Considering Emigrating To The US? Here’s What You Need To Know

By Melody Schubert @USATM

The United States has historically been a popular destination for people looking to emigrate. In fact, it welcomes more immigrants annually than any other country. There are a number of reasons that the United States is such a sought-after destination. For many people, the United States offers greater economic opportunities than the countries of their birth, so they emigrate seeking to earn a better wage than they otherwise could. For others, the allure is the result of the global reach and influence of American culture. Around the world, there are children who speak no English but can identify prominent actors with ease.Whatever the reasons, millions of people choose the United States as their adopted home every year. Some stay for a relatively short amount of time and then return home or move on elsewhere; others begin the long journey towards citizenship.In this article, we take a look at what you need to know before initiating the process, from preparing to leave your home nation to arriving in the United States, and everything that is required to obtain residency and emigrate.Immigrant VisaThis is the first and most important thing that you will require to emigrate to the United States legally. There are a couple of different types of visa, each of which is used for different circumstances. You should consult with the nearest US embassy for iron-clad advice as to what forms and visas you need. Usually, these will be family or work visas.If you are immigrating as an investor, via the Immigrant Investment Program, then you must invest between $500,000 to $1 million in any new commercial enterprise in the US, depending on where the project you are investing in is located. For some investors, this requirement is prohibitive. However,businesses can apply for EB5 Funding through groups such as Hirson ImmigrationFamilyOne of the more complex aspects of the immigration process is how it will affect your family. There are a number of rules and regulations that anyone contemplating emigration needs to be aware of, but there is also some leeway in exceptional circumstances. If you think this applies to you then consult with the US embassyAny US citizen is entitled to file an immigrant visa petition on behalf of a spouse, son or daughter, parent, or sibling. A green card holder (officially known asa ‘US lawful permanent resident’) may file a petition on behalf of a spouse or their children, providing that the child is unmarried.EmploymentTo emigrate on employment groundsyou will need to find a business in the United States that is willing to sponsor you If you are qualified in certain fields then you can sponsor yourself. Your sponsor will need to meet the necessary financial requirementsFor some types of work, the number of visas that are granted every year is capped at a certain level to avoid a sudden influx that could disrupt the job market.Emigrating to the US is a long process and it can seem like a complex and daunting one at first. The reward is, however,worth it