188体育

Before you go

See our travel advice for the USA for up-to-date information on local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.

Laws vary from state to state. When you are physically present in a state, even temporarily, you are subject to that state鈥檚 laws.

See moving or retiring abroad.

Visas and residency

See entry requirements for the USA in our travel advice.

See .

You can , if you鈥檝e been asked to provide a copy of your police records as part of a visa application.

See Global Entry: apply for faster entry to the USA.

J1 visa no objection statement

If you have a J1 visa and need a statement of no objection to seek a waiver of the 2-year home residency requirement, you can apply and pay for this online.

Healthcare

See our travel advice for the USA.

The USA and the UK do not have reciprocal healthcare agreements. You should buy comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you enter the country.

You should also make sure you鈥檙e covered by health insurance for UK treatment or you鈥檒l be charged by the NHS for any care you receive in the UK.

The has information for people moving abroad.

You should also check your prescriptions are legal in the USA. The US Department of Homeland Security has .

Working in the USA

You are only allowed to work in the US if you hold one of the following:

• (permanent resident card)
• (employment authorisation document)

US employers may not recognise your UK qualifications. There are US companies that can work out the US equivalence of UK qualifications. You should contact individual state education authorities for further information.

Some jobs may require a criminal records check (known as a DBS check in the UK).

Tax

See tax if you leave the UK to live abroad and tax on your UK income if you live abroad.

We recommend you get professional advice on paying tax in the USA.

You may be able to pay National Insurance while abroad in order to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.

Pensions

See State Pension if you retire abroad and new State Pension.

Life certificates for UK state pensions

If you get a 鈥榣ife certificate鈥� from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible 鈥� your payments may be suspended if you don鈥檛.

Benefits

See claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad.

Find out which UK benefits you might be able to get while you鈥檙e abroad and how to claim them.

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit can鈥檛 be paid if you鈥檙e abroad for more than 4 weeks.

Driving in the USA

See driving abroad and road travel in the USA.

See taking a vehicle out of the UK.

Voting

See voting when you鈥檙e abroad.

British citizens living abroad can vote in 鈥� you鈥檒l need to register as an overseas voter.

Births

See register a birth abroad.

Deaths

See what to do after someone dies and bereavement information for the USA.

Getting married

See getting married abroad.

Renewing passports

See overseas British passports applications and get an emergency travel document (sometimes called an emergency passport).

Pets

See travelling with pets.

Emergencies

The emergency telephone number in the US is 911.

See .

If you need consular assistance, contact your nearest British embassy or consulate.

Accommodation and buying property

See buying a property abroad.

Other useful information

See also:

• notary and document services in the USA

Returning to the UK

To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

See tax if you return to the UK.

See bringing your pet to the UK.

Disclaimer

Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the United States authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.