Moving to the USA

Expats moving to the USA will be exposed to the largest economic and military power, spreading more than 300 million people into 50 separate states - the USA is at its heart a nation of immigrants. From USA's conception and founding by British expats, through waves of European immigration, to modern times attracting leaders, thinkers and businesspeople from around the world, it has found success through immigration.

The sign greeting immigrants at Ellis Islands famously reads 'Give me your tired, your poor, your humbled masses yearning to breathe free,' and continues to inspire a country that still considers itself in the middle of an underdog success story. Yet, its success has allowed for a much more selective process of immigration and many more expats would like to immigrate than are accepted. This, is by no means an exclusive group as roughly a million people immigrate annually to America which is the leading cause of the country's population growth.

Increasing globalisation means USA businesses are often large multi-national companies and conversely, foreign nationals work in USA companies. Advantages of living in the USA are high wages and possible rewards for those with a bit of do-it-alone pioneer spirit, plus a high quality of life is available to those with money. The USA, however, has a thin safety net and limited aid for those in need of monetary assistance and healthcare. Current economic conditions are making competition for jobs in the USA more intense. Yet, expats in the USA are known to bring enthusiasm and new ideas to an economy that highly values both.

See our detailed travel guide to the USA
Join our USA Expats group on Facebook
Join the USA Expat group on Linkedin