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🇺🇸 Moving to the USA: what you actually need to know
Moving to the USA is one of the most complex immigration processes in the world. The H-1B lottery, employer sponsorship requirements, and green card backlogs mean the process often takes years longer than people expect. Understanding the full timeline before committing is essential.
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Quick facts
Main visa typesH-1B, O-1A, TN (Canada/Mexico), E-3 (Australia)
H-1B lottery oddsApproximately 25–30% selection rate in recent years
Monthly cost (mid-range)$3,500–7,000 in major cities
English accessibilityEnglish is the primary language
Difficulty5 / 5
Visa routes
Your main options for moving to the USA
H-1B: Specialty Occupation
The most common work visa for skilled professionals. Requires a US employer sponsor, a specialty occupation (degree-level role), and selection in the annual lottery. The cap is 65,000 visas plus 20,000 for US master's degree holders. Registration opens in March each year for an October 1 start date.
O-1A: Extraordinary Ability
For people with extraordinary achievement in science, education, business, or athletics. No annual cap, no lottery. Requires extensive documentation of recognition in your field: awards, publications, high salary, media coverage, or critical role in distinguished organisations. Processed in 2–4 months (2–3 weeks with premium processing).
TN Visa. Canadians and Mexicans
Available under the USMCA (formerly NAFTA) for Canadian and Mexican nationals in specific professional categories. Canadians apply at the port of entry (same-day processing). Mexicans apply at a US consulate. No annual cap or lottery.
E-3: Australian Nationals
Available exclusively to Australian citizens in specialty occupations. Similar to H-1B but with its own annual cap of 10,500: rarely exhausted. No lottery. Processing takes 4–8 weeks at a US consulate.
EB-1A: Green Card for Extraordinary Ability
Employment-based green card for people with extraordinary ability: no employer sponsor required (self-petition). Same standard as O-1A but for permanent residence. No waiting list for most nationalities (except India and China where backlogs are severe).
Cost of living
What it actually costs to live in the USA
New York City / San Francisco
$4,500–7,000/month
Rent for a 1-bed: $2,800–4,500. Health insurance (employer-sponsored): $200–500/month employee contribution. The highest cost-of-living cities in the country.
Austin / Denver / Seattle
$3,000–5,000/month
Rent for a 1-bed: $1,800–2,800. Major tech employment hubs with lower costs than NYC/SF. No state income tax in Texas and Washington.
Chicago / Atlanta / Phoenix
$2,500–4,000/month
Rent for a 1-bed: $1,400–2,400. Established professional markets with more affordable housing. Strong healthcare and finance sectors.
Key steps
What to do and in what order
1
Secure an employer willing to sponsor you
Most US work visas require employer sponsorship: and most employers avoid it due to cost and complexity. Focus your job search on companies with existing H-1B sponsorship history. Check the H-1B employer database on USCIS data.
2
Understand your visa timeline
H-1B requires lottery registration in March for an October start: a 7-month wait minimum. O-1A can be filed any time with 2–4 month processing (faster with premium). Plan your move date around your specific visa route.
3
Apply for a Social Security Number
After arriving, apply at a Social Security Administration office. Required for employment, tax, and most banking. Processing takes 2–4 weeks.
4
Get health insurance sorted immediately
The US has no national healthcare system. If your employer does not provide insurance on day one, you are uninsured. Understand your employer's waiting period and have emergency coverage in place from the day you arrive.
5
File your first US tax return
As a visa holder working in the US, you are required to file a federal tax return by April 15 each year. Most states also have a state income tax return. Consider using a tax professional for your first year: the rules for new arrivals are different from established residents.
Common mistake
The single most costly mistake is not understanding green card timelines before accepting a role. For Indian nationals on H-1B, the employment-based green card backlog is currently 50–100+ years due to per-country caps. Many people spend their entire careers on H-1B without achieving permanent residence. Research your nationality's green card wait time before committing to the H-1B path.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about moving to the USA
What are the odds of winning the H-1B lottery?
In recent years: approximately 25–30% selection rate in the general pool, slightly higher for US master's degree holders who enter both the master's cap (20,000) and then the general cap (65,000). Odds vary by year based on the number of registrations received.
Can I move to the USA without an employer sponsor?
For most employment-based routes, yes: employer sponsorship is required. Exceptions: O-1A (extraordinary ability, self-petition possible), EB-1A green card (self-petition for extraordinary ability), and investor visas (E-2, EB-5). There is no general skilled worker route without employer involvement.
What is the difference between an H-1B visa and a green card?
The H-1B is a temporary non-immigrant work visa (3 years, extendable to 6 and beyond while a green card is pending). A green card is permanent residence: the right to live and work in the US indefinitely without employer restrictions. Most people pursue the green card while working on H-1B.
How long does it take to get a US green card?
Depends heavily on your nationality and category. For most nationalities on the EB-2 or EB-3 path via employer sponsorship: 2–5 years. For Indian nationals: 50+ years due to per-country backlogs (this is not a typo). For EB-1A (extraordinary ability): no backlog for most nationalities, 6–18 months total.
What is premium processing for US visas?
Premium processing is an optional USCIS service that guarantees a decision on certain petition types within 15 business days. The fee is approximately $2,805 (2026 rates). It does not increase the likelihood of approval: only the speed of processing. Widely used for H-1B, O-1, and L-1 petitions.
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