The USA is a popular destination for British families relocating abroad, and it’s easy to see why. This guide covers everything from visas and schooling to making the transition as smooth as possible for your family.
For British families, the USA ticks a lot of boxes – no language barrier, strong salaries and schools that are generally well-resourced and internationally recognised. But moving with children adds a layer of complexity: visas, schooling, healthcare and the emotional side of uprooting a family all need careful thought.
What you need to know about moving to the USA with children
British families relocating to the USA for work can bring unmarried children under 21 as dependants on most employment visas, with each child requiring their own dependent visa. All children are entitled to free public schooling from kindergarten through to age 18, with placement based on your home address within a school district. Private and international schools are available for families who want an alternative curriculum, including the International Baccalaureate for those who may return to the UK. There is no NHS equivalent in the USA, so arranging private health insurance before you arrive is essential.
Contents
Why families choose the USA
The USA continues to draw British families for a simple reason: opportunity. Career prospects, particularly in technology, finance, healthcare and engineering, can be significantly stronger than in the UK, and salaries tend to reflect that. For many families, a move is prompted by a company transfer or a job offer that’s simply too good to turn down.
Beyond work, the sheer scale and variety of life in the US is hard to match. Your children could be skiing in Colorado one school holiday and on a Florida beach the next. The national parks system alone spans more than 60 parks across the country, and outdoor activities – hiking, camping, water sports, cycling, climbing – are accessible year-round across different regions.
The cultural familiarity also counts for something. There’s no language barrier to overcome, the entertainment and sport on offer are unmatched, and an established British expat community means you’re unlikely to feel entirely on your own.
Bringing your children with you: the basics
If you’re moving to the USA for work, you’ll most likely be on one of the main employment-based visas: the H-1B (for specialist workers sponsored by a US employer), the L-1A or L-1B (for intra-company transfers) or the E-2 Treaty Investor visa. On each of these, your unmarried children under the age of 21 are entitled to come with you as dependants.
Dependent visa categories vary by the primary visa type. H-4 visas, for example, cover the dependants of H-1B holders. Whether your children will be able to work while in the US will depend on the specific visa category and their age, so it’s worth taking immigration advice early in the process.
It’s also worth knowing that the US immigration system can be slow. Processing times vary, and in some cases applications take well over a year to be fully resolved. Starting early gives you the most options.
Property in the USA: what to expect
The USA is a large and varied property market, and generalisations only go so far. Prices differ dramatically between states: a family home in West Virginia might cost under $200,000, while the same property in California or Hawaii could run to several times that. As a broad guide, the median sales price of a new house in the US currently sits at around $422,500.
For most families relocating for work, the practical choice of where to live will be shaped by the job location and school catchment areas rather than national averages. Many British expats choose to rent first, which makes good sense – it gives you time to get to know an area before committing to a purchase.
The US education system
Public education in the USA is free and covers kindergarten through to the end of grade 12 (roughly ages five to 18). It’s funded through a combination of local, state and federal taxes, which means the quality of schools can vary considerably depending on where you live – well-resourced suburban districts often have stronger schools than rural or inner-city ones.
Here’s a rough guide to how the stages break down:
- Elementary school – kindergarten through grade 5, starting around age five
- Middle school – grades 6 to 8, roughly ages 11 to 13
- High school – grades 9 to 12, roughly ages 14 to 18
When you arrive, your child will typically be assessed to confirm which grade they should join. Schools will also have English as a Second Language (ESL) support in place, though British children are unlikely to need it for long. One thing worth knowing: the academic year generally runs from August or September through to late May or June, which is a different rhythm from the UK calendar.
Around ten per cent of American students attend private schools, and fees vary widely. Many families in major expat cities also have access to international schools, which offer internationally recognised qualifications including the International Baccalaureate diploma – useful if your children may want to return to the UK for university. Places at popular international schools are competitive, and many have waiting lists, so research this early.
Helping your children make the move
A move abroad is a big deal for children at any age. The more you involve them in the process, the easier the transition tends to be.
Before you go, encourage them to research their new home – the local area, nearby parks, activities they could try, foods they might want to taste. Showing them photos of the neighbourhood, the new house and a shortlist of possible schools gives the move a concrete shape rather than leaving it as an abstract event. Let them identify one or two things they’re genuinely excited about doing when you arrive.
When it comes to choosing a school, most US schools now have strong websites with detailed information about clubs, sports teams and activities. Involving your child in that research – and giving them some ownership over which school they’d like to attend – helps them feel part of the decision rather than swept along by it.
Saying goodbye is hard, and it’s worth acknowledging that honestly rather than glossing over it. Give your children time to say proper farewells to friends, and plan how you’ll stay in touch. Video calls via WhatsApp or FaceTime make regular contact easy. Setting up a weekly call with grandparents or close friends back home, rather than leaving it to chance, tends to work much better.
Once you’ve arrived
The first few weeks can feel disorienting, however prepared you are. Getting online quickly – and making sure your children can reach their friends back home – makes a real difference. Encourage them to join clubs and after-school activities as soon as they feel ready: American schools place a strong emphasis on extracurricular involvement, and sport, music, drama and debate clubs are all well-established routes into social life.
Many cities have British expat groups and international family communities that are worth connecting with. Your employer’s HR team may also be able to point you towards relocation support services and local networks.
If your child is struggling to settle, it’s worth knowing that most US schools have counsellors and pastoral support staff in place. Don’t be afraid to flag any concerns early.
Summary
Moving your family overseas is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. The USA can be a genuinely rewarding place to raise children – with good schools, huge amounts of space and opportunities that are hard to find anywhere else. The more preparation you do before you go, the more you’ll be able to enjoy it once you arrive.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Even as dependants, each child requires their own visa documentation. The visa category will be linked to your own primary visa. Always work with a qualified immigration lawyer to make sure the paperwork is correctly completed.
Children can apply for a Social Security number once they’re in the US with an eligible visa. While it cannot be a condition of enrolment, schools may ask for one to use as a student ID and you will need an SSN for other administrative processes, so it’s worth sorting out soon after you arrive.
Some international and British-curriculum schools offer GCSEs, A-levels or the IB, and a number of schools also offer the IB diploma, which is accepted by UK universities. Not all cities have these options, so check availability in your target area before finalising where you’ll live.
Check which school district your prospective home falls into – school placement for public schools is usually address-based. Look at each school’s website, visit if you can, ask about pastoral support for new students and find out what clubs and activities are available. For families who may return to the UK, it’s also worth asking how the curriculum aligns with British qualifications.
Yes. There is no equivalent to the NHS in the USA, and healthcare costs without insurance can be very high. If you’re relocating with an employer, a health plan is likely part of your package. If not, arranging family health cover should be near the top of your to-do list before you leave the UK.
