Moving to California from the UK: your 2026 relocation guide

California has a pull that's hard to ignore. From the tech hubs of Silicon Valley and the entertainment industry of Los Angeles to the laid-back coast of San Diego, it's a place where careers, weather, and ambition collide.

But moving to California from the UK is a serious undertaking. The US immigration system is strict, healthcare is expensive and private, and the cost of living in the Golden State is among the highest in the country.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the whole process, from choosing the right visa and navigating taxes to setting up your finances across pounds and dollars, and we'll show you how we can help your move with a Revolut travel money card.

16+, T&Cs apply. Exchange fees, fair-usage limits, and weekend fees may apply.

How to move to California from the UK

The process isn't easy. The US immigration system is one of the most demanding in the world, and there's no general "move to America" visa for British citizens. You'll need a specific visa or Green Card based on your situation.

Is it hard for a UK citizen to move to America?

It can be. The main routes are employer-sponsored work visas, intra-company transfers, investor visas, or family-based Green Cards. Each has specific eligibility requirements, and most work visas require a US employer to sponsor you before you can even apply.

What about the 9-month rule for California residency?

This refers to establishing official California state residency for tax and tuition purposes. To be classified as a California resident, you generally need to live in the state for at least 366 days (just over 12 months), demonstrate intent to stay indefinitely, and meet other requirements like obtaining a California driver's licence, registering to vote, and opening a local bank account. It's a facts-and-circumstances test, not an automatic clock.

The ESTA/Visa Waiver Program

UK citizens can visit the US for up to 90 days under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)/Visa Waiver Program. This is fine for holidays, scouting trips, or attending job interviews, but it doesn't allow you to work, study, or live in the US. Attempting to move on an ESTA is illegal and can result in being denied entry or banned from returning.

Moving from the UK to California: visas and residence permits

If you're working out how to move to California from the UK, your starting point is choosing the right visa. Here are the main routes.

Work visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1)

H-1B (Specialty Occupations)

The H-1B is the most common work visa for skilled professionals. Your US employer sponsors you for a role requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in a speciality field (tech, finance, engineering, and so on). It's capped at $85,000 per year, and uses a lottery system, so having an employer willing to sponsor you doesn't guarantee a visa. Here's what you need to know:

• Duration: 3 years, extendable to 6
• Cap: $85,000 per year, lottery-based
• Green Card path: can lead to EB-2/EB-3 sponsorship

L-1 (Intra-Company Transfer)

If you work for a multinational company with offices in both the UK and the US, the L-1 lets you transfer to the US office. L-1A is for managers and executives (up to 7 years). L-1B is for employees with specialised knowledge (up to 5 years). There's no annual cap or lottery. Here's how it works:

• Duration: L-1A up to 7 years, L-1B up to 5 years
• Cap: no cap, no lottery
• Green Card path: L-1A can lead to EB-1C without a labour certification

O-1 (Extraordinary Ability)

The O-1 is for individuals with extraordinary ability in their field, whether in tech, entertainment, science, or business. There's no annual cap, no lottery, and no prevailing wage requirement, but you'll need to demonstrate sustained national or international recognition. Let's break it down:

• Duration: up to 3 years, with unlimited one-year extensions
• Cap: no cap, no lottery
• Green Card path: can lead to EB-1A (self-petition)

Investor and entrepreneur visas (E-2, EB-5)

E-2 (Treaty Investor)

The E-2 lets UK nationals invest substantial capital into a US business and live and work there to develop and direct it. There's no legally fixed minimum, but investments below $100,000 face strong objections. The investment must be "at risk" in a real, operating, non-marginal business. The E-2 is renewable indefinitely but doesn't directly lead to a Green Card. Here's what you need to know:

• Duration: 2 years, renewable indefinitely
• Key requirement: substantial investment in a US enterprise
• Green Card path: no direct path (you'd need a separate EB application)

EB-5 (Immigrant Investor)

The EB-5 is a direct Green Card route for those investing a higher threshold (typically $1.05 million, or $800,000 in targeted employment areas) into a US business that creates at least 10 full-time jobs.

Green Cards and family reunification

Green Cards grant permanent resident status. The main routes include:

• EB-1, EB-2, EB-3: employment-based Green Cards for priority workers, advanced-degree professionals, and skilled workers
• Family sponsorship: IR1/CR1 for spouses, K-1 for fiancés
• Diversity Visa (Green Card Lottery): The UK is generally not eligible, but Northern Ireland-born applicants may qualify, so check the latest rules

Options for retiring to California

The US has no dedicated retirement visa. Retirees must rely on an EB-5 investment, a family sponsorship route, or another qualifying immigration pathway. You can claim your UK State Pension while living in the US, but it won't be uprated for inflation the way it is in the EU, so plan your retirement income carefully.

Popular cities and regions in California for UK expats

Not sure which area in California you'd like to move to yet? Let's explore some of your options.

Los Angeles and Orange County

Los Angeles dominates the entertainment and creative industries, with sprawling neighbourhoods across the Westside, Culver City, and Pasadena. The sunshine is relentless, the city is vast, and a car is essential. If you work in film, TV, music, or tech, LA is the natural draw.

San Francisco and Silicon Valley

San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area are at the heart of the global tech industry. Salaries are high, but so are rents, with San Francisco average rent running around $3,700 per month. The microclimates mean the weather can change dramatically across the city, and the cost of living is the highest in the state.

San Diego and coastal towns

San Diego offers a more laid-back lifestyle, with ocean views, biotech and healthcare hubs, and family-friendly communities like Carmel Valley and Encinitas. It's popular with those who want California's climate without the intensity of LA or SF.

Sacramento and Central Valley

For lower housing costs, Sacramento and the Central Valley offer a more affordable alternative to the coast. They're home to government and agricultural hubs, with an inland climate that's hotter and drier than the coastal cities.

Cost of living in California: can I afford to move to Los Angeles?

California is expensive, and the cost of living varies significantly between cities. Here's how the major hubs compare to London.

San Francisco is the priciest, with rent nearly $1,000 more per month than LA. Los Angeles is roughly comparable to London on rent, but groceries, healthcare, and car dependence push the overall cost higher.

Is $70,000 enough to live on in California?

It depends on where you live. In San Francisco, $70,000 is tight after rent, healthcare, and taxes. In LA or San Diego, it's more manageable but still leaves little room for luxury. Most expats find a comfortable single life starts around $90,000–100,000 in the major coastal cities, with families needing significantly more.

How to move to LA from the UK: taxes, healthcare, and finance

Here's what you need to keep in mind when deciding if you're ready to make the move:

US healthcare and medical insurance

This is the biggest shock for UK expats. There's no NHS in the US. Healthcare is private, expensive, and complex. You need comprehensive health coverage from day one, because an unexpected hospital visit without insurance can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Most expats get coverage through an employer-sponsored health plan. If you're not covered by an employer, you can buy a policy. Pay attention to deductibles (what you pay before insurance kicks in) and copays (your share of each visit), because they vary widely between plans.

Federal and California state taxes

Moving to California from the UK means dealing with 2 tax systems. The key principles:

• UK-US Double Taxation Agreement: the UK and US have a treaty that prevents you from paying tax twice on the same income, but you'll still need to file in both countries.
• IRS filing: US residents must file a federal tax return and report worldwide income.
• Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE): if you're a US resident earning foreign income, the FEIE can exclude a portion from federal tax. But note: California doesn't conform to the FEIE, so the state may still tax that income if it considers you a California resident.
• California state income tax: California has the highest state income tax rate in the country, on top of federal tax. The Franchise Tax Board uses a facts-and-circumstances test to determine residency, so establish your intent to stay (or not) clearly.

Overcoming the US credit score catch-22

UK credit scores don't transfer to the US, which creates a familiar problem for new arrivals. You need credit to rent an apartment, get a phone contract, or finance a car, but you need a credit history to build credit.

Here's how you can try to break the cycle:

• Get your SSN or ITIN: apply for a Social Security Number as soon as you're authorised to work. If you're not eligible for an SSN, you can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for tax purposes.
• Start with a secured credit card: these require a cash deposit as collateral and are the easiest way to build US credit from scratch.

Managing money for your move to California

The financial friction of moving from UK to California is real. You'll be converting large sums for relocation, paying deposits, and managing ongoing expenses across 2 currencies. Wide exchange markups can quietly eat into your money. The same goes for withdrawing cash abroad.

This is where having a smart setup pays off. With a Revolut account, you can convert your GBP to USD at competitive rates. You'll be ready to pay for transport, meals, and temporary accommodation the moment you land at LAX or SFO, while you wait for your SSN and US bank account to come through.

If you need cash, you can use your Revolut card to withdraw dollars from ATMs across the US at competitive exchange rates with no fees from us during market hours and within your plan limits.¹

You can also send money to a US account or someone back in the UK, and set up recurring transfers in-app to handle things like rent or pension payments without managing each one manually.

Tip: use Pockets in your Revolut app as separate spaces to store your spending. Allocate your relocation budget, your everyday spending, and your savings to their own Pockets, in both both GBP and USD. Hold USD ready for a deposit or rent, keep pounds for financial commitments in the UK, and convert between them in-app whenever suits you.

Fair-usage limits and weekend fees may apply, depending on your plan.

Checklist for moving to California from the UK

Here's what you need to get sorted and when:

12 months before moving

• Research your visa route and confirm eligibility (H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-2, or Green Card)
• Start your job search or sponsorship process if you need an employer
• Begin gathering documents (your apostilled birth and marriage certificates, and UK police certificates)

6 months before moving

• Declutter and decide what you're shipping versus replacing
• Get shipping quotes from international removal companies
• Confirm your visa is in progress and your employer's sponsorship is filed

1 month before moving

• Book your flights
• Arrange US health insurance to start on arrival (or confirm your employer's plan)
• Set up your Revolut account and add a USD balance so your money's ready before you fly
• Order a physical Revolut card (delivery fees may apply), and activate a virtual card for immediate spending

Arrival week

• Apply for your Social Security Number (SSN)
• Visit the DMV to start your California driving licence conversion
• Set up a US bank account once you have your SSN
• Register with the municipality and open local utilities

Before you leave, why not get a Revolut data eSIM? That way you have access to data from the moment you land, without having to worry about roaming charges from your UK provider.²

For more tips, check out our travel advice for America.

Set up a Revolut account to help you emigrate from the UK to California

If you're planning your move, getting your Revolut account set up early means your money's ready to go when you are. Here's how to get started:

1. Download the Revolut app: available on the App Store and Google Play. You'll need your UK phone number and a form of ID (passport or driving licence) to verify your identity.
2. Open a Personal account: follow the in-app steps to set up your account. Verification usually only takes a few minutes.
3. Add money in GBP: top up your account from another UK bank account or by card. You'll hold your balance in pounds to start with.
4. Add dollars and start converting: open a USD balance and convert between GBP and USD at competitive exchange rates. You can schedule a currency exchange in advance or convert on the spot.
5. Order your Revolut card: get a physical card delivered to your UK address (delivery fees may apply), and a virtual card you can start using right away for online shopping or in-person via your Apple Pay or Google Pay.
6. Spend and withdraw in California: use your Revolut card to pay in dollars in shops and restaurants, or withdraw cash from ATMs in the US.
7. Use Pockets to budget: create separate spaces for your relocation fund, rent, and day-to-day spending, in either currency, to keep your move organised.
8. Send money internationally: make international transfers in-app to move money between your UK and US accounts, or to send money to family back home.

For more on getting your dollars sorted, read our guide on how to buy US dollars. If you're wondering about card acceptance, see our guide to using Revolut in the USA.

¹No ATM withdrawal fees within plan limits on a monthly basis. Out-of-network ATM withdrawals are subject to a 2% fee for Standard customers, and a 2% fee for Premium and Metal customers once their plan limits are exceeded. Third-party providers may charge a withdrawal fee. Currency and ATM fair-usage fees apply. Weekend markups on currency exchange will apply.

²18+, eSIM T&Cs and fees apply, subject to fair-usage policy. eSIM services are provided by 1Global. Revolut acts for 1Global, the service provider.

The information provided is accurate as of 2 September 2026.

The content of this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. If you have any questions about your personal circumstances, please seek professional and independent advice. Revolut is not a financial adviser.