United States cityscape and landmarks - tech worker relocation guide

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Move to United States

Tech Worker Relocation Guide

Median Tech Salary

$120,000

vs US Salary

100%

Quality of Life

4/5

Safety Index

7/10

🌟 Why Move to United States?

  • World's largest economy with highest tech salaries globally
  • Diverse career opportunities across every industry
  • Innovation hub with access to venture capital and startup culture
  • Wide range of climates and lifestyles across 50 states

📄 Visa Options

H-1B Work Visa

Requirements: Bachelor's degree + employer sponsorship
Processing: 3-6 months
Duration: 3 years (renewable)

L-1 Intracompany Transfer

Requirements: 1 year with company abroad
Processing: 1-3 months
Duration: 5-7 years

O-1 Extraordinary Ability

Requirements: Demonstrated extraordinary ability
Processing: 2-4 months
Duration: 3 years

💷 Tax Overview

Progressive federal tax (10-37%). State taxes vary (0-13.3%). No VAT but state sales tax (0-10%).

📚 Practical Tips

banking

Open a US bank account with Chase, Bank of America, or a neo-bank like Mercury. SSN required for most accounts.

housing

Expect to pay first month + last month + security deposit. Zillow, Apartments.com, and Craigslist are common platforms.

healthcare

Health insurance is essential and expensive. Employer-provided plans are standard. Budget $300-600/month if buying independently.

phone

T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon are major carriers. Prepaid plans from $25/month. Mint Mobile is a budget option.

🏙 City Guides