Switching jobs in the UK as a US citizen is usually pretty straightforward, but there’s still paperwork involved, and there are a few quirks worth knowing.
As an American working abroad, you’ve got to juggle UK requirements and US obligations at the same time. Before you accept that new offer, here’s what to expect so you can keep everything running smoothly.
Why US Expats Change Jobs in the UK
The UK labour market has been receptive and welcoming to expats over the years. Chances are, if you already reside and work there, you’re now better placed to maneuver the job market.
Maybe you’re moving up the career ladder, looking for better pay, or aiming for a role with a healthier work-life balance.
Regardless of the reason, switching jobs has a couple of added considerations if you’re an American overseas.
What Paperwork You’ll Need (and Why It Matters)
Changing jobs is not just about a new job and a new team—it’s also paperwork. Doing it correctly prevents you from running into tax problems, payroll mistakes, or future issues with your visa.
1. Your P45 from Your Current or Former Employer
Let’s start with the MVP: the P45. That’s the UK form your ex-employer gives you when you leave a job. It says:
- How much you’ve earned to date that tax year
- How much tax you’ve paid to date
- Your tax code
Why it matters:
Your new employer needs it so that they can tax you properly from now on. If they don’t have it, you might get an emergency tax code—i.e., too much tax is being withheld from your wage until it’s sorted out (not good).
Tip: Employers are legally obliged to give you your P45. If they don’t, chase this up promptly—this is one thing you don’t want to fall behind on.
2. Your New Job Contract
As in the US, your new employer will provide an employment contract detailing:
- Your job and duties
- Salary
- Working hours and place
- Notice period
- Benefits (pension, bonuses, etc.)
Look at it carefully. Notice periods, however, function differently in the UK than in the US. Two weeks’ notice is not the norm here—some positions may call for one to three months.
3. Proof of Right to Work in the UK
As an American citizen, your right to work in the UK depends on holding the correct visa or residence. You may need to prove:
- You’re a settled/pre-settled resident (if you qualified under the EU Settlement Scheme)
- You’re a dual national or have UK residency based on other requirements
Your new employer must check this—even if you’ve been working in the UK for decades. Have your residence permits or visa documents available in electronic format.
4. National Insurance Number
If you’ve worked previously in the UK, you may well already have a National Insurance (NI) number—a sort of UK equivalent of a Social Security number. It links your pay to your tax and social security contributions.
Your new employer will ask for this from you on your first day. If you don’t have one (maybe your previous job was temporary or cash-in-hand), get one through the UK government as soon as possible.
5. Bank Details
Simple but essential. Your employer will need your UK bank account information so they can pay you. Make sure your account is live, current, and can receive frequent direct deposits (in the UK known as BACS payments).
6. P60 (If Changing Jobs towards the End of the Tax Year)
In the event you’re job-changing around the end of the UK tax year (April 5), you may also need your P60—the end-of-year breakdown of your earnings and tax paid over to you by your previous employer.
It’s not always necessary in the job change itself, but you’ll need it afterwards for:
- Filing taxes
- Verifying income
- Reporting income to the IRS (yep, you still need to do this)
Don’t Forget the IRS
Regarding the IRS, you still have to file a US tax return if all of your income comes from the UK. The good news:
- The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) lets you exclude some of your foreign income
- The US-UK Tax Treaty stops you being taxed twice
As a consequence, job changing mid-year makes it a bit more difficult to report—especially in the event of a rise in income or moving house. Make sure all your P45s, payslips, and contracts are at hand. And yes, using a tax expert who is familiar with expat submissions is worth every penny (or dollar).
Final Thoughts
Job switching in the UK as an American isn’t that hard, but it’s not easy either. Organizing your paperwork provides a fresh start to the new job and spares your finances from turning into a disaster.
Here’s a quick walk-through of what you’ll be needing:
- P45 from your old job
- Signed contract from new employer
- Right to work documents
- National Insurance number
- Bank details
- P60 (if you have one)
Some forms can be confusing, it’s also important to know the essence of the forms you’ll submit, like the difference between P60 and P45
When it comes to taxes—especially juggling UK payroll with US filing requirements—don’t go it alone. A tax expert who understands expat needs can save you time, stress, and costly mistakes. Let Expat Tax Online handle the messy stuff, so you can focus on thriving in your new job.
