UK to USA Guide
Our Top 5 Digital Money Transfer Providers
Latest prices for transferring money from UK to USA
First to third party transfer restrictions
If you are new to using an overseas money transfer provider and you are sending dollars from the US to a third party outside of the US (for example, a lawyer for a property transaction), be sure that the provider is regulated to be able to send your funds to an account that is not in your name. These restrictions do not apply if you are sending money within the US.
US federal financial regulation
Monetary and financial regulation in the US reflects its federal organisation. The territory is divided into 12 districts, each with its own Federal Reserve Bank. At the national level, a five-member Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Fed) oversees the entire financial system. The Fed directs national monetary policy, works to preserve national foreign exchange reserves, and monitors price stability.
In addition to the Federal Reserve system, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency oversee the banking sector at the state and federal levels. A separate agency, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), regulates capital markets.
Buying property in the US
If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in the US, there are several things to bear in mind. Find yourself a good local agent. Compared to commissions in other countries, expect US real estate commission to be much higher – often up to 6%, which is usually paid for by the seller. Mortgages have become much harder to obtain in recent years, and you will need both a history of US credit and proof of sustainable income (best shown with US tax returns). If you are planning to rent and have just moved to the US, then be sure to send money to the US in advance of closing as deposits on apartments need to be made very fast.
You do not need to be a resident to buy property in the US – the only requirement is that you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
Visas and work permits for the US
If you are planning to move to the US for work or to study, then you will need to obtain a visa. The visa application process for the US is complex, expensive and can often take many months – sometimes more than a year. You will need to seek advice from an immigration lawyer as to what visa options are open to you depending on what you plan to do. Moving over through sponsorship of a large international firm or studying at a well-known US university will usually provide the smoothest paths to an initial visa. It is also possible to be sponsored by a family member or friend who is already living in the US, but this can require additional financial commitments on their part if you do not meet the criteria required.
Most US visas are capped to last only a certain number of years, and after a certain period of time, you will need to decide whether you can stay and if you are eligible to apply for permanent residence, more colloquially known as a Green Card. You will need to obtain health insurance. This may be provided by an employer, and if you are a student, you can purchase this through your university.
Taxation in the US
Residents of the US are taxed on their worldwide income. If you are selling assets overseas and repatriating the funds back to the US, then it is worth considering whether this will have any taxation implications for you, both in the US and in the country that the funds are coming from.
Taxation is taken at both a federal and state level. This means that various different aspects of your income can be taxed slightly different between states, though federal taxes will obviously remain constant across the country as a whole.
Currency
The US monetary unit is the US dollar (USD, symbol $), made up of 100 cents. Banknotes are printed in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. Coins are minted in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 and $1.
USA to individual country guides
Review our money transfer guides below to help you on specific items such as moving from the US, transferring as an expat, studying abroad, retiring, or doing business between each country. Specific guidance on money transfers between each country is also provided.
Money Transfer USA to Australia
Money Transfer USA to Canada
Money Transfer USA to China
Money Transfer USA to Colombia
Money Transfer USA to Dubai
Money Transfer USA to France
Money Transfer USA to Hong Kong
Money Transfer USA to India
Money Transfer USA to Italy
Money Transfer USA to Japan
Money Transfer USA to Mexico
Money Transfer USA to New Zealand
Money Transfer USA to Poland
Money Transfer USA to Singapore
Money Transfer USA to Spain
Money Transfer USA to UK
Money Transfer USA to Venezuela
Did you know?
The USD is one of the oldest currencies in continuous use, having first been issued in 1792 by the US Federal Reserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the money transfer companies shown above safe to use?
All of the money transfer companies and services listed above are fully safe to use. Each of the above are authorised and regulated by the relevant financial authorities in each jurisdiction and are licensed to provide transfer services.
How long does an international money transfer take?
The length of time it takes to fully complete a money transfer will depend entirely on the service used and what currency you want to transfer. Transfers sent using banks — such as bank to bank transfers — will typically be quite quick, often taking between 1–2 working days. For more precise estimates, you should always check the estimated time with the relevant provider. Debit card and credit card payments might also take less time.
How do I use FXcompared?
To use FXCompared to make a money transfer from UK to USA, the first step is to use the above table to compare the rates from the various providers. To find the best provider to transfer GBP to USD, consider factors including price, speed and its overall rating. Once you have made a decision, simply click the green button to get taken through to the provider’s website. From there, you will be able to sign-up and register for an account. Once the verification process is complete, you can initiate the transfer.
What payments methods can I use to send money overseas?
The majority of transfers overseas will be made using a bank to bank transfer, although there are a number of other methods available. This includes cash, debit and credit card, as well as digital wallets. The methods available to you will depend on what provider you chose to make the transfer with.
What if the price shown above isn’t exactly what I am offered when I try to transfer money?
Although the prices shown above are generally accurate with market rates in real time, there may be some slight differences when you finalise your order. Exchange rates will fluctuate over the course of the trading day based on real-time market data. As such, when you are looking to transfer money to UK from US, for example, there may sometimes be a delay in how they are reported. Price fluctuations may also be caused by the individual site in question, depending on what services they have available.
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