United States

United States · North America · updated 01.09.2026

The United States offers several employment immigration routes (H-1B by lottery, L-1 for intra-company transfers, O-1 for people of extraordinary ability) and some of the world's highest IT salaries, but moving to employment-based permanent residence (EB-2/EB-3) can take years — and noticeably longer for those born in India and China because of per-country queues. Citizenship comes after 5 years of residence and dual citizenship is allowed. Only a US citizen can sponsor parents, not a green card holder. There is no universal healthcare system, and natural hazards (hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes) vary substantially by region.

Some descriptions for this country are still Russian only: 87% translated. Numbers, prices and timelines are complete.

Entry

Entry rules depend on citizenship. Choose a passport to see the requirement for that one.

Work and visas

Salary in IT: $ 79 660 – $ 227 600
Median: $ 133 146
Visa speed: H-1B: registration in March, a lottery, and work starting on 1 October (in FY2024 there were 758,994 registrations for 110,791 places). L-1 and O-1 have no annual quota and premium processing is available. Moving to a green card (EB-2/EB-3) takes on average ~3.5 years to process (USCIS, Q2 FY2025), but with the per-country queues for those born in India and China the real wait can stretch over many years (more than 10 in some categories).
Degree required: yes
Language at work: There is no formal language exam for work visas. Naturalisation (citizenship) requires a basic level of reading and writing in English.
Changing employer: H-1B/L-1/O-1 are tied to the sponsoring employer; changing employer requires a new petition (for H-1B “porting” is possible without waiting for approval). A green card, once obtained, is not tied to an employer.

Visa types: H-1B (a speciality occupation, with an annual lottery) · L-1A / L-1B (intra-company transfer) · O-1 (extraordinary ability/achievement) · EB-2 / EB-3 (an employment green card, permanent residence)

Employers: Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, IBM, Intel

A permit and a visa are two different things handled by two different agencies in the United States, and confusing them is expensive. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves the PETITION of an employer or a relative, and a State Department consulate issues the visa on the strength of it; someone already lawfully in the country changes status or arranges permanent residence from inside instead of getting a visa. That is why most grounds are paid for twice, at two different tills. NOT ONE ground has the fee on its own page: the agency prints only a link to the general tariff there. The reason is structural — the fee is attached not to the visa but to the FORM, and one form serves a dozen grounds: I-129 covers every temporary worker classification, I-140 the employment preferences, I-360 special immigrants, I-130 the family ones. So the fee address in every record here leads to the G-1055 tariff (as revised on 29 May 2026), and the explanation names the form being paid for. Consular fees live in an entirely different instrument — the schedule of consular fees, 22 CFR 22.1; its present revision is temporary and runs from 1 July to 31 December 2026. The rate for Form I-129 depends on the SIZE of the employer: a small one (no more than 25 workers) and a non-profit pay roughly half. On top of the filing the employer pays the asylum programme fee — 600 ordinary, 300 small, 0 non-profit — and, in the H-1B and L classifications, an anti-fraud fee of 500 and, if it has fifty workers with more than half of them in H-1B or L-1 status, a further 4,000 or 4,500. From 9 September 2026 that last rule applies to ALL of its petitions, not just the initial ones. The payment of 100,000 dollars introduced by the proclamation of 21 September 2025 for some H-1B petitions was struck down by a court on 8 June 2026; on 24 July 2026 the First Circuit refused to stay that ruling, and the department says it is complying — but it has not removed the line from the tariff. The agency publishes no processing times at all, and that is not a gap in the collection: on its site it prints STATISTICS — the number of months in which 80 per cent of recent cases were closed — but sets no standard. The only promised time is bought separately: premium processing on Form I-907 costs 2,965 for most I-129 and I-140 petitions, 1,780 for H-2B, R and work permission for student practical training, and 2,075 for Form I-539 for students and exchange visitors. That is why the processing time is empty in every record, with a note that no standard is published. No temporary ground leads to permanent residence BY LENGTH OF STAY: time in a non-immigrant status counts towards nothing at all, and permanent residence comes from a separate immigrant petition. Hence countsTowardPr is false for every temporary classification and true for the immigrant preferences. Two traps in the sources themselves. The first: the EB-5 programme overview page still prints 1,800,000 and 900,000 dollars from the 2019 rule that a court vacated in 2021; the figures in force, 1,050,000 and 800,000, stand on the fifth preference page and on the page for investors. The second: the catalogue of green card bases still lists the Liberian programme (LRIF), although applications under it have not been accepted since 20 December 2021 — there is no record of it here. The H-1C classification for nurses expired on 20 December 2009, and its page lives in the archive.

Long-term visas and residence permits

H-1B Specialty Occupations

Work

term 36 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 780processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-129 for H-1B: 780 on paper, 730 online; a small employer or a non-profit pays 460. On top of that the employer pays the asylum programme fee (600 for an ordinary employer, 300 for a small one, 0 for a non-profit), the anti-fraud fee of 500 on a first petition and on a change of employer, the ACWIA contribution of 1,500 or 750 depending on headcount, and — for an employer with fifty workers more than half of whom hold H-1B or L-1 status — a further 4,000. Registration in the cap lottery costs 215 per worker

official source · read 2026-09-01

H-1B1 Free Trade Agreement Workers from Chile and Singapore

Work

renewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 780processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-129 for H-1B and H-1B1: 780 on paper, 730 online; a small employer or a non-profit pays 460. The asylum programme fee (600 for an ordinary employer, 300 for a small one, 0 for a non-profit) and the ACWIA contribution are paid on top, while the anti-fraud fee is not charged for H-1B1

For citizens of certain countries only.

official source · read 2026-09-01

H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers

Work

renewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 090processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-129 for H-2A with named workers: 1,090 on paper, 1,040 online; a small employer or a non-profit pays 545. For unnamed workers it is 530 and 480, and 460 for a small employer. On top of that comes the asylum programme fee: 600 for an ordinary petitioner, 300 for a small employer, 0 for a non-profit

official source · read 2026-09-01

H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers

Work

renewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 080processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-129 for H-2B with named workers: 1,080; a small employer or a non-profit pays 540. For unnamed workers it is 580 and 460. On top of that the employer pays the anti-fraud fee of 150 and the asylum programme fee (600 for an ordinary employer, 300 for a small one, 0 for a non-profit)

official source · read 2026-09-01

H-3 Nonimmigrant Trainee

Work

term 24 monot renewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 015processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-129: 1,015 on paper, 965 online; a small employer or a non-profit pays 510 either way. On top of that the employer pays the asylum programme fee: 600 for an ordinary petitioner, 300 for a small employer, 0 for a non-profit. The applicant pays for the visa at the consulate separately

official source · read 2026-09-01

H-3 Special Education Exchange Visitor

Study

term 18 monot renewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 015processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

L-1A Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager

Work

term 36 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 385processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-129 in the L classification: 1,385; a small employer or a non-profit pays 695. On top of that come the asylum programme fee (600 for an ordinary employer, 300 for a small one, 0 for a non-profit) and the anti-fraud fee of 500 on a first petition and on a change of employer, while an employer with fifty workers more than half of whom hold H-1B or L-1 status pays a further 4,500

official source · read 2026-09-01

L-1B Intracompany Transferee Specialized Knowledge

Work

term 36 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 385processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-129 in the L classification: 1,385; a small employer or a non-profit pays 695. On top of that come the asylum programme fee (600 for an ordinary employer, 300 for a small one, 0 for a non-profit), the anti-fraud fee of 500 and, for an employer with fifty workers more than half of whom hold H-1B or L-1 status, a further 4,500

official source · read 2026-09-01

E-1 Treaty Traders

Investment

term 24 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 015processing time not published

official source · read 2026-09-01

E-2 Treaty Investors

Investment

term 24 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 015processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

E-2 CNMI-Only Investor

Investment

term 24 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 015processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

E-3 Specialty Occupation Workers from Australia

Work

term 24 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 015processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-129 in the E-3 classification: 1,015; a small employer or a non-profit pays 510. On top of that comes the asylum programme fee (600 for an ordinary employer, 300 for a small one, 0 for a non-profit). From abroad the applicant files not Form I-129 but a visa application at a consulate, where the fee for an E-category visa is 315

For citizens of certain countries only.

official source · read 2026-09-01

O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement

Talent

term 36 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 055processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-129 in the O classification: 1,055; a small employer or a non-profit pays 530. One O-1 petition covers one person. On top of that comes the asylum programme fee (600 for an ordinary employer, 300 for a small one, 0 for a non-profit)

official source · read 2026-09-01

O-2 Individuals Accompanying an O-1

Other

term 36 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 055processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-129 in the O classification: 1,055; a small employer or a non-profit pays 530. One O-2 petition covers up to 25 people. On top of that comes the asylum programme fee (600 for an ordinary employer, 300 for a small one, 0 for a non-profit)

official source · read 2026-09-01

P-1A Internationally Recognized Athlete

Talent

term 60 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 015processing time not published

official source · read 2026-09-01

P-1B Member of an Internationally Recognized Entertainment Group

Talent

term 12 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 015processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

P-2 Performer under a Reciprocal Exchange Program

Talent

term 12 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 015processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

P-3 Artist or Entertainer in a Culturally Unique Program

Talent

term 12 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 015processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

Q-1 International Cultural Exchange

Other

term 15 monot renewabledoes not count toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 1 015processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

R-1 Nonimmigrant Religious Workers

Other

term 30 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 510processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-129 in the R classification: 510 for any filing, on paper or online. On top of that comes the asylum programme fee: 600 for an ordinary petitioner, 300 for a small employer, 0 for a non-profit — and religious organisations usually fall into the last column

official source · read 2026-09-01

TN USMCA Professionals

Work

term 36 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 015processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-129 for TN: 1,015 on paper, 965 online; a small employer or a non-profit pays 510. On top of that comes the asylum programme fee (600 for an ordinary employer, 300 for a small one, 0 for a non-profit). A Canadian files no Form I-129 at all on entry; a Mexican pays the consular visa fee

For citizens of certain countries only.

official source · read 2026-09-01

CW-1 CNMI-Only Transitional Worker

Work

term 12 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 015processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-129CW: 1,015; a small employer or a non-profit pays 510. On top of that come the asylum programme fee (600 for an ordinary employer, 300 for a small one, 0 for a non-profit), the education contribution of 210 per worker per year and the anti-fraud fee of 50 per petition; the last two are waived for no one

official source · read 2026-09-01

I Representatives of Foreign Media

Other

renewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 185processing time not published

Fee: the classification has no fee of its own: from abroad one pays the consular fee for a visa not based on an employer petition — 185 — and from inside the country one files Form I-539 to change or extend status: 470 on paper, 420 online

official source · read 2026-09-01

F-1 Academic Student

Study

renewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 185processing time not published

Fee: USCIS sets no fee of its own for study: one pays the consular fee for a visa not based on an employer petition — 185 — and the SEVIS contribution separately. Work permission for practical training is applied for on Form I-765: 520 on paper, 470 online

official source · read 2026-09-01

M-1 Vocational Student

Study

renewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 185processing time not published

Fee: USCIS sets no fee of its own for study: one pays the consular fee for a visa not based on an employer petition — 185 — and the SEVIS contribution separately. Work permission for post-completion practical training is applied for on Form I-765: 520 on paper, 470 online

official source · read 2026-09-01

J-1 Exchange Visitor

Study

renewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 185processing time not published

Fee: the consular fee for a visa not based on an employer petition — 185; exchange visitors on programmes officially funded by the U.S. government are not charged it at all. The SEVIS contribution is paid separately, and a J-2 spouse's work permission is applied for on Form I-765 — 520 on paper, 470 online

official source · read 2026-09-01

International Entrepreneur Parole

Startup

term 30 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 200processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-941 — 1,200. On top of that, after conditional approval one pays the parole fee under Public Law 119-21 of 1,020, and it is waived for no one

official source · read 2026-09-01

K-1 Fiancé(e) of a U.S. Citizen

Family

not renewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 675processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-129F — 675. The consular fee for a K-category visa is 265. After the wedding, permanent residence is paid for separately: Form I-485 costs 1,440 on paper and 1,390 online

official source · read 2026-09-01

T Nonimmigrant Status

Other

term 48 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 0,00processing time not published

Fee: Form I-914 and Supplement A for relatives are free. If the applicant is inadmissible, a waiver of that ground is requested on Form I-192, and for T status applicants that costs 0 as well

official source · read 2026-09-01

U Nonimmigrant Status

Other

term 48 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 0,00processing time not published

Fee: Form I-918 and Supplement A for relatives are free. If the applicant is inadmissible, a waiver of that ground is requested on Form I-192, and for U status applicants it costs 0

official source · read 2026-09-01

Temporary Protected Status

Other

renewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 510processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-821: 510 plus a biometric fee of 30 for initial registration, and 0 plus the same 30 for re-registration. Work permission is applied for on Form I-765: 520 on paper, 470 online, and on top of that a fee of 560 under Public Law 119-21 for the first work permission on this basis

For citizens of certain countries only.

official source · read 2026-09-01

Asylum

Other

does not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 100processing time not published

Fee: Form I-589 itself is free, but the principal applicant is charged two fees under Public Law 119-21: 100 on filing and an ANNUAL asylum fee of 102, paid online once the agency gives notice of it. Neither is waived; since 5 February 2026 they do not apply to members of the settlement class in Ms. L. v. ICE

official source · read 2026-09-01

Refugee

Other

does not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 0,00processing time not published

Fee: Form I-590 is free, as is Form I-730 for reunification with a spouse and children. Permanent residence is applied for on Form I-485, and for someone admitted as a refugee that costs 0 as well

official source · read 2026-09-01

Employment-Based Immigration: First Preference EB-1, Extraordinary Ability

Talent

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 715processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-140: 715 on paper, 665 online. On top of that comes the asylum programme fee — 600 for an ordinary employer, 300 for a small one and for a self-petitioner, 0 for a non-profit. Permanent residence is paid for separately: from inside the country Form I-485 costs 1,440 on paper and 1,390 online, and 950 and 900 for a child under 14 filing with a parent; from abroad one pays the consular immigrant visa fee on an employment basis of 345 and the USCIS immigrant fee for issuing the card of 235

official source · read 2026-09-01

Employment-Based Immigration: First Preference EB-1, Outstanding Professors and Researchers

Talent

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 715processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

Employment-Based Immigration: First Preference EB-1, Multinational Manager or Executive

Work

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 715processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

Employment-Based Immigration: Second Preference EB-2, Advanced Degree Professional

Work

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 715processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

Employment-Based Immigration: Second Preference EB-2, Exceptional Ability

Talent

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 715processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

Employment-Based Immigration: Second Preference EB-2, National Interest Waiver

Talent

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 715processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

Green Card Through a Physician National Interest Waiver

Work

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 715processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference EB-3, Skilled Workers

Work

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 715processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference EB-3, Professionals

Work

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 715processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference EB-3, Other Workers

Work

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 715processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

EB-4 Special Immigrant Religious Workers

Other

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 515processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-360 — 515. Permanent residence is paid for separately: from inside the country Form I-485 costs 1,440 on paper and 1,390 online; from abroad the consular immigrant visa fee for self-petitioners and special immigrants is 205, plus the USCIS immigrant fee for issuing the card of 235

official source · read 2026-09-01

EB-4 Special Immigrant Juvenile

Family

counts toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 0,00processing time not published

Fee: Form I-360 for a special immigrant juvenile is free, but on top of it one pays a fee of 250 under Public Law 119-21. Form I-485 for permanent residence also costs 0 for this category

official source · read 2026-09-01

EB-4 Afghan or Iraqi Special Immigrants

Other

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 0,00processing time not published

Fee: Form I-360 is free for this category. So are Form I-485 from inside the country and the consular immigrant visa fee; special immigrants from Iraq and Afghanistan are not charged the USCIS immigrant fee for issuing the card either

official source · read 2026-09-01

EB-4 International Broadcaster

Other

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 515processing time not published

official source · read 2026-09-01

EB-4 Employee of an International Organization or NATO-6

Retirement

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 515processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, Standalone Investor

Investment

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 3 675processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-526 — 3,675. Removing the condition from permanent residence two years later costs 3,750 (Form I-829). Permanent residence is paid for separately: Form I-485 costs 1,440 on paper and 1,390 online, or one pays the consular immigrant visa fee on an employment basis of 345 and the USCIS immigrant fee for issuing the card of 235

official source · read 2026-09-01

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, Regional Center Investor

Investment

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 3 675processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-526E — 3,675, and a first filing made on or after 1 October 2022 carries a separate fee of 1,000 under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act; an amended petition is not charged it. Removing the condition two years later costs 3,750 (Form I-829)

official source · read 2026-09-01

Green Card for Immediate Relatives of a U.S. Citizen

Family

counts toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 675processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-130: 675 on paper, 625 online. Permanent residence is paid for separately: from inside the country Form I-485 costs 1,440 on paper and 1,390 online, and 950 and 900 for a child under 14 filing with a parent; from abroad one pays the consular immigrant visa fee for immediate relatives and family categories of 325 and the USCIS immigrant fee for issuing the card of 235

official source · read 2026-09-01

Family First Preference F1

Family

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 675processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

Family Second Preference F2A

Family

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 675processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

Family Second Preference F2B

Family

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 675processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

Family Third Preference F3

Family

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 675processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

Family Fourth Preference F4

Family

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 675processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-01

Green Card for a Widow(er) of a U.S. Citizen

Family

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 515processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-360 — 515. Permanent residence is arranged separately: Form I-485 costs 1,440 on paper and 1,390 online, or one pays the consular immigrant visa fee and the USCIS immigrant fee for issuing the card of 235

official source · read 2026-09-01

Green Card for a VAWA Self-Petitioner

Family

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 0,00processing time not published

Fee: Form I-360 for a VAWA self-petition is free. Permanent residence is applied for on Form I-485 — 1,440 on paper and 1,390 online; anyone who qualifies may also request a fee waiver on Form I-912

official source · read 2026-09-01

Diversity Immigrant Visa Program

Other

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 330processing time not published

Fee: registration in the lottery costs 1, and the application of a selected entrant 330 under the schedule of consular fees. Anyone adjusting status from inside the country pays for Form I-485 instead

official source · read 2026-09-01

Green Card for a Cuban Native or Citizen

Other

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 440processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-485: 1,440 on paper, 1,390 online; for a child under 14 filing with a parent — 950 and 900

official source · read 2026-09-01

Green Card Through Registry

Other

counts toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 1 440processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-485: 1,440 on paper, 1,390 online

official source · read 2026-09-01

Green Card for an American Indian Born in Canada

Repatriation

counts toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 0,00processing time not published

Fee: the USCIS tariff sets no fee for this basis: it appears there as a separate line at a rate of 0

For citizens of certain countries only.

official source · read 2026-09-01

Green Card Under Section 13 (Diplomat)

Other

counts toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 1 440processing time not published

Fee: under the USCIS tariff for Form I-485: 1,440 on paper, 1,390 online. Work permission and a travel document for the time the case is pending are applied for on Forms I-765 and I-131, and each family member files them for themselves

official source · read 2026-09-01

Programme terms change, and the final decision rests with the consulate or the country migration service. The data is collected from official sources on the date shown and is not legal advice.

Residence and citizenship

Citizenship after: 5 years
Language: English (basic reading and writing) plus the civics exam (10 of 100 questions); there are age and length-of-residence concessions (55/15, 50/20, over 65)
Dual citizenship: allowed

Absence limits: For a green card: an absence of more than 6 months can break the continuity of residence, and more than 1 year without a re-entry permit risks losing permanent resident status. Naturalisation requires physical presence for at least half the residence period (30 months out of 5 years, or 18 out of 3 years if married to a citizen); absences of more than 6 months break continuity (apart from the N-470 exceptions).

5 years of permanent residence (a green card) before applying for citizenship, or 3 years with a US spouse. There is no single fixed timescale for the green card itself on the employment route: USCIS gives an average processing time for employment-based cases of ~3.5 years (Q2 FY2025), but per-country queues under EB-2/EB-3 for those born in India and China can add years or decades of waiting.

Documents

Document certification: apostille

The country is party to the 1961 Hague Convention: a degree or certificate is authenticated with a single apostille in the country that issued it.

Family

Partner

Timeline: The spouse of a US citizen falls into the immediate relative category with no annual quota (though the I-130/I-485 or consular procedure still takes real time). The spouse of a green card holder falls into category F2A, with a queue for a visa number.
Right to work: yes

The spouse of an H-1B holder (the H-4 visa) can obtain work authorisation (EAD) if the main applicant has an approved I-140 petition or is extending status under AC21.

Children

Can be brought: yes

Unmarried children under 21 count as immediate relatives when the sponsor is a citizen; older children, and children of a resident sponsor, go through the preference categories with a waiting queue.

Parents

Route: Only a US citizen aged 21 or over can sponsor (a green card holder cannot sponsor parents). A citizen's parent falls into the immediate relative category with no annual quota.
Timeline: No visa number quota, but it takes time to process the I-130 and the subsequent procedure (adjustment of status or consular processing).
Income threshold: Affidavit of Support (I-864): the sponsor's income must be at least 125% of the federal poverty threshold.
Difficulty: doable

The main limitation is that the sponsor must be a US citizen, not merely a permanent resident (green card holder).

Partner's parents

Difficulty: doable

Matters: In a number of countries only a biological child can sponsor a parent, in which case the spouse files the application.

Pets

Limit: no limit
Quarantine: no
Antibody titre test: needed

Updated CDC rules for dogs have applied since 1 August 2024: a minimum age of 6 months, a compulsory microchip (ISO-compatible), the electronic CDC Dog Import Form, and, for entry from countries with a high rabies risk (the CDC classes Russia as one of them), confirmed rabies vaccination and in some cases an antibody titre test; unvaccinated dogs from such countries are refused entry. There is no general compulsory quarantine for animals that meet the requirements. There is no federal rabies vaccination requirement for cats, but they are inspected at the point of entry; Hawaii and Guam apply their own quarantine for cats. There is no federal list of banned breeds, and restrictions are possible at state, city or airline level.

Safety

Situation: calm

A stable federal constitutional republic with regular elections and peaceful transfers of power.

Crime: Homicides at 5.76 per 100,000 (UNODC 2023), higher than in most Western European countries and Canada (1.9), but below the peaks of the early 1990s. Violent and property crime have generally been falling since 2022–2024.

Natural hazards

Earthquakesmedium

Serious risk is concentrated on the West Coast (California, the San Andreas Fault), in Alaska and in the Cascadia subduction zone (the Pacific North-West); Alaska is the most seismically active US state. The rest of the country is low risk.

Wildfireshigh

California accounts for about half of the country's total wildfire risk (US Forest Service estimate); between the 1970s and 2015 the number of large fires (>1,000 acres) in the West tripled and the fire season lengthened by roughly 78 days. Around 84% of fires are caused by people.

Floodsmedium

The risk varies by region; the most vulnerable are low-lying coastal cities (Houston, New Orleans, Miami) because of flat terrain, flash floods and storm surges during hurricanes.

Hurricaneshigh

The Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts are regularly hit by hurricanes (the season runs June–November). The number of hurricanes causing more than $1bn of damage almost doubled from the 1980s to the 2010s; Hurricane Harvey (2017, Houston) caused ~$125bn of damage.

Droughtsmedium

Recurring multi-year droughts in the West and South-West (California, Arizona). The Californian drought of 2012–2015 was the most severe on record, and the 2015 snowpack was the lowest in over 500 years.

Extreme heatmedium

The South-West (Arizona, Nevada, Texas) is exposed to extreme heat. In 2024 Phoenix set a record of 70 days at ≥110°F (43°C) and a run of 113 consecutive days at ≥100°F (38°C).

Volcanoeslow

There are active volcanoes in Alaska (regular eruptions, for example Great Sitkin since 2021) and in Hawaii (Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, which erupted in 2022). In the contiguous states there are the Cascade volcanoes (Mount St. Helens, Mount Shasta), mostly dormant. The threat to the main population centres is low.

Tsunamislow

Risk on the Pacific coast (Alaska, Hawaii, the West Coast) from local and distant earthquakes; for the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico the risk is minimal.

Natural hazards vary sharply by region: hurricanes in the South and on the Atlantic, wildfires and earthquakes in the West, tornadoes in the central states (“Tornado Alley” — Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and neighbouring states, with activity also shifting towards “Dixie Alley” in the South-East), and extreme heat in the South-West. There is no single figure for the country as a whole — the risk has to be assessed for the specific state or city.

Climate

11M

15A

20M

26J

28J

27A

24S

17O

10N

Type: Extremely varied — from continental and subarctic to subtropical, arid and Mediterranean depending on the region

The climate differs greatly by region: the monthly figures given are an indicative profile for the east of the country (a humid subtropical to continental transitional climate). The South-West and California have arid and Mediterranean climates, Alaska subarctic and polar, and Florida and Hawaii tropical and subtropical.

Quality of life

Life expectancy: 78.9 years
Migration: inflow

Healthcare: There is no universal public health system — the only developed country without one. The main sources of cover are: employer insurance (~150m people), the ACA exchange (~17m), Medicaid for those on low incomes (~70m) and Medicare for the elderly (~50m). Healthcare spending is 17.8% of GDP (2022) against an average of 11.5% in other high-income countries; life expectancy is nonetheless lower than in most OECD countries.

Air: Air quality is broadly good, but in the western states it regularly deteriorates because of wildfire smoke during the fire season.

Flows: As of January 2025 about 53.3m foreign-born people lived in the United States (15.8% of the population); counting their US-born children, the immigrant population is about 28% (2024).

Cities

New York City

tech hub

8 585 000 residents

$ 4 502

1 bedroom, per month

The largest city in the United States (a metropolitan area of ~20.1 million), a global financial centre and a major tech and media hub (“Silicon Alley”).

2 bedrooms $ 5 2813 bedrooms $ 5 507utilities $ 218ticket $ 3,01monthly pass $ 138

To buy, per m²: centre $ 18 073 · suburbs $ 7 831

The most expensive rent of any US city; dense building, with a risk of coastal flooding and storm surges during severe storms (e.g. Hurricane Sandy, 2012).

+A huge labour market in finance, tech and media

+The best transport connectivity in the country (metro, airports)

−The highest rent in the United States

−High population density and noise

−Flood risk in coastal areas during heavy storms

Los Angeles

tech hub

3 870 000 residents

$ 2 546

1 bedroom, per month

The second most populous city in the US (metro area ~12.9m), the centre of the film industry and a growing IT hub (“Silicon Beach”).

2 bedrooms $ 3 3713 bedrooms $ 4 323utilities $ 237ticket $ 1,76monthly pass $ 95,5

To buy, per m²: centre $ 8 186 · suburbs $ 7 185

Seismic risk (the San Andreas Fault), seasonal wildfires in the suburbs, droughts and water shortage.

+A mild Mediterranean climate all year round

+A developed film and media industry and a growing tech sector

+A varied international environment

−Seismic risk

−Expensive housing

−Heavy reliance on the car, traffic jams

Chicago

tech hub

2 730 000 residents

$ 2 455

1 bedroom, per month

The largest city in the Midwest (a metropolitan area of ~9.62 million), an important financial and industrial centre with a growing tech sector.

2 bedrooms $ 3 2963 bedrooms $ 3 779utilities $ 180ticket $ 2,51monthly pass $ 82,6

To buy, per m²: centre $ 3 899 · suburbs $ 2 568

Harsh cold winters, strong wind (the “Windy City”) and some districts with a high level of violent crime.

+Housing more affordable than in New York or Los Angeles

+A large labour market and a strong architectural and cultural setting

+Good public transport by US standards

−Very cold winters

−Marked inequality in crime levels between districts

−High local taxes

Houston

2 400 000 residents

$ 1 195

1 bedroom, per month

The fourth largest US city by population (metro ~7.1–7.8m), a world centre of the oil, gas and energy industry.

2 bedrooms $ 1 5143 bedrooms $ 1 897utilities $ 180ticket $ 1,26monthly pass $ 74,4

To buy, per m²: centre $ 2 519 · suburbs $ 1 831

High flood risk because of the flat terrain and weak zoning (Hurricane Harvey, 2017 — ~$125 billion of damage); direct hurricane strikes from the Gulf of Mexico.

+Affordable housing among the large US metropolitan areas

+No state income tax (Texas)

+A large and varied labour market (energy, healthcare, logistics)

−High flood and hurricane risk

−A hot humid climate for most of the year

−A strong dependence on the car

Phoenix

tech hub

1 665 000 residents

$ 1 343

1 bedroom, per month

The fifth most populous city in the United States (metro ~4.8–5.2 million), one of the fastest-growing metropolises, a growing microelectronics centre (Intel, TSMC).

2 bedrooms $ 1 6313 bedrooms $ 2 135utilities $ 236ticket $ 1,99monthly pass $ 63,8

To buy, per m²: centre $ 4 665 · suburbs $ 3 124

Extreme summer heat (70 days at ≥110°F/43°C in 2024), water shortage and restrictions on new construction in part of the conurbation because of groundwater depletion.

+More affordable housing than California

+A growing labour market in microelectronics and tech

+Plenty of sunny days, mild winters

−Extreme summer heat, a health risk

−Water scarcity in the region

−Heavy reliance on air conditioning and the car

Grocery basket

Bread, 500 g: $ 3,58
Milk, 1 l: $ 1,11
Eggs, 12: $ 4,73
Chicken breast, 1 kg: $ 12,3
Cheese, 1 kg: $ 13,2
Rice, 1 kg: $ 4,47
Potatoes, 1 kg: $ 2,88
Apples, 1 kg: $ 5,06
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 l: $ 2,75
Total: $ 50,1

The same set for every country, so the comparison is fair.

Cost of living across the country

Rent, 1 bedroom: $ 1 682 a month
Rent, 3 bedrooms: $ 2 997 a month
Utility bills: $ 200 a month
Home internet: $ 68,9 a month
Monthly transport pass: $ 71,1 a month
Single transport ticket: $ 2,34
Petrol, litre: $ 1,02
Cold medicine: $ 10,5 for a week

Country averages. City prices, where collected, are shown above and are more precise.

Indicators

Life expectancy: 78,9 years2024
Homicides: 5,8 per 100k2023
Road deaths: 14,2 per 100k2021
Unemployment: 4,2 %2025
Unemployment, ages 15–24: 9,3 %2025
Inequality (Gini): 41,82024
Health spending per person: $ 13 473 a year
Air pollution, PM2.5: 7 µg/m³2023
Access to clean water: 100 %2024
Internet, fixed line: 304,8 Mbit/s2026
Internet, mobile: 197,3 Mbit/s2026

Governance

Political stability: below average · -0,1
Control of corruption: high · 1,1
Rule of law: above average · 1
Government effectiveness: high · 1,4

World Bank estimates on a −2.5 to +2.5 scale, higher is better.

Natural hazards

Earthquakes: 7,7 out of 10
River floods: 7,5 out of 10
Coastal floods: 8,4 out of 10
Tropical cyclones: 7,7 out of 10
Droughts: 4,2 out of 10
Tsunamis: 7,2 out of 10

Policy towards newcomers

Migrant integration, overall score: 72 out of 100 · 2019
Family reunification: 62 out of 100 · 2019
Permanent residence: 63 out of 100 · 2019
Access to citizenship: 88 out of 100 · 2019
Access to the labour market: 69 out of 100 · 2019

Measures how favourable the law is towards newcomers, not one person's chances of getting a visa.

Each value carries the year it refers to. “Data lags behind” means this country's figure was collected noticeably earlier than the rest. Natural hazards use one 0–10 scale and are meant to be compared against each other.

Pros and cons

+High IT salaries (median software developer ~€117k a year, BLS, 2024)

+Several employment immigration routes: H-1B, L-1, O-1, plus the employment-based green card (EB-2/EB-3)

+Dual citizenship has been allowed since 1990

+Cats and prepared dogs come in with no compulsory quarantine

+Citizenship after 5 years of residence (3 if married to a citizen)

−H-1B is allocated by lottery — in FY2024 only ~110,791 of 758,994 registrations were selected

−EB-2 and EB-3 green card queues for those born in India and China can stretch over many years

−Holders of a green card alone, without citizenship, cannot sponsor parents; only US citizens can

−There is no universal public healthcare; medical costs are among the highest in the world

−The homicide rate (5.76 per 100,000, UNODC 2023) is higher than in most EU countries and in Canada

−Substantial natural hazards by region: hurricanes (the South and the Atlantic), wildfires and earthquakes (the West), tornadoes (the central states), extreme heat (the South-West)

Compare with other countries in the region

Canada · Mexico

Other countries in the region: North America

Canada · Mexico

All countries by region

Official sources

USCIS — Green Card

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): green card, residence

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USCIS — Working in the United States

Work visas: H-1B, L-1, O-1 and others

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USCIS — Apply for Citizenship (N-400)

Naturalisation: 5 years of residence (3 if married to a citizen), an English and civics test

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Apartments.com

A large housing rental platform

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Zillow

Renting and buying property

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Realtor.com (National Association of Realtors)

The official database of property sale listings

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Cars.com

Buying a car; registration is at state level (DMV)

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USA.gov — Motor Vehicle Services

Licence exchange is regulated by the state; there is no single federal DMV

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CDC — Bringing a Dog into the U.S.

CDC rules on bringing in dogs (updated from 1 August 2024); there are no federal rabies requirements for cats

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Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

The federal tax service; state taxes come on top

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HealthCare.gov

The ACA insurance marketplace; there is no universal public system

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