Moving to the USA as an expat starts with one question: which visa gives you the right to live and work there? Unlike many countries, the United States has no general residence permit for people who simply want to move. You need a specific category, usually tied to a job offer, a family member, study, investment or an exceptional record, and your choice decides how long you can stay, whether your partner can work and whether a green card is possible later.
This guide is part of our series on moving abroad.
This guide is part of our wider guide to the most famous landmarks in the USA.
We walk through that decision and then the practical first months: getting a Social Security number, building a credit history from zero, renting a flat, sorting health insurance, understanding American taxes and choosing a city. It is written for professionals and families from any country. Immigration rules depend on your nationality and change often, so treat this as a map and confirm each step with official US government sources or an immigration lawyer before acting. If you are only visiting, start with our visa services page and our visitor health insurance guide.
Moving to the USA: essentials at a glance (as of October 2026)
The main work routes are the H-1B, L-1, O-1 and E-2 visas, plus family or employer green cards. If you are authorised to work, your first ID number will be a Social Security number (SSN). Your credit history starts at zero, because foreign history rarely transfers. Health cover usually comes through your employer, otherwise through the HealthCare.gov marketplace. The tax year is the calendar year, with federal returns usually due on 15 April, and nine states, including Texas, Florida and Washington, have no state income tax. Driving licences are issued by each state, and the rules for foreign licences vary. The currency is the US dollar (USD).
Which US visa lets you move to the USA as an expat?
The right US visa depends on why you are moving, and for most foreign professionals it is an employer-sponsored work visa such as the H-1B. Most foreign professionals arrive through an employer, so the company's willingness to sponsor you is usually the deciding factor. The table below compares the main routes in plain terms. Each one has detailed eligibility rules, filing fees and processing times on the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and State Department websites.
Main US visa routes for expats
| Visa | Who it is for | Spouse can work? | Path to green card |
|---|---|---|---|
| H-1B | Professionals in specialty jobs with a degree, sponsored by a US employer | Only in limited cases (H-4 work permit) | Yes, through employer sponsorship |
| L-1 | Managers, executives and specialists transferring within a multinational company | Yes | Yes, especially for managers |
| O-1 | People with extraordinary ability in science, arts, business, education or sport | No (O-3 spouses cannot work) | Possible through EB-1 categories |
| E-2 | Investors from treaty countries running a substantial US business | Yes | No direct path |
| F-1 | Full-time students | No | Possible later through work |
| Family green card | Spouses, parents and certain relatives of US citizens and permanent residents | Yes, once issued | It is a green card |
| EB-5 | Investors putting a large sum into a job-creating US business | Yes, once issued | It leads to a green card |
The H-1B, the most common route for skilled workers, is capped each year and allocated by a lottery among registrations filed by employers. Since early 2026 that lottery has been weighted toward higher wage levels, and a large additional employer fee announced in 2025 has been fought in the courts (as of October 2026). If an H-1B is your plan, ask your employer's immigration lawyer what the current position is before you resign from your job at home.
Two other points catch people out. The E-2 investor visa is available only to citizens of countries with a qualifying treaty with the United States, so check the State Department's treaty country list first. And the annual Diversity Visa lottery is open only to nationals of eligible countries, which change from year to year. Visa and entry rules for some nationalities have also tightened since 2025, so always confirm the current rules for your passport.
Avoid these costly mistakes: Do not enter on a visitor visa or ESTA intending to look for work and switch status. Misrepresenting your purpose at the border can lead to refusal and long-term bars.
Use only official government websites for forms and fees. Many look-alike sites charge extra for free forms or the Diversity Visa entry, which is free to submit.
Keep your status valid at all times. Losing a job on a work visa starts a grace period with a fixed end date.
Your first 90 days in the USA: a step-by-step plan
American paperwork depends on other paperwork. A bank wants an address, a landlord wants a credit score, a credit card wants a Social Security number. This sequence gets you through the loop with the fewest dead ends.
First 90 days after moving to the USA
- Week 1, Phone, temporary home and bank: Buy a prepaid SIM plan, which needs no credit check. Stay in a furnished rental or corporate apartment for the first month. Open a bank account with a large bank that accepts newcomers with a passport and visa; some will open one before you have an SSN.
- Week 1–2, Apply for a Social Security number: If you are authorised to work, apply at a Social Security office with your passport, visa and arrival record. Some immigrants can request it on their visa application. The card arrives by post in a few weeks.
- Week 2–4, Rent a long-term home: Landlords check credit and income. Without a US credit history, offer a larger deposit, an employer letter, prepaid rent or a guarantor service.
- Week 2–6, Health insurance and doctor: Enrol in your employer's health plan within its deadline. Choose a primary care doctor in the plan's network.
- Month 2, Start building credit: Open a secured credit card or a starter card from your bank, use it lightly and pay in full every month. Some issuers can use your foreign credit history through specialist services.
- Month 2–3, Driving licence: Check your state's Department of Motor Vehicles rules. Most require new residents to take a written test and a road test and to bring proof of address and legal status.
- Month 3, Tax and records: Keep your pay slips, visa documents and lease together. Find out whether you will be a US tax resident for the year and whether you need to report foreign bank accounts.
Best US cities for expats to live and work
Your city decides your costs, your taxes, your commute and even whether you need a car. These six metro areas attract large numbers of international professionals for different reasons.
New York City: the global career magnet
Finance, media, law, fashion and tech pull people to New York, which has the largest foreign-born population of any US city, communities from almost every country, and the country's densest public transport. You can live a full life without driving. The trade-offs are the highest rents in the country outside the Bay Area, small flats, and a city plus state income tax on top of federal tax.
Renting is competitive. Many landlords want annual income of around 40 times the monthly rent and a strong credit score, so newcomers often use guarantor companies. Since June 2025 the city's FARE Act stops landlords passing their broker's fee on to tenants, which has removed one of the largest move-in costs. Queens and Brooklyn offer better value; Manhattan gives shorter commutes.
Houston: energy, medicine and no state income tax
As the centre of the American energy industry and one of the most diverse cities in the country, Houston draws energy, medical and engineering professionals. The Texas Medical Center is the largest medical complex in the world, and NASA's Johnson Space Center is in the south of the metro area. Texas has no state income tax, and housing costs are far lower than on either coast.
You will need a car: the city is spread out and public transport is limited. Summers are long, hot and humid, and the Gulf Coast is exposed to hurricanes and flooding, so check a property's flood history before renting or buying.
Austin: the tech hub of Texas
Large technology companies have opened offices and factories in and around Austin, and the city has grown fast on tech, start-ups and the creative industries. It keeps a relaxed, outdoor culture, with swimming holes, hiking trails and a famous live music scene, and like the rest of Texas it has no state income tax.
Rapid growth has pushed up housing costs and traffic. Winters are mild but summers are very hot. Property taxes in Texas are relatively high, which landlords pass on in rents.
Seattle: cloud, coffee and no state income tax
Software, cloud and aerospace jobs bring many foreign engineers here, to the home of major technology and e-commerce companies and their suppliers. Washington State has no tax on wages. Mountains, islands and forests are within an easy drive, and the light rail now links the airport, downtown and the university district.
Rents are high, the sales tax is among the highest in the country, and winters are long, grey and damp, which some newcomers find hard.
Raleigh-Durham: the Research Triangle
North Carolina's Research Triangle links Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, with three major universities and a large research park full of pharmaceutical, biotech and technology employers, which makes it a natural fit for life sciences and research careers. It offers a lower cost of living than the big coastal cities, good schools in many areas and mild winters, and it suits families well.
It is car-dependent, and North Carolina has a state income tax, a flat 3.99% in 2026 and scheduled to fall in later years. The social scene is quieter than in New York or Austin.
Chicago: big-city life at a lower price
Architecture, museums, restaurants and a lakefront come with rents well below New York's and a good rail network. Chicago is a major centre for finance, trading, consulting, logistics and food companies, and O'Hare is one of the best-connected airports in the country, with the Blue Line of the L running straight to its terminals.
Winters are long and very cold, and Illinois has a flat state income tax of 4.95% plus high property taxes in the city.
Cost of living compared: the six expat cities side by side
The biggest money differences between these cities come from three things: rent, state and local income tax, and whether you have to buy and insure a car. Salaries in the high-rent cities are usually higher too, so weigh any job offer against the local cost of housing. The table ranks rent relative to the other five cities; actual rents vary more by neighbourhood than by city, so check current listings for the areas you are considering. Tax rates are as of October 2026.
Six expat cities: housing, tax and transport
| City | Rent level | Income tax on wages | Car | Hidden cost to budget for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | Highest of the six | Federal, New York State (graduated, 4% to 10.9%) and a separate city income tax | Not needed | Guarantor fees and furniture for small flats |
| Seattle | High | Federal only (no state tax on wages) | Optional in the centre | High sales tax on everyday purchases |
| Austin | Moderate to high | Federal only | Mostly needed | Property tax passed on in rent; summer power bills |
| Chicago | Moderate (well below New York) | Federal plus Illinois flat 4.95% | Not needed near the L | Winter heating and a proper winter wardrobe |
| Houston | Lower | Federal only | Needed | Car insurance, air conditioning, flood cover |
| Raleigh-Durham | Lower | Federal plus North Carolina flat 3.99% (2026) | Needed | A second car for many families |
A no-income-tax state does not automatically mean a cheaper life. Texas and Washington collect more through property and sales taxes, and a car in a car-dependent city adds payments, insurance, fuel and parking every month. Run the numbers for your own salary and household before choosing.
Renting a home in the USA as a newcomer
Most expats rent for at least the first year. A standard American lease runs for 12 months, and you will usually pay a security deposit, the first month's rent and sometimes an application fee. Landlords run a credit check, and a newcomer with no US credit score needs other proof: an employment letter with salary, recent pay slips, bank statements, or a professional guarantor service that co-signs the lease for a fee.
Short-term start
For the first one to three months, corporate housing (often paid for by employers), furnished monthly rentals and extended-stay hotels skip the credit check, at a higher monthly cost.
Standard rental
The most common choice for expats is an apartment in a managed building on a 12-month lease. Expect credit and income checks, and utilities are often extra.
Buying a home
Buying makes sense after one to two years, once you know the city. You will need a US credit history, though mortgage options for visa holders exist, and property taxes vary widely.
Before signing, check what is included. Electricity, gas, internet and sometimes water are often billed separately, and many buildings charge for parking. In hurricane and flood areas, ask about flood history and buy renters insurance, which is cheap and covers your belongings.
Opening a US bank account and building credit from zero
The 90-day plan above puts the bank account in week one for a reason: your salary, rent and phone bill all need it. Large national banks are usually the easiest place to start because their branches see new arrivals every day. Apply in person at a branch by appointment, and bring your passport, visa, arrival record, proof of a US address (a lease, a letter from your employer or a hotel booking may be accepted) and your Social Security number if you already have it. Some banks open accounts for newcomers before the number arrives and add it later. Ask about monthly maintenance fees, which most banks waive if your salary is paid in by direct deposit or you keep a minimum balance.
Credit history from your home country does not carry over to the three US credit bureaus, so almost every expat starts with no score. The most widely used score, FICO, runs from 300 to 850, and two factors make up most of it: paying on time (about 35%) and how much of your available credit you use (about 30%). That makes the starting strategy simple.
- Get a first card. Ask your bank for a secured card (backed by a cash deposit) or a starter card. Some issuers can review a credit report from your home country through specialist services, which can help you skip the secured stage.
- Use it lightly. Put one or two regular bills on the card and keep the balance well below the limit. A high balance relative to the limit pulls the score down even if you pay on time.
- Pay in full, automatically. Set up autopay for the full statement balance. One missed payment does more damage than anything else on a thin file, and paying in full avoids interest.
- Keep the first account open. The age of your oldest account counts, so keep that first card open even after you qualify for better ones. Avoid applying for several cards at once, since each application is recorded.
Most newcomers who follow this pattern have a usable score within six months to a year, which is when renting without a guarantor, financing a car and getting a mobile contract on a post-paid plan become much easier.
Health insurance for expats in the USA
There is no universal public health service for working-age residents. Most expats get health insurance through their employer, which usually pays part of the premium. American plans have deductibles (what you pay before cover starts), co-pays and networks of approved doctors and hospitals, and using a doctor outside the network can cost far more.
If your employer does not offer a plan, lawfully present immigrants can generally buy cover on the federal marketplace at HealthCare.gov or their state's exchange, during the annual open enrolment period or within a special period after moving. Eligibility for subsidies depends on income and immigration status, and federal rules changed in 2025, so check your position on HealthCare.gov. Open enrolment for 2027 cover starts on 1 November 2026; choose a plan by 15 December for cover from 1 January, and the window has generally run to 15 January, though recent rule changes mean the final date is worth confirming. Bring copies of your medical records and enough prescription medicine to bridge the gap until your first appointment.
Taxes for expats living in the USA
US tax status is separate from immigration status. Green card holders are tax residents, and other foreign nationals usually become residents for tax purposes if they pass the "substantial presence test", based on the number of days spent in the country over three years. US tax residents are taxed on their worldwide income, including what they earn outside America.
Federal returns for a calendar year are normally due on 15 April of the following year. Most states add their own income tax, but nine states have no tax on wages: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Residents with foreign bank accounts whose combined value goes above $10,000 at any point in the year must also file a separate foreign bank account report (FBAR). Check whether your home country has a tax treaty with the United States, and pay for a tax adviser who works with expats in your first year.
Practical tips for settling into American life
Start building a US credit score from your first week and plan for a car unless you live in New York, Chicago, Washington DC or another dense city centre. Credit affects rent, car loans, mobile contracts and insurance prices, and car insurance is expensive for drivers without a US record.
- Build credit from day one. Your credit score affects rent, car loans, mobile contracts and insurance prices. Pay every bill on time and keep card balances low.
- Plan for a car. Outside New York, Chicago, Washington DC and a few city centres, a car is close to essential. Budget for insurance, which is expensive for drivers without a US record.
- Learn the tipping rules. Restaurant servers, taxi drivers and hairdressers expect tips, typically 15% to 20%, because tips are part of their pay.
- Research school districts. Public school places usually depend on your home address, so families should choose a neighbourhood with schools in mind.
- Know your leave. There is no legal minimum of paid holiday in the US. Holiday allowances depend on your employment contract, so negotiate before you sign.
- Get a REAL ID. A REAL ID-compliant state ID or driver's licence is now needed to board domestic flights without a passport.
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