Moving to Florida from the UK: your 2026 guide

Florida's appeal for UK expats is easy to understand: year-round sunshine, world-class beaches, no state income tax, and a lower cost of living than California or New York.

Whether you're drawn by the international business hub of Miami, the family-friendly attractions of Orlando, or the laid-back Gulf Coast, the Sunshine State has something for almost everyone.

But moving to Florida from the UK is a serious undertaking. The US immigration system is strict, healthcare is private and expensive, and the housing market comes with its own quirks, including hurricane insurance.

In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know, from choosing the right visa and navigating Florida's tax advantages 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 America from the UK

Here are our answers to the questions you might have about moving to Florida, and America in general:

Can a UK citizen move to Florida?

Yes, but it's not straightforward. 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 difficult to move to Florida?

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.

Why are Brits moving to Florida?

The combination of warm weather, no state income tax, a lower cost of living than other major US states, and a large existing expat community makes Florida particularly attractive. For retirees, the tax-friendly environment and range of retirement communities add to the appeal.

What's the ESTA/Visa Waiver Program?

UK citizens can visit the US for up to 90 days under the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)/Visa Waiver Program. This is fine for holidays, scouting trips, or attending job interviews, but it does not 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.

Emigrating from the UK to Florida: visas and residence permits

If you're working out how to move to Florida 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 Florida from UK

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.

How to move from the UK to the USA: visas, SSNs, and finance

Here's what you need to do once you're ready to make the move:

1. Secure your visa and prepare civil documents

Your visa process starts with a petition submitted via USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) and the National Visa Center (NVC). You'll need police certificates, medical exams, and an embassy interview in London or Belfast. Processing times vary by visa type, but expect several months.

2. Arrive in Florida and apply for your SSN

Once you land, apply for your Social Security Number (SSN) at a local Social Security Administration office, ideally within the first 14 days. Your SSN is essential for working, opening a bank account, getting a driving licence, and establishing credit.

3. Arrange private health 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.

4. Solve initial financial and credit setups

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.

Cost of living in Florida vs the UK (2026 figures)

Florida's cost of living is lower than California's and New York's, and broadly comparable to or cheaper than London, particularly because of the absence of state income tax. Here's how the major hubs compare:

Moving to Miami from the UK

Miami is the priciest Florida hub, with rents approaching London levels. Orlando and Tampa are notably cheaper. The biggest cost shock for UK expats is healthcare: budget $200–400 per month for an adequate private policy, on top of deductibles and copays.

What's the downside to living in Florida?

The main downsides are the cost of private healthcare, hurricane season (June–November) and the resulting insurance premiums, car dependence outside the urban cores, and the summer humidity. Property and flood insurance in coastal areas can be a significant annual expense, so factor it into your housing budget early.

Navigating taxes and driving

Here's what you need to know about taxes and the driving culture when you move to Florida.

Florida tax advantages (no state income tax)

The major financial perk of moving to USA and settling in Florida is that the state has 0% state income tax. You'll still pay federal income tax to the IRS, but you won't pay any state-level income tax on your salary, pension, or investment income. Florida also has no estate tax or inheritance tax, which is a significant draw for retirees.

The key tax principles:

• Federal income tax: US residents must file a federal tax return and report worldwide income.
• 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.
• Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE): if you're a US resident earning foreign income, the FEIE can exclude a portion from federal tax. Florida's lack of state income tax means this is purely a federal matter.

Driving, DMV, and car dependence

Florida is car-centric. You'll need a vehicle in most areas outside the urban cores of Miami and parts of Tampa. If you're a resident, you must convert your UK driving licence at the local Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) office within 30–60 days of establishing residency, which involves a written test, a driving test, and a vision check.

Make sure you budget for car costs.You'll need to pay for things like insurance, petrol (cheaper than the UK but adds up with distances), maintenance, and parking. In Florida, a car is part of daily life.

Popular cities and regions in Florida for expats moving to America from the UK

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

Miami and Fort Lauderdale

Miami is the international business and cultural hub, with a vibrant nightlife, luxury coastal living, and the largest concentration of international employers. It's the natural draw for professionals in finance, tech, and creative industries, but housing costs are the highest in the state. Fort Lauderdale offers a slightly more relaxed alternative with similar coastal appeal.

Orlando and Central Florida

Moving to Miami from the UK isn't the only option. Orlando is popular with families, drawn by the theme park industry, a booming job market, and more moderate housing costs. Central Florida also has a growing tech and simulation sector.

Tampa Bay and Gulf Coast (St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Fort Myers)

The Gulf Coast offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle, white-sand beaches, and a lower cost of living than Miami. Tampa and St. Petersburg are popular expat and retiree hubs with strong healthcare and logistics sectors. Sarasota and Fort Myers are favourites with retirees seeking a quieter pace.

Jacksonville and North Florida

Jacksonville offers spacious suburban living, the lowest home prices among Florida's major cities, and strong logistics and healthcare job sectors. It's a good option for families wanting more space for their money.

Managing money for your move to Florida from the UK

The financial friction of moving from UK to Florida 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, 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.

How to move to Florida from the UK: a checklist

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

• Get shipping quotes from international removal companies
• Confirm your visa is in progress and your employer's sponsorship is filed
• Research areas to live in and shortlist a few

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 FLHSMV to start your Florida driving licence conversion
• Set up a US bank account once you have your SSN
• Secure accommodation and arrange utilities
• Get property and car insurance quotes

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 move from the UK to Florida

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 Florida: 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.