Moving to the United States: work visas and green cards
Updated June 2026
The US has the highest ceiling and the longest queues. Most work routes are employer-driven, annually capped, and measured in years rather than months.
Quick answer
This guide covers 3 main routes into United States for work or residence. The primary one is the H-1B specialty occupation route, with a processing time of Lottery in March, work starts in October. A one-bedroom in central New York costs about $3,800 a month, against an average net salary of $4,700. The requirements, fees and timings below are a snapshot reviewed on June 2026 — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is the authority that decides.
At a glance
Rent, 1-bedroom (centre) — New York
$3,800
Average net salary — United States
$4,700
Processing time — H-1B specialty occupation
Lottery in March, work starts in October
There is no points system and no general skilled-worker visa. You need either an employer willing to petition for you, an extraordinary-ability case you can file yourself, or luck in the Diversity Visa lottery. Plan around the H-1B registration window each March.
Main visa routes
H-1B specialty occupation
Degree holders in specialty roles whose employer registers them in the annual lottery.
EB-2 / EB-3 employment green card
Skilled workers and professionals sponsored for permanent residence, usually after labour certification.
EB-1A / O-1 extraordinary ability
Applicants with awards, publications, press coverage or comparable evidence — you can self-petition for EB-1A.
What you need
- Employer petition (Form I-129 or I-140) unless self-petitioning
- Credential evaluation showing US degree equivalency
- DS-160 form and consular interview at the US embassy
- Medical examination by an embassy-approved panel physician
- Police certificates for immigrant visa applications
- Proof the offered wage meets the prevailing wage determination
Residency & legal framework
Permanent residency
A green card is permanent residence. Employment-based categories (EB-2, EB-3) require employer sponsorship and, usually, labour certification. Waiting times depend on your country of birth — applicants born in India or China face queues measured in years or decades.
Citizenship
Five years as a permanent resident, or three if married to a US citizen, plus an English and civics test. The United States permits dual nationality.
Legal rights
- Dual nationality is permitted.
- H-1B status is tied to your employer; changing jobs requires a transfer petition.
- H-4 spouses can work only in limited circumstances, unlike most countries.
- Children born in the US are citizens by birth regardless of parents' status.
Labour law essentials
- There is no federal statutory paid annual leave — holidays are employer discretion.
- Most employment is at-will and can be ended without cause or notice.
- Health insurance is usually tied to your employer, which raises the cost of losing a job.
- Labour standards vary widely by state, more than in any other destination here.
Cost of living breakdown
Monthly averages for one person in New York, in US dollars.
| Category | Per month |
|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bedroom (centre) | $3,800 |
| Rent, 1-bedroom (outside centre) | $2,600 |
| Groceries | $450 |
| Utilities | $180 |
| Health insurance | $560 |
| Public transport pass | $130 |
| Internet | $65 |
| Core monthly total | $5,185 |
Job market & qualifications
High-demand industries
- Technology, from the Bay Area to Seattle, Austin and New York
- Healthcare, with sustained nationwide nursing shortages
- Finance and professional services
- Research, biotech and higher education
- Engineering and advanced manufacturing
Degree recognition
There is no central recognition body. Private credential evaluators (WES, ECE) produce the assessments employers and universities expect. Nurses take the NCLEX-RN and license state by state; doctors need ECFMG certification and a US residency; engineers license through state boards. Licensing is per-state, so moving can mean re-licensing.
Average wages
Salaries are the highest here of any destination in this guide. Software engineers earn USD 110,000–185,000, registered nurses USD 75,000–110,000. Set against that: health insurance premiums, deductibles, and childcare and education costs that are public services elsewhere.
Life quality: pros & cons
Housing market
Costs vary more within the US than between most countries. San Francisco and New York are extreme; much of the Midwest and South is affordable on the same salary. Landlords typically want credit history, which new arrivals do not have — expect to pay a larger deposit instead.
Language requirements
English throughout. No formal language test applies to work visas, though the naturalisation test includes English.
Integration tips
Apply for a Social Security Number immediately; banking, credit and employment all depend on it. Understand your employer's health plan before you start — deductibles and networks vary enormously and a serious illness without good cover is financially dangerous.
What works
- The highest salaries and deepest specialist job markets available.
- Dual nationality permitted and birthright citizenship for children.
- World-leading research institutions and career ceilings.
- Enormous internal variety in cost of living and lifestyle.
What to weigh
- The H-1B lottery makes the main work route a matter of chance.
- Green card queues run years or decades for some countries of birth.
- Healthcare costs and employer-tied insurance are a structural risk.
- No statutory paid leave and at-will employment.
Photo credits
- New York — Martin Dürrschnabel (Martin-D1 of de.wikipedia.org), Public domain
In-demand jobs here
- Software engineer
- Registered nurse
Compare living costs with your country
Other guides in North America
Compare visa routes and living costs across the region.
This is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm details with the official immigration authority before applying.