Overseas Job (US)
Discussion
I’ve been offered a new role based in USA (I have a choice of couple of locations but it’s likely to be LA) and i’m a little stuck on what constitutes a decent offer and what i need to consider. The job itself is a promotion and is an exciting challenge, but career progression is not my overriding priority right now.
The main challenge is that I have a decent sized mortgage here in Blighty, and my daughter still lives at home and is saving for her own place. She can’t afford to stay in the house by herself without financial support, and i’m not keen on getting lodgers so i think the first thing to ask for is either support for the mortgage, and/or having the house in US paid for, but what do people normally negotiate on that front?
I’m just swimming in other questions, most of which seem to be nice to have problems but i need to make sure i am negotiating on the right items, specifically things like length of assignment, car, house, settling in, home trips, tax, banking, etc.
Appreciate there are plenty of people on here who’ve done the move before, and would appreciate some advice on how to ensure i get the best offer i can, without coming across as too greedy. It’s just going to be me and Mrs so not soo much aggro.
The main challenge is that I have a decent sized mortgage here in Blighty, and my daughter still lives at home and is saving for her own place. She can’t afford to stay in the house by herself without financial support, and i’m not keen on getting lodgers so i think the first thing to ask for is either support for the mortgage, and/or having the house in US paid for, but what do people normally negotiate on that front?
I’m just swimming in other questions, most of which seem to be nice to have problems but i need to make sure i am negotiating on the right items, specifically things like length of assignment, car, house, settling in, home trips, tax, banking, etc.
Appreciate there are plenty of people on here who’ve done the move before, and would appreciate some advice on how to ensure i get the best offer i can, without coming across as too greedy. It’s just going to be me and Mrs so not soo much aggro.
You’ll get more comprehensive and up to date answers, my experience is based on relocating to California a while ago
First question is visas - are you moving with your current employer? If so, do they have blanket L1 (intra-company visa transfer) approval? That will make the move easier and quicker (couple of months), but means you are tied to them - lose your job, and you have 10 days to leave the US, which also means that you are in a really poor position to negotiate for anything once you are there
Make it part of the deal now that they will sponsor a green card as soon as possible in case you decide to stay beyond max visa extension
You need to negotiate for full household removal in container(s) both moving to the US and when you return for any reason whatsoever including leaving the company
You need to negotiate for professional (big 4, not HR Block) tax equalisation services in both directions
You need fully-paid temporary accommodation for 3 months (time for your household goods to arrive) in both directions
Your white goods and TV will not work in the US - your employer should provide new electricals (everything except laptop) as part of the deal
Very importantly - you will have zero credit history when you arrive in the US. Regardless of your credit status in the UK, you will not be able to borrow, take out car loans or get a new credit card for at least the first 2 to 3 years, so plan around that. Take as much money with you as you need for cars, electrical goods and furniture or make sure that you employer pays for it
Similarly you will likely have no US motor insurance history; you’ll see lots of lovely cheap V8s that you won’t be able to insure. In California you are required as a resident to take your CA driving test (theory and short road test) within the first month (but won’t get an appointment that quickly). On both fronts, you want your employer to provide a rental vehicle for the first two or three months while you sort out your motoring. Your driving license will also be your primary form of ID so get that asap
Edited to add: insist that you keep your UK holiday (vacation) allowance - 10 days annual hols is not unusual in the US
I’ll think of more
. This is the stuff I have seen burn UK execs relocating to the US
First question is visas - are you moving with your current employer? If so, do they have blanket L1 (intra-company visa transfer) approval? That will make the move easier and quicker (couple of months), but means you are tied to them - lose your job, and you have 10 days to leave the US, which also means that you are in a really poor position to negotiate for anything once you are there
Make it part of the deal now that they will sponsor a green card as soon as possible in case you decide to stay beyond max visa extension
You need to negotiate for full household removal in container(s) both moving to the US and when you return for any reason whatsoever including leaving the company
You need to negotiate for professional (big 4, not HR Block) tax equalisation services in both directions
You need fully-paid temporary accommodation for 3 months (time for your household goods to arrive) in both directions
Your white goods and TV will not work in the US - your employer should provide new electricals (everything except laptop) as part of the deal
Very importantly - you will have zero credit history when you arrive in the US. Regardless of your credit status in the UK, you will not be able to borrow, take out car loans or get a new credit card for at least the first 2 to 3 years, so plan around that. Take as much money with you as you need for cars, electrical goods and furniture or make sure that you employer pays for it
Similarly you will likely have no US motor insurance history; you’ll see lots of lovely cheap V8s that you won’t be able to insure. In California you are required as a resident to take your CA driving test (theory and short road test) within the first month (but won’t get an appointment that quickly). On both fronts, you want your employer to provide a rental vehicle for the first two or three months while you sort out your motoring. Your driving license will also be your primary form of ID so get that asap
Edited to add: insist that you keep your UK holiday (vacation) allowance - 10 days annual hols is not unusual in the US
I’ll think of more
. This is the stuff I have seen burn UK execs relocating to the USEdited by mikef on Sunday 14th November 05:28
Thanks for that. This all came about late Friday so i’ve not had the chance to gather all of my thoughts on the subject, but i’ll certainly take those suggestions on board. Hadn’t even thought about things like holiday allowances.
And yes, it’s my current employer and i’ve been with them for over five years. It is all sponsored properly, the company have a number of UK staff working across North America and have been shipping staff globally for years so I think there’s even a dedicated team that handle it.
Will be interesting to see what next week brings and how much comes out in the standard process, and how much i need to push on. I’m not certain that i’ll go for it yet, so many variables.
And yes, it’s my current employer and i’ve been with them for over five years. It is all sponsored properly, the company have a number of UK staff working across North America and have been shipping staff globally for years so I think there’s even a dedicated team that handle it.
Will be interesting to see what next week brings and how much comes out in the standard process, and how much i need to push on. I’m not certain that i’ll go for it yet, so many variables.
Edited by Jefferson Steelflex on Sunday 14th November 14:51
Key thing is what the terms of the offer are - a UK expat deal to the US, or local T&Cs so that you’re treated just like any other US employee? The UK expat deal will give you more employment protection and usually comes with expat uplifts to salary and things like housing & car allowances.
How big is your employer? Do they have established expat policies/existing expats? If so most of your questions will have easy to obtain answers. If this is new for them as it os for you, you might have a stronger position to negotiate terms.
How big is your employer? Do they have established expat policies/existing expats? If so most of your questions will have easy to obtain answers. If this is new for them as it os for you, you might have a stronger position to negotiate terms.
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