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Moving to America

Are you planning on relocating to America and don’t know where to start? Whether you’re moving to the United States, Canada, or Mexico, there’s a lot that goes into planning and executing a transatlantic move, so it’s smart to leave it to the hands of an experienced professional who will handle the moving process for you.

Here, you can find all the information you need before your move to America.

Visa requirements for Irish citizens

Before moving to America, it’s important to handle essentials like finding a job, a house, or a school for your child; afterward, focus on paperwork and arranging the move for a smoother transition.

As an Irish citizen, you are able to enter the United States for up to 90 days as part of the ESTA Visa Waiver Program (VWP). If you’re planning on spending more than 90 days in the US, you can apply for a visa, depending on your circumstances.

The visa application fee in the United States for longer than 90 days is $185 for tourists and business travellers. It costs $205 to apply for a work visa, and there are different fees for other types of visas, ranging from $265 to $315.
If you are a Green Card holder which will allow you to permanently live in the country, work, and settle down with your family, you are ready to move your new home.


How much money will I need to move to America?

For an average family with all expenses included, it will cost around $13,000 to $30,000 to move to the United States. The moving costs depend on the number of members of your household, how far the distance is, and your personal circumstances.

Finding a new house

Finding a new house in the US is one of the most significant decisions you can make. Whether you’re looking to rent or buy real estate, the average price varies significantly depending on the state you move to. Therefore, it’s essential to consider the average cost of housing in different locations and ensure that the area offers the right balance of cost and lifestyle for your needs.

Here is the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre of four popular destinations in the United States:

Cities1-bedroom apartment2-bedroom apartment
Boston$2,800 – $5,000$3,200 – $7,000
Chicago$1,000 – $4,000$2,200- $6,000
Los Angeles$3,000 – $6,000$4,000 – $8,000
New York$3,300 – $6,400$3,500 – $9,000

Costs of moving house to America from Ireland

For most of us, moving to America is a lot of ocean to cross, but you’d be surprised to know how seamless the move can be with the right international removal company.

The table below shows the average costs for 20ft (1 to 2 bedroom apartment) and 40ft (3 or more bedroom apartment) shipping containers in the most popular countries on the American continent.

Destination20ft Shipping Container40ft Shipping Container 
New York€1,650 – €1,824€3,135 – €3,466
Los Angeles€1,745 – €2,228€3,350 – €3,750

Also, there are two main types of international removals: door-to-door and door-to-port. These differ depending on where the pickup and delivery of your goods should be carried out between a residential address and a port.

If possible, opt for door-to-door service to speed up customs clearance at both the origin and destination. This ensures that the removal company handles all necessary paperwork and taxes, minimising logistical stress for you.

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Additional services to consider when moving to America

Aside from the actual service of shipping your belongings to America, you may also be interested in other types of services, such as packing, cleaning, dismantling, storage, or even the removal of delicate items, such as a piano. The table below lists out cost estimates for each of these additional services.

ServiceDetailsPrice
Packing and UnpackingExpert packing and unpacking of items and furniture€425 – €1000
CleaningCleaning of old and new house. Price depends on the size of your home. €130 – €285
Dismantling and AssemblyDisassembling furniture to prepare for packing and re-assembling in the new homeStarting at €125
StorageUse of storage facility for 1 month. Price is dependent on the storage unit size.€30 – €265
Safe Removals of Delicate ItemsProper care and specialist equipment for safe removal, such as pianos. Varies widely depending on the value of your goodsStarting at €120

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Getting a social security number

If you are an Irish citizen and want to work in the United States, you must first obtain a social security number (SSN). This number will track your employment and ensure that you pay the correct amount of tax while receiving all benefits and discounts.

The way you apply for the SSN is determined by your visa situation. Under the agreement between US and Ireland, if you work as an employee in the United States your employer will pay Social Security taxes only to the United States. If you work as an employee in Ireland, you are typically covered by the country, and both you and your employer pay Social Security taxes to Ireland. 

If your employer sends you from one country to work for that employer or an affiliate in another country for five years or less, you will remain covered in your home country while being exempt from coverage in the other country. And if you are self-employed and live in the United States or Ireland, you will typically be covered and taxed only by the country in which you reside.

Setting up a bank account in the U.S. 

In America, there are numerous banking providers to choose from. It is worthwhile to investigate various options and accounts before applying for a new one to ensure that you are getting the best one for your needs. 

To proceed to this step of opening a new account, you will need your SSN or individual taxpayer number, as well as some paperwork. Also, keep in mind that most banks prefer to see you in person before opening your account. 

Also important to note that, if your income is still coming from Ireland and in a currency other than US dollars, you may prefer international banks that charge lower fees for international transactions and currency translation.

moving to america

Arranging your healthcare insurance 

This could be one of the most important steps because free healthcare is not available in the United States, and the way healthcare works differs from Ireland. As a result, you must do your research and select a healthcare insurance provider that offers coverage for any emergency or medical need. 

There are numerous insurance options available depending on your immigration status, personal needs, and circumstances. For example, Green Card holders and temporary work permit holders receive different benefits, and if you are working on a visa, you can choose between a local health insurer and one of the large global companies that offer policies. You may also discover that your employer provides health insurance as part of your contract as well.

Advice for your relocation to America

  • Check to see if your moving company offers some sort of “scorecard,” which can track service and cost. Having a source to reference for all of your added costs, agreed pickup and delivery times, response to customer service inquiries, etc, comes in handy when overlooking the logistics of a big move.
  • Before packing, take note of the household items that are worth the shipping cost. It’s easy to scratch off many electrical appliances since the sockets and voltage are different in North and South America.
  • Separate and carry your most valuable possessions with you rather than among the rest of the things inside the shipping containers.
  • If you are shipping your belongings via sea-freight, you’ll most likely arrive before your belongings do. Make sure to separate your essentials for your first few days, if not weeks.

Compare removal costs and save!

Planning a move across the world can be quite a challenge! Luckily, there are removal companies who have paved the way for a seamless move, no matter the destination. While there are many variables factoring into your total cost, receiving several quotes from different companies to compare will help you save on your international removal costs.

With a matter of a few clicks, you can let us know your moving needs and receive up to 6 personalised quotes for free!

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