Moving to the USA
Moving to the United States starts with immigration status, not with housing or flights. Almost everything else depends on it: whether you can work, how long you can stay, and whether you can get a Social Security number, a driver's license, or health coverage. This guide walks through the main routes, then the practical order of things once you arrive.
This page provides general information only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. US immigration policy changed repeatedly in 2025 and 2026, and several measures are being fought in court. Figures were checked in October 2026. Consult an immigration attorney about your own case.
Step 1: Find Your Legal Route
You cannot simply move to the US and sort out your status later. A visit on an ESTA is limited to 90 days, cannot be extended, and does not allow work. To live here, you need a visa that fits your purpose, or permanent residence.
| Route | Main options | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Work | H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-2, TN | Usually an employer sponsor; E-2 requires an investment and treaty nationality |
| Study or exchange | F-1, J-1, M-1 | Admission to an approved school or program, proof of funds |
| Family | Green card, K-1 fiancé(e) visa | A qualifying US citizen or permanent resident relative |
| Employment-based immigration | EB-1 to EB-5 green cards | Usually an employer, sometimes self-petition or major investment |
| Humanitarian | Asylum, refugee status | Separate rules, recently much tightened |
Read US visas explained for temporary categories, and the green card guide for permanent residence. If you are coming for a job or a degree, see working in the USA or studying in the USA. A green card can lead to citizenship, generally after 5 years, or 3 if you are married to and living with a US citizen.
What Changed Recently
- Travel restrictions: a presidential proclamation limits entry for nationals of 39 countries. A separate pause on immigrant visas for 75 countries was ended by a court order in August 2026.
- Diversity visa lottery: registration for DV-2027 had not opened as of October 31, 2026, after an appeals court put on hold an order requiring it. Do not pay any website that promises entry.
- H-1B: selection now favors higher wages, and a $100,000 payment was blocked in court but remains under appeal.
- Visa interviews: most applicants must now attend in person, usually in their country of nationality or residence, so plan for longer waits.
Step 2: Plan Your Budget
A common target is 3 to 6 months of expenses in savings, plus moving costs. You will pay a large sum upfront for housing and may have no credit history. These rough single-person monthly figures are explained in our cost of living guide.
| Item | Monthly range |
|---|---|
| Rent, 1 bedroom | $1,000-$4,500 depending on city |
| Utilities and internet | $150-$300 |
| Groceries | $300-$500 |
| Car, or transit pass | $550-$1,000, or $90-$150 |
| Health insurance (employee share, or unsubsidized) | $100-$800 |
| Rough total | $2,000-$6,000 |
Step 3: Before You Leave
- Check that your passport and visa are valid and that the name matches everywhere.
- Gather originals of birth and marriage certificates, diplomas, and vaccination records, with translations if needed.
- Buy travel medical cover for the gap before your US insurance starts.
- Ask your insurer and bank for letters documenting your driving and payment history. Some US companies will consider them.
- Ask for your children's school records. The US school system is organized by local district, so your address decides the public school.
- Learn your foreign account reporting duties if you will become a US tax resident.
Step 4: Your First Weeks in the US
Tasks depend on one another, so their order matters. A reasonable sequence:
- Save your I-94 record from the CBP website. It proves your status and how long you can stay.
- Get a US phone number. A prepaid plan or eSIM needs no SSN or credit check.
- Arrange temporary housing for a few weeks while you visit neighborhoods.
- Apply for a Social Security number if your status allows work. The application is free. See our SSN guide.
- Open a bank account. Requirements vary; see banking and credit score.
- Sign a lease. See below.
- Enroll in health insurance within your employer's deadline, often 30 days from your start date.
- Get a state license and car insurance. See our driving guide.
Housing
Most leases run 12 months. Landlords typically want income of about 3 times the rent, a credit check, and a deposit of 1 to 2 months, sometimes with the first and last month's rent upfront. With no US credit history, expect to offer an employment letter, bank statements, a larger deposit where allowed, or a guarantor. Rentals are usually unfurnished, and utilities are often extra. Before you buy, read our real estate guide.
Healthcare
There is no universal public system, so plan coverage before you arrive. Most workers get insurance through an employer. Others use an ACA marketplace plan, though subsidy eligibility for many lawfully present immigrants narrows from 2027. Costs can be severe without coverage: a simple emergency visit can run into the thousands of dollars. See how US healthcare works.
Getting Around
Outside a handful of dense cities such as New York, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, you will probably need a car. Each state issues its own license, and new residents must generally switch within a set period. See our guide to transportation in the USA.
Taxes and Long-Term Planning
US tax residents report worldwide income, and foreign accounts can trigger extra filings. The federal return is normally due April 15. Federal rates run from 10% to 37%, and state income tax ranges from 0% in nine states to over 13% at the top rate in California. Our tax guide covers the details. If you may stay long term, read our retirement guide early, because 401(k) matches and Social Security credits build from your first year.
Frequently asked questions
Can I move to the USA without a job?
Only with a route that does not need one, such as family sponsorship, study, or investment. Most long-term visas depend on an employer, and neither ESTA nor a tourist visa lets you settle.
How long does it take to move to the US?
It varies from a few months to many years. Intracompany transfers and student visas can be relatively quick. Some family and employment green card categories have multi-year backlogs.
How much money do I need to move?
There is no single figure, but a common target is 3 to 6 months of expenses plus moving costs. Expect to pay several thousand dollars just to start a lease in a major city.
Can I open a bank account before I have an SSN?
Often yes. Some banks accept a passport with a second ID, or an ITIN, while others insist on an SSN. Options widen once you have one.
Do I need to speak English?
There is no general language rule for a visa, but practical life and most jobs require it. Student programs usually test it, and naturalization includes an English test with limited exemptions.
Immigration and tax laws change often. This page is general information, not legal advice; check USCIS, the State Department, the IRS, and a qualified professional.
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