In short
US citizens visit the UK with a £20 ETA but cannot work on it. Most Americans move on a Skilled Worker visa (at least £41,700 or the going rate, with a licensed sponsor); others use the High Potential Individual visa, the Global Talent visa, the Innovator Founder visa or a partner visa (£29,000 income). Every visa carries the £1,035-a-year healthcare surcharge, which gives NHS access. Settlement (ILR) still takes 5 years on most work routes — a 10-year model is proposed but not yet law. New arrivals after 10 years abroad can claim 4 years of UK tax exemption on foreign income and gains. A single person spends about €3,800 a month in London and €2,500 in Manchester or Edinburgh including rent.
Moving to the UK: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| Visits | US citizens visit the UK with an ETA — £20 since 8 April 2026 — for up to 6 months; it does not allow work and does not guarantee entry# Source: Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) (GOV.UK) |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker visa | A job with a licensed sponsor paying the higher of £41,700 a year or the going rate for the occupation; mainly degree-level (RQF 6) jobs. US citizens do not need to prove English# Source: Skilled Worker visa: your job (GOV.UK) · Skilled Worker visa: knowledge of English (GOV.UK) |
| Skilled Worker costs | Visa fee £819 (up to 3 years) or £1,618 (longer) from outside the UK, plus the healthcare surcharge of £1,035 a year# Source: Skilled Worker visa: how much it costs (GOV.UK) |
| Healthcare surcharge | £1,035 a year per adult (£776 for students), paid with the visa; it gives access to the NHS# Source: Pay for UK healthcare: how much (GOV.UK) |
| Graduate visa | 2 years after a UK degree if you apply by 31 December 2026, 18 months from 1 January 2027 (3 years after a PhD); fee £937# Source: Graduate visa (GOV.UK) |
| Partner visa | Combined income of at least £29,000 a year (since April 2024); first visa 2 years 9 months; settlement after 5 years# Source: Family visas: partner income (GOV.UK) |
| Settlement (ILR) | Still 5 years on most work routes; a 10-year "earned settlement" model is proposed but no rules had been laid as of late September 2026. B2 English for settlement from 26 March 2027# Source: UK immigration rule changes 2026: the complete timeline (Adam Bernards) |
| Citizenship | Usually 12 months after ILR (straight away if married to a British citizen); fee £1,709 plus £130 for the ceremony (2026)# Source: Become a British citizen (GOV.UK) |
| Income tax (England) | £12,570 tax-free (tapered away above £100,000), then 20% to £50,270, 40% to £125,140 and 45% above (2026/27); Scotland has its own bands# Source: Income Tax rates and Personal Allowances (GOV.UK) |
| New-arrival relief | Since April 2025, people arriving after 10 years abroad can claim 4 years of UK tax exemption on foreign income and gains (non-dom status was abolished)# Source: Changes to the taxation of non-UK domiciled individuals (HM Treasury/HMRC) |
| US tax treaty | US–UK treaty of 2001 with a 2002 protocol; its saving clause lets the US tax its citizens as if there were no treaty# Source: Senate Executive Report 108-2: Tax convention with the United Kingdom |
| Foreign earned income exclusion | Up to $132,900 of foreign earnings can be excluded from US tax in 2026# Source: IRS 2026 inflation adjustments: FEIE $132,900 (Greenback) |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
UK immigration rules are the same for all non-UK nationals, including EU citizens who arrived after 2020. A few points differ:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| Visits | US citizens visit the UK with an ETA — £20 since 8 April 2026 — for up to 6 months; it does not allow work and does not guarantee entry. |
|---|---|
| Youth Mobility | Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders can get a Youth Mobility visa of up to 2 years (plus a third year); there is none for US citizens. |
| Tax and social security | US–UK treaty of 2001 with a 2002 protocol; its saving clause lets the US tax its citizens as if there were no treaty. US–UK agreement in force since 1985 (totalization benefits since 1988) — you pay into one system. |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
Overview
The United Kingdom — Your Complete American Expat Guide
The UK offers Americans a shared language, a huge job market and dual citizenship. Since Brexit it runs its own points-based immigration system, and 2026 brought changes — a paid ETA for visits, digital eVisas, higher English levels for other nationals and a debate about doubling the time to settlement.
We help you choose the right visa, prepare a clean application and settle into British life.
For most Americans the UK starts with a sponsored job — but check the High Potential Individual and Global Talent visas first. They need no employer at all.
Our Services
Your Pathway to the UK
Visa strategy
Skilled Worker, Senior or Specialist Worker, HPI, Global Talent, Innovator Founder or a family route — which fits you.
Sponsor check
Whether your employer holds a sponsor licence and whether the job meets the salary and skill rules.
Family relocation
Dependants, partner visas and the £29,000 income rule.
Settling-in essentials
eVisa account, GP registration, bank account, National Insurance number and housing.
Tax planning
UK tax bands, the new-arrival relief and US filing for Americans in the UK.
Visas & Residency
Navigating UK Visas & Residency
US citizens need a £20 ETA to visit for up to 6 months and cannot work on it. To live in the UK you apply online for a visa and receive a digital eVisa.
Skilled Worker Visa
The higher of £41,700 or the going rate, with a licensed sponsor; mainly degree-level jobs. Fee £819 (up to 3 years) or £1,618, plus £1,035 a year surcharge.
Senior or Specialist Worker
For staff moved by a multinational group — at least £52,500.
High Potential Individual
Top-university graduates of the last 5 years — 2 years (3 after a PhD), no job offer.
Global Talent
Research, arts and culture or digital technology — endorsement or eligible prize; settlement after 3 or 5 years.
Student & Graduate Visas
Student visa £558 and a £776-a-year surcharge. The Graduate visa gives 2 years if you apply by 31 December 2026, then 18 months (3 years after a PhD).
Settlement & Citizenship
ILR after 5 years on most routes under current rules; citizenship usually 12 months later. Dual citizenship allowed.
The proposed "earned settlement" model would make 10 years the baseline for ILR, with faster routes for high earners. As of late September 2026 it was still a proposal — if you qualify under the 5-year rules, don't wait.
Cost of Living
UK Cost of Living for Americans
London is one of Europe's most expensive cities; the rest of the UK is much cheaper.
Housing and everyday costs
A 1-bedroom apartment costs about €2,530 in central London and €2,035 outside the centre; about €1,615 in central Manchester and €1,430 in Edinburgh. A single person in London spends about €1,270 (£1,080) a month without rent — so €3,300–3,800 in total, or about €2,500 in Manchester or Edinburgh (Numbeo, October 2026).
Tax
In England, the first £12,570 is tax-free; then 20% up to £50,270, 40% up to £125,140 and 45% above (2026/27). Scotland has its own bands. If you arrive after 10 years abroad, you can claim 4 years of UK exemption on foreign income and gains. As an American you still file US returns — the US–UK treaty's saving clause keeps your US tax in place, and the exclusion for foreign earnings is $132,900 in 2026.
Healthcare
You pay the healthcare surcharge with your visa — £1,035 a year for adults, £776 for students — and can then use the NHS like residents. Register with a local GP practice soon after you arrive.
Where to Live
Top Destinations for American Expats in the UK
London
Finance, law, tech and media — the most jobs and the highest costs. See our London guide.
Manchester
A big northern city with growing tech and media jobs and much lower rents.
Edinburgh
Scotland's capital — finance, universities and festivals; Scottish income tax bands apply.
Cambridge & Oxford
University cities with research, biotech and tech employers.
Bristol & Glasgow
Large cities with creative and engineering jobs at lower cost than London.
Expat Tips
Essential Tips for Americans Relocating to the UK
Check the sponsor and the salary
Your employer must hold a sponsor licence, and the job must pay at least £41,700 or the going rate for the occupation — whichever is higher.
Budget for the surcharge
The healthcare surcharge is paid up front — £3,105 for a 3-year visa — on top of the visa fee.
Set up your eVisa
Create your UKVI account and keep your passport linked to it — employers and landlords check your status online.
Register with a GP
Do it as soon as you have an address. Directories like LocalVouch can help you find English-speaking advisers for US tax questions.
Track the settlement reform
If you are close to 5 years, apply under current rules as soon as you qualify.
Why Partner With Us
Why Partner With Us for Your UK Move?
UK applications are decided on documents — the wrong occupation code or salary can sink them. We help you get it right the first time.
We work with Americans relocating to Europe, so we understand FATCA, the US–UK Social Security agreement and finding English-speaking professionals in the UK.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do Americans need a visa to live in the UK?
Yes. You can visit for up to 6 months with an ETA (£20), but you cannot work on it. To live in the UK you need a visa such as the Skilled Worker, HPI, Global Talent, Innovator Founder or partner visa.
How much is the UK healthcare surcharge?
£1,035 a year for most adults and £776 for students, paid up front with the visa. It gives you NHS access.
Will settlement in the UK take 10 years?
Not yet. ILR is still available after 5 years on most work routes. A 10-year "earned settlement" model has been proposed, but no rules had been laid as of late September 2026.
How is an American taxed in the UK?
The UK taxes your income as a resident; the US still taxes you as a citizen. The treaty and foreign tax credits — or the $132,900 earned income exclusion for 2026 — prevent most double tax.
How much does it cost to live in London?
About €1,270 (£1,080) a month without rent for a single person, plus €2,035–2,530 for a 1-bedroom — around €3,300–3,800 in total (Numbeo, October 2026).
United Kingdom
Everything about moving to the UK
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