Moving to America: How to immigrate to the USA
THE BASICS
Learn how to move to USA – with Eurosender
Washington D.C
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BEFORE MOVING
The cost of international removals to the USA
Everything is bigger in America, but the cost of international removals to the USA doesn’t have to be! We at Eurosender have a solution to suit any sized move, from a few boxes of personal belongings to a whole household. Discover our range of services across our network of international couriers, with the best prices for shipping to the USA from anywhere in the world:
Visa regulations for the USA
There are two main types of visas for the United States – Immigrant or Non-Immigrant, which depend on your length of stay. Under which, there are several different visas, depending on your reason for moving.
Non-Immigrant visas are for those who wish to relocate to the USA temporarily and return home once their visa expires. These include:
- Student visas: for those who wish to study in the USA at one of the many American universities
- Business and Tourist visas: Visitors from countries which are not listed on the US Visa Waiver Program can stay for up to 90 days with this visa
- Specialist workers: who can prove they only wish to live and work in the USA for a limited time
Immigrant visas require a sponsor and are much harder to obtain if you wish to settle in the USA permanently. These include:
- Family visas: for those who wish to join immediate family in the USA
- Employment visas: which require you to obtain employment in the USA beforehand
- Adoption visas: for adopted children from outside of the U.S
- Investor visas: for those willing to invest no less than $500,000
For more information on visa regulations and requirements for the USA, please visit their immigration website.
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Buying or renting property in the USA
When you first arrive in the US, you will most likely choose to rent an apartment rather than buy a property before you are settled. The prices to rent an apartment or house in the USA differs between cities, but it is important to know that most landlords will require you to complete a rental application and credit check before agreeing to a lease. Leases are usually signed for 6 or 12-month terms, and many properties do not include furnishings in the price.
If you are thinking of buying a property in the US, real estate agents work based on commission paid by the seller, so you will find them extremely helpful when looking for your dream home.
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LIVING IN USA
Cost of living in the USA
As with the price of property in the US, the cost of living also varies depending on where you choose to settle and the standard to which you are accustomed. Property, healthcare and insurance will no doubt take a large majority of your living expenses, but a great way to save money is by sharing your living space and shopping at larger chains such as Walmart and Target for everyday items. Ridesharing apps such as Uber and Lyft are also popular ways of saving on cab fares or the expense of running an American car.
Do you need to send documents urgently to USA to help secure a place to stay before moving?
Eurosender offers fast envelope deliveries with our Express delivery service.
The job market in the USA
There are abundant job opportunities in the USA for foreigners with certain skills, a strong resume and the right work permits, as well as a sound knowledge of English. Many expats find it easier to arrange work prior to moving, which will also make the visa process much smoother. Specialists in the IT and medical industries are highly sought after and valued, and the most popular jobs are in engineering, clerical and marketing. If you don’t hold these qualifications and are looking for permanent employment in the USA, great places to look are recruitment websites and apps like Indeed and Just Landed.
The school system in the USA
The United States is home to some of the most renowned educational institutions in the world, including Ivy League Universities such as Harvard and Yale with state-of-the-art facilities and programs attracting international students from all over the globe. If you are planning on enrolling in university or colleges in the USA, tuition can be extremely expensive, so many people seek scholarships to help with the costs. The school system consists of both public and private schools which include international schools for expats moving to America:
Age: 0 – 4
Compulsory: no
Age: 5 – 11
Compulsory: yes
Age: 12-15
Compulsory: yes
Age: 16-18
Compulsory: yes
Healthcare in the USA for foreigners
The American healthcare system can be confusing and expensive for foreigners who are used to receiving public healthcare funded by the state. It is especially important for expats to take out private insurance to cover the cost of healthcare during their stay in the US. Citizens are also required to do so in case they are not covered by their employer, or risk paying large amounts out of pocket. However, the quality of healthcare in the USA is world-class, due to the fact that their hospitals are privately owned, and some of the most sought-after medical practitioners can be found in the US.
Driving in the USA with a foreign license
The laws surrounding driving with a foreign license in the USA differ from state to state, but just in case, you should obtain an International Driving Permit to accompany your license from your home country. If you are planning on buying or renting a car in the USA with a UK driving license, for example, you will notice the size of the cars – and the size of the highways much bigger than in Europe. If you not are used to driving a manual car back home, you can relax as most cars in the US are automatic. Also, take care on long road trips while driving in the USA, as hitting a coyote or deer on country roads is not uncommon.
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Other things to know before moving to the USA
- When you immigrate to the USA, you will notice the average house size is almost double that of houses in the UK and Europe. In fact, you will notice a lot of things are super-sized.
- Living in America as a foreigner, you will need to get used to their liberal gun policy as the right to bear arms is entrenched in their constitution.
- Expats moving to the USA are always surprised to know that the tallest mountain in the world is actually Mount Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano in Hawaii, whose height stretches from below sea-level to 10,210m in total.
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MOVING DESTINATIONS
The most popular countries from where people immigrate to USA
Moving to the USA from Canada
If you’re thinking of moving to the USA from Canada, Eurosender makes it easy to transport your personal belongings and household items south of the border! Whether you’re relocating to the USA with just a few boxes, or need to arrange removals to the USA for a whole household, we will match you with the best service suited to your needs at the very best price available. Plus, you can be sure your belongings are in good hands, as every shipment includes basic insurance and tracking included in the price. Have an unusual request? Reach out to our experts for a tailor-made solution in the shortest time possible.
Moving to USA from Europe
Although many Americans come from European backgrounds, Europeans moving to the USA find America a completely different world – mainly because, as they say, everything is bigger in America! However, with Eurosender, the cost of moving to the USA certainly won’t reflect that. You don’t have to spend time and money comparing thousands of different quotes for removals to USA – at Eurosender, we have already done the hard work for you. Get a quote for international removals and relocations to the USA in a few simple clicks, and you can be sure you’ll be matched with world-class logistics services and the very best price.
Moving to USA from UK
Moving from the UK to USA doesn’t have to be a hassle with Eurosender’s range of international removals. Whether you are moving with a few boxes, or plan to move a whole household, you can start planning your costs of moving to the USA right now, by simply selecting your route on our booking channel. Benefit from expert advice and support in your own language, when you need it most, as well as insurance and tracking included in the price.