Living in the USA – What steps are required? Living in the United States

Living in the USA – What steps are required?

The United States of America, often called “the best country in the world – where you can achieve anything you want if you work hard for it,” is a dream of many but one that only a very few achieve permanently.

First of all, it is important to know that the USA is a country with strict immigration laws which means that you can only immigrate to the USA if you go through a very complex and detailed process and also have a special right to file a petition in the first place.

In contrast to Europe and many other countries, immigration to the United States is highly qualified, that is, highly selective.

There are many non-immigrant visas, short-term visas (a few months) or tourist visas, but they are only intended for a limited stay in the USA, for example as a tourist or as a business traveler. In order to obtain an immigrant visa, i.e. a permanent residence permit, there are selective options, but they must be strictly fulfilled by the applicant.

If you have any questions about your visa, nonimmigrant and immigrant visa as well as any questions about immigration legal procedures, please contact our law offices and arrange a short-term appointment.

Cost of living

The United States is very large and the cost of living varies in each state. Basically, you should know that the normal cost of living is much higher than in Germany or Europe. This includes household expenses, groceries, daily services, medical services, legal services, real estate prices, etc.

Therefore, before you choose a particular city or state, you should definitely clarify the cost of living in it. Please contact our legal office for this purpose. We can provide you with detailed information about the US government, as the data provided in general online searches (Google, etc.) are often unrealistic and misleading.

education

The United States is home to the best universities in the world (Ivy League). However, the education system is not uniform and varies in every state and university. It is worth noting the very high tuition fees, which can reach more than $45,000 per year (=43,000 euros currently) depending on the course and university. However, there are scholarships that the best students in the graduating class can apply to study at the university.

Health system

The majority of the United States population has private health insurance, which can be purchased either through an employer or independently by the person themselves. Group health insurance is the most common insurance. Because the healthcare system in the USA is so complex, it is especially important to know in advance which health insurance to choose and what the deductible is (from $3,000 out of pocket per insured event, or more than $7,000 or $13,000 For each insured event (the insured event or even more depending on the insurance company and the specific plan).

Taxes in the United States of America

Unlike Germany or Europe, taxes are not calculated and remitted by a tax office, but by an appointed tax consultant. The tax advisor is solely responsible and liable for the tax return. All taxes are not deducted directly from the salary as is the case in Germany, but are transferred to the state from the gross salary monthly, quarterly or annually, providing an overview of tax contributions.

We will be pleased to obtain more detailed information on the subject of taxes, legal requirements, establishing a company in the USA, private and professional immigration to the USA, immigration conditions, etc. from our law firm. Contact our offices and schedule the earliest available consultation appointment.

English copy:

Living in the USA – What steps are required?

The United States of America, often referred to as “the best country in the world – where you can achieve anything you want if you work hard for it,” is a dream for many people from all over the world but very few can. Achieving this permanently.

First of all, it is important to know that the USA is a country with strict immigration laws, which means that one can immigrate to the USA only by going through very complex and detailed procedures and also under certain conditions to file a petition.

In contrast to Europe and many other countries, immigration to the United States is highly qualified and therefore highly selective.

There are many non-immigrant visas, short-term visas (a few months) or tourist visas, but they are only valid for a limited stay in the USA, for example as a tourist or as a business traveler. To obtain an immigrant visa, i.e. permanent residence, there are selective options, but the applicant must fulfill them carefully.

If you have any questions about visas, nonimmigrant visas, and immigrant visas as well as questions about the legal immigration process, please contact our law offices and arrange a short-term appointment.

Cost of living

The USA is very large and the cost of living varies in each state. Basically, you should know that the normal cost of living is much higher than in Germany or throughout Europe. These include household expenses, groceries, daily services, medical services, legal services, insurance, real estate prices, etc.

Before you decide on a particular city or state, you should definitely clarify the cost of living there. Please contact our office for this purpose. We are unable to provide you with detailed US Government information because data provided through general online searches (Google, etc.) are often unrealistic and misleading.

an exercise

The United States is home to the best universities in the world (Ivy League). However, the education system is not uniform and varies depending on the federal state and university. It is worth noting the very high tuition fees, which can reach more than 45,000 US dollars per year (=currently 43,000 euros) depending on the course of study and the university. However, there are scholarships that the best graduates of the batch can apply for to study.

Health system

The majority of the United States population has private health insurance, which can be purchased either through an employer or independently by an individual. Group health insurance is the most common type of insurance. Because the health care system in the USA is so complex, it is especially important to know in advance what type of health insurance you choose and how high your deductible will be (from $3,000 out-of-pocket per insured event, or more than $7,000 or $13,000 US per insured event (or more depending on the insurance company and plan selected).

Taxes in the United States of America

Unlike Germany or Europe, taxes are not calculated and paid by the tax office, but by an appointed tax advisor. The tax advisor is solely responsible and liable for the tax return. All taxes are not deducted directly from the salary as is the case in Germany, but are transferred to the state monthly, quarterly or annually from the total salary, providing an overview of tax contributions.

Please contact our law firm for more information about taxes, legal requirements, incorporating a company in the USA, private and professional immigration to the USA, immigration conditions, etc. Contact our offices and get the earliest possible consultation appointment.