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A Timeline for Planning a Move to the USA

May 21. 2024

Moving your life from the UK to the USA will be a significant undertaking and adequate forward planning will be key to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible. From organising visas to booking the removals to the USA for your household effects and possessions, here’s our ‘timeline’ for an indication of what to organise and when to do it.

6-12 Months before moving
-Pinpoint where in the USA you want to move to. Different cities and states will vary massively and offer vastly different lifestyles. Factor in the cost of living, job opportunities and the climate into your research.
-Identify the necessary visa. Doing some research on the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website will be important to identify which type of visa you’ll require, be this a work visa or family visa etc and also how long it takes to arrange these.

3-6 Months before moving
-During this time frame, you should be looking to secure employment and housing. Jobsites like Indeed and also Linkedin are useful for job searches in the states. Websites such as Realtor.com, Zillow.com and Redfin.com will be helpful in searching for properties to rent or buy.
-Start gathering together important documents. Ensuring that you have everything in hand will make for a smoother experience later on. Have such things as passports and birth certificates etc.
-Research and select a professional international removals company that have experience in co-ordinating removals to the USA. If you obtain more than one quotation, ensure you compare companies with ‘like for like’ services. Also look out for companies with professional accreditations- such as FIDI accreditation and membership of the British Association of Removers. Schedule a date for your move and discuss any specific needs, such as packing services or storage.

1-2 Months to go
-Notify the necessary people and organisations of your relocation to the USA. This will include utility companies, your bank, insurance company and other relevant institutions and any subscription services of your change of address.

-Start Packing.  Begin packing the non-essential items and take the opportunity to declutter your home. Sell, donate, or recycle items you won’t be taking with you. This will help to keep the cost down when it comes to shipping your possessions out to the USA. Invest in professional quality packing materials and label boxes clearly.

-Arrange Mail Forwarding: Set up mail forwarding with your local postal service to ensure you don’t miss any important mail.

2-4 Weeks before the move
-During this time, confirm your moving date with your chosen removals company and ensure that the arrangements are in place for services such as packing and/or storage as required.

The week of the move
-Complete any final packing and create an essentials bag for the first few days in your USA home. Keep all of your essential documents separate- ensure that they aren’t packed into storage etc.

Burke Bros Moving Group are your professional removal partner for a smooth relocation to the USA. Our international department are on hand to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.