Living in the USA
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-20)

Information about moving to, living or retiring in the USA – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.

Getting help with living in the USA

Help from the US government

For any questions about moving to or living in the USA, you may be able to get help from:
- the US Embassy and Consulates in the UK (https://uk.usembassy.gov/)
- US Citizenship and Immigration Services (https://www.uscis.gov/)
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

You can also get help from professionals (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad) in the USA, including:
- lawyers
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government

Read the travel advice for the USA (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa) to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit the USA. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad)

Get help from the UK government abroad (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/), including in an emergency.

Visas, residency and citizenship

The authorities in the USA set and enforce entry rules strictly. You may be liable to arrest, detention, or removal if you violate the rules or break the law. Even if you have a visa or visa waiver, the final decision on entry is made at the border by a US border official.

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for the USA (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements) before you travel.

Visas

Check which US visa (https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/) you need to live in the USA.

You can get a visa to:
- work
- study
- retire
- live with 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 (https://www.usa.gov/extend-visa)
- contact the US Department of State Visa Appointment Service (https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-GB/niv/information/contact_us)
For more information, read guidance on how to apply for a US visa (https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-gb/niv/information/niv).

Police certificates

You can get a police certificate (https://acro.police.uk/s/acro-services/police-certificates) if you have been asked to give a copy of your police records as part of your visa application.

J1 visa no objection statement

You can apply online for a J1 visa no objection statement (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/j1-visa) from the British Embassy in Washington. You can use this to apply for a waiver of the 2-year home residency requirement.

Permanent residency

You may be able to apply for a US Green Card (also known as a Permanent Resident Card) (https://www.uscis.gov/green-card). This allows you to live and work permanently in the USA.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read guidance on:
- how to apply for a Green Card (https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/how-to-apply-for-a-green-card)
- Green Card eligibility (https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility-categories)
Citizenship

The USA recognises dual citizenship. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a US citizen.

To find out if you’re eligible for US citizenship, read guidance on how to:
- become a US citizen through naturalisation (https://www.usa.gov/naturalization)
- apply for citizenship (https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/apply-for-citizenship)
- prove US citizenship (https://www.usa.gov/prove-us-citizenship)
- get dual citizenship or nationality (https://www.usa.gov/dual-citizenship)
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications

The British Embassy in Washington cannot help with US visa, residency and citizenship applications.

For any questions or issues, contact:
- the US Department of State Visa Appointment Service (https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-GB/niv/information/contact_us)
- the US Embassy and Consulates in the UK (https://uk.usembassy.gov/)
- a lawyer in the USA (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/usa-list-of-lawyers)
Passports

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Healthcare in the USA

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-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 (https://www.hhs.gov/programs/health-insurance/index.html) to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from US and international providers.

To find out how to get medical treatment:
- contact your insurance provider
- read guidance on health in the USA (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/health) and healthcare and families in the USA (https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/civic-assimilation/resources-for-new-lawful-permanent-residents/health-care-and-families)
- find medical facilities and doctors in the USA (https://www.hhs.gov/programs/providers-and-facilities/index.html)
Working in the USA

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.

To work in the USA, you need a work permit, work visa or green card.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services explains the different work permits and visas (https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states) available to you.

You may also need to provide a criminal records check (https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record).

Recognition of qualifications

If you want to work in the USA, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised (https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications).

Driving in the USA

Read our guidance on moving, living and retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
For information on driving in the USA, including driving licence rules, read about road travel in safety and security in the travel advice for the USA (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/safety-and-security).

Disabled drivers

You may be able to apply for a state disabled parking placard, permit or sticker. For more information, contact your State Department of Motor Vehicles (https://www.usa.gov/state-motor-vehicle-services).

If you have a UK Blue Badge (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/blue-badge-scheme) and live in the USA, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Tax

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.

The UK has a double taxation agreement with the USA (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/usa-tax-treaties) so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (https://www.irs.gov/help/let-us-help-you) for any questions about double taxation relief.

Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in the USA (https://www.usa.gov/taxes). To do this, find a lawyer in the USA (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/usa-list-of-lawyers).

Pensions

Claiming your UK pension

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming a US pension

Contact the US Social Security Agency (https://www.ssa.gov/agency/contact/) to find out whether you can claim retirement benefits in the USA (https://www.ssa.gov/retirement).

Benefits

Claiming UK benefits

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.

Claiming US benefits

You may be entitled to some US benefits.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim:
- read guidance on US government benefits (https://www.usa.gov/benefits) and US benefit types (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits)
- check if you’re eligible for Social Security benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/prepare/check-eligibility-for-benefits)
- contact the US Social Security Agency (https://www.ssa.gov/agency/contact/)
Buying and renting property in the USA

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers buying and renting property abroad.

The US government offers guidance on housing help (https://www.usa.gov/housing-help).

Contact a lawyer in the USA (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/usa-list-of-lawyers) if you’re considering buying property or land.

Voting in the USA

UK elections

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/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.

Studying in the USA

If you plan to study in the USA, you must meet all visa requirements (https://www.usa.gov/student-visa) before you travel.

For more information:
- read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England) (https://www.gov.uk/travel-grants-students-england)
- contact your higher education provider in the UK or the USA
- contact the US Department of State Visa Appointment Service (https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-GB/niv/information/contact_us)
- read the US Department of State’s 5 steps to US study (https://educationusa.state.gov/your-5-steps-us-study)
Children

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education

The US Department of Education provides information about the schooling system in the USA (https://www.ed.gov/birth-to-grade-12-education).

All children must attend school or home school in the USA. Check the compulsory school attendance laws by state (https://nces.ed.gov/programs/statereform/tab5_1.asp).

For more information:
- read guidance on education and childcare in the USA (https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/civic-assimilation/settling-in-the-us/education-and-child-care)
- contact the relevant State Education Department (https://www.ed.gov/contact-us/state-contacts)
- find US public schools (https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/) in your area
Childcare

The US Administration for Children and Families (https://childcare.gov/) is responsible for childcare services in the USA.

You may be eligible for free or subsidised childcare. For more information, read the US government’s guidance on:
- paying for childcare (https://childcare.gov/consumer-education/paying-for-childcare)
- choosing quality childcare (https://childcare.gov/consumer-education/find-and-choose-quality-child-care)
- state and territory childcare resources (https://childcare.gov/state-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 your child is born outside of a hospital, you must notify your state health department (https://www.usa.gov/state-health) or local vital records office.

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in the USA, read guidance on:
- what to do when someone dies in the USA (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bereavement-information-for-the-usa)
- dealing with the death of a loved one (https://www.usa.gov/death-loved-one)
Marriages and civil partnerships

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

Check your state government (https://www.usa.gov/state-governments) website for more information.

You can also read the US government’s guidance on how to change your name and what government agencies to notify (https://www.usa.gov/name-change).

Divorce and separation

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad) This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.

Check your state government (https://www.usa.gov/state-governments) website for more information

Consider taking legal advice from a lawyer in the USA (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/usa-list-of-lawyers).

Documents for British people in the USA

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/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 find a lawyer, translator or notary in the USA, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad).

Pets

If you want to bring your pet with you to the USA, read guidance on:
- bringing a pet from another country into the United States (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/another-country-to-us-import)
- taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to a non-EU country (https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/travelling-to-a-noneu-country)
Returning to the UK

Read returning to the UK permanently (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/returning-to-the-uk). This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.

Disclaimer

We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the US authorities.

Read our consular information disclaimer (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-commonwealth-development-office-fcdo-consular-information-disclaimer).