How to move to the UK from the US in 2025

Joe Baker

Senior Copywriter

Joe is a Senior Copywriter working on reports, news and analysis. Previously, he worked as a B2B copywriter, journalist and editor covering a broad range of topics, including technology, transport,… Read more

Over 200,000 US expats are currently living in the UK, according to the most recent census data. If you’re thinking of joining them, we’ve put together a guide on everything you need to be thinking about when it comes to moving to the UK from the US in 2025.

From applying for visas, paying taxes and (crucially) finding the right company to help you send your hard-earned money abroad, here’s everything you need to know to help ease your transition across the pond.

Do I need a visa to live in the UK as a US citizen?

In order to move to the UK as a US citizen, you’ll need to apply for a visa, for which there are several different types available – one of the most popular options is a Skilled Worker visa, which allows you to stay in the UK as long as you are doing an eligible job with an eligible employer.

In order to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you’ll need to:

Work in an approved job on the UK government’s list of eligible occupations
Work for an employer who has been approved by the UK home office
Gain a certificate of sponsorship from your employer
Be paid (or offered) a minimum salary depending on the job
Be able to speak, read, write and understand English
Provide all necessary documents (e.g. a valid passport)

If you’re successful in your application, you’ll receive a Visa which will last up to five years before you’ll need to extend it – after five years, you may be able to apply to settle in the UK permanently.

However, if you are not wishing to move to the UK to work – i.e. you are looking to study, retire or move closer to friends or family in the country – there are a number of other visa options, including:

Spouse/Family visa: for those joining a UK-based partner
Student visa: for university students
Ancestry visa: for those with UK heritage or dual citizenship with a Commonwealth country
Standard Visitor visa: If you wish to visit the UK for up to six months
Marriage Visitor visa: If you are specifically visiting the UK to get married or enter a civil partnership

To apply for a UK visa or find out more about the application process, head to the UK government website’s section on visas.

Bear in mind that the UK has seen some changes to immigration rules in 2025. For example, if you aren’t yet looking for a visa but do wish to travel to the UK for a short stay, you’ll need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which works in a similar way to the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). For a more in-depth guide to immigration changes for 2025, the UK government has laid out all the updates in this list.

How to arrange your finances when moving to the UK

When moving to the UK from the US, you’ll need to figure out how to take your money with you. The good news is that nowadays, money transfer providers can help take much of the stress out of moving money abroad. Here are some of the key things to consider:

Differences in cost of living

Bear in mind that there will likely be cost of living differences between the UK and the US, with a study from Investopedia finding that the overall cost of living is 15.5% lower in the UK. Having said this, with the US being much larger than the UK, there is a lot of variety at play here, with housing costs in particular varying across both countries depending on where precisely you move.

One of the biggest advantages in the UK is access to the National Health Service (NHS), which provides free and low-cost healthcare to residents. Some in the country still opt for private healthcare to reduce wait times, which may end up still being cheaper than US health insurance.

When thinking about your move, consider the different taxes, fees and utility bills at play. While water bills are typically lower in the US, broadband costs are similar, for example. The UK’s income tax system, meanwhile, operates with a larger range than in the US – it features a tax-free personal allowance up to £12,570 ($15,573, based on current rates), after which tax rates range from 20% as a basic rate to 45% tax for higher earners.

Opening a bank account

If you do wish to open a bank account in the UK, this can be trickier due to certain requirements. Often, you will need to provide proof of address (e.g. a recent utility bill or rental agreement), which make it difficult if you don't currently have a base in the country.

Having said this, a number of banks do now offer accounts specifically for expats or newcomers. For example, HSBC offers an expat account and also enables customers to open bank accounts from abroad before they arrive in the UK. Barclays also offers an international banking service for expats, including accounts that hold USD.

Transferring money to the US efficiently

You may find you need to send large amounts of money from the US to the UK. Banks can help you with this, however it can often be expensive, with banks having to charge large fees to transfer funds across correspondent networks.

That’s where FXcompared comes in. We not only help you compare providers on rates for sending money from the US to the UK, but can also help you through every step of building your new life abroad with our comprehensive guides.

Finding a place to live in the UK

Chances are you’ve already been thinking about where you’d like to live in the UK. Just as in the US, cities provide significantly higher job opportunities and things to do but at a much higher cost, whereas significant savings can be made living in remote areas.

Rents in the UK have risen in recent years, reaching an average of £1,223 per month ($1,515) according to 2024 research from property comparison site Zoopla. The cost of living rises significantly in London, which topped a 2024 list of the 20 most expensive cities in Europe at an average price of £39 ($48) per square metre per month. Housing prices in different cities (such as Liverpool or Newcastle) tend to be lower.

In terms of ownership, property experts project that falling mortgage rates and rising house prices are driving a market for property buyers in the UK. However, if you’re looking to buy property in the UK, be aware that there are some significant differences when buying in the UK – not least, you’ll likely be doing much of the legwork of finding a property you like yourself using Zoopla or a similar property comparison sites such as Rightmove or On the Market.

Will I need to pay taxes in the UK and the US?

If you are planning to reside in the UK full-time, you will be subject to UK tax rules, under which UK residents are taxed on their worldwide income (i.e. earned both inside and outside the UK).

You’re considered a UK resident for tax purposes if:

You spend 183 days or more in the UK in a given year
Your only home was in the UK for 91 days or more in a row and you visited or stayed in it for at least 30 days of the tax year
You work full time in the UK

The US and the UK have a treaty under which some Americans living in the UK are exempt from being taxed on the same income both in the UK and in the US.
However, you will still be required to file a US tax return, and you might need to file a specific form based on your circumstances. Taxes for Expats has produced a comprehensive guide to taxes for US expats living in the UK.

How do I register for healthcare in the UK as a US immigrant?

To register for NHS healthcare as a US expat, you’ll need to find a local GP practice in the UK and register with them by completing a GMS1 form. This will provide you with an NHS number and access to most NHS services, as long as you are considered "normally resident" in the UK, meaning you live there permanently or for a significant period of time.

Bear in mind that GPs are not required to ask for proof of address or immigration status from patients and cannot refuse patients if they cannot provide this. The UK government has provided full guidance on this topic on its website.