Is it a wise move to move to London from the US West Coast on a work visa? I work in a semi tech role and hold a masters degree (from ivy league school if that matters). I am close to getting an offer from a non FAANG tech company in Central London that is open to sponsoring relocation. Getting married soon and I don't have an i140. This move will help my fiance to start working from day 1 in London, whereas in the USA they would not be able to and the entire i140 process could take at least 3 more years (delays due to constant layoffs and I am in the initial phase of the perm process). But I am not sure if this would be a backward step since most people aspire to come to the US for a good career, and I have already built my foundation and network for that here. But I don't see a long term future here coming from a GC backlogged country. Assuming the offer is comparable with the same job level and considering other things like currency and cost of living, is it a good move overall? Thoughts please? TC - $150k Expected new TC - $120k (after conversion to USD, good by UK standards) YOE - 5
The cost of living is high in London, nearly as high as the west coast, don't do it unless you get a good offer.
That makes sense generally. But OPs fiancé will have to be jobless for a long time. So I guess it’s worth going to London if the TC difference is only $30k. And getting a citizenship is far easier in UK
Correct. While the cost of living is comparable, and higher taxes (govt benefits are good as well) we will also have an additional income from my fiance, which we wouldn't for at least the next 3 years. And I wasn't sure if that career break would come back to affect later on when i140 gets done.
I think you have a better chance of increasing TC in the US. Also consider UK tax, its very high
The US has alot of hidden taxes, IE health insurance. I've done alot of comparisons over the years and I reckon the overall tax difference is negligible. One area the UK shines on is you can put alot more towards your pension (401k) equivalent, 60k GBP. Also they offer a very generous investment vehicle, the ISA in which you can put up to 20k GBP in a year and all dividends and capital gains are tax free.
20K is far from generous
NO
No as in? Can you elaborate please.
I mean you won’t have much fun with this TC in London. Although if you feel like your current quality of life is already bad, you can give it a try (especially if there are growth perspectives in the UK role)
think twice because later down the line moving to the US is insanely tough , plus tech salaries aren’t really on par with US. Your chances of making it are much higher in the US. UK only good for visa. Rest USA wins. Depends on what you want
Agree, moving back will be hard. But the problem is not just TC alone here. Increased TC in the US comes at the cost of living with hands tied to a visa for the next 20+ years. I generally feel in the US, there is no end to greed in terms of TC. You are at 200k, you want 500k. You are at 500k and you want a million.. goes on and on.
Just save up for an EB5 visa. You’re in tech dude/dudette, if you save up properly, max 8 years before GC in an unlimited TC country compared to five years in a severely limited TC. Not to mention the great US schools, which are much harder to get into as an international. Even seniors in FAANG have a hard time breaking into 200k £ , do with that what you will.
If you are on a visa, I should be considering NL instead of the UK. Cuz; - no loans before 3yrs, forget about the mortgage, even for a fridge, you have to buy in cash, - if remote, stay away a little bit from London, enjoy cheaper cities like Colchester, - if you have a pet, definitely read the flying rules of the UK, - Driving license might be a problem, check it as it takes at least 6months UK is not a perfect place, whereas many parts of the EU is, dont forget it
Got it, but I am close to an offer that is located in London so NL is not in scope.
You can get a mortgage in the Uk. They just need 25% downpayment instead of 5/10 if you havent lived in the Uk for more than two years. You can also convert your us driving license to a uk withon the first year by taking a test. So much misinformation. OP dm if you want. Ive done this.
Given that you don't see a long term future in the US. What is your rational for staying in the US on a visa? You mentioned other people's aspiration to come to the US as the reason. You make the decision that is best for you not a decision that you think others will want to make. Don't underestimate the complications of living long term on a visa. It might be worth it if wait times for greencard are 5 or less years. If not, in your place I would just move. London is a great place to live.
High compensation, interesting companies to work and amazing universities. And It's not just others aspirations. It was mine too, and I am living through that right now. US is still a land of opportunities and the best place to be if you are in tech. Just that I really didn't focus too much on the long term visa issues, which I honestly thought would improve. For example: Green card wait times are 20+ years and now that I'm moving into a relationship, a lot of my decisions which I made when I was single don't have the same meaning anymore. So I'm checking out other possibilities.
Not worth waiting 20 years on a visa. And 20 years is probably an optimistic estimate
based on your current TC, going to UK is a good deal financially - have you explored if you can get a UK passport if you stay there for x years? If so, is X < US backlog time?
Yes, permanent residency process in the UK is straightforward. Overall, it would be 4x faster there than staying in the US.
If you really want to move to Western country, then I would bias in favor of getting permanent status. With the UK passport you can move worldwide.