The main routes to move to America depend on your job, family ties, or refugee status

There is no single path to move to America. The route you take depends on whether you have a job offer, family members already living there, investment capital, or are fleeing persecution. Each path requires different documents, takes different amounts of time, and has different costs. The fastest routes are usually employment-based visas if your employer sponsors you, or family-based visas if you have a U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative. Slower routes include diversity visas (a lottery system) and humanitarian visas for refugees and asylees.

The U.S. State Department and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) manage these programs. You cannot move to America without a visa or status that allows you to live there legally. Entering without authorization or overstaying a tourist visa creates a record that makes future legal immigration much harder and can result in deportation.

Key Takeaways

  • Employment-based visas require a U.S. employer to sponsor you and typically take six months to two years depending on the visa category.
  • Family-based visas require a U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative to petition for you, and wait times vary from months to many years depending on your relationship and country of origin.
  • The diversity visa lottery is free to enter but accepts only 55,000 people per year from countries with low immigration to the U.S., and winners must still meet health and background requirements.
  • Refugee and asylee status is for people fleeing persecution, requires an interview with USCIS or the State Department, and does not require a family member or job offer.
  • You will need a valid passport, police clearance, medical exam, and proof of financial support or employment before any visa is issued.

Employment-based visas: when your employer sponsors you

An employment-based visa requires a U.S. employer to petition for you. The employer must show that they cannot find a may have access to American worker for the job and that hiring you will not harm American wages. The most common employment visa is the H-1B, used for specialty occupations like engineering, IT, accounting, and healthcare. The employer files the petition with USCIS, and if approved, you receive a visa stamp at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.

H-1B visas are capped at 65,000 per year, with an additional 20,000 for people with a U.S. master's degree or higher. The process period is typically in March, and the visa takes effect on October 1. If your employer's petition is selected in the lottery, the process takes about four to six months from petition to visa approval. Other employment visas include the L-1 (for employees transferring within a company), O-1 (for people with extraordinary ability), and EB categories (permanent employment-based green cards), which take longer but lead to permanent residency.

The cost to the employer is typically $1,500 to $3,000 in filing fees, plus legal fees if they hire an immigration attorney. Some employers cover these costs; others ask the employee to pay. You will need a job offer letter, proof of your education and work experience, and a medical exam.

Family-based visas: when a relative petitions for you

A U.S. citizen or permanent resident can petition for certain family members. when ready relatives of U.S. citizens—spouse, unmarried child under 21, or parent of a U.S. citizen over 21—have no wait time and can move relatively quickly, usually within six months to a year. Other family categories, like siblings or adult children, have long wait times that vary by country. For example, a Mexican citizen petitioned by a sibling may wait 10 to 15 years; a Filipino citizen in the same category may wait 20 years or more.

The U.S. citizen or permanent resident files a petition (Form I-130) with USCIS. Once approved, you explore for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The petitioner must prove they earn enough to support you—usually 125 percent of the federal poverty line for their household size. If they do not earn enough, they can find a co-sponsor, usually another family member, who signs an affidavit of support.

There is no filing fee for the I-130 petition itself, but visa process fees at the embassy range from $200 to $300. You will need a valid passport, police clearance from every country you have lived in for more than six months, a medical exam by a USCIS-approved doctor, and proof that you do not have a criminal record or communicable disease.

The diversity visa lottery: free entry, low odds

The diversity visa program issues 55,000 visas per year to people from countries with historically low immigration to the U.S. You enter by submitting an online form during the process period, usually in October and November. There is no fee to enter. Winners are selected randomly by computer. The odds depend on how many people from your country enter; in some years, the odds are roughly 1 in 100 to 1 in 500.

If your country is not on the may be able to access list, you cannot enter. The State Department publishes the list each year on its website. Countries with high immigration to the U.S. in the past five years—including Mexico, China, India, and the Philippines—are not may be able to access. Winners are notified by email, and you have a limited time to submit documents and schedule a visa interview. The entire process from entry to visa issuance takes about one year if you win.

You must still meet all standard requirements: a valid passport, police clearance, medical exam, and proof of financial support or a job offer. You cannot have a criminal record or certain health conditions. Many people enter the lottery every year for years without winning.

Refugee and asylee status: for people fleeing persecution

Refugee status is for people outside the U.S. who are fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a social group. Asylee status is for people already in the U.S. or at a port of entry who make the same claim. Neither requires a family member or job offer in the U.S.

To explore for refugee status, you must be referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a U.S. embassy, or a U.S.-based nonprofit organization. You then attend an interview with a USCIS officer, who determines whether you meet the legal definition of a refugee. The interview covers your persecution, your fear of returning home, and your background. The process typically takes six months to two years.

To explore for asylee status, you can file Form I-589 with USCIS if you are already in the U.S. or arrive at a port of entry. You do not need a lawyer, but having one increases your chances of approval. If approved, you receive work authorization and can stay in the U.S. while your case is pending. Refugees and asylees can explore for permanent residency (a green card) after one year in the U.S.

Documents you will need for any visa route

Regardless of which visa you pursue, you will need a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining. You will also need a police clearance certificate from every country where you have lived for more than six months since age 16. This document shows you have no criminal record. You can request it from your country's police or interior ministry; the process and cost vary by country.

You will need a medical exam by a doctor approved by USCIS. The exam includes a physical, blood tests, and a chest X-ray. The doctor will check for tuberculosis, HIV, and other communicable diseases. You cannot receive a visa if you have untreated tuberculosis or certain other conditions. The exam costs $200 to $500 depending on your location.

You will need proof of financial support. This can be a job offer letter, a bank statement showing savings, or an affidavit of support from a family member or sponsor. The amount required depends on the visa type and your family size. You will also need documents proving your education and work experience: diplomas, transcripts, employment letters, and references. If you are married or have children, you will need their birth certificates and marriage certificate.

Timeline and costs: what to expect

The time from start to arrival in America varies widely. Employment-based visas typically take six months to two years. Family-based visas for when ready relatives take six months to a year; other family categories take years or decades. The diversity visa lottery takes about one year if you win. Refugee processing takes six months to two years.

Costs also vary. There is no fee to enter the diversity visa lottery. Family-based visa petitions have no filing fee, but visa process fees are $200 to $300. Employment-based visas have filing fees of $460 to $1,500 depending on the category, plus legal fees if you hire an attorney. Medical exams cost $200 to $500. Police clearance certificates cost $10 to $100 depending on your country. Visa process fees are $160 to $300. If you hire an immigration attorney, expect to pay $1,500 to $5,000 or more depending on the complexity of your case.

Once you arrive in the U.S., you will need to pay for housing, transportation, and living expenses. Many visa categories require you to show proof that you or your sponsor can support you financially. The federal poverty line for a single person in 2024 is about $15,000 per year; sponsors typically need to earn 125 percent of that amount.

What happens after you arrive

When you arrive in the U.S. on a visa, you receive a stamp in your passport and a document called an I-94, which shows your admission date and how long you are allowed to stay. Some visas allow you to stay for a specific period (like two years for an H-1B); others allow you to stay as long as you maintain your status (like a student visa). You must not overstay your visa or work outside the terms of your visa category.

If you want to stay permanently, you can explore for a green card (permanent resident status). Employment-based green cards require your employer to sponsor you through a process called labor certification, which can take several years. Family-based green cards require your relative to petition for you. Refugees and asylees can explore for a green card after one year in the U.S. Once you have a green card, you can live and work anywhere in the U.S. and can explore for citizenship after five years (or three years if you are married to a U.S. citizen).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move to America without a job offer or family member?

Yes, through the diversity visa lottery or by explore for refugee or asylee status. The diversity visa is free to enter but has very low odds. Refugee and asylee status requires you to prove you are fleeing persecution. You cannot straightforward move to America as a tourist and stay; overstaying a tourist visa creates a record that makes future legal immigration much harder.

How long does it take to get a green card?

It depends on your route. Family-based green cards for when ready relatives of U.S. citizens take six months to a year. Other family categories take years or decades depending on your country and relationship. Employment-based green cards take two to seven years depending on the category and your country. Refugees and asylees can explore after one year in the U.S., and the process takes about six months.

What if my country is not may be able to access for the diversity visa?

You would need to pursue employment-based, family-based, or humanitarian visas instead. The State Department publishes the list of may be able to access countries each year. Countries with high immigration to the U.S. are excluded, including Mexico, China, India, and the Philippines.

Do I need a lawyer to move to America?

You do not need a lawyer, but immigration law is complex and mistakes can delay your case or result in denial. Many people hire an immigration attorney to help with visa petitions, green card applications, or asylum cases. Legal fees range from $1,500 to $5,000 or more depending on the complexity of your case.

What happens if my visa is denied?

The consulate will tell you the reason for denial. Common reasons include insufficient financial support, criminal history, or health issues. You can reapply after addressing the reason for denial, but there is no may provide of approval. If you believe the denial was wrong, you can request an administrative review or appeal, depending on the visa type.