More than 20,000 British citizens move to the USA each year. By 2025, America will be home to over 600,000 UK-born residents. The actual experience of moving across the Atlantic is quite different from what most people expect.
Popular destinations like New York, Los Angeles, and Florida sound exciting in travel guides. These guides paint a rosy picture of life in America. But they skip the real challenges that make moving from UK to USA tougher than expected. The visa process alone takes more than a year, and that’s just the start of your trip.
This piece will give you the real story about moving to America. You’ll learn about dealing with the US healthcare system and starting your credit score from zero. We’ll get into the culture shocks that surprise British expats and share practical tips from people who’ve made the move.
The visa process is just the beginning
Getting your visa might feel like a huge win if you’re moving from UK to USA, but it’s just the first step in a much longer process. British expatriates often find themselves surprised by the complex maze of US immigration requirements.
Types of visas and what they really mean
The US has many visa categories with specific limitations that aren’t obvious at first glance. Non-immigrant visas include B visas for tourism/business, H-1B for skilled workers, L-1 for intracompany transfers, and E-2 for investors. Most guides skip an important detail – changing your visa status within the US can be very difficult. Many people end up flying back to the UK to apply for a different visa category.
Why timelines are longer than expected
Getting a US visa interview in London resembles “booking concert tickets – refreshing the page, fighting for scarce slots and hoping you get through before the system crashes”. US embassy appointment wait times are long, and administrative processing adds delays that the Embassy “is not able to provide an estimated completion time with any reasonable certainty”.
On top of that, rescheduling an interview means “a significant wait before the next available appointment”. The US Embassy clearly warns people not to sell property, quit jobs, or book non-refundable travel until they have their visa in hand.
Hidden costs in visa applications
The move from UK to USA comes with many unexpected expenses beyond the basic application fees. Visa application fees vary substantially—from $185 for B visas to $205 for H and L visas, and $315 for E visa categories. These fees are strictly “non-refundable and non-transferable”.
Some special visas need extra payments, like the $500 Fraud Prevention Fee for L visas. Most non-immigrant visa applicants will pay an additional $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” starting in late 2025.
Families face a surprising new rule: “when one person applies for a work visa, the entire family must now attend” the interview. This adds big costs for transportation, accommodation, and time off work for spouses and children moving to America from UK.
Setting up your life in the US
Life gets real pretty fast after you win the visa battle for moving from UK to USA. You’ll need to set up your finances and daily routines by dealing with several new systems at once.
Opening a US bank account as a newcomer
A US bank account should be your top priority. You’ll need your passport, visa papers, proof of US address, and maybe an SSN or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). Global banks like HSBC or Citi make the original setup easier for most expats. The opening deposit is usually $25-$100, based on which bank you pick. Banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo have special services for international customers that help make things smoother.
Understanding the healthcare system
American healthcare works differently from the NHS. It runs through private insurance and doesn’t cover everyone. Medical care costs a lot here, and British visitors don’t get any special treatment. Most hospitals might ask non-US residents to pay deposits before treatment. The system uses terms like copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, and premiums – you’ll need to know these to get good care.
Why building credit is harder than it seems
Your UK credit score stays behind when you cross the Atlantic. You’ll start from zero, which makes everything harder – from getting a phone plan to leasing a car. We started with secured credit cards that need deposits, credit-builder loans, or becoming authorized users on someone else’s account. Some credit card companies now use Nova Credit’s “Credit Passport” service to convert credit scores from countries like the UK.
Renting a home without a US credit history
Finding a place to live without US credit history takes some creative thinking. Landlords usually want to see 3 months of bank statements, letters from your employer, and pay stubs. A bigger security deposit or paying several months’ rent upfront often works instead of credit history. The standard income requirement is 40 times the monthly rent, but paying 6 months’ rent upfront can make your application stronger.
Cultural surprises you won’t read in guides
British expats moving to the USA face cultural surprises that go way beyond paperwork and logistics. These unexpected differences can catch anyone off guard.
Tipping culture and service expectations
American tipping culture creates a fundamental change for British expats. Tipping stays optional in the UK, but it’s almost mandatory in America. Restaurant servers expect 15-20% of the bill, whatever the service quality. This rule applies everywhere – bartenders, taxi drivers, hairdressers, and hotel staff all count on tips. Many service workers earn below minimum wage because tips should make up the difference.
Workplace norms and vacation differences
The biggest shock comes from vacation expectations. American workers typically get 10 paid days off per year, compared to Britain’s 28 days. Some companies might offer better packages, but paid time off builds up slowly instead of being available right away. Long parental leave remains uncommon in America, with most companies giving just 6-12 weeks – often without pay. Life in America shifts from “working to live” to “living to work.”
Driving rules and car dependency
Driving on the right side presents an obvious challenge, but America’s car culture comes as the real surprise. Public transportation outside major cities ranges from basic to non-existent. You need a car to get around. American driving rules bring new challenges too – right turns on red lights, four-way stops, and unprotected left turns can confuse British drivers.
Everyday language and social cues
Both countries speak English, but communication works differently. Americans tend to be more direct and friendly with small talk than reserved Brits. “How are you?” works more as a greeting than a real question. Words mean different things too – “pants” means trousers, not underwear, and “first floor” refers to ground level instead of one flight up. These differences lead to funny mix-ups when Brits first arrive in the USA.
Long-term realities of moving to the USA
Life after moving from UK to USA starts with paperwork and cultural adjustments. Your long-term perspective will change as you settle into a completely different reality.
How taxes work differently than in the UK
The US tax system differs from the UK’s residence-based approach. America taxes based on citizenship, not residency. You must file annual returns no matter where you live. The UK shows higher headline rates (20-45%) compared to federal US rates (10-37%). Your total US tax burden could reach above 50% with state taxes. The US-UK Totalization Agreement offers protection against double social security taxation. Most expats use the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (allowing exclusion of up to $130,000 in 2025) or Foreign Tax Credit to balance taxes paid abroad.
The emotional toll of starting over
UK citizens moving to America experience an emotional journey. Initial excitement quickly shifts to homesickness as daily challenges emerge without familiar support systems. Simple tasks turn into adventures – even grocery shopping becomes complex as products and brands differ greatly between countries.
Why integration takes longer than expected
A shared language doesn’t guarantee quick integration. Cultural norms about food choices, social interactions, and healthcare create ongoing challenges. British expats often misjudge the differences in financial systems. The assumption that UK pension plans work the same under US regulations is “dangerous and incorrect”. You need to actively build community connections through platforms like Meetup to avoid feeling isolated.
Conclusion
The reality of moving from the UK to the USA brings more challenges than most guides tell you about. A simple visa and flight tickets are just the beginning of your American story. Many British expats learn this the hard way after they land on American soil without proper preparation.
Getting your visa is only the first step. You’ll need to tackle banking, healthcare, housing, and building credit right away. British citizens must start their financial life from zero while dealing with systems that work nothing like they do back home.
Culture shock hits hard too. British people often struggle with American customs around tipping, work life, and social rules. Switching to driving on the right side is just one obvious change among many subtle daily adjustments.
Your long-term happiness in America depends on several key factors. Tax rules, mental health, and fitting into your new community all play a vital role. People who make it work usually stay flexible, patient, and keep their expectations in check.
Moving across the Atlantic needs more research than just reading promotional brochures. America offers plenty of opportunities without doubt, but knowing the practical challenges will make your move much smoother. A good grasp of expat life’s hidden aspects helps you plan better and cope with changes before you start your American adventure.
Your success in America largely depends on facing these challenges head-on instead of being caught off guard. With the right expectations and know-how, you can handle your move confidently despite the bumps along the way.
FAQs
Q1. How difficult is it for a UK citizen to move to the USA? Moving to the USA from the UK is challenging. The most common paths are through employment sponsorship, marriage to a US citizen, or significant financial investment. Each option has specific requirements and can be time-consuming and costly.
Q2. What are the main visa options for UK citizens moving to the USA? The primary visa options include employment-based visas (like H-1B or L-1), family-based visas (such as marriage to a US citizen), investment visas (E-2 or EB-5), and student visas. Each category has its own eligibility criteria and application process.
Q3. How long does the process of moving from the UK to the USA typically take? The timeline for moving to the USA can vary greatly depending on the visa type and individual circumstances. It can range from several months to several years. For example, employment-based visas may take 6-18 months, while family-based immigration can take 1-2 years or more.
Q4. What are some unexpected challenges British expats face when moving to the USA? British expats often face challenges such as navigating the US healthcare system, building credit history from scratch, adapting to different workplace norms, and adjusting to the tipping culture. Cultural differences in social interactions and language nuances can also be surprising.
Q5. How does the cost of living in the USA compare to the UK for new immigrants? The cost of living in the USA can vary significantly depending on the location. While some expenses may be lower than in the UK, others can be higher. Healthcare costs, in particular, are often more expensive in the USA. Housing, transportation, and food costs can differ greatly between cities and regions.
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