The UK beckons to expats worldwide. From cosmopolitan cities like London, world-class soccer video games (or soccer, as they name it) in cities like Manchester, and quaint rural escapes in locations like Suffolk… the record of causes to maneuver to the UK goes on. Mix that with a various inhabitants, a powerful nationwide healthcare system, and fast and straightforward journey to mainland Europe, and there are many causes to maneuver to the UK from the USA.
However what precisely does an American shifting to the UK have to know earlier than making the transfer? Learn on for the total particulars in our information.
Snapshot of Expat Life within the UK
- Inhabitants: 67.33 million
- Capital metropolis: London
- Foreign money: Pound sterling
- Official language(s): English
- Prime cities for expats: London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester
- Approximate variety of American expats: 200,000
- Faculty-year calendar: September to July
- Finest time to maneuver overseas: Late spring or summer season
Learn extra in regards to the tax implications of shifting overseas mid-year.
Shifting to the UK from the USA: The place to start out
Shifting to the UK from the USA is an enormous step — however the extra you put together prematurely, the smoother your transition will probably be. Listed here are just a few key steps to take:
- Get your visa: Analysis which visa is one of the best match for you and apply for it
- Pack to your keep: Decide what you’ll deliver to the UK1 and what you’ll depart behind2
- Promote, retailer, or ship: Promote or donate any gadgets you wish to do away with and resolve whether or not to retailer the gadgets you’re holding or ship them throughout the pond
- Plan for pets & youngsters: If in case you have a pet, analysis the necessities and course of essential to deliver them; for youngsters, analysis childcare choices and close by faculty techniques
- Plan your healthcare: Carry a three-month provide of any prescriptions you repeatedly take, analysis medical health insurance choices, and join one of the best match
- Purchase your tickets: Use a website like Kayak or instruments like Google Flights to watch flight costs and ebook whenever you discover a deal
- Get your funds so as: Draft a funds to your new life within the UK, deliver some money to trade proper after you land, and open a checking account shortly after you arrive
- Discover lodging: E-book a keep for whenever you first arrive within the UK
- Get a cell plan: Search for one of the best cell plans within the UK and join one as quickly as you possibly can after arrival
Learn how to transfer to the UK from the USA: Forms of visas
There are a number of totally different visas that can help you reside within the UK3 — just a few of the most typical ones for US expats embrace:
Work Visas
This contains visas for expert staff, momentary staff, staff transferring to the UK, and up to date graduates, amongst others.
Pupil Visas
For college college students and college students of sure full and part-time programs.4
Household Visas
For companions, spouses, youngsters/dependents, and fogeys of present UK residents.
Step-by-step: how one can apply for a UK Lengthy-Keep Visa
For those who plan to remain within the UK for greater than six months, you’ll want a long-stay visa. To do this, you’ll have to:
- Work out which visa you qualify for
- Apply for it on the UK’s immigration website3
- E-book & attend an appointment to have your picture & fingerprints taken
- Collect all your required paperwork5
- Submit your utility, supporting paperwork, and charge cost through mail or in particular person
- E-book & attend an appointment at a Visa Utility Middle6
- Acquire your visa when it’s prepared to select up
What’s the distinction between a UK visa and a UK residency allow?
Visas are paperwork that help you enter the nation and keep for a restricted period of time, whereas residency permits are typically for longer stays. Normally, you’ll apply for a residency allow after you’re already within the nation on a visa.
UK twin nationality: Are you eligible?
Twin nationality implies that you’re a citizen of each the US and the UK. A couple of of the most typical methods you possibly can qualify for UK citizenship embrace:
- Having been born within the UK
- Having a British mum or dad
- Being in a wedding or partnership with a UK citizen
- Making use of for and receiving indefinite depart to stay after dwelling lawfully within the UK for 5 years
Observe that even in case you are granted UK citizenship, you continue to should pay US taxes. The one technique to get out of your US tax obligations is by formally renouncing your citizenship or abandoning your Inexperienced Card. Nevertheless, that is typically a pricey, costly possibility that may restrict your capability to maneuver again to or go to the US.
Learn Extra: Submitting US Taxes In The UK: A Full Expat Tax Information
Planning for a long-term transfer as an American shifting to the UK
Along with following all the steps within the “Shifting to the UK from the USA” part, these planning to maneuver to the UK on a long-term foundation ought to think about the next:
- Will you purchase a house? In that case, how a lot wouldn’t it value?
- Are you able to afford to reside the approach to life you need on a long-term foundation?
- The place will you go to discover a sense of neighborhood and/or a assist community?
- Do you propose to retire within the UK? In that case, will you save for retirement through a UK retirement or pension plan?
- If in case you have or desire a household, how does that match into your plan of settling within the UK?
Finest airways to fly from the US to the UK
Plenty of airways fly to the UK from the US, however some are recognized for being higher than others. For those who’re searching for decrease costs, think about:
To stability value with high quality, think about:
- Delta
- British Airways
- KLM
- Virgin Atlantic
For those who worth high quality over value, think about:
- Lufthansa
- Swiss Worldwide Airways
- Emirates
Touring together with your pet from the US to the UK
To deliver your pet to the UK, it is going to should be microchipped, have a pet passport/well being certificates, be vaccinated towards rabies, be introduced in by means of an permitted route, and formally declared, though further necessities might apply.7
Learn how to discover lodging within the UK
For those who’re searching for short-term stays, take a look at:
- Airbnb
- Hostels & funds motels
- Couchsurfing
- Home swaps
For longer stays, have a look at:
- Zoopla
- Rightmove
- Fb teams
Learn how to transfer to London
For those who’re shifting to London particularly, there are just a few explicit belongings you’ll need to bear in mind:
- Know the drawbacks: Whereas London has a fantastic tradition, meals, and a powerful job market, it’s also costly and the climate is commonly dreary.
- Ditch your automobile: Many Londoners choose to stroll, bike, or take the tube as an alternative of driving (which may be aggravating and costly).
- Obtain the apps locals use: A couple of frequently-used apps embrace Citymapper, Santander Cycles, Deliveroo, and the TFL Oyster App.
Finest neighborhoods in London to reside
For those who’re searching for one of the best neighborhoods in London, think about the next:
- South Kensington is a well-liked expat hub, with a central location, wonderful museums, and loads of locations to buy, dine, and drink
- Notting Hill is quaint, posh, and well-known for its Portobello Street market
- Brixton is a various neighborhood recognized for its arts and music scene
- Marylebone balances a small-town really feel with nice choices for eating and buying
- Shoreditch is a hip locale with loads of classic shops, indie cafés, and avenue artwork
- Camden City has a thriving nightlife and bustling market
- Richmond is a well-liked vacation spot for households, recognized for its security and inexperienced areas
Learn how to open a checking account within the UK
Questioning how one can open a UK checking account? Some banks require you to open an account in particular person, whereas others help you open one on-line. They may seemingly request your passport/picture ID and proof of your deal with (utility payments, financial institution/bank card statements, rental/mortgage contracts, and many others.).
Finest UK banks for expats
In the case of conventional banks, many expats flip to:
- HSBC
- Lloyds
- Barclays
- NatWest
Many expats are shifting to on-line banking
US expats are more and more eschewing conventional banks in favor of on-line ones, like Starling Financial institution, Monzo, and Monese. Cash switch companies like Smart make it straightforward to switch money out of your US to on-line financial institution accounts, receives a commission, and make funds to others.
Taxes within the UK: What’s a CPA referred to as within the UK?
Within the US, Licensed Public Accountant (CPA) is the usual accountant qualification. Within the UK, you’ll seemingly wish to search for an accountant that has “Chartered” of their title, equivalent to:
- Chartered Licensed Accountant (ACCA)
- Chartered Administration Accountant (CIMA)
- Affiliate Chartered Accountant (ICAEW)
- Chartered Accountant (ICAS)
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