The United States remains one of the most popular countries to move to, thanks to a high standard of living, a strong economy, wide career opportunities and good education. There is, however, no single universal route to immigration. Each category of foreign national has its own programmes, visas and grounds for the right to live there permanently.
Some people move through an employer, some through relatives, others are granted asylum or invest in the American economy. On top of that there are special programmes for talented specialists, scientists, athletes, entrepreneurs, religious workers and people in particular occupations.
This guide brings together every main route to immigration to the United States. Each option has a short description, its main requirements, its advantages and its drawbacks. If one particular path interests you, you can go on to the detailed guide for that programme.
Immigration through work
Immigration through work is considered one of the most sought-after ways for qualified specialists to move to the United States. This path suits someone with an occupation that is in demand, work experience or high qualifications, who is ready to take a formal job with an American company. Depending on your education, your professional record and your field, there are various work and immigration programmes to use. Some of them lead to a Green Card straight away; others start with a temporary work visa and a later change of immigration status.
Most programmes require a job offer from an American employer, but there are exceptions — for example categories for specialists with outstanding achievements, or programmes that allow an immigrant visa without an employer if certain conditions are met. Immigration through work opens up wide scope for building a career, obtaining permanent status and later applying for US citizenship, but it demands careful preparation of documents and compliance with the requirements of the chosen programme.
Suits:
- programmers;
- engineers;
- doctors;
- scientists;
- teachers;
- builders;
- skilled trades;
- managers;
- designers;
- IT specialists.
The right to immigrate can be obtained through various categories of work visa and immigration programme, including EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, NIW, H-1B, O-1, L-1 and others.
👉 More: Immigration to the United States through work
Immigration through family
Family reunification is one of the main strands of American immigration policy, and it allows US citizens or Green Card holders to bring their close relatives to the country. This route suits spouses, children and parents, and in some cases brothers, sisters and other family members. Each category of relative has its own rules, waiting times and annual quotas, so the length of the process can differ a great deal.
Family immigration rests on a petition filed by the American relative, who confirms the family relationship and takes on financial obligations towards the state. Once every stage has been completed, the applicant becomes a permanent resident of the United States, with the right to work officially, to live in the country without restriction and later to apply for American citizenship. Family immigration is considered one of the most reliable and stable ways to move, provided the applicant meets the requirements.
The programme covers:
- spouses;
- parents;
- children;
- brothers and sisters;
- certain other relatives.
👉 More: Immigration through family
Immigration through marriage
Marriage to a US citizen or permanent resident is a ground for immigration status and a Green Card in its own right. Although this route belongs to family immigration, the procedure has its own features and involves a separate vetting process. The immigration authorities pay close attention to proving that the relationship is genuine, because a sham marriage entered into for immigration benefits is a breach of the law.
While the application is being considered, the couple must supply documents showing that they live together, and attend an interview at which immigration officers assess how truthful the information given is. If the marriage is accepted as genuine and all the requirements are met, the foreign spouse gains the right to live and work in the United States, and after the period set by law may apply for American citizenship.
👉 More: Marriage to a US citizen
Political asylum (Asylum)
Political asylum is a form of international protection given to foreign nationals who cannot safely return to their own country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of it. The grounds may be political views, religious beliefs, nationality, race or membership of a particular social group. Every application is considered individually, and the applicant has to back up what they say with documents, witness statements and other evidence.
Once the application has been filed, the person may stay lawfully in the United States while the case is decided. If the requirements of the law are met, the applicant can obtain a work permit, and once asylum is granted may apply for a Green Card and later become a US citizen. Political asylum remains one of the hardest, but also one of the most important, humanitarian routes to immigration for people who need international protection.
👉 More: Political asylum in the United States
Refugee status
The refugee programme is intended for people who are outside their own country and cannot return home because of a threat to their life, armed conflict, persecution or other serious circumstances. Unlike political asylum, refugee status is usually arranged before entry to the United States, through special international programmes and after thorough vetting by the American authorities.
Once permission to enter has been granted, refugees are resettled in the United States with the support of government and community organisations, which help with settling in, finding housing, learning English and finding work. A set time after arrival it becomes possible to apply for a Green Card, and then, if all the requirements are met, for US citizenship. This route is governed by separate provisions of American immigration law and by international humanitarian agreements.
👉 More: Refugee status in the United States
The Green Card lottery (DV Lottery)
The Diversity Visa Lottery, better known as the Green Card lottery, is run every year by the US government to increase the diversity of immigration. Taking part is free and open to nationals of the countries admitted to the draw. Winners get the chance to go through the immigration process and become permanent residents of the United States without needing an employer, relatives or large investments.
Although selection is random, winning does not mean a Green Card automatically. Winners must meet the requirements of the programme, file their documents on time, pass a medical examination and a consular interview, and prove their entitlement to an immigrant visa. The lottery remains one of the most accessible ways to move to the United States, but the number of winners is limited and the chance of winning depends on how many people enter and on the applicant's country of birth.
👉 More: The Green Card lottery
Immigration through investment
Immigration through investment suits foreign entrepreneurs and investors who are ready to put substantial money into the US economy and create new jobs. The best-known programme is the EB-5 category, which grants a Green Card once the investment requirements set by law are met. This route allows the investor, their spouse and their minor children to obtain the right to live permanently in the United States.
Besides meeting the financial conditions, the applicant has to prove that the money invested comes from a lawful source and that every requirement of the programme has been satisfied. Once the procedure has been completed, the investor becomes a permanent resident, and after several years may apply for American citizenship. Immigration through investment is considered one of the fastest ways to a Green Card, but it calls for substantial financial resources and careful preparation of documents.
👉 More: Immigration through investment
Immigration by starting a business
Starting your own business in the United States is one option for entrepreneurs, company owners and start-ups planning to trade on the American market. Registering a business does not in itself give any right to a Green Card, but it can be the basis for certain visa categories and can later lead to permanent resident status. This route suits experienced businesspeople and the founders of innovative projects that could benefit the US economy alike.
Depending on the structure of the business, the size of the investment and the entrepreneur's aims, various immigration programmes may be used, including visas for investors, for executives of international companies and other categories. To succeed you need a realistic business plan, proof that you have the financial resources, and compliance with American law. Handled properly, starting a business gives you not only the chance to live and work in the United States but also to grow a company in one of the world's largest markets.
👉 More: Business immigration
Immigration of talented specialists
Immigration for talented specialists is intended for people who have achieved outstanding results in their professional field and can prove a high level of qualification. These programmes are open to scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, athletes, performers, musicians, figures in the arts, teachers, engineers and other specialists whose achievements have national or international recognition. Depending on the circumstances, an applicant may take a temporary visa or apply for a Green Card straight away.
The main advantage of this route is that some categories allow you to immigrate without an employer, and that an application can be considered faster if there is convincing evidence of professional achievement. Qualifications can be proved with academic publications, international awards, patents, participation in major projects, a high income, membership of professional associations and other documents. This is considered one of the most prestigious routes to immigration to the United States, and it suits specialists who can prove their exceptional value in their chosen field.
Suits:
- athletes;
- scientists;
- performers;
- musicians;
- directors;
- entrepreneurs;
- researchers;
- specialists of world standing.
👉 More: Immigration of talent
Immigration in the national interest of the United States (NIW)
Within the EB-2 category, this allows some highly qualified specialists to obtain a Green Card without a job offer and without going through labour certification (PERM), if their professional work is of significant interest to the United States. This option suits scientists, engineers, doctors, IT specialists, entrepreneurs, researchers and other experts whose work helps develop the economy, science, healthcare, education or other strategically important fields. To have the application approved you have to prove that the applicant's work is of substantial value and will bring long-term benefit to the United States.
👉 More: EB-2 NIW
Immigration for scientists and researchers
The United States actively attracts scientists, professors and researchers able to contribute to science, technology and education. There are special immigration programmes for people from academia, giving them the right to work and later to obtain permanent resident status.
Depending on their academic record, experience and qualifications, applicants can use various visa and immigration categories, including programmes for outstanding researchers and professors. These programmes allow them to continue their academic work at leading American universities, research centres and laboratories.
👉 More: Immigration of scientists
Immigration of doctors and nurses
Doctors, nurses and other medical specialists can move to the United States under labour immigration programmes. To do so they have to prove their qualifications, meet licensing requirements and satisfy the conditions of the visa category chosen.
High demand for medical staff makes this one of the most promising routes to a job, a Green Card and later permanent residence in the United States.
👉 More: Immigration of doctors
Immigration of religious workers
Religious workers can move to the United States under special immigration programmes for clergy and for staff of non-profit religious organisations. To take part you need an invitation from a registered religious organisation in the United States and must meet the requirements set out.
Once the conditions of the programme are met, the applicant can obtain the right to work and live in the United States, and in some cases a Green Card and permanent residence.
👉 More: Immigration of religious workers
Immigration through service with international organisations
Staff of international organisations, diplomatic missions and certain intergovernmental bodies may be entitled to change their immigration status if the requirements of US law are met. Certain categories of employee have special immigration programmes and visas available to them.
Depending on the post held and the grounds for being in the country, this route can lead to a Green Card and later to US citizenship.
👉 More: Special immigration categories
Immigration under humanitarian programmes
The humanitarian programmes of the United States are intended for foreign nationals in difficult circumstances who need protection. They include various special programmes, among them Humanitarian Parole and other measures provided for by American law.
The conditions vary from programme to programme, but in some cases they allow lawful entry to the United States, the right to stay temporarily, and later a different immigration status where there are lawful grounds for it.
For example:
- Humanitarian Parole;
- programmes for particular countries;
- special acts of Congress.
👉 More: US humanitarian programmes
Immigration for victims of crime
Foreign nationals who have been the victims of certain serious crimes or of human trafficking in the United States may qualify for the special humanitarian visas U Visa and T Visa. These programmes protect victims who cooperate with law enforcement in the investigation of crimes, and if the requirements are met they can become the basis for a Green Card later on.
👉 More: U Visa and T Visa
Immigration under the SIJ programme
The programme is intended for foreign minors who have suffered abuse, have been left without parental care, or cannot safely return to the country they come from. If the requirements of the programme are met, children and teenagers can obtain a special immigration status and then a Green Card.
👉 More: Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ)
Which routes lead to a Green Card straight away
These programmes include:
- EB-1;
- EB-2;
- EB-3;
- EB-4;
- EB-5;
- family immigration;
- winning the Green Card lottery;
- refugee status (once the requirements of the law are met);
- political asylum (after the set period);
- certain special immigration categories.
Which routes need no employer
If you have no job offer, you can consider:
- the Green Card lottery;
- political asylum;
- immigration through investment;
- family immigration;
- EB-2 NIW;
- EB-1A;
- marriage to a US citizen;
- humanitarian programmes.
Which routes work without large investments
The most accessible are considered to be:
- the Green Card lottery;
- family immigration;
- asylum;
- marriage;
- work visas;
- EB-2 NIW;
- study with a later change of status.
Routes that do NOT give any right to immigrate
It is important to understand that some widespread beliefs do not match American law. On their own, these are not grounds for a Green Card:
- a B1/B2 tourist visa;
- buying property;
- having a child in the United States;
- renting a home;
- opening a bank account;
- buying a car;
- a long stay on a tourist visa;
- studying without a later change of immigration status.
How to choose the right routeThe choice depends on several things at once:
- education;
- occupation;
- work experience;
- income;
- having relatives in the United States;
- knowledge of English;
- financial means;
- marital status;
- age;
- the purpose of the move.
There is no universal option that suits everyone. That is exactly why, before you start on the paperwork, it is worth studying the requirements of each programme and choosing the path that fits your own situation best.
End of the article.
All guides →
