The main routes to live in the United States through investment or work, compared in plain English, with the US tax rules that apply once you arrive and links to every official government source.
There is no single “move to America” visa. Most people arrive on one of three routes: the E-2 for treaty investors running an active business, the L-1 for staff transferring into a US branch of their employer, and the EB-5 for larger investors who want a green card outright. Each has very different cost, timeline, and permanence, so the right one depends on your capital, your nationality, and whether you want temporary status or permanent residence.
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US tax residency is separate from your visa. You become a US tax resident, taxed on your worldwide income, if you hold a green card or meet the IRS substantial presence test (broadly 31 days in the current year and 183 weighted days over three years). Before that threshold you are a non-resident alien, taxed only on US-source income and filing on Form 1040-NR. New residents should also plan for reporting of foreign accounts and assets.
This is general information, not tax advice. Confirm your position against the official IRS sources below or a qualified US tax adviser.
We summarise and compare these programmes, but always verify the current rules, fees, and forms on the primary government pages before you apply.
The E-2 treaty investor visa has the lowest typical entry, from around $100,000, but it is a renewable non-immigrant visa (not a green card) and only open to nationals of countries with a US trade treaty. The EB-5 immigrant investor programme grants a green card but requires $800,000 (in a targeted employment area) or $1.05m standard.
Not directly. The E-2 is renewable indefinitely while the business operates, but it does not itself create a path to permanent residence. Many holders later switch to EB-5 or an employment-based green card category.
Two tests. You are a US tax resident if you hold a green card, or if you meet the IRS substantial presence test (broadly 31 days in the current year and 183 weighted days across three years). Residents are taxed on worldwide income. See IRS Publication 519.
Yes. US federal forms and guides (USCIS I-526/I-829, IRS Form 1040-NR, Publication 519) are published free by the government and are in the public domain. Government filing fees still apply to applications.