Living in the USA
Official
Information informationabout British people moving toto, and living or retiring in the UnitedUSA States– of America (USA) need to know, including residency,visas, working, healthcare and driving.
- From:
- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- Published
- 18 November 2013
- Last updated
-
720 November20242025 — See all updates
BeforeGetting youhelp gowith living in the USA
Help from the US government
SeeFor ourany travelquestions adviceabout formoving to or living in the USA, foryou up-to-datemay informationbe onable localto lawsget help from:
- the US Embassy and
customs,Consulatessafetyin the UK - US Citizenship and
emergencies.Immigration Services
The UK government and the British Embassy in Washington cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in the USA.
Professional help in the USA
LawsYou varycan also get help from stateprofessionals in the USA, including:
- lawyers
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for the USA to state.understand Whenthe risks you aremay physicallyface presentif inyou alive state,in evenor temporarily,visit youthe areUSA. subjectThis toincludes thatthe state’slatest laws.information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
SeeRead movingour guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad., including in an emergency.
VisasVisas, residency and residencycitizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for the USA inbefore ouryou traveltravel.
Visas
Check advice.which US visa you need to live in the USA.
SeeYou applycan forget a visa toto:
- work
- study
- retire
- live
enterwith family in the USA - invest or start a company in the USA
- get medical treatment
- volunteer
- work for a religious organisation
If you want to extend your visa:
- read guidance on how to extend your nonimmigrant or tourist visa
- contact the US Department of State Visa Appointment Service
For more information, read guidance on how to apply for a US visa.
Police certificates
You can get a police certificate, if you’veyou have been asked to providegive a copy of your police records as part of ayour visa application.
See
J1 Globalvisa Entry:no applyobjection forstatement
You fastercan entryapply toonline thefor USA.
a J1 visa no objection statement
If youfrom havethe aBritish J1Embassy visain andWashington. needYou acan statementuse ofthis no objection to seekapply for a waiver of the 2-year home residency requirement,requirement.
Permanent youresidency
You canmay applybe andable payto apply for thisa onlineUS Green Card (also known as a Permanent Resident Card).
Healthcare
See ourThis travelallows adviceyou forto live and work permanently in the USA.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read guidance on:
Citizenship
The USA andrecognises thedual UKcitizenship. doThis notmeans havethat reciprocalyou healthcaredo agreements.not Youhave shouldto buygive comprehensiveup travel(renounce) andyour medicalBritish insurancecitizenship beforeto youbecome entera theUS country.citizen.
YouTo shouldfind alsoout makeif sure you’re coveredeligible byfor healthUS insurancecitizenship, read guidance on how to:
- become a US citizen through naturalisation
- apply for
UKcitizenship - prove US
treatmentcitizenship - get
ordualyou’llcitizenshipbeorchargednationality
Help bywith thevisa, NHSresidency forand anycitizenship careapplications
The youBritish receiveEmbassy in theWashington UKcannot help with US. visa, residency and citizenship applications.
TheFor NHSany questions or issues, contact:
- the US
hasDepartmentinformationofforStatepeopleVisamovingAppointmentabroad.YouService - the
shouldUSalsoEmbassycheckandyourConsulatesprescriptionsinarethelegalUK - a lawyer in the USA
.
Passports
Read Theour USguidance Departmenton ofmoving, Homelandliving Securityor hasretiring informationabroad. aboutThis travellingcovers withhow medication.to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
WorkingHealthcare in the USA
YouRead areour onlyguidance allowedon tomoving, workliving inor retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare abroad
- take medicine abroad
The USA does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from US ifand youinternational holdproviders.
To onefind ofout thehow following:to get medical treatment:
employment-basedcontactimmigrantyourvisainsurance providertemporaryreademploymentguidancevisagreenoncardhealth in the USA(permanentandresidenthealthcarecard)and families in the USAworkfindpermitmedical(employmentfacilitiesauthorisationanddocument)doctors in the USA
Read To US If USWorking in the USA
employersour guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may notneed recognisefrom yourthe UK qualifications.government.Therework arein USthe USA, companiesyou thatneed cana work outpermit, thework visa or green card.equivalenceCitizenship ofand UKImmigration qualifications.Services Youexplains shouldthe contactdifferent individualwork statepermits educationand authoritiesvisas foravailable furtherto information.you.SomeYou jobs may requirealso need to provide a criminal records check.Recognition
(knownof asqualificationsayou DBSwant checkto work in the UKUSA)., you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.TaxDriving in the USA
SeeRead taxour ifguidance youon leavemoving, theliving UKand toretiring live abroad. andThis taxcovers onhow to:
incomevehicle ifabroadyoudriving livelicence abroad.
WeFor recommendinformation youon getdriving professionalin advicethe onUSA, payingincluding taxdriving licence rules, read about road travel in safety and security in the travel advice for the USA.
Disabled drivers
You may be able to payapply Nationalfor Insurancea whilestate abroaddisabled inparking orderplacard, topermit protector sticker. For more information, contact your State PensionDepartment of Motor Vehicles.
If you have a UK Blue Badge and entitlementlive in the USA, you must return it to otherthe benefitsoriginal andUK allowances.issuing authority.
PensionsTax
SeeRead Stateour Pensionguidance ifon youmoving, retireliving or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and newNational StateInsurance. Pension
The UK has a double taxation agreement with the USA. so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Life
Contact certificatesthe Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for any questions about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in the USA. To do this, find a lawyer in the USA.
Pensions
Claiming your UK state pensionspension
IfRead youour getguidance aon ‘lifemoving, certificate’living fromor theretiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where
Service,theyouUKneedgovernmenttopaysrespondanasannualsoonincreaseasinpossiblethe–StateyourPension
Claiming paymentsa mayUS bepension
Contact suspendedthe ifUS Social Security Agency to find out whether you don’t.can claim retirement benefits in the USA.
Benefits
See
Claiming claimingUK benefits
Read ifour youguidance live,on movemoving, living or travelretiring abroad.
Find outThis whichcovers how to claim UK benefits youabroad, mightincluding Child Benefit.
Claiming US benefits
You may be ableentitled to getsome whileUS benefits.
To find out if you’re abroadeligible and how to claim them.claim:
Many
- read
income-relatedguidancebenefitsonsuchUSasgovernmentPensionbenefitsCreditandHousingUSBenefitbenefitcan’ttypes - check
bepaidif you’reabroadeligible formoreSocialthanSecurity4benefits - contact
weeks.the US Social Security Agency
DrivingBuying and renting property in the USA
SeeRead drivingour guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and roadrenting travelproperty abroad.
The US government offers guidance on housing help.
Contact a lawyer in the USA.
See takingif ayou’re vehicleconsidering outbuying ofproperty or land.
Voting in the USA
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
US elections
You cannot vote in federal, state and most local US elections unless you hold US citizenship.
VotingStudying in the USA
SeeIf votingyou whenplan you’reto abroadstudy in the USA, you must meet all visa requirements. before you travel.
BritishFor citizensmore livinginformation:
- read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad
canorvoteon placements (England) - contact your higher education provider in
somethe UKelectionsor the USA - contact the US Department of State Visa Appointment Service
- read
–theyou’llUSneedDepartmenttoofregisterState’sas5anstepsoverseastovoterUS study.
BirthsChildren
SeeRead registerour aguidance birthon moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
Deaths
See
- getting
whatpermission todotakeafteryoursomeonechilddiesabroad - claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and bereavementeducation
The US Department of Education provides information forabout the schooling system in the USA.
Getting married
SeeAll gettingchildren marriedmust abroadattend school or home school in the USA. Check the compulsory school attendance laws by state.
Renewing passports
SeeFor overseasmore Britishinformation:
- read
passportsguidanceapplicationson education andgetchildcareaninemergencythetravelUSA - contact
documentthe relevant State Education Department -
find
(sometimesUScalledpublicanschoolsemergencyinpassport).your area
Pets
Childcare
SeeThe travellingUS withAdministration petsfor Children and Families is responsible for childcare services in the USA.
Emergencies
TheYou emergencymay telephonebe numbereligible infor free or subsidised childcare. For more information, read the US isgovernment’s 911.guidance on:
See
- paying
informationforaboutchildcare - choosing
callingquality911childcare. - state and territory childcare resources
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in the USA, register the birth with the US authorities.
You can do this at the hospital where your child is born. If youyour needchild consularis assistance,born contactoutside of a hospital, you must notify your neareststate Britishhealth embassydepartment or consulatelocal vital records office.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
Accommodation
- register
andthe buyingbirth property
with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
Deaths
SeeRead buyingour aguidance propertyon moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
Other
- what
usefulto information
do after someone dies abroad
SeeIf also:someone dies in the USA, read guidance on:
notarywhatandtodocumentdoserviceswhen someone dies in the USAstatedealinggovernment:withfindthecontactdeathinformationof a loved one
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Check your state government website for more information.
You can also read the US statesgovernment’s guidance on how to change your name and what government agencies to notify
Divorce Barand Association:separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to findget a divorce or end a civil partnership.
Check your state government website for more information
Consider taking legal advice from a lawyer in the USA
ReturningDocuments tofor British people in the USA
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To movefind youra pensionlawyer, totranslator or notary in the UKUSA, contactread theguidance Internationalon Pensionprofessional Centreservices if you’re abroad.
Pets
SeeIf taxyou ifwant youto returnbring your pet with you to the UKUSA., read guidance on:
See
Returning to the UK
.
Disclaimer
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