Loading...
Loading...
Employer-sponsored visa for specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor degree equivalent. Subject to an annual lottery cap (65,000 regular + 20,000 US-master holders); demand far exceeds supply, making selection highly competitive.
For managers, executives, or specialized knowledge workers transferring within a multinational company. Requires at least 1 year of employment with the foreign entity in the past 3 years; no annual cap.
For individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, evidenced by sustained national or international acclaim. Employer or agent must petition on behalf of the applicant.
Permanent residency through investment of USD 1.05M (or USD 800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area) and creating at least 10 full-time US jobs. Long wait times for applicants from China and India due to per-country visa limits.
The United States has a complex immigration system with employment-based green cards, family-based green cards, and non-immigrant work visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN). The H-1B visa for skilled workers is heavily oversubscribed and allocated by annual lottery, creating significant uncertainty. Pathways to permanent residency (green card) exist but can take many years, particularly for nationals of countries with high demand like India and China.
The H-1B visa requires employer sponsorship and is subject to an annual cap of 85,000 with lottery selection. The L-1 (intracompany transferee) and O-1 (extraordinary ability) visas have no caps. The TN visa is available for Canadian and Mexican professionals under USMCA. Employer-sponsored green cards (EB-2, EB-3) are available but wait times can exceed 10 years for some nationalities.
H-4 visas are available for spouses and unmarried children under 21 of H-1B holders. Spouses of L-1 visa holders (L-2) automatically have work authorization. Immediate relatives of US citizens receive priority green card processing, while other family categories have annual quotas and long wait times. The K-1 fiance visa allows marriage and adjustment of status within 90 days.
The United States taxes citizens and permanent residents on worldwide income regardless of where they live, at federal rates from 10% to 37%. Expats can claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (up to $126,500 in 2024) and Foreign Tax Credits. State income taxes vary from 0% (Texas, Florida) to 13.3% (California). The US has tax treaties with about 68 countries but retains the right to tax its own citizens and green card holders.
There is no universal public healthcare in the US. Most working expats receive employer-sponsored health insurance, which is essential given the very high cost of medical care. Marketplace plans are available via Healthcare.gov. Without insurance, a single hospital visit can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Major insurers include UnitedHealthcare, BlueCross BlueShield, and Aetna.
Opening a US bank account typically requires a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Major banks include Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank. Some banks offer accounts without SSN using passport and visa. Online banks like Wise and Revolut are useful for international transfers. FATCA compliance means the US reports expat financial accounts to foreign governments.
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers a green card for investments of $800,000 in Targeted Employment Areas (TEA) or $1,050,000 in non-TEA locations, creating at least 10 full-time jobs. Regional Center programs pool investments into larger projects. Wait times for EB-5 visas vary by country. The E-2 Treaty Investor visa allows long-term residence for substantial investors from treaty countries but does not directly lead to a green card.
| Program | Min. Investment | Residency | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-5 Investor Visa (TEA) | $800k+ | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| EB-5 Investor Visa (Non-TEA) | $1050k+ | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| E-2 Treaty Investor Visa | $100k+ | ✓ Yes | No |