How to Move to America from Uk
Working out how to move to America from UK involves more than booking a flight and packing a suitcase. Visa applications, international shipping, customs regulations, and the sheer logistics of relocating across the Atlantic make this one of the biggest moves a UK household can undertake. This guide covers the practical steps, costs, and common mistakes.
Moving from UK to USA costs £15,000 to £30,000 total: shipping £3,000-£8,000, visas £3,000-£8,000, flights and deposits on top. Allow 12 months planning. Giant Van handles UK packing and depot delivery from £149.
Visa Options for Moving to the USA
Understanding how to move to America from UK starts with the right visa.
British citizens cannot simply move to the US.
The most common routes are employer sponsorship (H-1B visa), intra-company transfer (L-1 visa), investment (E-2 treaty investor visa requiring a minimum of around $100,000), and the Green Card Diversity Lottery (DV Lottery, which has a low acceptance rate but costs nothing to enter).
Family-based visas apply if you have a US citizen spouse, parent, or sibling.
The application process for most work visas takes 3 to 12 months.
The E-2 visa is often the fastest for entrepreneurs, typically processed in 2 to 4 months.
Budget £3,000 to £8,000 in immigration lawyer fees, depending on complexity.
Start the visa process at least a year before your planned move date to allow for delays.
Shipping Your Belongings Across the Atlantic
Step-by-Step: How to Move to USA From UK
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Giant Van is a UK removals company operating across 50 cities.
The difference from other providers is straightforward: one fixed price, employed drivers, and goods-in-transit cover included on every booking.
There are no added surcharges on moving day and no fine print about stairs or parking.
The company is affiliated with the British Association of Removers, which requires financial protection and independent dispute resolution for all customers.
Giant Van carries a 4.8-star Trustpilot rating from over 500 verified reviews.
Man-and-van bookings start from £35 regionally and £49 in London.
Full house removals start from £149.
How to Prepare for Your Move
Preparation is the biggest factor in a smooth moving day.
Start packing non-essential rooms two weeks before the move.
Use proper double-walled boxes for books, kitchen items, and fragile goods.
Label every box with the destination room, not just the contents.
Disconnect the washing machine and dishwasher the night before.
What Is Included With Giant Van
A Giant Van booking includes the driver, the van, fuel, and goods-in-transit insurance as standard.
Full removals include transit blankets, straps, furniture dollies, and tool kits for dismantling and reassembling beds and wardrobes.
Packing services are available as an add-on and quoted separately.
Storage — either short-term during the move or long-term for items that will not fit the new property — is available through Giant Van's storage partners.
Vehicle transport (cars, motorcycles) can be added to a house move quote.
Piano and specialist-item moves require a separate survey but are handled by the same team.
Questions about your move?
Before the international logistics begin, you need your UK home packed and cleared.
Giant Van handles the domestic side: packing, loading, and transporting your belongings to the shipping depot or storage facility.
This frees you to focus on the visa paperwork, financial planning, and settling-in preparation that makes an international move successful.
UK house removals start from £149 with full insurance.
Call +44 7414 655129 for a quote.
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How to Move to America from Uk — FAQs
What are the biggest costs when moving from UK to USA?
What are the easiest countries to move to from UK besides the USA?
Reviewed by Mubashir Gulab, COO & Co-founder at Giant Van
Giant Van Ltd. Registered in England & Wales.
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