Is the UK the place to be for Americans?

The Telegraph has reported recently, in an article my colleague Rose Carey has been quoted in, that wealthy US nationals and Green Card holders are increasingly asking about moving to the United Kingdom. Here's my take on the potential US-UK influx.

Donald Trump has begun his second term at a blistering pace, signing over 100 executive orders - more than any other president in their first 100 days in office. The sweeping tariffs introduced on “Liberation Day” on 2 April 2025 are also unprecedented and upend decades of US trade policy. As Americans get ready for seismic shifts in policies, some have responded by choosing to move to the UK. Why? The reasons behind their decision to hop across the Atlantic are varied but we are seeing some common themes:

• The UK’s education system, which tends to be more affordable while equally world-renowned
• The current political landscape in the US and its unpredictability
• The differences between the US and the UK on policies such as healthcare and gun control
• The shared language between the two countries
• The UK is seen as a good place to invest. The dollar is strong and prime residential properties in the UK are comparatively cheaper than those in the US. London’s status as a major global financial centre is also attractive for American companies and investors looking to expand into Europe
• While the UK tax regime is going to change significantly from 6 April 2025, for many Americans who are already being taxed on their worldwide income the change is not particularly unattractive. For further information on the impact of the changes to US-connected persons, please refer to this excellent piece published by my colleagues Sangna Chauhan and Matthew Radcliffe. 

The UK has an immigration system that is uniquely placed to attract Americans seeking to relocate. US nationals benefit from a light-touch approach when applying for student visas where they do not need to submit as many supporting documents. There is also a graduate visa available after university - a 2 year visa allowing students to work or simply spend time in the UK to explore their options. Furthermore, while the UK may not have an investment-based visa at the moment, there are a range of work and business visas available and which can lead to settlement (permanent residence) in the UK after 5 years and in some cases 3 years. After 5 years of residence in the UK (and once settled for 12 months) it is then possible to naturalise as a British citizen, which is a relatively straightforward process and there are no financial requirements or quotas. 

Many Americans may also have parents or grandparents born in the UK. British nationality law has undergone significant changes in the past century. While historically British citizenship could only pass along the male line and if the parents were married, new legislation was introduced to address the gender inequality and provide scope for children with unmarried parents to obtain citizenship. The Home Office also now have discretion to grant British citizenship to adults who, but for historical legislative unfairness, an act or omission of a public authority or exceptional circumstances, would have been able to become a British citizen or would have had a claim to British citizenship. As a result of these changes, many may now become eligible to be registered as British. With the UK and US both allowing dual and multiple nationalities, it is perhaps no surprise that the number of Americans applying for UK citizenship rose to the highest on record in 2024.

If you are an American citizen exploring your options, for you personally, or for your business, in the UK and Europe, we are perfectly poised to support across both your personal and business interests.