Moving to New York from the UK: Complete guide

Thinking about a move to New York? Whether you choose the Big Apple or another city in the state, New York is a fantastic destination for expats. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about moving to New York from the UK, including the cost of living, visa options, popular expat areas and much more.

We’ll also show you a cost-effective way to manage your money across borders. With the Wise account from the money services provider Wise, you can send, spend and convert money in 40+ currencies at great mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees*. It’s not a bank account but offers some similar features, and your money is safeguarded.

Looking to take your savings with you? Wise can also help you with large transfers.

Learn more about the Wise account

Table of contents

Can you move to New York from the UK? What are the requirements to move to New York? How long can a British citizen live in New York? How to move to New York from the UK Moving to New York with pets Visas and residence permits in New York How to apply for residency How to renew your residency Options for retiring to New York from the UK Living in New York - The key facts Popular cities and locations for expats Cost of living in New York Opening a New York bank account Renting and buying property in New York Healthcare in New York Finding a job and working in New York Studying in New York Save on your relocation costs to New York with Wise Conclusion

Can you move to New York from the UK?

Yes, you can move to New York from the UK, as long as you meet certain requirements and provide the necessary documents.

Let’s go through the process and explain how to move to New York from the UK.

What are the requirements to move to New York?

Anyone moving to New York from the UK permanently will need a Green Card. The most common route is an immigrant visa, obtained through either employment or family sponsorship.¹

The requirements for applying for a Green Card vary depending on your situation, but the process typically involves these steps:

1. Your visa sponsor files an immigration petition with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
2. Once approved, you apply for a Green Card with USCIS or a visa with the U.S. Department of State
3. Attend a biometrics appointment
4. Go to an interview
5. Wait for a decision²

In addition to Form I-485, which is required for a Green Card application, you may also need Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) or Form I-140 (Petition for Alien Worker), depending on your circumstances.²

How long can a British citizen live in New York?

You can live in New York as long as your Green Card remains valid. While most Green Cards are valid for 10 years, some are issued for just two years in certain cases.³

How to move to New York from the UK

There are various ways to move to the US, but here are the key steps for moving to New York from the UK on an employment visa:

1. Do job market research

Find out which professions are in high demand, as well as the salary averages and job opportunities in New York.

2. Secure a job and gather the necessary documents

Once you secure a job, your employer will submit your immigrant visa application to USCIS. Be sure to provide all the necessary information to help speed up the process.

3. Find a place to live

Try to find a place to live, either by hiring a real estate agent or by browsing online listings yourself.

4. Look into health insurance and New York banks

Do your research on private healthcare options in New York and look into US banks and international bank accounts.

5. Read customs and imports rules before packing

Check US customs and import rules to avoid bringing prohibited items or exceeding duty-free limits.

6. Consider hiring a moving company and pack only the most valuable items

Pack your most valuable things yourself and hire a moving company for the rest.

Moving to New York with pets

To move your dog to New York, you’ll need to ensure they’re up to date on vaccinations and have a health certificate confirming they’re fit for travel. You must also submit an online CDC dog import form 2-10 days before arrival.⁴

Cats don’t need proof of vaccination or an import form, but it’s a good idea to check for any updates on the requirements.⁴

If you’re moving to New York City, the law requires your dog to be licenced by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. They must also wear their licence tag on their collar at all times.⁵

Visas and residence permits in New York

The US offers many visa categories, but the immigrant work visa is the most common for British expats. It comes in several types, including:

• EB-1 visa (foreign nationals who are recognized as leaders in their field)
• EB-2 visa (professionals with an advanced university degree who have a job offer from a US company)
• EB-2 visa (skilled workers with a bachelor degree and a job offer from a US company)¹

If you have family in New York, family-based immigrant visas may be a good option. Some of the available categories include:

• R-1 visa (spouse of a US citizen)
• F2 Family Second Preference (spouses, minor children and unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents)
• F3 Family Third Preference (married sons and daughters of US citizens)¹

You can also apply for the Green Card Lottery, which gives you a chance to receive one of 50,000 permanent residency opportunities.¹

How to apply for residency

The required documents and the application process vary depending on the visa type. For a family visa, a US permanent resident family member can sponsor you, while your employer will sponsor you for a work visa. They will need to complete Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support), accepting financial responsibility for you.⁶

Here are the required steps you’ll need to follow:

1. Complete the Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration (Form DS-260)
2. Gather the necessary civil documents for your visa type (birth certificate, police certificates, copy of valid passport etc.)
3. Pay the visa fee
4. Undergo a medical exam
5. Attend the visa interview⁶

How to renew your residency

Green Cards are usually valid for 10 years, except for conditional permanent residents, whose cards are valid for just two years. You can start the renewal process six months before expiration.³

Renewing your Green Card costs $540 and involves completing Form I-90, which can be submitted through the USCIS website.⁷

Options for retiring to New York from the UK

Although the USA doesn’t have a specific retirement visa, British citizens can retire in New York through other visa routes. One is the EB-5 visa, which grants permanent residence in exchange for an investment of at least $800,000 in a US business.⁸

If you manage to retire in New York, you can also claim your UK state pension there. It can be paid into a UK bank account or a New York one, in which case you’ll be paid in the local currency. You can choose how often you’ll get paid - anywhere from 4 to 13 weeks. Contact the International Pension Centre to get the most recent information.⁹

Living in New York - The key facts

Here are some basic facts you should know about New York if you’re considering moving there:

💰 Currency:	US dollar (USD)
🗣️ Main language:	English
👥 Population:	19,867,248¹⁰
🇬🇧 Number of British expats:	70,690¹¹

Popular cities and locations for expats

New York has everything, from idyllic rural areas to one of the most famous cities in the world. Some of the best places to live are Buffalo, New York City, Albany, Rochester and Syracuse.¹²

NYC is known as the global capital of finance and art, and a melting pot of cultures. While it's expensive and busy, it offers a wide range of opportunities, from education to employment. The remaining places on the list are smaller in size and population, making them perfect for those who prefer a quieter lifestyle.¹²

Albany is the capital of New York and one of the oldest cities in the country, Syracuse has affordable housing and Rochester has a pleasant climate. Finally, Buffalo has a strong job market and a variety of cultural and entertainment options.¹²

Cost of living in New York

To get an idea of what the prices are like in New York, we’ll compare the state’s biggest city with the largest city in the UK. The cost of living is generally higher in NYC, especially when it comes to rent.¹³

The overall cost of living is around 23% higher in New York City. Buying groceries will cost you over 50% more, while eating out is around 20% more expensive. However, a monthly transport pass is over £80 cheaper in the Big Apple.¹³

Basic utilities are more expensive in London, but phone bills are much pricier in New York. When it comes to rent, you’ll pay around 40% more in NYC, while you might pay less when buying real estate.¹³

Opening a New York bank account

After moving to New York from the UK, one of the first things you should do is choose a bank and open a local account. This will help you manage your finances, pay rent, cover daily expenses and receive payments.

Most US banks have similar basic requirements for opening an account, typically including:

• A valid passport or other form of ID (State ID, driving licence, Social Security card)
• Proof of address (mortgage document, utility bill, bank statement, credit card statement)¹⁴

Requirements may vary slightly depending on the bank and the type of account, such as a business account. Some banks may also require a minimum deposit to open the account.¹⁴

Whether you’ll be able to keep your UK bank account after moving depends on your bank. For example, Barclays closes your account once you move abroad.¹⁵

Renting and buying property in New York

You can rent and buy property as a UK citizen if you have your finances in order, which can be demonstrated through your international credit score or employment documents. There are no other restrictions for foreigners, though you might need to pay a higher security deposit.¹⁶

As a foreigner, there are no restrictions on buying property in New York, as long as you’re eligible for a Social Security Number. If you’re not, you’ll need to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number first.¹⁶

Healthcare in New York

Expats aren’t required to have health insurance before moving to the US, but it’s highly recommended due to the high cost of healthcare. Securing good coverage in advance is the best approach.¹⁷

The US healthcare system is largely private, with limited public options. Medicare and Medicaid mainly assist retirees and low-income individuals, while the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides expanded access for most US citizens and permanent residents.¹⁷

New York offers more healthcare options to immigrants than many other states. Regardless of immigration status, you’re eligible for programs such as Medicaid, the Essential Plan, Child Health Plus and the Family Planning Benefit Programme, among others.¹⁸

Health insurance

With no universal healthcare in the USA, selecting the right health insurance is very important. Although private insurance can be expensive, it ensures access to quality care and shorter wait times.

Medication and prescription requirements and restrictions

Check with the US Embassy for updated information on restricted medications. Also, always keep your medication in its original packaging and carry it in your hand luggage.

Finding a job and working in New York

As a British citizen, you can work in New York with the right immigrant work visa and a Green Card. This typically involves securing an employer who will sponsor and assist with your application.

The average annual salary in New York is $51,979, but this varies depending on your position and experience. Most people earn between approximately $36,000 and $64,000.

Studying in New York

New York is home to several world-renowned universities, many of which are located in New York City. These include Columbia University, NYU and Cornell University, all of which rank among the top 15 in the US.²⁰

When it comes to costs, annual tuition at NYU is around $63,000. On-campus students pay nearly $25,000 for food and housing, with books costing around $1,400. These figures apply to undergraduate students and may vary depending on the degree program.²¹

Save on your relocation costs to New York with Wise

Before moving to New York, you’re likely to have lots of costs to cover. Some of these, such as real estate costs, visa application fees and rental deposits, will need to cross borders and can get expensive because of the transfer fees and exchange rate markups.

Open a Wise account and you can send money between the UK and the US for low, transparent fees* and the mid-market exchange rate. It's not a bank account but offers some similar features and your money is always safeguarded.

You can also get the Wise card for a one-time fee of £7 to spend in USD from the moment you step off the plane. It works in 150+ countries and automatically converts your pounds to the local currency whenever you spend, only adding a tiny, upfront currency conversion fee*.

Here’s an overview of the main benefits of using Wise:
Fast and easy setup with no physical paperwork Low, upfront, transparent fees* and the mid-market exchange rates Dedicated support for large transfers Sophisticated security and anti-fraud measures, with your money safeguarded under regulatory protections Trackable and fast transfers to 140+ countries Low-cost spending in 150+ countries with the Wise card

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Conclusion

• You need a Green Card to move to New York from the UK permanently
• A visa sponsor (your employer or a family member) will usually need to apply for you and take financial responsibility
• There’s no retirement visa, but you can retire with the EB-5 visa program
• Living in NYC is more expensive than in London across nearly all categories
• To buy property in New York, you’ll need either a Social Security Number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

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Sources used:

1. Immigration Advice Service - moving from the UK to the USA
2. USCIS - how to apply for a Green Card
3. USCIS - renewing your resident card
4. Pet Relocation - relocating your pets to the US
5. WRSMH - NYC dog laws
6. Department of State Travel - the Immigrant visa process
7. USCIS - fees FAQ
8. The Telegraph - moving to the USA from the UK
9. Gov.uk - State Pension if you retire abroad
10. United States Census Bureau - New York population
11. World Population Review - British population in New York
12. Redfin - best places to live in New York
13. Numbeo - cost of living in London compared to New York
14. Chase Bank - documents for opening an account
15. Barclays - living outside the UK
16. Internations - renting and buying property in the US
17. International Insurance - healthcare in the US
18. OCHIA - immigrants
19. Zip Recruiter - average salary in New York
20. Top Universities - top universities in New York City
21. NYU - cost of attendance

Sources last checked on date: 07-Mar-2025