The process of moving to a new country to start a new life can take a long time. Unlike in the movies, you can’t simply hop on a plane, arrive at your chosen location, and stay forever. There is a process to take care of all the legalities involved in becoming a permanent resident in the country where you were born.
On top of this, moving to a new country can be a huge culture shock, especially if you are planning to move to the US from pretty much anywhere in the world.
If moving to America is on your to-do list, this post looks at some of the things you need to figure out and considerations you should make before committing to this move.
You Don’t Always Need A Green Card.
If you’re planning to work in the United States once you arrive, you’ll need either an employment-related visa, a work permit, or a Green Card. Employer-sponsored access allows you to work for a single employer only, whereas a Green Card allows you to remain in the country permanently.
If you decide to pursue a Green Card, you will need a US citizen to sponsor your application. The entire process can take months or even years to complete. If you want to become a naturalized citizen at some point, you will need a Green Card even to begin this process and meet stringent criteria.
If your company is submitting your application on your behalf, they will need to make a strong case for you. They’ll want to see evidence that you have skills in short supply in the United States (such as scientific, medical, or technical). A limited number of Green Cards are awarded each year, and the competition is fierce.
There Is A Lot of Paperwork Required
At this point, you might want to consult with your employer and an immigration attorney, but you’ll likely need to bring the following items from your native country to the United States of America. Depending on whether or not they are in English, you may also need to have these documents translated and apostilled. Also, make sure to bring all of your critical paperwork with you in your carry-on baggage. The following list is an example of some of the documents required;:
- Passport
- Visa
- Medical Insurances
- Driving License
- Medical certificates
- Marriage/divorce documents
- Birth certificates for you and everyone relocating with you
- And more
The Work Culture Is A Big Thing
Unlike most of the rest of the developed world, Americans don’t have much vacation time. Employers are not legally bound to offer paid vacation leave, and while most do, the average is just for 21 days per year. And those who don’t take paid leave tend to be more valued than those who make a point of requesting time off.
While there are many amazing things to see and do in America, you might find it a bit of culture shock, especially if you come from countries such as the UK or Australia where the norm is for around four weeks of paid holidays per year along with public holidays as days off depending on the industry.
