United States
United States of America · Capital: Washington, D.C.
The United States remains the single largest destination for skilled migrants, with deep demand in technology, healthcare and research. Employment-based green cards and specialty-occupation visas dominate, but per-country caps create long waits for some nationalities.
Migration statistics
Who is arriving
Top source countries and the make-up of recent arrivals into United States.
Policy overview
9 visa routes into United States
Eligibility, fees, processing times and whether each route leads to permanent residence.
H-1B
Employer-sponsored visa for roles requiring a specialised bachelor's degree, subject to an annual cap filled by a wage-weighted selection since FY2027. A proclamation of 19 September 2025 set a USD 100,000 payment on new petitions for beneficiaries outside the US, but a federal court vacated the implementing guidance on 8 June 2026 (California v. Mullin) and the First Circuit refused a stay on 24 July 2026, so USCIS is not collecting it while that order stands. A proclamation of 18 September 2026 extends the policy to 21 September 2027 and is contested.
Eligibility
- Job offer in a specialty occupation
- Relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent
- Employer files the petition (USD 215 registration fee)
- Prevailing-wage compliance
- Registrations weighted by wage level since 27 February 2026
- Optional premium processing USD 2,965 (from 1 March 2026)
Document checklist (11 items)
Core
Professional
Background
O-1
For individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, business or athletics. No lottery, no annual cap.
Eligibility
- Sustained national/international acclaim
- Evidence across 3+ criteria
- US agent or employer
- Advisory opinion from a peer body
Document checklist (8 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
L-1
Transfers managers, executives or specialised-knowledge staff from an overseas office to a US branch.
Eligibility
- 1 year of employment abroad in the last 3
- Qualifying corporate relationship
- Managerial, executive or specialised-knowledge role
Document checklist (8 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
EB-2 National Interest Waiver
Permanent residencyEB-2 NIW
Green card for advanced-degree professionals whose work is in the US national interest, no employer sponsor required.
Eligibility
- Advanced degree or exceptional ability
- Endeavour of national importance
- Well-positioned to advance it
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
EB-5 Immigrant Investor
InvestorEB-5
Permanent residency for investors who create or preserve 10+ US jobs through a qualifying investment.
Eligibility
- Invest $800K (targeted area) or $1.05M
- Create 10 full-time jobs
- Lawful source of funds
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Gold Card (EB-1/EB-2 via gift)
InvestorGold Card
Green-card route created by Executive Order 14351 and launched on 10 December 2025: an unrestricted gift to the Department of Commerce is treated as evidence for EB-1 or an EB-2 national interest waiver. The gift is not an investment and is not returned. Lawsuits challenging the programme are pending.
Eligibility
- USD 1,000,000 gift (USD 2,000,000 if a corporation pays for an employee)
- Form I-140G filed online after an invitation, USD 15,000 fee per applicant
- Lawful source of funds and standard vetting
- Visa number available in the EB-1 or EB-2 category
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
F-1 Student Visa
StudentF-1
Study at a SEVP-certified school, admitted for the duration of status (D/S). A final rule of 17 July 2026 replacing D/S with a fixed admission of up to 4 years was enjoined nationwide on 14 September 2026, so D/S continues. Nationals of the full and partial travel-ban countries (Proclamation 10998, from 1 January 2026) cannot currently obtain F visas.
Eligibility
- Form I-20 from a SEVP-certified school
- Visa application fee USD 185 plus SEVIS I-901 fee USD 350
- Proof of funds for tuition and living costs
- A USD 250 visa integrity fee was enacted in July 2025; collection is not yet uniform
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
IR1/CR1
Join a spouse, partner or close family member who is a citizen or resident.
Eligibility
- Genuine relationship to a citizen/resident
- Sponsor meets income/housing rules
- Relationship evidence
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
J-1 Exchange Visitor
TalentJ-1
Exchange programmes for scholars, researchers, trainees and interns.
Eligibility
- Accepted exchange programme
- Sponsor approval (DS-2019)
- Visa fee USD 185 plus SEVIS fee USD 220
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Background
Economic context
The numbers behind the move
Pay reflects the local market in United States, what you'd typically earn there, not your current salary.
Skill shortages
Sectors actively recruiting from abroad
Where United States needs foreign talent most, and what those roles pay.
Software & AI
AI and cloud demand far outstrips the domestic talent pool.
Healthcare
A nationwide nursing and physician shortage, worsening with an ageing population.
Cybersecurity
Hundreds of thousands of unfilled security roles across every sector.
Skilled trades
Construction and reshoring fuel acute demand for licensed trades.
Engineering
Infrastructure and semiconductor build-out drive engineering hiring.
Education
Chronic shortfall of STEM and special-ed teachers in many states.
Transport & logistics
Driver and aircraft-maintenance shortages strain national logistics.
Recent changes
What's changed lately
Recent policy changes that affect migrants, newest first.
- TighterSep 18, 2026 · 25 days ago
2022 public charge rule rescinded
DHS rescinded the 2022 public charge regulation for adjustment-of-status applications filed on or after 18 September 2026. Officers return to a discretionary, totality-of-circumstances review; benefits received before that date are judged under the 2022 rule.
- NeutralJul 17, 2026 · 3 months ago
F-1 fixed admission rule published, then enjoined
A final rule replaced duration of status (D/S) for F, J and I visa holders with a fixed admission of up to 4 years and an extension procedure. A federal court enjoined it nationwide on 14 September 2026, so D/S continues for now.
Admission for duration of statusFixed term of up to 4 years (enjoined)
Quality of life
What living there feels like
New York, NY
Global finance & mediaUnmatched career ceiling across finance, media and tech, offset by the highest rents in the country.
- Cost index
- 100
- 1-bed rent
- $4,200
- Quality
- 75
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Top tech salariesThe deepest tech and venture market on earth; budget hard for the matching housing costs.
- Cost index
- 105
- 1-bed rent
- $3,300
- Quality
- 72
Austin, TX
Tech, no state income taxFast-growing tech and startup scene with no state income tax and a strong music and food culture.
- Cost index
- 74
- 1-bed rent
- $1,850
- Quality
- 80
Seattle, WA
Big tech HQsAmazon and Microsoft anchor a high-paying tech market framed by mountains and water.
- Cost index
- 88
- 1-bed rent
- $2,200
- Quality
- 79
Raleigh-Durham, NC
Research TriangleBiotech and tech jobs, top universities and great schools at a reasonable cost of living.
- Cost index
- 72
- 1-bed rent
- $1,650
- Quality
- 82
Boston, MA
Universities & biotechWorld-leading universities and a biotech cluster; pricey but walkable and rich in culture.
- Cost index
- 92
- 1-bed rent
- $3,000
- Quality
- 80
Denver, CO
Outdoor lifestyleOutdoor access and a diversified economy draw young families and remote workers.
- Cost index
- 78
- 1-bed rent
- $1,900
- Quality
- 82
Chicago, IL
Diversified economyGenuine global-city amenities at far lower rents than the coasts.
- Cost index
- 80
- 1-bed rent
- $2,100
- Quality
- 76
Miami, FL
No state income taxA fast-rising finance and crypto hub, Latin-American gateway and warm-weather magnet.
- Cost index
- 86
- 1-bed rent
- $2,700
- Quality
- 74
Atlanta, GA
Corporate & film hubFortune-500 HQs, a major film industry and HBCUs at an affordable price point.
- Cost index
- 75
- 1-bed rent
- $1,800
- Quality
- 76
Dallas, TX
Jobs, no state taxDeep corporate job market, no state income tax and roomy family suburbs.
- Cost index
- 76
- 1-bed rent
- $1,750
- Quality
- 77
San Diego, CA
Beaches & biotechNear-perfect climate, beaches and a biotech/defence economy at a premium.
- Cost index
- 90
- 1-bed rent
- $2,700
- Quality
- 83
Washington, DC
Government & policyStable public-sector and consulting jobs, world-class free museums and transit.
- Cost index
- 89
- 1-bed rent
- $2,400
- Quality
- 78
Minneapolis, MN
Corporate HQsHigh-livability city with strong corporate employers and excellent public services.
- Cost index
- 74
- 1-bed rent
- $1,600
- Quality
- 80
Living essentials
The practical day-to-day of settling in United States.
World-class but privatised and expensive; employer or marketplace insurance is essential.
Strong universities; public K-12 varies by district, private and international schools widely available.
High on the coasts (NYC, SF), far more affordable in the South and Midwest; no national VAT.
Fast and widely available; fibre and 5G common in metros.
Spans everything, from cold northern winters to subtropical Florida and arid Southwest.
Safety & climate
The reception you can expect
How welcoming the public and political mood is, how safe it is, and how geopolitically stable the country is right now.
Anti-migrant sentiment
trendImmigration is highly politicised; sentiment swings with the electoral cycle.
Higher = more hostile public/political climate.
Geopolitical stability
A composite of governance, security and regional-risk signals. Higher means a more predictable environment for settling long term.
Higher = more stable.
Safety
Crime varies block-by-block more than country-wide; pick the suburb, not just the metro.
Higher = safer (crime index 49/100).
Where to live
Which United States city fits you?
Cities matched to who you are, career, family, retirement, study or remote work. We flag the ones to consider and the ones to approach with care.
Raleigh-Durham, NC
Smart and family-friendly
Biotech and tech jobs, top universities and great schools at a reasonable cost of living.
Austin, TX
Booming and laid-back
Fast-growing tech and startup scene with no state income tax and a strong music and food culture.
Denver, CO
Mountain-town energy
Outdoor access and a diversified economy draw young families and remote workers.
Seattle, WA
Tech meets nature
Amazon and Microsoft anchor a high-paying tech market framed by mountains and water.
Dallas, TX
Corporate relocation magnet
Deep corporate job market, no state income tax and roomy family suburbs.
Boston, MA
Historic college town
World-leading universities and a biotech cluster; pricey but walkable and rich in culture.
San Diego, CA
Endless-summer coast
Near-perfect climate, beaches and a biotech/defence economy at a premium.
Minneapolis, MN
Lakes and livability
High-livability city with strong corporate employers and excellent public services.
Atlanta, GA
Southern boomtown
Fortune-500 HQs, a major film industry and HBCUs at an affordable price point.
Washington, DC
Power and museums
Stable public-sector and consulting jobs, world-class free museums and transit.
New York, NY
The capital of ambition
Unmatched career ceiling across finance, media and tech, offset by the highest rents in the country.
Miami, FL
LatAm gateway
A fast-rising finance and crypto hub, Latin-American gateway and warm-weather magnet.
Chicago, IL
Big city, midwest value
Genuine global-city amenities at far lower rents than the coasts.
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Startup heartland
The deepest tech and venture market on earth; budget hard for the matching housing costs.
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