Canada
Take normal security precautions
Take normal security precautions in the United States.
United States
From neon‑lit skylines to expansive deserts and towering redwoods, the U.S. is a mosaic of lived‑in landscapes.
Overview
The United States stretches across a continent, anchoring global hubs like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles while framing iconic natural wonders such as Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and the Pacific Northwest’s rain‑soaked coast. A patchwork of 50 states delivers distinct cultural flavors, from deep‑South hospitality to New England’s historic charm.
Planning readiness
Travel advisory coverageCost of living coverageCurrency reference coverageEnglish language statusQuality of life coverageTax analysis coverageVisa summary coverage
At a glance
Language
- English(De facto)
Population340,110,988
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
1 USD = 1.4402 AUD
1 AUD = 0.6943 USD
Popular places
Cost of living
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
Cost of LivingPotentially less expensiveSource category: All | 2026
RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026
GroceriesPotentially less expensiveSource category: Grocery | 2026
RestaurantPotentially less expensiveSource category: Restaurant | 2026
Local Purchasing PowerStronger local purchasing powerSource category: Purchasing Power | 2026
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Quality of life
Quality of LifeStrongSource category: Quality Of Life | 2026 | Overall quality of life index
SafetyMixedSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
HealthcareGenerally favorableSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
PollutionLowSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
TrafficHighSource category: Traffic | 2026 | Overall traffic index (considers time + inefficiency + CO2)
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Entry requirements
Visa and residency reference data is available for Business Visitor, Investor, Investor, and 9 more.
Business Visitor
- B-1 Temporary Business Visitor
USCIS says B-1 visitors may enter for commercial or professional business activities such as consulting with business associates, negotiating contracts, attending business conventions, settling an estate, or participating in short-term training.
- 6 months, renewable
- No work rights
Investor
- E-2 Treaty Investor
Non-immigrant visa for treaty country investors. Substantial investment required (no fixed minimum). Must generate income beyond marginal living.
- 2 years, renewable
- Limited work rights
- EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
Immigrant investor route requiring investment in a new commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 qualifying full-time U.S. jobs.
- Full work rights
- Path to residency
Permanent Residency
- Employment-Based Green Card
USCIS says U.S. immigration law provides employment-based preference categories for foreign nationals to become lawful permanent residents through employment in the United States.
- Full work rights
- Employment-Based Immigrant Visas
The State Department says about 140,000 employment-based immigrant visas are available each fiscal year across five preference categories, and certain spouses and children may accompany or follow-to-join employment-based immigrants.
Work (Employer-Sponsored)
- H-1B Specialty Occupations
Employer-sponsored temporary worker route for specialty occupations requiring highly specialized knowledge and a related bachelor's or higher degree, or equivalent. USCIS notes that certain petitions filed at or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern on Sept. 21, 2025, must include an additional $100,000 payment or exception evidence.
- 3 years, renewable
- Employer-sponsored only
- Path to residency
- TN USMCA Professionals
Temporary worker route for qualified Canadian and Mexican citizens in USMCA professional occupations with a prearranged U.S. job.
- 3 years, renewable
- Employer-sponsored only
Work (Skilled)
- O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
Temporary worker route for individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or extraordinary achievement in motion pictures or television.
- 3 years, renewable
- Employer-sponsored only
Tourist / Visa Waiver
- U.S. Visitor / Visa Waiver Entry
U.S. federal immigration rules apply to this U.S. territory. The selected row captures the federal visitor and Visa Waiver Program pathway for stays up to 90 days.
- 90 days
- No work rights
- Visa Waiver Program (ESTA)
90-day stay for tourism/business for citizens of participating countries. ESTA authorization required.
- 90 days
- No work rights
- Visitor Visa (B-1/B-2)
Non-immigrant visitor visa for tourism or business.
- 6 months, renewable
- No work rights
Languages
- English(De facto)
Sources
- Country language reference
Safety
2 source-backed travel advisories are available for United States.
United Kingdom
No destination-wide FCDO travel warning
FCDO travel advice currently has no destination-wide warning for the United States. Review the full FCDO travel advice before travelling, including safety, entry, health, and insurance guidance.
Explore within United States
United States Virgin IslandsSt. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John comprise this United States territory in the Virgin Islands archipelago.Puerto RicoSan Juan anchors this United States territory in the Caribbean.GuamVisit a U.S. territory in the western Pacific with beaches and historical sites.Northern Mariana IslandsExplore a U.S. territory in Micronesia, with Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.American SamoaDiscover a U.S. territory in the South Pacific, with beaches, hiking, and historical sites.
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