Moving to United States — Relocation Guide

A vast land of opportunity, diversity, and extreme contrasts.

United States at a Glance

The United States is a continent-sized country of 330 million people where your experience varies so dramatically by state and city that generalizations are almost meaningless. Life in New York City, rural Montana, suburban Texas, and coastal California might as well be different countries. The culture is fundamentally individualistic — personal freedom, self-reliance, and entrepreneurial ambition are the founding values. Americans are generally friendly, optimistic, and open to strangers in a way that can feel disorienting to Europeans (yes, the cashier really does want to know how your day is going). Everything is built around the car: distances are vast, public transit is limited or nonexistent outside a handful of major metros, and 'a quick drive' can mean two hours. The economy is the world's largest, and the job market — while competitive — offers compensation levels that are often 2-3x what the same role pays in Europe, particularly in tech, finance, healthcare, and consulting. However, this comes with a critical trade-off: there is no universal healthcare, limited paid leave, and employment is typically 'at-will,' meaning you can be fired at any time without cause in most states. Your employer-sponsored health insurance is often the single most important benefit in your compensation package. The credit system underpins everything from renting an apartment to getting a mobile phone plan, and newcomers start with no credit history — not a low score, but literally no score — which creates immediate practical barriers. Sales tax is never included in displayed prices, tipping is mandatory (not optional), and the imperial measurement system (miles, Fahrenheit, pounds, gallons) requires genuine mental recalibration. For all its contradictions, the US offers unparalleled career opportunity, consumer choice, cultural diversity, and geographic variety — but it demands self-reliance and financial planning in a way that countries with stronger social safety nets do not.

Relocation Realities

Life & Economics

High earning potential but high personal financial responsibility. Cost of living varies drastically by city. Income volatility is common and savings are essential.

Housing

Credit score driven market. Without US credit history, landlords may require large deposits, co-signers, or prepaid rent. Large apartment complexes are common.

Work & Income

At-will employment. Easy to get hired, easy to be fired. Performance-focused culture with limited job protection compared to Europe.

Healthcare

Private insurance-based system. Quality is excellent but extremely expensive without insurance. Emergency care is guaranteed, everything else depends on coverage.

Taxes & Social System

Federal + state + local taxes. Limited social safety nets. Most benefits are tied to employment.

Climate & Seasons

Highly varied. From arctic cold to desert heat depending on state.

Who Is United States For?

For ambitious professionals who want maximum earning potential and career mobility, and accept that healthcare, housing, and safety nets are your own responsibility. The US rewards hustle and punishes complacency.

Visa Options for United States

H-1B Visa (Specialty Occupations) — For workers in specialized fields requiring at least a bachelor's degree (IT, engineering, finance, science, architecture). Requires employer sponsorship and is subject to an annual lottery cap of 65,000 (plus 20,000 for US master's degree holders). The lottery is conducted in March with an October 1 start date. Premium processing (15 days) available for an additional fee.
O-1 Visa (Extraordinary Ability) — For individuals who can demonstrate extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics through sustained national or international acclaim. No annual cap, but a high evidentiary burden — requires documentation such as major awards, published work, high salary, or critical role at distinguished organizations. An employer or agent must petition on your behalf.
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) — Pre-authorization for citizens of 40 eligible countries to enter the US for tourism or business without a visa. Strictly limited to 90 days — overstaying even by one day triggers a ban on future ESTA travel and may require a full visa for subsequent visits. Cannot be extended or changed to another status while in the US.
F-1 Student Visa — For full-time students enrolled in accredited US academic institutions (universities, colleges, language programs). Allows limited on-campus work (20 hours/week during semester). After graduation, Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows 12 months of work in your field of study (36 months for STEM graduates), which is a common pathway to H-1B sponsorship.
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa — For foreign investors who invest a minimum of USD 800,000 in a US commercial enterprise in a Targeted Employment Area (or USD 1,050,000 otherwise) that creates at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers. Grants conditional permanent residency (green card) to the investor and immediate family members.

Key Requirements for Moving to United States

Social Security Number (SSN)

A 9-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that serves as your primary tax identification and social security tracking number. You apply in person at a local SSA office with your passport, visa, I-94 arrival record, and work authorization documents. Processing takes approximately 2-4 weeks.

Credit History (Credit Score)

A financial track record maintained by three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and scored using the FICO model (300-850). Your credit score is built over time through responsible use of credit cards, loans, and on-time bill payments.

Health Insurance

Private health insurance coverage is essential in the US. Most employed professionals receive insurance through their employer (employer-sponsored plans), which covers the employee and often dependents. If your employer does not provide insurance, you can purchase plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace (healthcare.gov) during Open Enrollment (November-January) or after a qualifying life event.

US Bank Account

Opening a US bank account typically requires your passport, SSN (or ITIN), proof of address, and a minimum deposit. Major national banks include Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank. Online banks (Ally, Marcus, SoFi) and newcomer-friendly options (Wise, Mercury) may accept ITIN if SSN is not yet available.

Culture in United States

American culture is defined by individualism, optimism, and a directness that can be either refreshing or jarring depending on your background. Small talk is an art form — strangers will chat in elevators, grocery lines, and at bus stops, and the phrase 'How are you?' is a greeting, not a genuine inquiry (the expected answer is 'Good, thanks!'). Tipping is embedded in the service economy: servers, bartenders, hairdressers, taxi drivers, and delivery workers depend on tips as a significant portion of their income. The work ethic is intense — Americans work more hours, take fewer vacation days (typically 10-15 days/year vs. 25-30 in Europe), and blur the line between work and personal life more than most other developed countries. Sports (American football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey) are major social bonding activities and conversation topics. The society is politically polarized, and politics and religion are topics best avoided in casual conversation until you know people well.

Tipping is mandatory, not optional. 18-20% is standard at sit-down restaurants; 15% is the bare minimum and signals dissatisfaction. Bartenders expect USD 1-2 per drink. Not tipping is considered theft of service because base wages are low (often USD 2-5/hour for tipped workers).
Personal space is valued. Americans maintain a larger bubble than many cultures — standing too close during conversation makes people uncomfortable.
'How are you?' is a greeting, not a question. The expected response is positive ('Good, thanks!'), not an honest assessment of your emotional state.
The imperial system is used everywhere: miles (not kilometers), Fahrenheit (not Celsius), pounds (not kilograms), gallons (not liters). Learn key conversions: 70°F = 21°C, 1 mile = 1.6 km.
Shoes in the house: Many Americans wear shoes indoors. Do not assume you should remove yours unless the host indicates otherwise (a shoe rack by the door is the signal).

Common Mistakes When Moving to United States

Not tipping or tipping too little. Servers, bartenders, and many service workers earn a base wage of USD 2-5/hour and depend on tips for their income. 18-20% at restaurants is expected. Not tipping is seen as a serious social offense, and servers may follow up to ask if something was wrong.
Underestimating distances. 'A quick drive' in American terms can mean 2-4 hours. States are enormous — Texas alone is larger than France. Plan travel time realistically and use Google Maps for drive time estimates, not straight-line distance.
Ignoring credit building. Without a US credit score, you will face barriers renting apartments, leasing cars, getting phone contracts, and qualifying for loans. Start building credit immediately with a secured credit card or a credit-builder product.
Talking about politics, religion, or gun control in casual settings. American society is deeply polarized on these topics. What seems like a reasonable observation in your home country may trigger strong reactions. Keep conversations neutral until you understand the political landscape of your community.
Assuming healthcare is covered or affordable. Even with insurance, out-of-pocket costs for medical care can be substantial. Always verify coverage, check that providers are in-network, and understand your financial exposure before receiving non-emergency care.

Things to Know About United States

Healthcare Costs: The US has no universal healthcare. A single emergency room visit without insurance can cost USD 5,000-50,000. Always confirm your insurance coverage, understand your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum, and keep your insurance card accessible. Employer-sponsored health insurance is often the single most important benefit in your compensation package.
Car Dependency: Outside NYC, Chicago, and a few other metro cores, you cannot function without a car. Public transit is limited or nonexistent in most of the country. Budget for a car payment (or lease), insurance (USD 100-300/month), gas, and parking. This is a non-optional expense in most American cities.
Sales Tax: Prices displayed in stores and restaurants do NOT include tax. Sales tax is added at the register and varies by state and city (0% in Oregon and Montana, up to 10%+ in some cities in Tennessee, Louisiana, and Illinois). There is no national VAT.
At-Will Employment: In 49 of 50 states, your employer can terminate you at any time, for any reason (or no reason), without notice. Conversely, you can quit at any time. Two weeks' notice is customary but not legally required. This fundamentally changes the employment relationship compared to European labor protections.
Gun Culture: Firearms are legal and common in the US. Gun laws vary dramatically by state. This is one of the most politically charged topics in American society and is best avoided in casual conversation until you understand the room.