Visas
Your reasons for relocating will play a large part in the process of procuring a visa, Green Card, and eventually, U.S. citizenship. Common visa options for UK citizens moving across the pond include:
Sponsored Employment Visa: For individuals who have found employment under a U.S. company, an employment visa is one way to secure a Green Card. Once your employer has received approval for your employment from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, you will be required to attend an interview at the US Embassy as part of your visa application.
Family Immigration Visa: You can also obtain a visa if your family members already have U.S. citizenship. The process and amount of time that this will take depend on whether you have an immediate or extended family link.
Retirement Visa: If you’re thinking about retiring to the USA, visa options are unlike many other countries in that there is no specific retirement visa. Pensioners typically take the family sponsorship or extended tourist visa option in order to spend more time in America.
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization): Under the visa waiver program, UK passport holders can visit the USA on an ESTA for up to 90 days. This is ideal for when you visit America to get a feel for where you might like to live, but it is not equivalent to an immigrant visa and will not allow you to work or reside in the country.
Gaining U.S. citizenship will require a longer period spent in the country. Lucky for UK citizens, the US allows dual citizenship, meaning you can have two passports at once.
Where to Live in the USA
The sheer size and variety of possible destinations across the United States can make it seem impossible to settle in one place. Your preference for a location can be dependent on a million things, depending on your circumstances, such as office location, schools, or transport links. Cities can provide a more international environment, one where you’re more likely to meet those in a similar situation to you, whereas more rural places might feature some of America’s gorgeous landscapes.
Not to mention, your choice of place will come with repercussions for your climate, which will vary much more than in the UK. Wherever you choose, Bishop’s Move will be there to assist you in transporting your life across the globe.
If your move is part of a wider company or office relocation, our business removals team can also help businesses plan the practical side of relocating their operations.
As the fourth most populous city in the country, you’ll be moving to one of the most social and diverse cities in the world. Home to a well-established expat community, Houston offers an incredible mix of cultures, cuisines and entertainment, meaning you’ll have plenty of opportunities to have fun and meet new people. From dining out at award-winning restaurants to seeing a show in Houston’s renowned theatre district, it’s easy to see why people love living here.
LA tops wishlists across the globe, boasting year-round sunshine, stunning beaches, and glamorous lifestyles. For UK expats, LA offers exciting career opportunities across industries such as entertainment, tech, healthcare, and finance. There’s also a strong international community, which makes it easier to settle in. Choose from an array of gorgeous neighbourhoods and enjoy excellent dining and an outdoor-focused way of life. LA is a city that strikes a balance between career ambition and lifestyle appeal.
Seeking some of that East Coast sun? Miami’s tropical climate, vibrant nightlife, and rich cultural diversity attract young expats from around the world. From the fun lifestyle Miami offers to the strong international community that makes it easy to build a new network abroad, it’s no surprise that this city is so popular among those moving to America.
The Big Apple, the city that never sleeps. New York City boasts high salaries, a bustling population, and a huge range of career and entertainment opportunities. For UK expats, the city’s melting pot of neighbourhoods, iconic landmarks, and international community makes it easy to feel at home while experiencing life at the heart of global business and culture.
Moving your household effects to the USA
Personal and household effects can be imported duty and tax-free, provided they have been owned and usyoed by the client for at least one year before their arrival in the USA.
You must have arrived in the country prior to the arrival of your effects in order to prove your eligibility for duty-free exemption and finalise the clearance. If duty-free exemption is not required, you do not have to be in the country when they arrive.
In either case, all customs forms must be completed in the UK, ready for presentation to U.S. customs at the time of consignment arrival.
Most personal effects shipments entering the USA are subject to examination by US customs. Checks can range from a container x-ray to a full physical exam. All checks made by customs incur costs which cannot be prepaid in the UK.
These include, but are not limited to: x-ray; handling and re-stowing of effects; demurrage; storage; and extra haulage. If a full examination is required, the costs could range into the thousands of dollars.
Required documentation for household goods only:
US customs form 3299
Treasury department 3299 supplemental declaration
Power of attorney
Copy of passport photo and details pages
Copy of entry Visa
Shipping your motor vehicle to the USA
It is extremely difficult and costly to ship vehicles to the USA.
In general, only vehicles originally manufactured in the USA will be allowed for import entry. If you want to ship your vehicle, it is recommended to contact the U.S. Department of Transportation well before your move, and shipping should be completely separate from your household effects.
Required documentation:
Proof of ownership
Copy of US title
Vehicle registration
Letter from the manufacturer to show the vehicle meets US emissions standards.
Checklist for Moving to the USA
Ready to make the move? Here’s a handy checklist that you can use to ensure your move to America from England goes smoothly.
1. Do your visa research
Despite being an incredibly popular destination for people from all over the world, the US is also a notoriously difficult country to move to. That’s why it’s critical to choose the correct entry path for your time in the States.
What’s more, the purpose of your visit will determine the type of visa you must apply for, whether it’s for work, study, or to join your family. You can begin the application process and find out the full extent of US visa categories on the US Embassy website.
2. Consider transport within the US
One thing to think about when preparing for a move to the US is how you plan to get around. If you are hoping to reside in one of the USA’s vibrant cities, public transport can be your best friend.
However, if moving more into the countryside, you might need to consider purchasing a car in the USA or bringing your personal vehicle during your move. If so, you’ll need to perform additional research and follow all vehicle paperwork requirements.
3. Get health insurance in order
With a move as far away as the USA, you’ll want to make sure your health is looked after. When it comes to daily life, you might already know that medical care over the pond works a little differently from what we’re used to. There is no equivalent to our NHS, so ensure you invest in health insurance that will cover any ailments or possible accidents during your time in the USA. Health insurance is an important factor to consider when assessing the cost of living in the USA.
4. Find accommodation in the US
Much like the UK, accommodation can vary dramatically across the United States. You can choose to rent or purchase property, but it’s worth doing your research while in temporary accommodation to see what your options are.
Cities like New York will be trickier, and you may have to compromise more than if you were to look to more suburban areas. Exploring the options within your budget while fulfilling your geographical and personal requirements can be a challenge.
5. Gain an understanding of the U.S. education system
If you are moving to America with young children or planning to start a family when you get there, you’ll need to consider education in the USA. School is compulsory in most states until the age of 16-18, and there are public and private schools to choose from. If schooling is a priority when you move to America, you’ll want to research local school ratings before deciding on where you want to live.
Why Move to the US?
Thousands of Britons move across the pond every single year, and it’s not difficult to see why it’s so popular for UK residents. The variety between states, and even within them, combined with the lack of cultural or language barriers, means that Britons can create the life they want with ease. A country with the sheer size of the US encompasses just about every climate and environment you could want, from vibrant cities to rolling mountain ranges.
Alongside the stunning environments and climates on offer, the USA also provides one of the highest standards of living on the globe. Career opportunities are, in most cases, high for a range of skill levels, and the lifestyle here is something many can only dream about.
Moving to the USA with Bishop’s Move
We are one of the few UK removals and storage companies that can offer a complete ‘door-to-door’ relocation service to the US. Once your custom removal to the USA quote has been approved and accepted by you, you can rest assured that all your requirements will be taken care of. From day one to the day you set foot on U.S. soil, Bishop’s Move will be by your side at every stage.
On your big moving day, our experienced international team will professionally export pack and wrap your possessions for shipping and delivery in the United States. For added convenience, we also offer short or long-term storage solutions both in the UK and in the US, so you can take every step at your own pace.
Get your no-obligation quote or get in touch with us today.
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Moving to America FAQs
Moving to the USA from the UK can be challenging due to strict visa requirements, long processing times and the complexity of immigration rules. Typically, you’ll need to have obtained a job offer, made a significant immigrant investment in the country, or have a familial connection in the USA to qualify for a visa. However, with the right planning and support in place, the process is manageable.
Whilst it is possible to move to America without a job, it can make it more difficult to obtain a visa. You’ll need another qualifying reason that doesn’t rely on employment, such as family sponsorship or significant investment. You cannot use a tourist visa to move to the USA.
The amount of money required to move to the USA depends greatly on your visa type, lifestyle, and where you plan to live. Considerations when planning your finances include shipping costs, visa/legal fees, healthcare expenses and initial living expenses. The visa you obtain may also have proof of funds or income requirements.
Securing somewhere to live before you arrive in the USA can be tricky, but with careful planning, it is definitely possible. For many people moving to America from the UK, short-term accommodation is the first step to finding accommodation. Selecting a temporary option allows you to ensure you have chosen the right area and means that there is less of a rush to commit to something more permanent.
You won’t typically be required to pay customs duties when moving your used household items to the USA, provided they are for personal use and have been owned by you for at least one year.
When moving to the USA, there are a number of items that are prohibited or heavily restricted by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Shipping any banned items within your belongings can lead to long delays, confiscation of your belongings and even fines, so it is important to do your research. Prohibited items include illegal drugs, weapons, counterfeit goods, obscene material and endangered wildlife products, among other things. Restricted items with conditions attached include alcohol, tobacco, prescription medications and meat, dairy and fresh food.
Working with a specialist removals company like Bishop’s Move means that you can rely on expertise around what’s safe and legal to pack.
In order to pay taxes in the USA, you’ll need a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), depending on your long-term visa or Green Card. You will then be required to complete and file an annual tax return in the USA, declaring your worldwide income, including earnings, pensions, rental income and bank interest.
Why customer choose Bishop’s Move
Hear from customers who trusted Bishop’s Move to make their moves smooth, secure and stress-free.
★★★★★★★★★★
“Excellent service”
Really good service from Bishopsmove. Well organised and efficient service from the office. But best service came from our removal guys, Chris and Taylor. They were clearly experienced and efficient, but also pleasant, friendly and thoughtful throughout. They understood and provided suggestions that helped to make the moving experience go smoothly, with less stress. Thanks guys, hopefully see you to unpack!
Carol & Steve H.
Home Removals Customer
Exeter Move
★★★★★★★★★★
“Great to work with”
Jack and the team were excellent! All very friendly and polite and took great care of our delicate items, always asking extra questions before assuming. We were having items packed for storage but also moved to temporary living. They were very careful to protect everything and helped get it all into the right places. Will be requesting the team again when we are ready to move back into our house.
Dayna S.
Storage Solutions Customer
UK Storage
★★★★★★★★★★
“Very professional, informative, and proactive.”
I move a lot. This move was a big one from Isle of Wight to California. Bishops move helped coordinate every detail. Their international team was very professional, informative, and proactive. They kept me updated every step of the way. My things took 3 months to arrive and I needed 2 months of storage at the last minute. Bishop’s took care of everything. I couldn’t ask for a better experience. I will definitely use them in future. I highly recommend them for an all inclusive moving experience.
Tiffanie
International Removals Customer
California Move
★★★★★★★★★★
“Super Service”
The removal team took over and started packing right away. The stress lifted off me and I was amazed at how efficient and quick they packed, labelled and stacked my possessions. Everyone was reassuring and helped put me at ease. Thoroughly recommend.
Yvonne D.
Home Removals Customer
Edinburgh Move
★★★★★★★★★★
“Would 100% recommend.”
Used Bishops Move as we had struggled to find a local firm at short notice. It was a very long day for them and took two lorry loads.. But the team were absolutely lovely and professional and despite the delay whilst waiting for the completion to come through, ensured that we were unpacked as quickly as possible at the other end. It was a solid effort by the team who were absolute powerhouses and everything was carefully handled, and not a single breakage or damage to anything.
Adele C.
Home Removals Customer
Carlisle Move
★★★★★★★★★★
“A very stress free move”
The process with Bishops Move was efficient, friendly and completly stress free. Moving is often an anxious time and I very quickly realised the removal and packing of my furniture was one thing that I did not have to worry about. Their charges are also very compeptive. My furniture is now in storage (which is not the first time with Bishops Move) and Im confident that it is safe and secure. I thoroughly recommend Bishops Move!
