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Moving to the USA? Here is your guide to visas, USA green cards, citizenship and more
The United States of America has attracted people from all over the world for centuries. And for excellent reasons. “The land of opportunity” offers unique possibilities for immigrants. Who wouldn’t want to pursue the American dream and live, work, travel or study in one of the world’s most prosperous countries? If you are looking to move to the USA, keep reading. On this page, we will provide you with a how-to guide of everything you need to know about moving to the USA. We’ll look at reasons for immigrating to the USA, different visa types, how to get a green card, and how to get U.S. citizenship. It’s everything you need to know to make your move to the USA as smooth as possible.
Why immigrate to the USA?
There are countless reasons why the U.S. attracts more immigrants than any other country in the world. In 2018 no less than 44,7 million foreigners had found a home for themselves in the USA. In a country with 50 diverse states and a population of over 327 million, there is something for everyone. The economy is booming and the standard of living high. Thanks to affordable housing and high salaries, U.S. residents benefit from the highest gross household income of all OECD countries. These income levels make it possible to obtain private health insurance and other necessities. Private health insurance can be expensive. You do need to shop around and to understand your cover clearly. The USA continues to be a country where people come to make a better life for themselves.
Move to the USA for culture and diversity
Life in the U.S. allows you to enjoy culture and food from all over the world. Immigrating to the USA, you will never feel alone as an Expat. It’s a diverse melting pot with people from across the globe. Nowhere in the world do people speak as many languages as in Queens, New York. In the multicultural suburb, over 650 different languages are spoken. And no matter the language, Americans are generally friendly and outgoing. Making new friends is a breeze. They’ll be happy to show you the diverse local culture, ranging from the glamour of Hollywood to the excitement of American football.
Move to the USA for work
Having the largest national economy in the world, the U.S. offers plenty of opportunities for immigrants to find jobs. The unemployment rate is steadily going down, in early 2020 it was less than 4%. The USA is a stable and respectable economy in good shape, so the job prospects in most sectors are excellent. One industry, in particular, that attracts a lot of Expats, is the tech industry. The average software engineer salary in the U.S. is twice as high as in Europe. It’s no wonder that foreign workers make up more than half of the Silicon Valley workforce. The entrepreneurial spirit is also strong in the USA. 35% of American workers pursue freelance work in some form, making it a perfect country for anyone wanting to explore a Digital Nomad lifestyle. The USA regularly ranks in the top five countries in the world for workforce productivity.
Move to the USA for education
If you are looking to further your studies or obtain a degree, there is no better place to do that than the USA. The country is world-renowned for its education system and Ivy League institutions. 4 out of 5 of the world’s best-ranked universities are located in the U.S. For younger children, living in the USA gives you access to both public as well as private schools. There are also over 1800 International Baccalaureate programs from which to choose.
Move to the USA for travel
62% of all Americans don’t have a passport. And why would you need one, when you live in the U.S.? The country has everything from exciting big cities to vast deserts, beautiful coastline and wild national parks. New York, Chicago and Los Angeles… U.S. cities continuously rank as the best cities to visit in the world. Beach fans can enjoy Florida or Californa, and hikers have 62 national parks from which to choose. If you do want to travel abroad, there are also plenty of options. A U.S. passport gives you visa-free access to 170 countries.
Move to the USA for the “can-do” attitude
Americans are optimists at heart. The countrymen believe in, and reward, hard work. The USA is a place where an ordinary person can build a great life for themself and be successful in their chosen field. And immigrants embody this spirit, 9 out of 10 migrants believe that the American dream is achievable. Why wouldn’t it be, in a country that prides itself on progression, innovation and science?
United States Visas and Permits
USA Tourist Visa
If you want to visit the USA for sightseeing or to see friends and family, you might need to apply for a tourist visa. The visa gives you the right to stay for up to 6 months in the USA. It also applies if you are doing temporary business in the U.S. or are seeking medical treatments. Depending on your nationality, you might be able to visit the U.S. for leisure or business for up to 90 days without needing a visa. The Visa Waiver Program gives visitors from 39 countries visa-free access to the U.S.
Please use the VisaHQ tool on the right to see if you need to apply for this visa before entry to the United States.
USA Long Term Visas
There are two different types of visas in the U.S., non-immigrant and immigrant visas. If you are visiting for a limited amount of time, you can apply for a non-immigrant visa. Typically non-immigrant visas are easier to obtain, but they have constraints in terms of time limits and work restrictions. If you wish to immigrate to the USA permanently, and later obtain U.S. citizenship, you need an immigrant visa. Only time spent in the USA on an immigrant visa count towards the required years of residency when applying for American citizenship.
Exchange Visitor Visa
The U.S. offers several temporary visas for work and travel in the USA. These J1 Visa programs are mainly targeted at young adults over the age of 18. You can choose from 15 different activity-related visas. Some examples include au-pair visa, camp counsellor visa, research visa and teacher visa. Professionals can also apply for trainee visas within their field, and students can benefit from internship program visas.
This program is similar to the Working Holiday Visa programs offered by other countries. See our article here on other Working Holiday visas around the world.
Seasonal Work Visa
In specific situations, when there are not enough U.S. workers for a particular type of work, employers can bring in immigrant workers. This work visa mainly applies to agricultural and non-agricultural jobs, that are seasonal or temporary. This program is the H-2A visa category. The visa is for a fixed period, and the employer needs to apply on your behalf.
Student Visa
More than one million international students move to the USA to study every year. You can apply for a student visa to study in a U.S.- High School, University or college. It is also applicable to any language training programs and vocational training at recognized institutions.
Immigrant or Green Card visas
The most well-known immigrant visa in the USA is the Green Card. The Green Card, or Lawful Permanent Resident Card as it’s officially called, gives you the right to live and work in the country permanently. There are three different ways to be granted a permanent stay in the USA and obtain a Green Card.
Green Card through Employment
You might be eligible for a Green Card through your employer. These employment visas are given to skilled workers and people with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities. You are likely to need an existing job offer from a U.S. employer. However, this depends on your job skills and the current job market in the USA. If you classify for the First Preference Employment Visa, you can move to the USA without a labour contract. This visa requires the right combination of education, work experience and extraordinary skills.
Green Card through Family
If you are a family member of a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident, you may be able to obtain a Green Card. A U.S. citizen can sponsor a spouse, parent, child or sibling. A U.S. permanent resident can sponsor only a spouse or an unmarried child. For more distant relatives there are also a controlled number of Family Preferences visas available each fiscal year.
Green Card through a Diversity Visa
The Diversity Visa is for immigrants from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. A limited number of visas are available each fiscal year, and the distribution is random amongst eligible candidates. That’s why the Diversity visa is usually referred to as “The Green Card Lottery”.
Knowing which route to your Green Card or visa is the best for you is complicated and difficult. That is why we have partnered with an excellent immigration law firm to provide you with quality advice. You can book your consultation in with them here.
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How to get U.S. Citizenship
U.S. citizenship is very sought after. With an American passport, you can travel to 184 countries, 170 of them offer visa-free access. The USA also allows dual citizenship. You must always travel with your U.S. passport, but in most cases, you don’t need to give up your native citizenship.
U.S. Citizenship by Birth
If you were born in the USA, you are most likely a U.S. citizen. The same applies if you were born in a USA territory or outlying possession of the USA.
U.S. Citizenship by Descent
You are likely to be eligible for U.S. citizenship if one of your parents was a U.S. citizen at the time of your birth. The rules that apply to obtain citizenship through U.S. citizen parents are complex. Genetic, as well as adopted children, are eligible. However, the specific regulations depend on your parents’ marital status as well as your year of birth.
U.S. Citizenship by Naturalization
Even if you have no family connection to the USA, you can apply for U.S. citizenship through a process called naturalization. If you fulfil specific requirements, you can be granted a U.S. citizenship. The requirements include being 18 or older and having been a legal permanent resident of the USA for at least five years. You also must demonstrate good character, show willingness and knowledge of the U.S. constitution and speak English. When attaining your U.S. citizenship, you must swear an oath of allegiance to the United States of America.
U.S. Citizenship by Marriage
For spouses of U.S. citizens wanting to obtain citizenship, the same requirements apply, but you can apply after three years of legal permanent residency. The U.S. does not recognise same-sex marriages for immigration purposes.
U.S. Residency by Investment Visas
There are two ways of gaining US Residency through investment in the USA as follows.
The E-5 Immigrant Investor visa program
This programme was launched in 1990 to stimulate the economy through foreign investment and the creation of jobs. An investment needs to be made in a commercial enterprise such as a limited company, partnership, business trust and sole proprietorship.
Once successful, you will get a permanent residency visa for yourself, your spouse and your children. This means that you can legally live, work and study in the USA. No sponsorship is needed and you will have the freedom to settle down anywhere in the country. After taking up residency in the US, you may be eligible for citizenship after as little as five years.
Investment requirements for the EB-5 investment visa
To be eligible for the EB-5 Visa you need to meet the following requirements:
- Invest $900,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA). A targeted employment area is either a rural area or one that has experienced high unemployment ) OR
- $1,800,000 in a high employment area
- Create at least ten full-time jobs for U.S. citizens within two years.
You can become a limited partner and can obtain your visa without having to worry about the day-to-day management of your investment.
On average, it takes six months for an investment visa to be processed. When the visa is granted, you and your family immediately obtain conditional residency status. As long as you fulfil the investment requirements stated above, the conditions are removed after two years.
Click here to be taken to the official government website for the EB-5 Visa
We have partnered with a fantastic US Immigration Law Firm who can help you with your application. Click here to book a consultation with our US Immigration partners
The E-2 Treaty Investors Visa
The US government has a treaty with many countries who are eligible to apply for the E-2 Treaty investors visa. The full list of treaty countries can be found here.
Similarly to the E-5 Investors visa, you need to invest in a new enterprise or invest in an going concern. The difference with the E-2 visa is that there is no set amount that you have to invest.
The E-2 visa however is not an immigration visa. In other words, you cannot get a green card and eventual citizenship with this visa. Once the visa has expired you need to leave the country.
Still, many people are taking advantage of this visa. It has short processing times and so ensures fast residency in the US if this is what you are after. In fact, some citizens of countries not on the treaty list are getting citizenship of countries like Grenada so that they are then eligible for this visa.
We have written a full detailed article on the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa if you would like further details.
Immigration is complex though and knowing which route is the best for you to get US Residency can be hard. That is why we have partnered with a US Immigration Law Firm to help you every step of the way. Book your consultation with them here.
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