Moving to Scotland from US Made Easy

Amazing landscapes, a unique culture, a rich history, top-notch innovation and a solid reputation for offering a warm welcome to foreigners. That’s why more and more people consider moving to Scotland from the US. It sounds like the perfect scenario.

Whether on a student visa or a skilled worker visa, moving to Scotland will provide access to new ways to achieve your goals.

From stunning small villages on the seaside to the hustle and bustle of big cities, Scotland has a bit of everything. And with the cost of living nearly 50% lower than in other cities in the UK, it’s obvious why more and more Americans turn to the UK visa office for a trip to Scotland.

But moving to Scotland takes some work. Despite being warm and welcoming, the Scottish government does have some strict requirements. Are you after a work visa? A spousal visa? How about an ancestry visa? You’d need to prove at least one grandparent is Scottish.

Or maybe you want to start with an international student visa, get a biometric residence permit and work your way towards being a British citizen. Whatever your reasons and goals are, the UK government is “malleable” if you follow all the rules.

Furthermore, it’s important to be aware of all the expenses, whether you need a bank account for family visas or you must pay for the immigration health surcharge due to the pressure on the NHS (National Health Service).

Apart from a valid passport for your visa application process and a national insurance number, you’ll also need to consider how to move your stuff.

Indeed, you can’t go that far without getting your visa, be it a Scottish visa based on a marriage certificate, a family visa, a work visa, a spouse visa or a graduate visa. When moving to Scotland from the US, you should find a reliable moving service for your stuff and actually book early.

How International Moving Companies Work to Scotland from the US

A reliable international moving company will come over, crate your stuff, load it up and unload everything at your destination, simple as that. While you can do such things yourself if you only have a few bits and you move locally, an international move is much more sophisticated.

There’s more paperwork involved, hence the necessity of a professional with experience. Besides, instead of struggling with such a move yourself, you could spend that time trying to learn more about the Scottish education system, focus on your visa fee, find a job offer or explore Scottish culture.

Criteria for Selecting a Moving Company

Choosing the right international movers is straightforward, but that’s exactly what makes it so challenging. Here are some useful things to consider:

• Move size. Some companies only deal with light moves, others can take anything, anywhere.
• Reviews. Do some research and make sure you pick a reputable company.
• Extras. You’ll most likely need additional services like crating, storage or even vehicle transportation.
• Certifications. The more, the better. Insurance is also required.
• Planning and quotes. The more detailed the move, the smoother it will go.

As for quotes, try to take estimates from a few different companies first.

Costs and Budgeting for the Move to Scotland

The immigration process can get pricey. When moving to a new country, you need to consider accommodation and bills, such as the council tax, which every citizen has to pay. Then, you need to consider your visa options if you want to move to Scotland. The visa application fee isn’t too low either.

Even if you do get a job fast (assuming you’re not on a retirement visa), the visa process is thirsty and will ask for more and more. Sure, you have free comprehensive healthcare, but you’ll need money to survive until your paycheck comes in.

This means moving costs should be considered along with all these expenses. Moving a bedroom will normally cost between $1,680 and $5,840. On the other hand, moving a full four bedroom home could cost between $3,885 and $10,300.

Extras may add up, so start saving early. Costs depend on what additional services you need, as well as where in the USA you are or where in Scotland you need to go.

Packing and Inventory Management for the Move to Scotland

You may not have too much when going on short student visas or work visas. But then, you still have to consider the rules of Scottish customs when you enter the country. Similar to Northern Ireland, Scotland adopts a permissive approach, so use common sense. Ask an immigration status lawyer for details.

The more effective packing is, the less volume it will take, and that’s what keeps prices low.

There are more options here:

• DIY. It takes time, and the lack of experience means you won’t save money on the volume.
• Full professional. Made by movers, compact. While it costs, it can save money on shipping.
• Custom package. Some people only take valuables or fragile items, so you’ll need a custom package.

Whether you’re getting there to become a UK citizen or go for Scottish citizenship, your goals and duration of stay will help you determine what you need to bring.

Navigating Customs and Import Regulations

To enter Scotland, a Scottish citizen or someone with British citizenship will only need a passport. As an American, you’ll also need the visa and work permit, a few copies of your inventory, a few customs forms and other forms based on what you bring over:

• C3 for household stuff for a primary residence
• C33 for household stuff for a secondary residence
• C426 for diplomats
• C5 for pets
• Other forms for vehicles

Consult your immigration lawyer if you’re not sure. While a driving license can be considered a form of ID in Scotland, your American driver’s license won’t be that useful, so make sure your passport is valid.

Insurance and Liability

Whether you’re moving to a Commonwealth country or locally for a permanent residence, make sure you hire insured movers. At this point, you know your stuff is covered if it gets damaged or lost. On the same note, potential personal injuries won’t make you liable.

Preparing for Moving Day

Based on the services you pick, preparing for the moving day is fairly simple. Here are a few considerations:

• Make sure you have all personal documents yourself, you may need them later.
• Crate and pack everything, unless you have the service do it for you.
• Make sure there’s nothing left behind once your stuff is loaded.
• Record meter readings for utilities.

Once it’s done, you can travel to your new destination. Whether you attend the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, meet some of the Scottish residents in your area, discover the possibility of a culture shock, find a new job or perhaps a primary school for your kids, there are many things you can focus on now.

Post-Move Support

We can’t help an American citizen with British spelling support, info on how to pay taxes, the strict drink drive limit, or what income tax means for Scottish people. However, what we can help about is making your move to Scotland successful.

Our service is not all about the actual transportation. We’ll store your stuff on the way if you need us to, we’ll unpack and even reassemble furniture or other pieces if you ask us to.

We can’t help with required documents or student records, but we can advise you based on our experience.

From our experience, it takes up to six months to fully settle and adapt to Scotland living, yet you’ll only need a few weeks to get the basics.

Real Experiences and Case Studies

Beatriz Carvalho moves to Scotland in order to benefit from the free healthcare, a higher standard of living compared to Louisiana and the access to nature. Working in tech and having the possibility to work online has made this move a breeze.

Jagadeesh Gupta has picked Scotland by looking at the shortage occupation list and realizing he could fill in a spot without too much hassle. With a job offer without even getting there, his move was incredibly smooth.

Resources and Useful Contacts

Not sure where to start? Here are a few useful resources for education and support.

• Scotland.org for information about the country and what moving to Scotland implies.
• EverythingEdinburgh.com provides general details about moving to Scotland, with a focus on Edinburgh.
• Gov.uk is useful for administrative stuff, such as details about visas and taxes.

There are clearly groups and pages helping out on various social media networks, too. Such groups aren’t official, but you can get quite a few details out of them.

Bottom line, moving to Scotland is likely to provide numerous opportunities, especially for those interested in nature, fresh air and a mix of big cities and beautiful British countryside. Research is critical though, hence the necessity to start early, from choosing the right mover to deciding on the optimal type of visa.