Move to United States, every legal route
The US has some of the most competitive employer-sponsored routes in the world (the H-1B is a lottery), but it also runs the Diversity Visa program — a free, no-sponsor green card lottery that's specifically designed to include countries like most of Africa. Here's every realistic route in.
Visa & immigration routes
Tap a category to expand it. Figures are indicative — always confirm current details on the official government site before applying.
Points-Based / Highly Skilled 2 routes ▾
The US has no general points system — its closest equivalents are lottery-based or reserved for exceptional talent.
Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery
A genuinely free, annual green card lottery for citizens of countries with historically low rates of immigration to the US — no employer, no family tie, and no fee to enter.
Free to enter; ~$330 visa fee only if selected and proceeding
Entry period usually October–November; results the following spring; visa processing after that
- Born in an eligible country (most African countries qualify most years; check the current year's list)
- High school education or equivalent, OR 2 years of work experience in an occupation requiring 2+ years of training
- Passport-style photo
- Passport
- Proof of education or work experience if selected
O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa
For individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics, sponsored by a US employer or agent.
~$1,055 (I-129) + optional $2,965 premium processing
~2–4 months standard, 15 business days with premium processing
- Sustained national or international acclaim in your field
- A US employer or agent to sponsor the petition
- Evidence such as major awards, media coverage, or high salary relative to peers
- Evidence of acclaim
- Employer/agent petition
- Passport
Employer-Sponsored 1 route ▾
The main professional route in — but demand far outstrips the annual quota.
H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
For jobs requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a specific specialty, subject to an annual lottery.
$215 registration fee; employer bears most filing costs (can run into thousands)
Registration each March; if selected, visa can start the following October
- Job offer in a specialty occupation requiring a relevant bachelor's degree
- Employer registers you in the annual lottery (85,000 cap, weighted by wage level)
- Degree evidence
- Employer petition (Form I-129)
- Passport
Intra-Company Transfer 1 route ▾
For staff of multinational companies with a qualifying US entity — no lottery involved.
L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa
L-1A for managers/executives, L-1B for specialized knowledge staff, transferring to a related US office.
~$2,485+ (employer-paid filing fees), plus $205 consular fee if applying from abroad
A few months standard; 15 business days with premium processing
- At least 1 continuous year of employment abroad with the company in the past 3 years
- Qualifying corporate relationship (parent, subsidiary, branch, affiliate)
- Managerial/executive or specialized-knowledge role
- Proof of corporate relationship
- Proof of prior employment
- Petition from US entity
- Passport
Startup / Entrepreneur / Investor 1 route ▾
A real but expensive route — the EB-5 requires a substantial investment.
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
Grants a green card in exchange for a qualifying investment that creates at least 10 US jobs.
$800,000–$1,050,000 investment, plus $80,000–$150,000+ in fees for a family of four
Multi-year process; conditional green card first, permanent after ~2 years
- Investment of $800,000 (targeted employment area) or $1,050,000 (standard) into a qualifying US business
- Creation of at least 10 full-time US jobs
- Lawful source of investment funds
- Proof of investment
- Source-of-funds documentation
- Business plan
- Passport
Family / Spousal / Partner 1 route ▾
For spouses and fiancé(e)s of US citizens or permanent residents.
Spouse Visa (CR-1/IR-1) or Fiancé(e) Visa (K-1)
CR-1/IR-1 is for an already-married spouse; K-1 is for a fiancé(e) who will marry within 90 days of arrival.
~$675 (I-130 for CR-1/IR-1) or ~$940 total government cost for K-1
CR-1/IR-1: ~14.5–35 months; K-1: ~7.7 months to interview, 24–32 months to green card overall
- Genuine relationship with a US citizen or, for CR-1/IR-1, a green card holder
- Sponsor meets minimum income requirements
- For K-1: intent to marry within 90 days of entry
- Proof of relationship
- Sponsor's income evidence
- Passport
- Police clearances
Digital Nomad 1 route ▾
No dedicated US digital nomad visa exists.
No Formal Route
The US does not offer a digital nomad visa. Remote workers for a foreign employer sometimes visit on a B-1/B-2, but working for a US-based interest while on tourist status is not permitted.
N/A
N/A
Seasonal / Agricultural 1 route ▾
A genuine, uncapped route for farm work.
H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Visa
For temporary or seasonal agricultural work, with no annual cap on the number of visas.
$205 DS-160 fee (reimbursed by employer in first paycheck) + employer-side fees
Several weeks once the employer's petition is approved
- A job offer from a US employer for temporary/seasonal farm work
- Employer has proven no sufficient US workers are available
- Employer job offer
- Passport
- Proof of ability to do the work
Graduate / Post-Study Work 1 route ▾
For international students finishing a US degree.
Optional Practical Training (OPT / STEM OPT)
Work authorization for F-1 graduates — 12 months standard, extendable by 24 months for STEM degree holders.
~$1,780 (Form I-765 filing fee, 2026 rate)
Apply up to 90 days before graduation; processing can take a few months
- Completed a degree at a SEVP-certified school
- Job related to your field of study
- STEM extension requires an employer enrolled in E-Verify
- I-20 with OPT recommendation
- Degree evidence
- Passport
Student 1 route ▾
The US remains the single largest destination for international students worldwide.
F-1 Student Visa
For full-time study at a SEVP-certified school.
~$185 visa fee + $350 SEVIS fee
Several weeks to a couple of months, subject to visa interview availability
- Acceptance (Form I-20) from a SEVP-certified institution
- Proof of sufficient funds for tuition and living costs
- Intent to return home after studies (though OPT is a recognised next step)
- Form I-20
- Financial evidence
- Passport
- Standardized test scores as required
Best career pathways right now
Not sure which of the six countries fits your profession best? Try the career planner →
Healthcare
A national nursing shortage (projected 10% RN shortfall by 2027) keeps healthcare the single strongest demand area — but note nursing and most allied health roles do not typically qualify for H-1B, since it is not classed as a "specialty occupation" requiring a bachelor's degree in the same way. Most nurses immigrate through employer-sponsored immigrant (green card) petitions, a longer process not covered by the routes listed on this page.
Typical salary: $75,000-$130,000
Usual visa route: No Formal Route (employer-sponsored immigrant petition, not covered here)
Technology & AI
AI, data science and cybersecurity roles are growing far faster than the economy overall, and are the clearest fit for H-1B — over 80% of large tech firms' H-1B petitions in 2026 were for AI-connected roles.
Typical salary: $110,000-$170,000
Usual visa route: H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
Engineering
Sustained demand across civil, mechanical and electrical engineering disciplines, which generally qualify as H-1B specialty occupations.
Typical salary: $75,000-$120,000
Usual visa route: H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
Skilled Trades
An aging trades workforce is driving demand for electricians, welders and HVAC technicians — but be aware these roles have no clean employer-sponsored visa route in the US without a family or diversity-visa connection, since they don't meet H-1B's "specialty occupation" bar.
Typical salary: $50,000-$85,000
Usual visa route: No Formal Route
Workplace culture & etiquette
Direct and efficiency-focused
US workplace communication tends to be direct and results-oriented — get to the point in emails and meetings.
Long hours are common
A 40-hour week is a baseline, not a ceiling, in many industries — genuinely ask about expectations before accepting a role.
Small talk still matters
A brief personal check-in before business is normal, even if the culture overall is direct.
Self-promotion is expected
Unlike some cultures where modesty is valued, clearly stating your achievements in reviews and interviews is expected, not boastful.
At-will employment
Most US jobs are "at-will," meaning either side can end employment with little notice — understand what this means for your visa status if sponsored.
Cost of living snapshot
| City | 1-bed rent | Groceries | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City The most expensive major US city, but with the deepest job market. | ~$3,000–4,000/month | ~$450–600/month | ~$132/month (MetroCard) |
| Atlanta A major hub for the African diaspora in the US, with a lower cost of living than the coasts. | ~$1,400–2,500/month | ~$350–450/month | ~$95/month |
| Houston No state income tax and a large, diverse job market across energy, healthcare and tech. | ~$1,220–2,140/month | ~$340–440/month | ~$161/month |
Neighbourhood guide: New York City
Ratings only — we don't list or scrape live rentals. For actual listings, use Zillow, the trusted platform for United States.
Jackson Heights, Queens
One of the most diverse neighbourhoods in the US, with over 160 languages spoken, good transit, and a genuine sense of community.
Commute: ~25-30 min to Manhattan by subway
Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Diverse and bustling with markets from many immigrant communities, among the more affordable walkable neighbourhoods in NYC.
Commute: ~30-35 min to Manhattan by subway
Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn
A historic Black and immigrant neighbourhood with a strong sense of community and relatively lower price tags than much of Brooklyn.
Commute: ~30 min to Manhattan by subway
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
One of Brooklyn's safest neighbourhoods by crime statistics, increasingly diverse, with a strong family-oriented feel.
Commute: ~40-45 min to Manhattan by subway
Studying? Watch for rental scams
US universities typically guarantee on-campus housing for first-year international students through their own housing portal — apply as soon as you accept your offer. Off campus, never send a deposit or first month's rent by wire transfer before seeing the unit in person or via a live video call with the actual leasing office.
Trusted platforms to search instead of random social media listings:
- Your university's official housing office
- StreetEasy (for NYC)
- Zillow
- Facebook groups specific to your university (verify admin legitimacy first)
Your first 30 days
Apply for a Social Security Number
If work-authorized, visit your local SSA office with your passport, visa, and I-94 — typically arrives by mail within 1–3 weeks.
Open a bank account
Bring your passport, visa, and proof of address; some banks and most credit unions will open an account before you have an SSN.
Get a SIM card
Prepaid plans from Mint Mobile, Visible or Google Fi need no credit check and no SSN.
Start building credit
A secured credit card is the fastest way to start a US credit history — this affects everything from apartment leases to phone contracts later.
Get a state ID or driver's license
Requirements vary by state, but a state ID is the most widely accepted form of everyday identification.
Bring enough cash for the first few weeks
Between SSN and bank account delays, having $500–1,000 in accessible cash smooths the first fortnight considerably.
Tourist & visiting visas
Kept deliberately separate from the work/study/family routes above — this is specifically for a holiday, family visit, or short trip.
B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa
B-1 for short business trips, B-2 for tourism and family visits — often issued as a combined B-1/B-2 visa.
~$185 application fee (a $250 Visa Integrity Fee has been legislated but was not yet being collected as of mid-2026)
Depends heavily on embassy interview wait times, which vary widely by country
- Valid passport
- Proof of funds
- Ties to home country showing intent to return
- Clean immigration history
- Passport
- Bank statements
- Employment/business letter
- Travel itinerary
Best places to visit
New York City
Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park and world-class museums, all in one city.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
One of the most dramatic natural landscapes on Earth.
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
An iconic Art Deco suspension bridge and gateway to Northern California.
Walt Disney World, Orlando
The world's most visited theme park resort.
Niagara Falls (US side)
Massive waterfalls straddling the US-Canada border, with dramatic viewing points on both sides.
US visa fees, caps and program rules change frequently — figures above are indicative and current as of our last research pass. Always confirm details on the official USCIS or State Department websites before making decisions or payments, and never pay anyone to enter the Diversity Visa lottery, which is always free to enter.