Immigration to the USA

The United States is a nation of immigrants. The developed economy, eclectic culture and the cult of freedom attract millions of tourists and migrants from all over the world every year.

According to the Yearbook of Immigration Statistics of the US Department of Homeland Security, you can track how many foreigners received permanent residence (green card) in the States from 1820 to the present day. And, admittedly, over two centuries the spread of figures is gigantic: from 8.3 thousand in 1820 to almost 1.1 million people in 2018. At the same time, since 2004 the figure has been in the range between 950,000 and 1.27 million migrants, rarely falling below the million mark.

What is the secret of the international attractiveness of the United States as an immigration destination? Let's look at the reasons…

Ask for advice

Contents:

Why moving to the US?

Moving to America is based on the same reasons as moving to any other country: looking for career opportunities, trying to improve your standard of living and well-being, reuniting with your family, or the prospect of a comfortable life in retirement.

  1. Standards of Living

    The comparable situation in America offers a higher standard of living compared to many countries. If a foreigner manages to find a job at the same level as at home, then the welfare after immigration will only increase.

    Although it is difficult to find a job for a foreigner, even the position of a handyman or an ordinary specialist in the service sector opens up access to travel, new household appliances, a car on credit and a rented apartment in a decent area.

  2. Moderate Laws for Business

    You can create a legal entity in America online in half an hour. At the same time, business loans for small companies (staff up to 500 people) are issued at a minimum interest rate.

    For example, under the special small business support program of the Office of Small Business Affairs (SBA), you can get a loan of up to $10 million at 1% per annum. Although this program was introduced in 2020 as a package of measures to stabilize the American economy in connection with the coronacrisis, the fact remains that you can barely get a business development loan at this rate in other places.

  3. Bureaucracy without bribes

    Even those who were born in the USSR are sometimes horrified by the meticulousness of local officials and respect for references for references. Although it is easy and simple to open a legal entity, further activities without special consultants may run into fines and sanctions. This is why businesses and individuals turn to accountants and consultants every year to file their tax returns.

    On the other hand, justice and registration of licenses and permits are carried out without bribes. The system is quite complex for a foreigner, but it is quite transparent. The required document is always sent by mail within three days with minimal risk of being lost during the forwarding process.

  4. A good country for the young and ambitious

    For those who like to work and achieve their goals, the United States is almost perfect. You can study in the States at a prestigious university like MIT, Stanford, Harvard, the California Institute of Technology and others.

    And for talented professionals, such as scientists and IT workers, there are options for the most modern public and private companies that are ready to provide proven employees with everything they need to create and implement the brightest ideas.

  5. Democracy

    The political system does not work perfectly there, but democratic processes ensure a change of power, and an independent judicial system, coupled with a system of checks and balances, work quite clearly.

  6. Goodwill

    The famous American smile is not much feigned gaiety as a demonstration of respect for each other. For the most part, US citizens are very scrupulous about the inviolability of personal borders and manifestations of negativity. Foreigners will have to deal with unmotivated aggression in American society less often, and it is easier to get help or start a conversation with a stranger.

  7. Proper retirement

    In the United States, despite the high debt burden of the population (in 2018, the amount of debt of American citizens on loans reached a record $13.5 billion), many manage to follow the advice of experts from consulting companies and save enough money for life after retirement. The culture of financial management and investment is much higher than in many other countries, and not only millionaires and financial gurus can boast a balanced investment portfolio.

Visa Types

There are many types and subtypes of visas in the American Immigration Law, but the most important thing to know about the current system is the division of visas into immigration and nonimmigration. The first ones lead to obtaining a green card (permanent residence) and citizenship, while the second ones do not automatically assume such options.

On the other hand, nonimmigrant visa holders have:

  • the right to extend the current visa while maintaining the grounds (not all types of nonimmigrant visas apply);
  • the right to apply for an immigration visa if there is an appropriate reason.

There are two types of visas in the American law. The nonimmigration ones they can be valid for a year or more, extended an unlimited number of times, but their owners will not be able to obtain citizenship in the future. The immigration ones are an opening to the way to an American passport.

Nonimmigrant visas in the United States

Athlete's visa to attend competitions (amateur, professional) B-1
Visa for visitors on exchange programs (students, scientists, employees) J
Visa for business visitors (short-term business trips) B-1
Visa for crew members (flight attendants, pilots) D
Visa for domestic help workers (housekeeper, babysitter) B-1
Visa for foreign citizens with extraordinary abilities in the field of science, art, education, business or sports O
Visa for participants of the international cultural exchange program Q
Visa for entrepreneurs, specialists and managers (more often as part of the transfer of employees from a foreign company to an American branch) L
Visa for medical treatment in the USA B-2
Visa for a media representative I
Visa for performing athletes, artists, performers P
Visa for highly specialized personnel H-1B
Visa for religious leaders and employees R
Student visa F, M
Visa for seasonal agricultural workers H-2A
Visa for other seasonal workers H-2B
Tourist visa B-2
Internships and training in a non-employment-oriented program H-3
Investor visa E
Transit visa C
Humanitarian visa for victims of criminal activity U
Humanitarian visa for victims of human trafficking T
Visa for the spouse and children of a permanent resident of the United States V

Immigration visas in the United States

Visa for the spouse of a US citizen IR1, CR1, K-3
Fiancé Visa K-1
Visa for orphaned children adopted by US citizens IR3, IH3, IR4, IH4
Visa for a relative of a US citizen IR2, CR2, IR5, F1, F3, F4
Visa for a relative of a permanent resident of the United States F2A, F2B

Work visa:

  • for priority specialists;
  • for highly qualified professionals or individuals with extraordinary abilities;
  • for professionals and other professionals;
  • for businesspeople who create jobs;
  • for some special groups of immigrant workers.
Visa for employees of religious organizations SD, SR
Visa for immigrants from different countries DV
Visa for those who return the status of a permanent resident of the United States SB

Sourse: Bureau of Consular Affairs

The most popular immigration programs of the United States of America

Immigration Visas. Green Card

Win a green card in the lottery

The annual state lottery (Diversity Visa Lottery), which allows you to win a green card for ten years, is held among adult citizens of countries that are not leaders in the flow of immigrants to the States. The second condition is completed secondary education or two years of work experience in a qualified specialty.

The chance to get a green card is 1%, while the annual visa limit for the draw is 50 thousand. You can participate in the lottery through the official website for free. Registration of participants in 2020 started on October 2.

Work

First of all, the States are interested in talented and in-demand specialists. These often include people in the STEM field (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), sports and artworkers.

The main type of working immigration visa is in the Group E:

  • EB-1A is suitable for talented professionals-experts in the arts, education, science, business or sports;
  • EB-1B is issued to scientists and educators with high academic achievements (professors, researchers);
  • EB-1C – managers and top managers with international experience;
  • EB-2 – outstanding professionals with a good education who will serve the national interests of the United States;
  • EB-3 – other professionals, highly qualified employees and unskilled employees.

The EB-1 immigration program is designed for talented professionals in the fields of science, arts and sports, as well as directors and managers of international companies. This option of business immigration is suitable for foreigners who purchase ready-made companies in America.

The EB-1 program is ideal for those who are going to immigrate to the United States on the basis of their professional demand or for doing business. After five years of residence in the country, participants in this program are eligible to obtain American citizenship.

Applicants for EB-1A and EB-1B visas (if they meet at least three out of the ten extraordinary criteria) may not even be looking for an American employer or project. The main thing is to engage in the same activities in the United States that you have achieved recognition for.

EB-1C is often obtained by managers on the basis of a valid l-1A visa. But you can submit a package of documents immediately for an EB-1C immigration visa. Under this visa, international companies send top managers to their American division for permanent residence.

Instructions for issuing a green card under the EB-1 program for businessmen, managers, scientists, artists and athletes

Investment

EB-5 is an immigration visa for investors and businessmen. This is probably the most reliable way to immigrate to the States. It gives investors and their family members the opportunity to apply for a long-term immigration visa (a green card), and in five years for American citizenship. The risk of rejection in this case is the lowest. The main requirement is to invest your capital in the US. We are talking about amounts from $900 thousand.

Instructions for applying for an EB-5 investor visa

Family connection

For those who are relatives of a permanent resident of the United States or a holder of an American passport, there are a number of visas that you can use to move to the States. But, firstly, visas apply only to certain groups of relatives, and secondly, the waiting time for a green card response for some categories of relatives has reached 20 years and continues to grow.

F, IR, CR, IH visas apply only to close relatives:

  • spouses;
  • parents;
  • unmarried children (under 21 years of age);
  • orphans adopted by US citizens;
  • brothers and sisters of American citizens;
  • unmarried adult children of permanent residents of the United States.

The main thing in the procedure for obtaining an immigration family visa is to submit an I-130 petition and prove a family relationship.

Another visa (K-1) is intended for brides and grooms from abroad. Initially, it refers to non-immigrant visas, but it serves the purpose of immigration, so it is listed in the list of visas that lead to the registration of a green card and citizenship.

Applicants will have to prove their relationship, and for a fictitious marriage they can face at least deportation and maximum of five years in prison or a fine of $250 thousand. Therefore, you must carefully prepare for the interview so as not to arouse suspicion in the Consulate.

Return of a permanent resident status

The SB-1 visa is intended for those who had the status of a permanent resident of the United States (permanent residence), but left the country for more than a year. It is necessary to pass two interviews and prove that at the time of departure abroad, the applicant had American permanent residence, but could not return due to circumstances beyond their control.

Nonimmigrant Visas

Work

A tempting option to move is a working long-term visa "double intention" H-1B. This is a nonimmigrant visa that may or may not result in a green card. It all depends on whether you can convince your employer that they need you during your stay in the United States. It is the employer who decides whether a new employee should apply for a green card and file a petition with USCIS.

The second method is an internal transfer of a specialist or Manager to an American office on an L-1 visa. Formally, you can also transfer the head of the Corporation, but offices in other countries still need to be maintained in working order before switching to an immigration visa.

Businesspeople, managers, and valuable professionals move to the United States on an L-1 nonimmigrant work visa. Most often, it is issued when transferring employees and managers to the American branch of an international company or when you need to open a division in the United States. The main requirement for applicants is high qualification and work experience abroad.

The main advantage of the program is the speed of review (from a few days to two months), and the disadvantages are the limited validity period and non – immigrant status. That is, it does not automatically lead to permanent residence in the United States and an American passport L-1, and you can stay in the States with this visa for no more than seven years.

Instructions for applying for a long-term visa to the United States for businessmen, managers and valuable specialists L-1

Moving to the United States on an O-1 visa is suitable for those who can prove their outstanding professional achievements. It is usually in demand among businessmen and workers in the arts, science or sports. The obvious advantages of the program are the speed of registration and the lack of quotas. On the other hand, you get a non-immigrant status.

Instructions for obtaining an O-1 work visa

By the end of 2020, many working American visas have become unavailable to migrants around the world:

  • H-1B for qualified specialists (including scientists and IT workers);
  • H-2B for seasonal workers;
  • L-1 for highly qualified managers and businessmen;
  • J-1 for participants of exchange programs (teachers, students, employees).

Investment

The E-2 nonimmigrant long-term visa is intended for investors and entrepreneurs. The program is suitable for those who plan to do business in the United States, but do not want move to the country permanently. At the same time, the entry threshold, according to the experience of immigration lawyers, is relatively low - $100 thousand.

Instructions for obtaining a long-term visa for investors and entrepreneurs E-2

Extension of a Permanent Resident Status

In order to get a conditional green card for the first time, you need to apply for an immigration visa and permanent residence. The privileged status of a permanent resident also makes its own adjustments to the applicant's lifestyle: it is forbidden to spend more than six months a year abroad.

At the end of the two-year period, the conditional status is removed, and the resident receives a ten-year green card and permanent resident status.

A conditional permanent resident who receives this status on a family basis submits form I-751 90 days before the card expires. An investor/entrepreneur with the same status fills out a petition on form I-829.

Citizenship

Even before the end of the ten-year permanent residence period, you can apply for American citizenship. It is enough for a resident to live in the United States for five years, observing all the conditions for maintaining their status, since it is necessary to confirm that the applicant for a passport has spent more than 30 months in the States during the five-year period.

The accelerated procedure for obtaining citizenship can pass the spouses of Americans. They have the right to obtain citizenship by naturalization after three years in the status of a permanent resident.


Immigration programs to the USA

USA
Immigrant Investor Program - EB-5
Residence permit For 31 months
from 900 000 $
USA
Employment Based Immigration for Permanent Workers EB-1
Permanent residence For 8 months
from 5 000 $
USA
O-1 Visa for Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
Residence permit For 3 months
from 5 000 $
USA
L-1 Visa Intracompany Transferee Executive, Manager or Specialized Knowledge
Residence permit For 2 months
from 5 000 $
USA
Employment-Based Second Preference Immigrant Visa EB-2
Permanent residence For 1 month
from 5 000 $
USA
Treaty Investor Visa E-2
Residence permit For 4 months
from 100 000 $

Companies working with immigration programs to the USA

Would you like to get advice on immigration?

Fill the form that will be passed to immigration advisors and partners of Prian.info

Fill the form
Ask for advice