How to Move to the USA in 2026
The United States remains one of the most desired immigration destinations in the world. But it is also one of the most complex. The US immigration system has dozens of visa categories, long processing backlogs, and rules that change frequently.
This guide covers the most common ways to move to the US in 2026, what they cost, and how long they realistically take.
Work visas
H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
The H-1B is the most well-known US work visa. It is for people in "specialty occupations" that require at least a bachelor's degree, such as engineering, IT, finance, science, and medicine.
Key facts:
- Your employer must sponsor you and file a petition
- There is an annual cap of 85,000 visas (65,000 regular plus 20,000 for US master's degree holders)
- Selection is by lottery because applications far exceed the cap. In 2025, roughly 470,000 registrations competed for 85,000 slots
- Valid for three years, extendable to six
- Filing fees range from 2,000 to 5,000 dollars (paid by the employer in most cases)
The lottery system means there is no guarantee of selection, even with a strong application. Many applicants try for multiple years before being selected.
L-1 Intracompany Transfer
The L-1 visa lets multinational companies transfer employees from a foreign office to a US office. There are two types:
- L-1A for managers and executives (valid up to seven years)
- L-1B for employees with specialized knowledge (valid up to five years)
You must have worked for the company outside the US for at least one continuous year in the past three years. There is no annual cap, and the L-1A provides a direct path to a green card through the EB-1C category.
O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa
The O-1 visa is for people who can demonstrate "extraordinary ability" in their field, whether that is science, business, education, athletics, or the arts.
What counts as extraordinary ability:
- Awards or prizes in your field
- Published articles about you or your work
- High salary compared to peers
- Membership in associations that require outstanding achievement
- Evidence that your work has had a significant impact
The O-1 has no annual cap and no lottery. If you qualify, you can apply at any time. It is initially granted for up to three years and can be extended indefinitely in one-year increments.
Investment-based immigration
EB-5 Investor Visa
The EB-5 program grants a green card to foreign investors who make a qualifying investment in a US business.
Current requirements:
- Invest 1,050,000 dollars in a new commercial enterprise, or
- Invest 800,000 dollars in a Targeted Employment Area (rural or high-unemployment zone)
- The investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers
The EB-5 provides a direct path to permanent residency for you, your spouse, and unmarried children under 21. Processing times are currently 18 to 36 months, though this varies by country of birth. Applicants from China and India face significantly longer waits.
Family-based immigration
I-130 Family Petition
US citizens and permanent residents can sponsor certain family members for green cards. The categories are:
- Immediate relatives of US citizens: Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents. No annual cap and no wait time beyond processing.
- Family preference categories: Adult children, siblings, and families of green card holders. These have annual caps and significant backlogs.
Current wait times for family preference categories:
- Unmarried adult children of US citizens: 5 to 7 years
- Spouses and minor children of green card holders: 2 to 3 years
- Married adult children of US citizens: 12 to 15 years
- Siblings of US citizens: 15 to 23 years (depending on country of birth)
These wait times are real. If you are a US citizen wanting to bring a sibling from the Philippines, the current wait is over 23 years.
K-1 Fiance Visa
The K-1 visa allows the foreign fiance of a US citizen to enter the US for the purpose of getting married. After the marriage, the foreign spouse applies for a green card.
Requirements:
- Both partners must be legally free to marry
- You must have met in person within the past two years
- The US citizen must meet minimum income requirements (125% of the federal poverty line)
Processing takes roughly 12 to 18 months. After entry, the couple must marry within 90 days.
Diversity Visa Lottery
The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery makes 55,000 green cards available each year to people from countries with low rates of immigration to the US. Entry is free and done online.
Eligibility:
- You must be a citizen of a qualifying country (countries that have sent more than 50,000 immigrants in the past five years are excluded, including India, China, Mexico, the Philippines, and the UK)
- You must have at least a high school education or two years of qualifying work experience
Winners are selected randomly. The odds vary by region but are typically between 1% and 3%. If selected, you go through an interview and background check before receiving your green card.
Costs of US immigration
US immigration is expensive. Here are typical costs:
- H-1B filing fees: 2,000 to 5,000 dollars (employer-paid)
- Green card application (I-485): 1,440 dollars per person
- EB-5 investment: 800,000 to 1,050,000 dollars plus legal fees of 30,000 to 60,000 dollars
- K-1 fiance visa: 2,000 to 4,000 dollars total
- Immigration attorney: 3,000 to 15,000 dollars depending on complexity
These are government and legal fees only. They do not include relocation costs, which vary widely.
Timeline realities
The biggest challenge with US immigration is time. Unless you qualify for the O-1 or L-1 (which have no annual caps), expect a process that takes one to several years. The H-1B lottery adds uncertainty. Family-based petitions can take decades for certain categories. Even the EB-5, which is an investment of nearly a million dollars, takes one to three years.
Planning ahead is essential. Start the process well before you want to arrive.
Getting started
The US immigration system is complicated, but the first step is simple: figure out which categories you actually qualify for. Many people spend months researching a single visa only to discover they do not meet the requirements.
If you want to see all your US immigration options based on your specific background, create a free Passpoort account and get matched with the visa categories that fit your profile.