Population
335 million
Capital
Washington, D.C.
Languages
English, Spanish
💰Cost & Practicalities
🏥Living Conditions
🛂Immigration
Visas & Immigration
View all🛡️Asylum
Protection for those fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Must apply within 1 year of US arrival (with limited exceptions). Affirmative asylum: apply directly to USCIS asylum office. Defensive asylum: apply in removal proceedings before immigration judge. Work authorization (EAD) available 180 days after filing (30 days after recent rule changes). If granted, can apply for green card after 1 year. Family members can be included as derivatives.
✈️B1/B2 Visitor
Non-immigrant visa for temporary business (B1) or tourism/medical treatment (B2). Typically issued as combined B1/B2. Valid up to 10 years with 6-month stays per entry typical. ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) available for citizens of 41 Visa Waiver Program countries, allowing 90-day stays without visa. No work permitted under any circumstances. Must demonstrate ties to home country and intent to return. Extensions possible but increasingly scrutinized. Note: New visa bond requirement ($5,000-$15,000) for citizens of 32 countries as of January 2026.
🗽Citizenship
US naturalization requires 5 years as lawful permanent resident (3 years if married to US citizen), physical presence requirements (30 months in 5 years or 18 months in 3 years), continuous residence, good moral character, English language proficiency, and passing US civics test (100 questions, must answer 6/10 correctly). Form N-400 application. Interview required at USCIS office. Oath ceremony completes the process. Most countries allow dual citizenship, though some require renunciation.
🟢EB Green Card
Employment-based permanent residence with approximately 140,000 visas annually. EB1: priority workers (extraordinary ability, outstanding professors, multinational executives) - no labor certification needed. EB2: advanced degree professionals or exceptional ability (includes NIW self-petition option). EB3: skilled workers, professionals, other workers. Most categories require PERM labor certification (18-24 months total). Per-country limit of 7% creates severe backlogs: EB2 India priority dates at January 2013 (13+ year wait), EB2 China at December 2020. Concurrent I-485 filing possible when visa numbers current.
💰E Visa
Treaty-based visas requiring treaty country nationality. E1 Treaty Trader: for substantial trade (>50% of total trade) between US and treaty country. E2 Treaty Investor: for substantial investment in US enterprise with active management role. E3: Australia-only visa similar to H1B with separate 10,500 annual cap (undersubscribed). E1/E2 require ongoing treaty country ownership, valid up to 5 years, renewable indefinitely while business operates. Investment amount not fixed but "substantial" relative to business type (typically $100K+ for service businesses).
🎓F1 Student
Student visa for academic studies at SEVP-certified schools (universities, colleges, high schools, language programs). Allows 12 months Optional Practical Training (OPT) post-graduation, with 24-month STEM extension available for qualifying degrees. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) permitted during studies if part of curriculum. Must maintain full-time enrollment and valid SEVIS status. Can work on-campus up to 20 hours/week during studies. Non-immigrant intent required but can pursue H1B or other status changes.
👨👩👧👦Family Green Card
Family-sponsored permanent residence for relatives of US citizens and permanent residents. Immediate relatives (spouse, unmarried children under 21, parents of adult citizens) have no annual cap and are immediately eligible. Preference categories face backlogs: F1 (unmarried adult children of citizens), F2A/F2B (spouse/children of LPRs), F3 (married children of citizens), F4 (siblings of adult citizens). K1 fiancé visa requires marriage within 90 days of entry. Processing times range from 1 year to 20+ years depending on category and country.
💼H1B
Specialty occupation visa for workers in professional roles requiring at minimum a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Subject to annual cap of 85,000 (65,000 regular + 20,000 US master's). MAJOR 2026 CHANGES: New wage-weighted lottery system (effective Feb 27, 2026) favors higher-paid positions - Level 4 wages get 4x selection odds vs Level 1. $100,000 supplemental fee required for new petitions (effective Sept 21, 2025) - exempts extensions, amendments, and change of status from within US. Requires employer sponsorship, LCA, and specialty occupation proof. Valid 3 years initially, extendable to 6 years. Premium processing: $2,965 (as of March 1, 2026). Dual intent visa.
🔄J1 Exchange
Exchange visitor visa program for educational and cultural exchange. Categories include intern, trainee, research scholar, professor, au pair, camp counselor, teacher, and more. Requires designated sponsor organization. Some categories subject to 212(e) two-year home country physical presence requirement before changing to certain visa types or getting green card - waiver available in limited circumstances. Duration varies by category (up to 5 years for researchers). DS-2019 form from sponsor required.
🏢L1
Intracompany transfer visa for executives/managers (L1A) and specialized knowledge workers (L1B). Requires at least 1 year of continuous employment abroad with a qualifying related company within the past 3 years. L1A valid up to 7 years, L1B up to 5 years. No annual cap or lottery required. Individual L1 petitions or Blanket L1 for large companies with frequent transfers. Dual intent visa. L1A provides direct path to EB1C green card without labor certification. Processing time approximately 5 months standard.
⭐O1
Visa for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement. O1A covers sciences, business, education, athletics; O1B covers arts and entertainment. Must demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim through major awards OR meeting 3+ of 8 criteria (publications, judging, high salary, critical role, etc.). No annual cap or lottery. High approval rate (~94%). Requires advisory opinion for O1B. Initial stay up to 3 years with unlimited extensions. Dual intent visa.
🍁TN Visa
USMCA (formerly NAFTA) professional visa for Canadian and Mexican citizens in 63 designated professional occupations (engineers, accountants, scientists, teachers, etc.). Canadians can apply at port of entry without prior petition; Mexicans require consular processing. No annual cap, 3-year validity, unlimited renewals. Requires job offer letter, proof of qualifying profession and credentials. Does not allow dual intent - pursuing green card may jeopardize TN status.
Expat Life
View allCost of Living
Costs vary enormously by location. San Francisco and NYC are among the world's most expensive cities, while the Midwest and South offer much better value. Expect to spend 30-40% of income on housing in major metros.
Healthcare
The US has world-class medical facilities but no universal coverage. Health insurance is essential - medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy. Most people get coverage through employers.
Housing
Housing markets vary dramatically by region. Major metros face inventory shortages and high prices. Most landlords require credit history, employment verification, and income 3x rent. First-last-security deposits are standard.
Banking
Opening a bank account is straightforward with valid ID and address. Credit history is crucial and starts from zero - building it should be an immediate priority. Many banks have programs for newcomers.
Working Remotely
The US has embraced remote work post-COVID, but visa holders must be careful about work location and employer requirements. Internet infrastructure is generally good in urban areas, variable in rural.
Taxes
The US taxes residents on worldwide income. Tax system is complex with federal, state, and local taxes. Filing is mandatory for most earners. Tax day is April 15th annually.
Transportation
The US is car-dependent outside major metros. Public transit is limited to a few cities. Getting a driver's license is often essential. Car insurance is mandatory.
Language
English is the dominant language, though the US has no official language. Spanish is widely spoken. English proficiency is essential for most jobs and daily life.
Safety
Safety varies significantly by location. Most areas are safe for daily life. Research neighborhoods before moving. Gun violence is a unique concern compared to other developed countries.
Expat Community
The US has large immigrant communities from virtually every country. Finding your community is easy in major metros. Meetup groups, cultural associations, and online forums help newcomers connect.
Culture & Lifestyle
American culture values individualism, direct communication, and work ethic. Regional cultures vary significantly. Work-life balance is less emphasized than in many other countries.
Climate & Weather
The US spans multiple climate zones from arctic Alaska to tropical Hawaii. Weather varies dramatically by region - hot summers in the South, harsh winters in the Midwest, and mild year-round climates on the West Coast.
Food & Dining
American food culture is diverse, reflecting waves of immigration. Expect large portions, strong tipping culture (15-20%), and food from every corner of the world in major cities.
Education
The US has world-renowned universities but expensive higher education. Public K-12 is free but quality varies by district. School choice and location significantly impact children's education.
Family Life
Raising a family in the US offers opportunities but also challenges like expensive childcare and limited parental leave. Family structure and support systems look different than many countries.
Questions
View allWhat health insurance options do I have as an immigrant in the USA?
What should I do in my first 30 days after arriving in the USA?
How do I build credit in the USA as a new immigrant with no credit history?
How much does it really cost to live in the USA as an immigrant?
Can my spouse work in the US if I have an H1B visa?