Everything about the life of Russian immigrants in the USA: interesting facts and reviews

Russian emigration

The first wave began in 1917, when over 6 years about 2 million people left the country for the following reasons:

• Civil War;
• October Revolution;
• Intervention;
• Hunger.

The second wave was associated with the Second World War in 1942. Then the Russians moved mainly to the USA and Canada, and these were prisoners of war, refugees and people who went over to the side of Germany.

The third wave occurred in the period 1966-1985. During all this time, more than a million people went abroad, including mainly creative intellectuals and representatives of the arts.

The rather low way of life in Russia, compared to the West, forced a million residents to leave the country from 1990 to 2000.

According to statistics, from 2001 to 2011, 1,250,000 people moved to the city. Most often these are representatives of the middle class, business and youth.

The most common reasons for moving now:

• Work and self-realization.
• Studies.
• Marriage.
• Refugee.

At the moment, the number of Russian emigrants abroad is more than 10 million.

Check your chances of immigration

If you want to leave your homeland, you must take into account that the process of migration from Russia is not suitable for everyone. To do this, estimate your capabilities, draw up a rough activity plan for the near future, and calculate your personal savings. Remember that the better the country you choose to move to, the more requirements the candidate must meet. And the standard of living in the USA is quite high. In addition to education and qualifications, evaluate your health and undergo a special medical commission for this.

The chances of immigration for people of retirement age are low. This is due to the country’s reluctance to support a person who has never worked a day on its territory.

If you have a spouse or children, it will be more difficult for you to immigrate as the cost of supporting your family increases.

Advantages of moving to permanent residence in the USA

Why do more and more Russians dream of going to live for permanent residence in the USA? Let's list the main advantages of living in America:

1. There is a complete absence of manifestations of chauvinism and xenophobia towards immigrants. That is, no one in the States will blame you for your accent and bad pronunciation. Insults based on nationality are also completely unacceptable - this can lead to legal proceedings. Americans, for the most part, are very friendly and decent people.
2. You can always find a job for good pay. There is no discrimination based on age, gender or race. Even if at first the work activity does not correspond to the education and qualifications received, with sufficient diligence and hard work, career growth is guaranteed. Especially if you are a professional in your field, you can achieve a lot. The average salary of a doctor or IT specialist is approximately 10 thousand dollars a month!
3. Good tax and credit conditions for opening both a small business and a large-scale business.
4. The brilliant achievements of American medicine, as well as the availability of medical insurance, make it possible to receive qualified medical care at any time.
5. High level of education and many opportunities to get it.
6. Freedom of movement. This should be understood as the absence of connection to the place of residence. If you don’t like life in one city, you can move to another.
7. Finally, there is the stunning natural beauty of the United States, and the government's constant concern for the environment.

See also: Emigration, where to go in 2021: review of the most popular countries for moving for permanent residence

These are the obvious “advantages” of living in America.

Visas

There are a decent number of visa options that can be used to get to America, and every Russian who wants to visit the United States is required to have one of them.

1. Immigration - permanent residence visa, issued to the bride or groom.
2. NIVs visa for those who want to visit the state as a tourist, for business purposes or for medical treatment.
3. Student visa for those wishing to continue their educational activities abroad.
4. Work visa for up to 2 years for those wishing to work.
5. Visas for teachers, university lecturers, researchers.
6. For journalists and media workers, issued for a period of 3 months to 1 year.

About 4% of those living in the United States are illegal migrants. Illegal entry into the territory of the state is subject to administrative or criminal penalties. Also, in the future you will not be able to obtain a visa to any countries. The penalty depends on the length of stay and the frequency of entries.

Marry an American

Meeting an American is sometimes the only chance to get a Green Card for permanent residence. Moreover, for several thousand dollars you can find a suitable candidate for a fictitious marriage. But do not forget that there is a law against sham marriages, according to which the intentions of girls are carefully checked.

If the insincerity of the intentions is proven, the bride will face immediate deportation and a lifelong entry ban. This is the main reason why you should initially think about creating a real family.

Let us immediately note that the main contingent of men on dating sites are people of average income. People with low incomes often simply cannot afford the expenses of moving a Russian bride.

Before packing your bags, read the reviews of our girls in the statuses of the current (former) wife of an American on the forums.

Reviews about marriage

• “My marriage to an American lasted 4 years. I can’t say anything bad about him, but the difference in mentality was constantly felt in everyday life. During our acquaintance, we never had a heart-to-heart talk. It’s just that all Americans live according to a schedule, and for them a wife is another item in their diary.”

Adaptation of visitors

This is an English-speaking country, but not all visitors are fluent in English and are willing to pay for special courses. For this purpose, there are free colleges located throughout the United States.

They are called Community Colleges, Adult schools, COPE ESL. To attend classes, you must come to school and sign up. Such courses will help you communicate with people in stores, in hospitals, and fill out documents correctly. The level of teaching in such schools is no worse than in paid institutions.

What is meant by professional integration among immigrants?

• Adaptation to a new environment;
• Inclusion in the life of a new country, when a migrant is practically no different from local residents in socio-economic indicators, as well as cultural ones, for example, language proficiency;
• Correction of mentality and moral values.

Table: pros and cons of life in the USA from the point of view of Russians

Immigrating to the United States is not easy, but those Russians who went through difficulties and bureaucratic obstacles and overcame them managed to create a decent life for themselves. Russian immigrants in the United States have two options: to live within the cultural environment of their compatriots or to join American society. Most choose the second path because it is the one that guarantees success and respect. The life of the average American citizen is freedom and responsibility, the struggle for success, high taxes and hourly wages. In this country, everyone cultivates their own garden and enjoys its fruits.

• Author: Svetlana Varka
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I live in Lvov (Ukraine). Higher education. Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, medieval historian. Rate this article:

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Who earns the most in the USA?

One of the first things an emigrant takes into account when moving to another country is the demand for his profession and income level.

The highest paid professionals in the United States are:

1. Medical workers, and surgeons and anesthesiologists are especially valued. Their salary can reach 250 thousand dollars per year (more than a million rubles per month);
2. Entrepreneurs. People who have their own business in the USA receive 150-200 thousand dollars a year. It is worth noting that the state pays special attention to entrepreneurial activity. Economic policy is mainly aimed at maintaining a high share of business in GDP. The state wants people to create businesses.
3. Actors and singers ($150 thousand per year);
4. Lawyers ($130 thousand per year)
5. Pharmacists ($125 thousand per year);
6. IT specialists ($100 thousand per year);
7. Accountant ($100 thousand per year);
8. Teachers ($70 thousand per year).

The list of the most in-demand professions in the United States includes engineers and technicians, IT specialists, doctors, financial analysts, accountants, and builders.

It is important

The choice of specialty greatly influences the future life of an emigrant.

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. When the visa expires, if there is a permanent job and the company needs such an employee, the visa is extended for another few years. But after this, the document can no longer be renewed. For those who intend to stay and work further, in 6 years you can get 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, 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Win the GreenCard 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.

See also: How to emigrate to Canada from Russia

Salaries in comparison with Russia

In the Russian Federation in 2021, the minimum wage was 7,800 rubles per month, and in the USA – $7.20 per hour. American students have other indicators - $5 per hour, while Russians have 2 times less.

It's easy to calculate net average income. For example, the “dirty” salary of a US resident for 2021 was $150,000 + $15,000 bonuses = $165,000.

To begin with, a lot of money needs to be allocated for taxes, this is approximately $50,000. $17,000 is deducted from the resulting salary for health insurance and a pension plan. The “net” salary ends up being $90,000 ($7,500 per month). And this is 2 times less than the original amount, but it continues to be sufficient.

Education system in the USA and Russia: similarities and differences

They say that in the United States you can get the best education; for this, young people from different parts of the world strive to get into American universities. There is also an opinion that Russian education is no worse, and has even gone several steps ahead from the American one.

In Russia, children study according to a specific plan and spend a certain number of hours on it. In America, on the contrary, schools can change or adjust the program at their discretion.

Education in a Russian school lasts 11 years, in an American school - 12 years. It is divided into levels:

1. General (primary) education. In American schools, children behave more freely than in Russian ones. The school day goes something like this: the teacher gives general information about the country, the world, people, teaches how to write and count. Children play, walk around the classroom, draw, sit on the floor, and not at their desks throughout the entire lesson, as in Russia. It is also worth noting that American schoolchildren are given virtually no homework during their first years;
2. Secondary education. In Russia, children study according to a certain system, while Americans need to attend a sufficient number of hours in compulsory subjects and spend the rest of the time studying things that interest them. You can choose from Spanish, Russian, French, Chinese and other languages. As in Russia, American schools have 6-8 lessons a day, and homework must be completed regularly. If in Russian schools grades are given in the form of numbers, then in the United States it is customary to grade the letters “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” and “F”. By the way, there is a fact that students do not cheat, and they can simply address the professor by name.
3. Higher education. United States applicants choose several universities for enrollment, just like Russian ones. If a student has not decided on a specialty, he has the opportunity to study at a university for a year, studying general philosophical topics, mathematics, and at the same time choosing his future profession. Universities have a recreation area, sofas, tables, and a large dining room. For such comfort you have to pay a lot of money - about 40 thousand dollars a year. To finance your studies, there are grants and scholarships, for example, Fellowships, Scholarships, Assistantships. To do this, you need to do various research for the university. A university can also pay for a student if he has many achievements and awards, as well as a high score on entrance exams.

We conclude that Russia adheres to a certain system in order to give every child equal knowledge, while schoolchildren in America independently choose subjects to study, and may not know geography or astronomy.

Russian schoolchildren already at an early age think about choosing a university for admission and about the demand for their specialty. While Americans are more confident in their future, because they are guided by the fact that they will definitely find their place in life after school and university.

Russian life in America: how emigrants live now

Emigration waves

The political situation in the country is the main reason for the emigration of the Russian population. The flight of the Russian people to a more comfortable country from repression and religious oppression began several centuries ago. In history, it is customary to distinguish 5 waves of Russian immigration:

• The first Russian settlers began to leave their homeland and conquer the North American continent back in the 18th-19th centuries. Crossing the Pacific Ocean, they dispersed along the coast and began life with a new leaf.

Interesting! In 1732, Russian explorers led by M. Gvozdev discovered the Alaska Peninsula. And until 1867 it was under the control of the Russian Empire. After the sale of the peninsula to the United States of America, the Russian settlement began to oppress Indian tribes. And in 1884, most Russian-speaking people returned to the Old World.

• The second wave of resettlement occurred at the end of the 19th – beginning of the 20th century. The main emigrants were Jews, high society, supporters of the old government and monarchy, and White Guards.
• The third period consisted mainly of former political prisoners and creative people (writers, dancers, etc.). They left the Soviet Union from the end of the Great Patriotic War until the end of the 70s of the XX century
• The fall of the Iron Curtain and the collapse of the USSR led to a new, fourth wave of migration. Those Russians who had the opportunity and great desire went in search of a better life.
• The fifth period of emigration occurred at the beginning of the new millennium. The unstable economy and political structure did not suit the Russians, and they were in a hurry to leave their homeland.

It is worth noting that a new wave of emigration is currently occurring. Most students choose to study in the United States of America, and some entrepreneurs move to the New World to develop their business.

Number of Russians in the USA

In the United States of America, it is customary to consider all immigrants from the Soviet Union to be “Russian.” Among them are Ukrainians, Belarusians, Kazakhs and others. Moving to this country, they try to unite and found ethnic groups called diasporas.

According to the latest census, about 5 million Russian-speaking people currently live in the United States of America.

Among them:

• Russians – more than 2.5 million migrants
• Ukrainians – a little more than 900 thousand
• Belarusians – 30 thousand people
• Other nationalities – more than 1 million migrants.

Interesting! The number of Russian-speaking migrants may be significantly larger. The total does not include Russians who crossed borders illegally and are in the United States illegally.

The largest number of Russian-speaking people live in New York and its environs - about 2 million. Another popular state for living among Slavs is California. The comfortable climate and relaxed atmosphere attracted almost 500 thousand Russians for permanent residence.

Russian diasporas

At the moment, there are several options for moving to permanent residence in the United States of America:

- job invitation

- obtaining higher education at one of the US universities

- obtaining a green card

- marriage

- political refuge

Interesting! Most Russian-speaking emigrants, when moving to America, choose housing and apartments in Russian areas. Thus, they assume that adaptation will be much easier and faster. However, apart from homesickness and a sad mood, they will receive nothing.

However, there are Russian diasporas in many states. They lead an active social life and help newly arrived migrants quickly get used to new conditions. Moreover, most ethnic Russian-speaking groups create foundations. They provide various information, life hacks and other material and even spiritual assistance to the “new” Russians on the North American continent.

Employment

A popular reason for moving is employment. The American dream of a good life is firmly established in the minds of not only Russian emigrants, but also residents of other countries. As a result, many people move to the United States as adults in search of a better life.

If the purpose of moving is work, then the Russian emigrant needs to be prepared for the fact that an education diploma in the United States will need to be confirmed. The educational systems in Russia and the United States differ from each other, so some specialists will need to take additional courses.

Interesting! The salary level depends on the specialty and the state in which the employee lives. The average salary in the United States is $40 thousand per year.

Standard of living

It seems that on such a high salary you can live comfortably and not worry about anything. However, living in the USA also requires considerable expenses.

The first thing a Russian emigrant will spend money on is housing. The rental price depends on the region:

– New York – 1500 – 3000 (dollars per month)

– Miami – 1800 – 2000

— Detroit – 500 – 800, etc.

Moreover, housing maintenance costs must be added to the rent. The amount varies from 500 to 1000 dollars. This does not include buying groceries, leisure time and clothing.

Russian emigrants prefer to move to large cities. In big cities there is a higher chance of employment and decent wages. Moreover, megacities have the largest concentration of Russian-speaking people. This is a mitigating factor when moving.

Most often, Russians can be found in Brooklyn, New York. Russian speech can be heard from all corners of Brighton Beach street. Wealthy Russian emigrants prefer to settle in Manhattan or in the area of ​​Staten Island.

On the other coast, in California, Russian life is concentrated in cities such as Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Francisco. And promising Russian programmers live and work in the Silicon Valley area.

Product prices

Food in America is somewhat more expensive. The table shows the cost of products in rubles:

The American diet is particularly high in calories and consists mainly of sandwiches, toast, pancakes, spaghetti, salads, meat, bacon, nuggets and burgers. Americans are accustomed to snacking on the go and often with the wrong foods. They are sensitive to money, so they try to cook at home rather than order food. To save money, pasta is often boiled.

Real estate

According to statistics, the cost of an apartment in the USA per square meter is not much different from Russia and Ukraine.

Purchase of real estate with an area of ​​30 sq. m in New York will cost an American $350-$450 thousand. And it is considered an affordable option for many.

In Florida, the price of an apartment will be $160-$250 thousand. Florida real estate is suitable for both the rich and the middle class and students. In Los Angeles, the price of an apartment will rise to $500 thousand.

It is important

The cost depends on the location of the facility. The price of an apartment in crime-ridden areas or on the outskirts of the city is only $70 thousand.

Rental housing costs $700-$1,000 or more. Americans pay $0.22 per kilowatt for electricity, $0.55 per cubic meter for water, and approximately $100 per month for heating. Internet is expensive and costs $50 per month.

Emigration to the USA from Russia: where to start

How to emigrate to the USA from Russia and what needs to be done before this should be considered in more detail. First of all, you should draw up a plan where you need to consider and take into account all the nuances and pitfalls that may arise when realizing your dream.

Mandatory points of the plan should be:

• Learning American English.

• Finding the necessary information about obtaining a visa.
• Obtaining permission to enter and reside in the USA.
• Collection of necessary documents.
• Determining the tasks that need to be completed in Russia before departure.
• Raising funds for initial accommodation, it is also worth finding people who can help you adapt to your new place of residence.
• Job search - the employer will be able to send a call, in which case the procedure for obtaining a visa will be simplified.

Transport

They say that “America is a country built by and for cars.” Life is simply impossible without a car. Of course, in addition to buying a car, you need to take into account the costs of vehicle repairs.

Research has shown that Americans spent $8,000 on a car in 2021. This cost included fuel costs (from $1,500 per year), maintenance and repairs (from $1,000), and depreciation (from $2,000).

The condition of American roads is not much different from Russian ones, although Americans pay for them. But toll highways look perfect and are built at incredible speed. Having paid for the road, the American drives without intersections or traffic lights.

How much do American retirees earn?

In the United States, retirement age begins at 66-67 years old. The size of the pension depends on the average salary and length of service (minimum 10 years). Americans can contribute no more than 15% of their salary to the account throughout their lives.

The average pension is $1,500. Also included are benefits for military personnel. For elderly citizens, discounts are provided on food and clothing.

Tax system

Taxes are the basis of the US federal budget. The tax system exists in 3 levels:

• federal from 15% to 39%;
• state taxes 11%;
• municipal 3%.

Citizens allocate a considerable part of their income to them. Interest rates may increase if you are married, for example. The exception is Russians, who spend most of their time in Russia and go to America for a short time. Then they pay taxes only in their home country.

There are a number of tax benefits:

• Benefits from the state are not subject to duty;
• Refundable tax credits and offsets;
• Non-refundable tax credits and offsets;
• Tax deductions.

Main lines of comparison between life in Russia and the USA

Russian culture in America

One of the largest diasporas in the United States is Russian. Usually these are emigrants who arrived during the Soviet era, and there are about 4 million of them in the country.

For these people, in almost every city and state there are Russian churches, schools, communities, foundations and even baths. There are special quarters where they sell Russian food and clothing. And this is very good and convenient, because all immigrants have the opportunity to maintain cultural connections with their homeland, even while living abroad.

This is interesting

The best states for an expat to live in the USA are New York, California, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago.

Through the eyes of emigrants

Who can better tell about the life of Russian migrants than themselves.

“They demand a bunch of documents and papers from you. This is especially true for work permits. You need to pay for health insurance. Taxes are a different story. They take up a significant portion of income. You have to pay for everything. I don't like the food here, it's disgusting. In a word, you need to think a lot before immigrating to the USA,” immigrant Regina tells the website Balalaika24.ru.

“America is a country for Native Americans. It will be very difficult for an ordinary visitor to make his way here without a certain education, and it costs a lot of money.”

Reviews about life in the USA from forums:

“In the United States, people en masse strive to do good: adopt children, feed the homeless. Walking down the street, you involuntarily begin to smile. It's easy here. People are ready to help even a complete stranger. This is amazing."

“Upon arrival in America, a Russian will be convinced that the doctors here are kind, and there is no need to give bribes to anyone. The power to take care of your people.”

“Compared to income at home, the United States actually offers an order of magnitude more. Everyone can buy branded clothing or electronics. Buying a car is also accessible to almost everyone. Although a car is a necessity, here you can’t live without a car. Not all states have public transport.”

Methods of legal migration to the USA

How to leave Russia for America without breaking the law? In 2021, emigration to the USA from the Russian Federation is allowed in 2 ways:

· Direct immigration.

· Indirect immigration.

The first option involves obtaining an immigrant visa. Its registration involves an interview with a consular officer. Therefore, an applicant from Russia needs to be prepared to go to Moscow, to the American embassy, ​​to obtain an entry document. Consulates do not issue immigrant visas.

See also: Do ​​Russians need a visa to Montenegro in 2020

Immigration to the United States indirectly occurs through the opening of a non-immigrant visa after an interview at the diplomatic mission. Using an entry paper, a foreigner arrives in the New World and there changes his status to immigration. Non-immigration documents are not only issued by the embassy.

They can also be obtained from diplomatic missions in the regions of Russia:

· In St. Petersburg.

· In Ekaterinburg.

· In Vladivostok.