Help nowSign in
Your move · ResearchAll steps →

How do I get a job in the USA?

For most British movers, the job and the visa come together: a US employer sponsors you, or your current employer transfers you. Finding an employer willing to do that is the key step.

Last checked 8 Oct 2026·Information, not advice

In 30 seconds

  • The main routes are an intra-company transfer (L-1), the H-1B lottery for degree-level jobs, the O-1 for people at the top of their field, and the E-2 if you invest in a business
  • The H-1B is capped at 65,000 a year plus 20,000 for US master’s graduates. Since 2026 the lottery favours higher-paid offers
  • A $100,000 fee on some new H-1B petitions was extended to September 2027, but two federal courts have blocked it and the government is appealing. Check USCIS before relying on it

Where to look

  • Job boards: LinkedIn and Indeed are widely used, plus specialist boards for technology, health and academia
  • Employers’ own career pages, especially hospitals, universities and large companies
  • Recruiters, especially in technology, finance and engineering
  • Your current employer: if it has a US office, an internal transfer is often the easiest route
  • Federal government jobs on USAJOBS are generally only open to US citizens and nationals
  • Look for ads that say the employer will sponsor a visa. Many say applicants must be “authorized to work in the US without sponsorship”, which means they won’t

The main work visas

VisaWho it’s forKey points
L-1Managers, executives and specialists moving within the same companyYou must have worked for the company abroad for one continuous year in the last three, outside the US
H-1BJobs that need a degree in a specific fieldAnnual cap and lottery; the employer applies and pays the fees
O-1People with extraordinary ability, shown by awards, publications, high pay or similarNo annual cap. First grant up to 3 years, then extensions of up to 1 year at a time
E-2UK citizens who invest a substantial amount in a US business they run, and their key staffNo fixed minimum; around $100,000 is often quoted. Renewable while the business runs
J-1Exchange programmes, such as teachers, researchers and traineesThrough an approved sponsor, for a fixed period

The UK is a treaty country, so British citizens can use the E-2. Each route has detailed rules, and this is a summary only. See Visa routes to the USA and speak to an immigration attorney.

How the H-1B lottery works

  1. The employer registers you online in March. For the 2027 season, registration ran from 4 to 19 March 2026 and cost $215 per person
  2. USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) picks enough registrations to fill the cap: 65,000 a year, plus 20,000 for people with a US master’s degree or higher
  3. Since a rule that took effect on 27 February 2026, selection is weighted by pay: an offer at the highest of four wage levels for the job and area gets four entries, the lowest gets one
  4. If you are selected, the employer files the full petition from 1 April, and you can start work from 1 October
  5. The job must need at least a bachelor’s degree in a specific field, or the equivalent. A three-year UK degree may need extra work experience to count, so get your degree evaluated early. See Will my UK qualifications be recognised?
The $100,000 fee is in flux. A September 2025 proclamation added a $100,000 fee to new H-1B petitions for people outside the US. A federal court in Massachusetts struck it down on 8 June 2026, and in July 2026 the First Circuit appeals court refused to let it be collected while the appeal goes on. On 18 September 2026 a new proclamation extended the fee to 21 September 2027, but on 30 September 2026 a federal court in California blocked the policies behind both proclamations. The government is appealing. A separate proposed $103,265 fee isn’t in force. Check the USCIS H-1B page and ask your employer’s immigration attorney before relying on any of this.

What jobs pay

US pay is often higher than in the UK, but you pay more for health insurance and get less holiday. National figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025 data:

JobMedian yearly payAbout
Registered nurse$97,550£73,900
Software developer$135,980£103,000
Accountant or auditor$83,680£63,400
Civil engineer$100,840£76,400
Secondary school teacher$72,040£54,600
Electrician$63,190£47,900
Physical therapist (physio)$102,760£77,800
Marketing manager$166,790£126,400

Pay varies a lot by city: New York, Boston and San Francisco usually pay more, and cost more to live in. Compare an offer with the UK pay vs US pay calculator, and see Understanding a US job offer for bonuses, stock and the 401(k) (a workplace retirement plan).

Your resume

  • In the US, a CV is called a resume
  • Lead with results rather than duties, with numbers where you can, most recent job first
  • Leave out your photo, age and marital status. US career advisers say not to include a picture, age or gender
  • You don’t usually list referees on the resume; have them ready, and warn them about the time difference
  • Say clearly whether you need visa sponsorship, or what visa you hold

Scouting trips and interviews

British citizens can usually visit on an ESTA (the online visa waiver, about $40) for up to 90 days. You can attend business meetings, but you can’t do paid work for a US employer. Many employers hold early interviews by video. If you travel on behalf of a US company, check the ESTA rules carefully: an ESTA may not cover all business travel.

What to do next

  1. Ask your current employer about a US transfer
  2. Check whether your job and degree fit the H-1B
  3. Turn your CV into a US-style resume

Keep going

Email me new guides
SourcesLast checked 8 Oct 2026. Rules and prices change, so check the official source before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Next in ResearchWill my UK qualifications be recognised? →All of Research