Thinking of retiring in the US
 

Hi there,

I'm new to this forum but I have a funny feeling this subject may have been covered many times. Anyway I could not find any info on this so I thought post a new thread.

My wife and I are thinking of moving to the US to live when we reach 55 years of age. We don't intend to work but do intend to buy a property in Georgia and live off our own resources.
1. Can we stay there permanantly (we only have UK citizenship)? What are the options without visa's? How do other people do it?
2. Can we open a bank account and will we be covered for health care? If not, how much would health care cost for 2 adults in good general health, non-smokers.
3. How does it work getting the UK state pension sent over to the US?

I hope someone can shed some light on the matter for us.

Thanks....

Re: Thinking of retiring in the US
 

I think I'll take the high road and say its pretty impossible to do what you want. Even if you could afford the healthcare, you couldn't just "retire" here. But then again, you may already know that. ;)

Re: Thinking of retiring in the US
 

Why couldn't we 'retire' in the US. According to the media, there's alot of people that do it (tv, newspaper ad's etc), but they don't offer any more information regarding the above stuff I mentioned. Surely if we had health care, a bank account and a mortgage-free home owned by us we could retire or would we not be accepted as we don't have visa's?

How in the hell do other people do it...need help please!!!

Re: Thinking of retiring in the US
 

There is no retirement visa for the US. Others from the board will step in with the details of other visa options, but basically you can't live here without a visa, and you can't get a visa simply to retire here.

Sorry that this is not what you want to hear, and not what the media portray, but it's the simple truth.

Re: Thinking of retiring in the US
 

It HAS been covered, many, many times. Can I direct you to the search, sir, it's right this way.... oh bugger it, here's Rays "7-ways" post. BTW I am on the self-appointed 7-ways posting duty today, as many of our regular members get so tired posting this 100 times a day....

There are basically SEVEN ways that you can get a visa to live and work in the US:
(1) Marriage (or engagement in anticipation of marriage) to a US citizen.

(2) You have skills that are in short supply in the US e.g. scientific or medical training. A degree is normally a must. Or you have superior specialist skills with at least 12 years experience.

(3) You have an Employer who is willing to transfer you - but even the employer has to make a good case for you - so you have to be a manager unless you fall under category (2) above.

(4) You may get a Green card in the diversity lottery (UK citizens, except N.Ireland, are not generally eligible unless you, your spouse or parents were born abroad or held a different citizenship.

(5)You own or buy business (does not get you permanent resident status i.e. no green card)
The business must have a minimum value of around $100k (more the better) bearing in mind you will need somewhere to live and with any startup business you will need at least 2 years living money as back up. So a figure of $250k would be a nearer minimum

(6)You are an "investor" i.e. you have at least US $1m in assets to bring with you. And your background will be investigated to the hilt.

(7)You have a close relative (mother, father, brother, sister and no further) who is an US citizen who would sponsor you, approx time this take 2-12 years.

So in answer to your original questions:-
1. Can we stay there permanently (we only have UK citizenship)? What are the options without visa's? How do other people do it?
No, you can come as a tourist for varying amounts of time, depending on the type of visa or visa waiver you use. Max on B-1 will be 6 months, then it's time to get on a plane.
2. Can we open a bank account and will we be covered for health care? If not, how much would health care cost for 2 adults in good general health, non-smokers.
You MIGHT be able to open a bank account, especially if you drop a load of money into it (think $10K up). Then you might be able to open an off-shore type account, but be prepared for no credit cards, stingy/no interest, getting charged out the backside for anything you might want the bank to do, and a certain interest from the IRS due to your non permanent status. Most likely outcome is no bank account, in this post 9-11 era. The good news is you are covered for health care, all you will need is to transfer about $1000-$2000 PER MONTH, for each person you wish to have 'free healthcare' for, to the health insurance co of your choice.
3. How does it work getting the UK state pension sent over to the US?
You transfer it to your bank account in the US (IF you have one), get screwed on the transfer fees, and look forward to varying monthly income due to the wonders of exchange rates.

I can also thoroughly recommend Florida if you are going to come, they really need all the expats they can get, 'Imhere' is already in Florida, and loves to greet all UK immigrants personally, I'll hook you up with him if you would like.

Sorry to rain on your parade, but living here legally is very difficult to achieve, and takes a lot of persistance, paperwork and a certain amount of luck
- Tim

Re: Thinking of retiring in the US
 

So, after I have picked up all the mess from my bubble bursting, can we still buy property, stay for 3-6 months, go home to the UK for a week or two then back out to the states again?

Re: Thinking of retiring in the US
 

Yep, that's the long and short of it. Look for the other thread on the misrepresentation that certain TV programmes make on how easy it is to come here....

- Tim

Re: Thinking of retiring in the US
 

They do not. Go back and look at the small print.

They might immigrate on the back of a Business move, maybe have Children who are US Citizens. But not with no connections.

Best most that do is 6 months in and 6 months out on a B2 Visa.

Do you have $1m plus to invest?, there is a potential alternate route but only a handful of succesful applications so far.

How long do you intend to live here, Health Insurance usually makes it an impossibility for most long term no matter how you get here.

Re: Thinking of retiring in the US
 

No, 6 months in and 6 months out, your primary residence has to be elsewhere, you would be a visitor remember.

Re: Thinking of retiring in the US
 

Hmmm....probably not. You won't have anything more than the VWP and if you try and come in and out (how could you afford the airfare, let alone the jetlag.... :scared: ) you'd probably be stopped pretty quick.

Re: Thinking of retiring in the US
 

Surely $1000 to $2000 per month for healthcare includes free 'new body parts' for the rest of your life???? My god, how nice does a small cottage in the Highlands of Scotland look now.... Ah well I suppose I had to find out.

No chance of retiring to the states it is then. Thanks for all your stern advice guys...

Re: Thinking of retiring in the US
 

If you are retired you can get a B2, usually v difficult for a VWP country, but that would usually be a good reason.

Re: Thinking of retiring in the US
 

Ssssshhhh, don't tell my MIL. ;) :D

Re: Thinking of retiring in the US
 

I'd rather retire in Scotland than here. We're thinking of doing just that....makes more sense.

Re: Thinking of retiring in the US
 

Best to get long trip cover in the UK, that seems a bit high to me, mine is a lot less but I have a very high excess and am 6 years younger. The older you get the more you pay.