Moving to the UK from the US: What to Do First, In Order

The short answer: Start with your visa route, then review your US taxes and investments before making financial changes. Next, think through housing and schools, then arrange banking and the physical move. Once you land, tackle UK admin; your first UK tax season comes later, but it pays to prepare for it now.

Moving to the UK from the US can involve a lot of decisions, and the order matters. For example, committing to a home before checking school admissions or moving investments before understanding the UK tax treatment can create avoidable cost and stress.

This guide gives you a practical sequence, from the decisions that shape your move to the tasks that can wait until you arrive. For a personalised checklist, build your free move plan. It takes about two minutes and doesn’t require a sign-up.

1. Pin down your visa route (everything else depends on it)

First, check which route could let you live in the UK and do what you plan to do here. Common routes include work, family, talent and student visas. A short visit is different: it doesn’t give you permission to live or work in the UK.

Your route affects your work rights, whether family members can come with you, the application process and healthcare arrangements. Check the current requirements for your own circumstances in our guide to UK visa routes for Americans.

You can do this yourself: Read the official route requirements and gather basic information about your job, family and plans.

Worth paying a specialist: Get advice from a regulated immigration adviser if you’re unsure which route fits, have a complicated history or need help with an application. Landfall doesn’t give immigration advice.

2. Review your US tax and investments before making changes

If you’re a US citizen or green card holder, you generally keep filing US taxes every year, wherever you live. Many Americans in the UK owe little or no US tax, but filing continues. The US and UK tax years also differ, so plan for both systems rather than treating your move as a clean break. Start with our guide to US taxes after moving to the UK.

Before changing accounts, selling investments or transferring money, check how those choices may be taxed on both sides. Many US mutual funds and ETFs can cause problems for UK residents. US retirement accounts can often stay put and continue growing tax-deferred under the US–UK tax treaty. Cashing out or rolling over around the move can be costly, and Roth IRAs need particular care. Contributions after becoming UK resident may put treaty protection at risk.

You can do this yourself: Make a list of your accounts, investments, pensions, employer benefits and any US property. Keep statements and records of what you own and when you acquired it.

Worth paying a specialist: Get US–UK tax advice before selling or transferring investments, changing retirement accounts, or making decisions about funds. Read more about 401(k)s and IRAs and US funds and ETFs in the UK.

3. Work out your housing approach and shortlist areas

Decide whether you’re likely to rent first or buy, and start comparing areas by commute, budget and everyday needs. Renting initially can give you time to learn how neighbourhoods work before making a long-term commitment. Explore renting in the UK and, if you’re considering a purchase, buying a home in England.

A UK address can also affect school options, council tax and practical tasks like opening a bank account. That’s one reason to research the area before making a housing commitment.

You can do this yourself: Compare locations, make a realistic budget and learn what documents landlords or agents may request.

Worth paying a specialist: Get a property solicitor or conveyancer for a purchase. If you’re buying in Scotland, get advice from a Scottish property solicitor before proceeding; the buying process differs from England’s.

4. If you have children, check schools before choosing an address

For state schools, places are generally allocated by your local council, with where you live often affecting which schools you can apply to. Check the admissions rules and application process for the area you’re considering before you commit to a home. Independent schools have separate admissions and timelines.

Start with our guide to UK schools for American families. If you’re looking at a particular school or catchment area, confirm details with the relevant council or school. Rules and availability can vary locally.

You can do this yourself: Check school options and admissions guidance directly with the local authority.

Worth paying a specialist: Most families can handle school research themselves. Consider paid help only if you need individual support with a complex admissions situation.

5. Plan how you’ll access money in both countries

Keep your US account available for existing bills, tax payments and account access. It can be difficult to open a UK bank account without a UK address, so many people use a multi-currency account as a bridge while they arrange housing and local banking. Compare providers’ fees, exchange rates and support for US customers.

Read about opening a UK bank account and moving money to the UK. Remember that your US credit history may not transfer to the UK.

You can do this yourself: Contact your US bank and investment providers to check how they handle customers living abroad. Compare transfer services and account requirements.

Worth paying a specialist: Usually, no. Seek regulated financial or tax advice if a transfer is part of a larger investment, pension or tax decision.

6. Arrange pets, shipping and driving in the right sequence

If you’re bringing a dog or cat, follow the required order: microchip, rabies vaccination, then at least 21 days’ wait before travel, with the necessary health certificate arranged shortly before the trip. Check current rules and travel arrangements in our guide to bringing pets to the UK.

For household belongings, check whether you qualify for Transfer of Residence relief before arranging shipment. If you’ve lived outside the UK for at least 12 months and owned and used the items for at least six months, relief will usually allow eligible belongings to enter free of duty and VAT. Confirm your eligibility and process before shipping; see shipping belongings to the UK. Americans can drive on a US licence for up to 12 months after becoming UK residents, so check the rules and plan ahead if you’ll need a UK licence later.

You can do this yourself: Compare shipping options and gather pet, ownership and travel records.

Worth paying a specialist: Use a removal company or customs agent if you want help with shipping paperwork. Ask your vet about pet travel requirements and approved arrangements.

7. Handle the essentials in your first weeks

When you arrive, start with access to your immigration status. Set up your eVisa account and check that your passport details are correct. A UK phone number can make the next steps easier. Then work through a bank account, GP registration, a National Insurance number if you need one, and council tax and utilities once you have a home.

Most visa holders pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of their application, which gives access to NHS care broadly on the same terms as residents. You still need to register with a GP after arrival. See our guide to the NHS and the Immigration Health Surcharge and the checklist for your first weeks in the UK.

You can do this yourself: These are usually practical admin tasks. Follow instructions from your local council, GP practice and relevant government services.

Worth paying a specialist: Not usually, unless a specific immigration, healthcare or employment issue needs professional advice.

8. Prepare for your first UK tax season

UK tax residence is determined under the Statutory Residence Test, not simply by the date you arrive. In some circumstances, split-year treatment means UK tax applies only from a qualifying date in the year you move. It isn’t automatic, and the relevant date depends on your circumstances. Keep records of travel days, accommodation and work arrangements, and read when UK tax starts.

Later, you may need to coordinate UK and US reporting. The tax years don’t line up, and income or investments can be treated differently under each system. If you have a US home, investment income, equity compensation or complex work arrangements, individual advice can help you avoid relying on assumptions.

You can do this yourself: Keep organised records and note travel dates from the start.

Worth paying a specialist: Consider a US–UK tax professional if your income, investments or residence position is complicated.

A note on Scotland

Scotland has different property-buying arrangements, income tax rules and school systems from England. If you’re considering a move there, read our guide to buying a home in Scotland and our overview of moving to Scotland.

Some steps can run in parallel, and the right timing depends on when you’re moving. A move 18 months away gives you more time to compare routes and plan finances; with six months to go, you may need to prioritise visa eligibility and any investment decisions that can’t wait. Think of this as an order of priority, not a rigid calendar.

Landfall provides general planning information, not immigration advice or personal tax, financial or legal advice. When you need individual advice, we’ll point you to a regulated or appropriately qualified professional.

What to do next

Build your free move plan to put these steps in order for your situation. It takes about two minutes and needs no sign-up. If you’re already in the UK, start with the first-weeks guide.

When you’re relocating to the UK from the US, a good sequence can help you spend time and money where they matter most. If you’re moving to the UK from USA, use the visa and financial checks to shape the rest of your plan. The same order helps when moving to the UK from America, whether you’re going to England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. An American moving to UK can start with the free plan and work through each decision at a manageable pace.