Moving from Uganda to the USA? Be it for career advancement, further studies, immigration, or to enjoy life and indulge in a new culture; there are many reasons to move abroad. It is an excellent way of experiencing life from a different perspective.
As thrilling as it sounds; however, it often encompasses lots of planning and preparation – which can take a toll on you if you don’t figure out everything in advance.
From finding out how you will move, where you will live, how to make money, and apply for visas, we know that moving abroad is packed with unique challenges.
Luckily, we are here to help you check off those to-do things and help you move your belongings “across the pond.”
Here are some of the most essential legal and practical considerations to make before moving from Uganda to the USA
1. You Will Need a Visa while Moving from Uganda to the USA
Although it can be one of the most daunting processes regarding your relocation from Uganda to the USA, sorting out Visas and all the aspects of immigration as early as possible must be prioritized.
This is no exaggeration, especially since some processes can take as long as a year to be fully processed and accepted. It is not something that you can leave to the last minute – because to enter the United States, whether to live or to work, you must have the right kind of visa.
There are two types of visas for moving to the USA – immigrant and non-immigrant. Under these two broad categories are other types of visas, which largely depend on your reason for moving.
If you are moving from Uganda to the USA temporarily and are planning to get back home after the visa expires, you need a Non-Immigrant visa. Examples of these visas include student visas, business and tourist visas, and specialist workers visas.
On the other hand, if you are looking to relocate from Uganda to the USA fully, you will need an immigrant visa, which has lengthy processes before fully acquiring it and settling permanently in the USA.
These visas include:
- Family visa – This is for those joining their immediate family already living in the USA
- Employment visa – You must first secure employment in the USA before getting this type of visa.
- Adoption visa – This is for children adopted from outside the USA
- Investor visa – As an investor, you must be willing to invest a minimum of $500,000 to get this type of visa.
Once you acquire your visa, you’ll present it alongside your passport. If you are moving for work or an extended stay beyond 90 days, you should consult the USA State Department for guidance on the correct visas and work permits since they may vary depending on your work type.
2. There are Custom Restrictions You Must Adhere To
The USA Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has strict regulations about what they allow into their country. Most of the items prohibited from entering the States include narcotics, weapons, and money (any amount more than $10,000).
You can only carry food items that do not pose a health risk but in their original packaging. Some food items such as meat products, fish, pastries, dairy products, eggs, and plant seeds are also prohibited. However, you must declare them upon entry.
Suppose you have any medication that you need for treatment. In that case, they must be prescription drugs with an import permit and in their original packaging, including the package inserts, and declared customs.
Check here for an exhaustive list of items prohibited by USA customs. It is also highly recommended that you consult with an international moving company to advise and help you decide what to take, what to leave, and the forms or permits you need to fill out before moving from Uganda to the USA.
3. Don’t Move All Your Household Items
An international moving company is better placed to offer you advice on packing while moving from Uganda to the USA.
Most international relocations are better handled by professionals who know all the nitty-gritty details of customs and the strict measures applied to custom-packed or owner-packed items.
What you carry along will largely depend on your budget, personal attachment, and necessity. For instance, bulky items which might cost more to move compared to a new purchase in the USA should be left behind – things such as furniture. You can put them in long-term storage, donate them to family and friends, or sell them!
Also, anything that you haven’t worn in the last year should be disposed of. Regarding your electronics, it is important to note that such gadgets use a different power supply in the USA. The United States power supplies are 110-120v at 60Hz. If your appliance is incompatible, it would be wise to leave it behind to minimize cost.
While packing up your souvenirs, such as artefacts, or old photo albums, consider having only a few of these items. Try not to carry along bulky photos that will need separate boxes or packages. The same goes for other things such as books, which unfortunately make some of the heaviest possessions you could take with you.
Your focus should be mostly on the necessities you will require from the first day you enter the USA. You can also have your international moving company ship other items for you at a later date – that is, if you can’t do without them.
4. How Much Does it Cost to Move from Uganda to the USA?
The answer to this question largely depends on several factors, including the volume and weight of goods, how the goods will be transported, the route, the speed of delivery, and other fees, including customs charges.
There are options which include sea and air. And seeing as to how Uganda is a landlocked country, regardless of the one you choose, you will also incur transport charges from your home to the airport or a port where your goods will travel by sea.
Sea freight is by far the most common and cost-efficient way of moving your items from Uganda to the USA. The costs associated with this option include container hire and transport charges – all varying depending on the weight and volume of your shipment.
An international moving company will help you arrange or pack your goods into the container before the shipment. While at it, they will also help ensure that all custom clearance credentials are in order.
Airfreight is costlier than sea transportation, but the advantage is how fast you will get your goods. If you are moving from Uganda to the USA on a tight timeline, air freight is your best chance to receive your possessions much more quickly.
5. Carry Your Official Documents with You
Carrying your official documentation is an obvious requirement, particularly for customs and job hunting. Before moving from Uganda to the USA, ensure that you have the following documents, and make sure that they’re valid, kept safely, and if possible, make duplicates:
- Passport and your Visa
- Work Permits
- Birth and marriage certificates
- Medical documents; including immunizations and dental records
- Education credentials, such as university degrees
- Police background check
On top of these documents, ensure that you have the following to save time on shipping your belongings:
- An inventory of your items for customs declaration
- A US Customs form 3299
- A Customs Supplemental Declaration for unaccompanied household items
- A copy of your Passport and Visa.
- Valid address in the USA.
6. Yes, Moving from Uganda to the USA with Pets is Possible
It is possible to move with your pets to the USA, but it might take you longer to prepare, depending on the pet type and the destination state. During planning, including the costs of getting vaccinated, their certification, and admission documents.
Nonetheless, it is essential to note that every USA state might have different regulations regarding moving with your pet. Thus, you must first confirm your destination state’s laws before moving from Uganda to the USA with your pet.
The entry of your pets into the USA is regulated by different entities depending on the pet type: The Center for Disease Control (CDC), The USA Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and The USA Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The CDC doesn’t require general health certificates for your pet; however, your furry or feathered friend is subject to inspection during entry into the USA.
For a dog, you will need different documents depending on the breed, its origin, your destination state, and the method of travel. These documents may include vaccination certs and a microchip.
Those can include various types of health or vaccination certifications as well as a microchip. If you are travelling from regions with a high risk for dog rabies, a valid rabies vaccination certificate is a must.
There are no special requirements for moving from Uganda to the USA with a cat. But your cat must appear healthy, so a health certificate might come in handy.
NOTE: If you want to import over five birds into the USA, they will not be considered pets. Similarly, poultry birds do not qualify as pets.
To read more about the types of pets allowed into the USA, visit the USA Department of Agriculture’s website.
7. Is Moving from Uganda to the USA Worth It?
Life in the USA is remarkable. It is home to some of the best sceneries in the world: think of The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, Niagara Falls, Las Vegas, and the beaches of Miami. Each place is spectacular, and its culture and the fascinating population of wildlife… are a wonder.
By choosing to relocate, you will also enjoy the sheer diversity of its people and lots of sunny beaches, a busy cosmopolitan life, fantastic job opportunities, not to mention meet other Ugandans spread across the 50 states.
A lot exists regarding culture, history, climate, wages, lifestyle, food, and the overall quality of life. As fanciful as it sounds, you must do your research first before relocating to the USA.
8. What is the Cost of Living in the USA?
Cost of living is by far one of the most asked questions among people relocating to the USA Although the USA economy has improved significantly in recent years, it’s worth noting that the cost of living varies hugely depending on where you are.
For example, the most expensive city in the USA is New York. The average cost per month can go as high as 3,000 dollars per month. That is way above the cost of living in Uganda’s capital, Kampala. However, the cost of living in the States can also be driven by healthcare, groceries, and utility bills.
Other beautiful places to live, including Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles, will likely break your bank. Nonetheless, there are more affordable places to live in the U.S, so doing a little research will go a long way in helping you decide.
If you are moving from Uganda to the USA for employment, you may be lucky enough to have your employer arrange temporary accommodation until you are well on your feet.
9. Health is a Big Thing in the USA
The USA healthcare system varies significantly from the one you are used to in Uganda. It is a bit confusing, especially for anyone who’s used to receiving public health funds from the government.
The American healthcare system is reliant on insurance. It is, therefore, highly essential for you to take out private insurance to cover the cost of medical expenses during your stay in the USA.
Even if you have an immigrant visa, you must do so, just in case your employer does not cover you. Otherwise, you risk paying lumpsum amounts out of pocket to pay for healthcare.
Luckily, the healthcare in the United States is one of the best, and some of the most reputable medical professionals can be found there.
10. You Will Need Access to Your funds after Moving from Uganda to the USA
Given that you are not allowed to carry lots of cash with you while moving to the USA, you will need a way to access your funds once you reach your destination. This is especially important the first few weeks of your stay, that is, if you are going for employment.
You should speak to your bank in Uganda to confirm if they have affiliate branches in America. If not, you must open a bank account as soon as you arrive in the States.
The majority of banking institutions in the USA have online banking systems that make it easy to start an account anywhere globally. This also ensures that you have easy access to your funds wherever you are.
Moving from Uganda to the USA Too Soon?
If you’re moving from Uganda to the USA very soon, do so with an international moving company that everyone in East Africa trusts to get their shipments across the borders easily.
At Nellions Moving & Relocations, our broad range of partnerships across borders guarantees us the privilege of international relocations and effortless moves from Uganda to the USA.
Reach out to us for more information and the advice you need to ensure that all your paperwork is in order before your items leave Uganda. You can also request a quote here.
