How To Successfully Immigrate To The US And Start Your New Life
Every year, thousands of people move to the United States in search of a better life with superior education and career opportunities. This is because the US is a cultural melting pot where you are likely to meet people from every part of the globe, making it one of the most diverse countries in the world.
Immigrating to the US, however, can be a long process that needs planning and patience. Whether you are moving to pursue your dream job or want to relocate with your family, you will ultimately need guidance to help you prepare for the process. In this regard, it is best to consult an experienced immigration attorney who can give you some extra immigration legal tips on the different rules and stipulations that may apply to you since the process can get complex depending on your personal circumstances.
Lucky for you, in this article you will find a comprehensive list that goes into detail about every aspect that needs to be accounted for in order to successfully immigrate to the US and start your new life.
Prep In Advance
The starting point of your immigration journey to the US is ensuring that you have an up-to-date passport. After that, you will need to apply for an immigration visa depending on what category you fall into.
Before you apply for your US visa, make sure you gather all the necessary documents. This will include your birth certificate, financial statements, medical records, employment history, marriage or divorce certificate, and any other requirements from the visa office. Visit Languex Translation they provide inexpensive, fast, high-quality translation to meet all your business and personal needs.
If you move from a non-English speaking country, we highly recommend getting all your documents translated into English before submitting your application in order to avoid rejection. Opt for professional USCIS translation so that all your respective documents are certified and avoid delays in the visa process.
Additionally, you can expect to pay a visa processing fee and get called for an interview. We advise starting the process as early as possible because there isn’t a strict timeline in which you can expect to get your visa as it varies on a case-by-case basis.
Choose The Ideal City For Living
After sorting your visa application, the next step is figuring out where to live. After all, America has 50 states, all of which have varying lifestyles, cultures, and traditions. This will require some in-depth research to find the best place to live in the US that is right for you.
For starters, we recommend that you factor in the cost of living and overall affordability when deciding on a state or city. For instance, some of the most expensive cities in the US include New York, San Francisco, Boston, and Los Angeles. So even if a city appeals to you from afar, you need to get realistic and factor in the average price per month for rent, utilities, transport, grocery, and other miscellaneous expenses.
Next up is the weather. You will be surprised how much power the weather can have over your daily choices such as your wardrobe and outdoor activities. For instance, if you are looking for a temperate climate, opt for the Pacific Northwest which has incredible cities such as Seattle and Portland.
Added to that, you may also benefit from considering the proximity to friends and family before deciding on a city. This is especially important because once you make your big move, it will be so much better to have familiar faces around so that you feel comfortable as you settle in and get familiar and accustomed to a new style of living.
Apart from that, you may want to consider the schools and colleges in the city you plan on moving to. This is important if you already have a family or plan on having kids.
Last but not least, you really need to dig deep and explore the culture and outdoor activities as much as you can before you move. Whether you are into sports, music, or food, the city you choose should ideally offer a little bit of everything.
Find Work Opportunities
Most people tend to move to the US in search of work opportunities to advance their careers. This is because the US is one of the biggest economies in the world that offers a multitude of experiences that allow you to grow and thrive, both professionally and personally.
Regardless of your field, expect a rigorous work culture in the US. Most often, you will be expected to work beyond the traditional nine to five, and may even have to stay until midnight. This is considered pretty normal because the general work ethic in the US is focused on achieving their company or business goals.
Generally, you can expect to find all sorts of jobs in major cities. However, if you are at the beginning of your career and are willing to put in the hours, certain cities will definitely offer you more depending on your field. For example, if you are in the tech industry, cities such as Atlanta, Austin, San Francisco, and San Diego should be at the top of your list. Similarly, if you are in the finance industry, begin searching for career opportunities in states such as Illinois, New York, Washington, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Virginia.
Sort Out Your Finances
When moving to the US, you will need to ensure that all your finances are in order. First off, wherever you open an account, make sure that it is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the National Credit Union Administration.
When deciding on a bank, take their interest rates, fee, and services into consideration. You may also want to look into what kind of digital features they offer.
A word of advice is to maintain your credit score while in the US. This is because a good credit history will open all sorts of doors for you, such as getting loans for a house, car, or college. So try to avoid defaulting on payments and always stay up to date on filing your taxes.
Get Health Insurance
You must have heard the tales about how the US public health system is not the greatest in the world. While that is true, there are many ways you can avoid the financial burdens from future medical expenses.
While your workplace is likely to offer you health insurance, oftentimes, it is not enough to cover your anticipated costs. This is why we advise getting private health insurance by searching the health insurance marketplace. Your monthly premium and coinsurance percentage will depend on the package you opt for.
Parting Thoughts
Moving to the US and going through the entire immigration process may seem overwhelming, but with the right advice and a little effort, we promise you that it will be worth it.
We highly recommend that you do a little research on US culture and societal customs and norms to mentally prepare yourself. This will also help you avoid getting a culture shock in your initial days. For instance, it is common practice to tip 15% of your total bill when you eat out at a restaurant. So don’t skimp on that!
We also recommend that you research the laws of the state in which you plan on living in. This is because state and federal laws differ in the US, and can often become confusing if you have no baseline knowledge.
While all of this will require a lot of time and dedication, we assure you that moving to the US will be a wonderful experience. We wish you all the best and urge you to keep returning to this guide whenever you need any kind of guidance for immigrating to the US.