A local move can be stressful enough, let alone moving abroad, and so we’re here to tackle a few of the important financial and business elements you need to get sorted to help make the process as seamless as possible.
If you’re planning a move to the US and want to know some key considerations of how to get started, you’re in the right place!
Start this process as far in advance as you can to help you get organized!
Immigration and Identification
When you’re moving to the US, you’ll need to get the right documentation in place in terms of immigration and identification. You can’t simply go to America to live and work without this in place, so it should be your first focus.
Firstly, you’ll need to set up your social security number which will be used for you to report your earnings to the government and will be requested by employers, housing, and banks. This is free and can be done from anywhere in the world, but usually requires an in-person interview at a US embassy, for example in the UK if you’ve got British citizenship, it’s in London.
Once you’ve had this and your application has been approved, it will take around 4 weeks for your SSN to come through, so bear this in mind and get it sorted as early as possible.
You’ll also need to apply for a working visa in the US so you can live and work legally there.
Usually, visas won’t be offered for casual employment, for example, if you want to travel and work in bars or coffee shops as you go, but will usually be granted following a specific offer of employment where you’ll provide value to the economy.
So, it’s important to remember this when considering your move as it’s not always guaranteed you will have a working visa granted.
Sort Your Bank Account and Consider Your Credit Score
To get your life in the US started, you’ll need to sort your bank account and consider your credit score.
A bank account is required to pay bills, receive salaries, and also sort out living arrangements usually, so getting this sorted before you head over is important.
You can open a local account when you arrive usually, however, getting it prepared before you move is advised so there aren’t any issues with getting it sorted when you need it.
Having an emergency fund ready that can be transferred into this account is also key, to help you manage any unexpected expenses during the moving process.
Something else to consider if you’re planning to buy property when you move to America is your US credit score. It’s possible that the credit score you’ve built up in the UK won’t be applicable in the US, so you may have an idea of the kind of mortgage you’d be able to get based on your credit score and income here.
It could differ quite significantly in the US.
Some banks offer international accounts that can help you to build your credit score which could be a good solution, but this is more something to be aware of if you’re planning on purchasing. Speaking to US mortgage lenders before you move to find out the specifics would be advised.
Speak To A Tax Consultant
You want to make sure you’re clued up with the local tax regulations in the US, so we’d recommend that you book a call with an international tax consultant in America to discuss your specific situation and the best ways to ensure you’re meeting your obligations with tax.
Depending on your working situation, it’ll depend on how your taxation works, as it may all be dealt with by your employer. So, just getting in the know about this before your move is key.
Find A Local Realtor To Work With
Moving to the US can be stressful in terms of finding somewhere to live without being able to view! We’d recommend renting first even if you are thinking of buying, just to find your feet and figure out where you want to live.
It’s also unlikely you’ll be able to go for viewings or stay for an extended period to find the perfect place.
Instead, start by finding a realtor who is local to the area you’re moving to, give them your criteria (type of area, property, budget, size of the house, etc), and then can help to take some of the stress out of having to look at lots of different websites to find the right place for you!
Final Thoughts
Moving to the US to work can be exciting, but making sure that you’ve got everything in order before you go makes the process much more straightforward.
Get organized, speak to professionals based in the US to help you, and make sure that all your documentation is sorted way in advance of the move!
