Difficulties of moving. How to start life from scratch in the USA

How to go to the USA for permanent residence? This question is asked by Russian residents planning to move to the New World. In 2021, there are several ways to emigrate to America. Moreover, there are not as few of them as it seems at first glance. Immigration to the United States is complex, but quite accessible for Russian citizens.

Having asked the question of how to move to the USA from Russia, you need to determine the methods suitable for a particular case. In 2021, you can immigrate to the States through direct and indirect routes. But the main thing is to do this, guided by American laws. You should go to the country for permanent residence legally, so as not to violate immigration rules.

What you may encounter during emigration

People go to other countries for a better life, to gain new knowledge or skills (language, education, work experience in another market), new experiences, or just to see the world. Of course, these goals may overlap, and that's okay. But my experience—and the experience of several hundred of my friends and acquaintances—tells me that to avoid disappointment, it’s better to start by “seeing the world” and then move on.

I initially wanted to know how life is in another culture. I was working at McKinsey and at the height of the last financial crisis in 2015 I decided to transfer to the US office.

There were too many consultants, there weren’t enough projects for everyone, this happened not only in McKinsey, but also in other consulting companies. People traveled all over the world: for example, to Australia, New Zealand or the United Arab Emirates. I chose the USA because I have long wanted to pursue my own projects.

While working in America, I began to realize that I could gain new professional experience here. In Moscow, for example, it is impossible to participate in a $100 billion M&A deal (unless Russia buys Belarus), but in the USA it is easy.

I’ll tell you about the main features of the move that I encountered.

Demotion

In addition to positive things - such as a high standard of living, new friends and skills - the life of an emigrant is filled with difficulties and even disappointments.

For example, it’s hard to get used to how much it costs to live in the States: despite high incomes, almost half goes to taxes, and another third goes to food.

You will have to get used to the fact that, most likely, your social capital in another country will be practically zero, and your status (including property status) will go down one step: moving from the rich people of your country to the middle class of the target state is the norm.

Different mentality

This seems interesting only at first glance, but in reality, seemingly small differences result in almost daily problems and misunderstandings. At first, you will regularly experience culture shock.

For example, it is not customary to say everything directly, so words of approval for your work may hide dissatisfaction or even impending dismissal.

You will need to learn to read between the lines, delve into the intricacies of culture and find the root causes of certain words and actions.

Everyday problems

In a new country, it suddenly turns out that you are absolutely helpless in everyday matters. Therefore, you will have to learn to live in the adult world again.

For example, in Moscow almost everything works 24/7, but in the States - especially if it is not New York - cities die out at six to eight in the evening. Even washing clothes will be a problem at first: there is most likely no washing machine in the apartment, and you need to get used to the practice of carrying things to the laundry on time.

The inability to drink tap water outside the United States and several other countries around the world is beginning to infuriate even in prosperous Paris.

Cultural codes

For example, in the States you need to be prepared for business meetings in T-shirts and jeans and “serious non-exclusive” romantic relationships.

Romantic relationships here are generally very contrary to Russian culture. Girls rarely put on makeup and dress up, guys rarely support financially: a friend had a funny incident when, after meeting in a cafe, out of habit, he began to pay the bill for both of them and faced very harsh accusations - the girl perceived his behavior as an attempt to humiliate her. Culture conflict.

You need to be prepared for difficulties, but the goal is worth it.

In general, in the USA, for example, there is very high competition: here the “best” and the luckiest win (sometimes luck is more important). But at the same time, it is important to understand that competition here is high not only for engineers, but also among them - mediocre specialists often end up working at Uber. However, even in this situation, America pleases with a high standard of living and salaries.

What is a Green Card

This is a universal document, also called an identification card. It is issued to a representative of another country who is not an American citizen, but permanently resides in one of the states. Essentially, a Green Card is a residence permit and grants its holder the right to work in the United States, but it does not provide citizenship of the country.

Every year, a lottery is held among citizens of other countries, as a result of which they can be granted a Green Card. More information about the deadlines for submitting an application to participate in the draw and checking the results is described in this video.

Obtaining this card requires a long process of preparing all the necessary documents and spending certain funds. But the end, of course, justifies these means.

The owner of a US ID card receives the following rights in 2021:

reside in all states of the country without any restrictions;
purchase real estate in your own name;
to get a job;
leave the country and return to it without worrying about visas;
issue invitations to your friends or relatives.

The owner of a green card receives not only rights, but also certain obligations that must be fulfilled, otherwise the residence permit can be quickly parted with. To maintain your US residence permit, you need to:

pay taxes in the USA and fill out an income tax return;
persons under 26 years of age must register with the military;
If the green card was received as a result of an invitation to work, then the period specified in the contract must be fulfilled.

If a citizen of another country has received a Green Card, but spends most of his time not in America, but in another country, this may raise questions from immigration services, and in some cases the visa can be lost.

The US authorities pay great attention to the “integration” of a foreign citizen into the structure of the country. Acquired real estate, a driver's license, and children studying in an American school are welcome.

It is very good if you have a membership card of some American club with notes on the payment of membership fees. This could be a sports club or a society of cat lovers. A library card from the Library of Congress can be helpful.

A resident of another country who has received a temporary residence permit will have to prove to visa services for some time that he is not a swindler and honestly came to the United States as a law-abiding citizen and wants to subsequently obtain citizenship.

It is important for the Green Card holder not to violate American laws. Even a small conflict with the police related to a traffic accident, especially while drunk, can result in visa deprivation .

When emigrating, choose a city, not a country

Life in different parts of Western countries - the USA, Britain, Germany - can be very different depending on the city. As you move through different districts, everything changes: the habits of the locals, their way of life, the demand for specialists.

For example, this is the situation in the USA.

San Francisco and Seattle are best for tech jobs. There is always something for designers and engineers to do here. At the same time, it is worth understanding that competition here is high not only for engineers. Therefore, before choosing this city as your goal, you should honestly audit your talents.
New York is great for working in the financial sector. Chicago remains the “capital” of consultants and metallurgists. Boston has the best biotech sector.
Dallas attracts many immigrants from Russia with its oil production and refining industry.
Washington, unfortunately, is only suitable for American passport holders and diplomats: there are few opportunities there outside the public sector and lobbying organizations.
Los Angeles and Miami are good for nightlife, beach holidays and the entertainment industry. Although in Los Angeles it is cold to swim and expensive to live.

It's the same story in Europe. London will be relatively comfortable for both engineers and artists, but the financial sector of the small City is still key for both the city and the country.

Dublin has recently become a small Silicon Valley of Europe: due to low corporate taxes and access to the EU and UK markets, many US technology companies have opened their European headquarters here.

In other cities, finding your place will be much more difficult, and the standard of living in them will be much lower than in those mentioned. The difference will often be the same as between Moscow and the regions.

How much does moving cost?

After choosing goals, timing and direction, you need to prepare supplies for a long journey.

To smooth out the first shock of adaptation, you need to save as much as possible. I know people who have successfully moved with two thousand dollars in their pocket and one light bag, but this path is too difficult, so it’s better not to do it.

But no matter how much you save, don’t be fooled – you won’t be able to live carefree on these funds for long. Due to the huge difference in living standards (buying food for a week in an American store for $200-300 is a very unpleasant surprise at first), even substantial savings last for 6-18 months.

I moved with a year's salary accumulated over the past years. In addition, I received a salary that was relatively comfortable in the US. But it still lasted less time than I expected.

To live in large US cities, I would budget a minimum of five to seven thousand dollars a month for one and seven to ten thousand for two.

Most of all will be spent on rent: two and a half to three thousand and four to five thousand per month, respectively.
Health insurance will cost $300-800 per month per person.
Very little is spent on food - $400-600 per month for one or two people.
Transport will cost about $500-700.
Clothes are cheap: even if you buy from brands like Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors, you shouldn’t spend more than a thousand dollars a year.
But small pleasures like coffee shops can cost a lot of money: a cup of coffee costs about five dollars.

In general, the dreams of a beautiful life for many immigrants were dashed by the high cost. If in Moscow a salary of eight to ten thousand dollars a month rockets you almost to the very top of the social ladder, then in San Francisco this is the starting salary of an engineer in popular areas, the middle class.

Many find it difficult to trade food in expensive restaurants, a luxurious apartment or products from luxury stores for moderation in spending, a cheap apartment and careful budget planning.

It should be understood that the standard of living in the USA is much higher. You just end up a few steps lower and may never grow to the entry level. Some of my friends have never been able to overcome this mental barrier.

Legal ways to immigrate to the USA

There are several legal ways to leave for the USA completely legally. Everyone can choose the one that suits them. Such programs are developed specifically for various situations and there are currently several categories. To be able to live in the New World you must:

Be a sought-after specialist and find available vacancies and work in the USA. There is a special American work visa for this category of people, which is issued for three years with the condition that the specialist will work in a company in the country.
Example of a 3 year visa
When the visa expires, if there is a permanent job and the company needs such an employee, then the visa is extended for several more years. But after this, the document can no longer be renewed. For those who intend to stay and work further, within 6 years you can obtain a Green Card and apply for permanent residence. The most promising employees are considered to be people with knowledge in the field of medicine, engineering, economics, science and programming, art, and architecture.
Have knowledge in the field of various businesses and at the same time have the opportunity to develop and create it in America. Business immigration to the United States began to develop in this category. For example, if a business is located in Russia, Ukraine or Belarus, its branch can open in the USA. To be able to operate it, the owner is allowed to obtain a visa for one year. If the business operates successfully, then you can extend the visa for another three years. Then you should apply for a Green Card.
This is what a US green card looks like
If a business is acquired outright, then such a businessman is issued a permit for three years at once. Russian businessmen have long had their own companies and even bank branches in America.
Be an investor. In order to qualify as an investor in the American economy, you need to contribute at least five hundred thousand dollars. In addition, you must prove that these funds were acquired legally. When documents are submitted for a visa, the required funds are transferred to the account of a certain bank. If the authorization document is refused, then all transferred funds are returned to the owner.
Become a bride or groom, and subsequently the spouse of an American. The most interesting thing is that this is a fairly simple and affordable way to move to another country. There is a huge shortage of brides in America. But in order to live peacefully in one of the developed countries of the world, you must first find a potential groom.

You can get to know him either on the Internet, or on a tourist or business trip. Invite someone to visit you and have evidence of such an acquaintance: photographs, receipts, hotel statements. All this is necessary in order to obtain a fiancée visa and emigrate to the husband’s country. When official documents have been received, you can move and register your marriage. Such a spouse is given a conditional Green Card for only two years. During the entire period, the spouses must live in the country, run a joint household and be married after the visa expires. In addition, the immigration officer may consider their entire life together to make sure that there are no grounds for recognizing the marriage as fictitious.
Become a refugee. Thanks to the Geneva Treaty, America must accept refugees. A person of this category must prove that he is really being persecuted or that life in his homeland has become unsafe for him and his family. The methods of immigration to the USA are quite varied, but this one has its advantages. Let’s say that for residents of Russia or Ukraine, as well as Belarus, it has become more accessible due to complex political relationships and various military conflicts.
US immigration schedule
This refugee claim must be filed only in America. To do this, you need to collect all the documents in your home country, obtain a tourist visa and submit an application upon arrival.
Win the Green Card lottery. There is an annual competition that is officially held by the Department of Migration in the United States. Anyone can take part in it. When registering on the official website, it is worth collecting documents in advance, since if the application is reviewed and the applicant receives a positive assessment, the next step will be visiting the embassy and obtaining a visa. Only those countries from which no more than fifty thousand people have left for a given country in five years are participating in this draw.
Family ties. Having relatives who are permanently in America, according to the laws existing there, you can emigrate legally and upon arrival begin to apply for permanent residence in the United States.

But there are always restrictions. Firstly, family ties must be very close, and secondly, it is necessary to get on the list of immigrant visas, since there is a certain number of such documents that are allowed to be issued per year.
Read also: How to obtain Norwegian citizenship for Russians: methods, necessary conditions and documents

How to reach your maximum

Decide on your ambitions and goals . How do you want to live, what exactly do you expect from moving, what level of the social ladder are you ultimately aiming for, and what are you willing to risk? This is the basis for everything: it is the understanding of one’s own plan that provides the basis for all further actions.
Choose the city you plan to move to and decide on your employment plan . Look at vacancies in an interesting state, county or city, check yourself for compliance, look at typical tasks - make sure that there will be a job and you meet the employer's expectations.
Prepare a base for moving : first of all, this is money. For the first time, as a safety net - the larger the pillow, the better. I would set aside money for at least six months - naturally, based on the cost of living in the target city.
Go to the selected city for reconnaissance : see the situation, compare it with your expectations. Make sure once again that you really want to move here and live here - the way the locals live (integration is inevitable).
Pull yourself together and act . Prepare in advance for the fact that there will be problems, but the goal is worth all the difficulties that will have to be overcome.

Emigration is in many ways similar to business: you must know what you are doing and why, and you must also be ready to work for results. Then everything will be successful.

Photo in text and on cover: Unsplash