United States
The US is the world's largest economy by nominal GDP.
About Country
Continent | America |
Capital | Washington D.C. |
Population | 331,002,651 |
World share | 4.2 % |
Land area | 9,147,420 km² |
Official Languages | - English |
Unofficial Languages | - Chinese |
Currency | USD |
Economy rating | 1 |
Economy GDP | 22,675,271 millions USD |
ВВП на человека | 68,505 USD |
Democracy Index
7.92
Flawed
democracy
*
|
Crime Rate |
5 |
Safe zone |
Unemployment |
4.2 % |
Low unemployment |
Expense and Salary
Middling
*
|
Average salary |
5,378 USD |
|
Average expense |
935 USD |
|
Average rent price |
1,353 USD |
Immigration
Immigration difficulty |
Hard |
|
Recommended Savings |
13,729 USD |
Double citizenship |
Allowed |
Official site |
Immigration official website |
Compulsory exams |
An English proficiency test and a test for knowledge of the fundamentals of the theory of state and law of the United States. |
|
Passport rating |
7 Amount of countries: 186 |
Immigration options
| Immigration type | Required Time | Fee |
| Marriage | from 1 to 8 weeks (paperwork) 3 years (for citizenship) | 160 USD |
| Student | from 1 to 8 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) | 160 USD |
| Employee | from 1 to 8 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) | 190 USD |
| Investments | from 1 to 8 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) | 190 USD |
| Family reunification | from 1 to 8 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) | 160 USD |
| Green Card | from 1 to 8 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) | 160 USD |
| Birth of a child | - | 160 USD |
| Refugee | from 1 to 8 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) | 0 USD |
Marriage
| Immigration fee | Immigration Time |
| 160 USD | from 1 to 8 weeks (paperwork) 3 years (for citizenship) |
List of documents:
- Completed questionnaire;- International passport;
- 2 color photos;
- Receipt of payment of the fee;
- General civil passport;
- Medical insurance;
- Certificate of no criminal record;
- Financial documents: bank statement with bank seal;
- Confirmation of your relationship with your American spouse;
- Financial documents from an American citizen-the petitioner.
Additional Information:
When you marry a US citizen or resident, you get a residence permit.The process is quite complicated and long, because your union will be checked for fictitiousness.
After 3 years, you can apply for citizenship.
Student
| Immigration fee | Immigration Time |
| 160 USD | from 1 to 8 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) |
List of documents:
- Completed questionnaire;- International passport;
- 2 color photos;
- Receipt of payment of the fee;
- General civil passport;
- Medical insurance;
- Certificate of no criminal record;
- Financial documents: bank statement with bank seal;
- Available academic documents (certificate, diplomas, certificates, etc.);
- Available certificates of passing international language and academic exams (A-levels, SAT, TOEFL, GMAT, GRE, etc.);
- Documents confirming the presence of ties with the native country (about the presence of movable and immovable property, family ties, professional ties, etc.).
Additional Information:
One of the most popular ways of immigration is to study in the USA.You can get secondary, higher or additional education.
Programs lasting 1 year or more are suitable for immigration, since at the end of such a program you will receive a whole year for job search and employment, as well as the legal possibility of visa extension.
Employee
| Immigration fee | Immigration Time |
| 190 USD | from 1 to 8 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) |
List of documents:
- Completed questionnaire;- International passport;
- 2 color photos;
- Receipt of payment of the fee;
- General civil passport;
- Medical insurance;
- Certificate of no criminal record;
- Financial documents: bank statement with bank seal;
- Diplomas of higher education;
- Originals of certificates from places of work;
- An invitation to work.
Additional Information:
You can immigrate to America through employment.Here you need to understand that work visas are divided into immigration and not, and you will receive a residence permit only if you have the first type of work visa.
It is quite difficult to get an emigration work visa, because your employer will have to apply to the Migration Service and coordinate with the Labor Department the availability of a vacancy with the requirements for personnel who are in short supply in the American labor market.
But it is much easier to get a non-immigrant work visa, it is suitable for experience exchange visits, for the press, for temporary and seasonal workers.
Investments
| Immigration fee | Immigration Time |
| 190 USD | from 1 to 8 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) |
List of documents:
- Completed questionnaire;- International passport;
- 2 color photos;
- Receipt of payment of the fee;
- General civil passport;
- Medical insurance;
- Certificate of no criminal record;
- Financial documents: bank statement with bank seal;
- Documents confirming the investment.
Additional Information:
When investing in a business, you can apply for a residence permit in the United States.An investor needs to make an investment of $900,000 or more in an existing or new business.
It is also necessary to observe such conditions:
- Creation of at least 10 jobs.
- The regional center of the EB-5 program must be approved by the US Immigration Service.
- The opportunity to receive income from investments.
- Investments should be "risky" in terms of capital return.
Family reunification
| Immigration fee | Immigration Time |
| 160 USD | from 1 to 8 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) |
List of documents:
- Completed questionnaire;- International passport;
- 2 color photos;
- Receipt of payment of the fee;
- General civil passport;
- Medical insurance;
- Certificate of no criminal record;
- Financial documents: bank statement with bank seal;
- Confirmation of support from the petitioner;
- Documents confirming family ties.
Additional Information:
If you have a relative living in the USA, then you can move to the country and get a residence permit.But there are a couple of nuances.
If your relative is a citizen of the country, then he can apply for reunification with his parents, spouse, children of any age, brothers and sisters.
But if your relative only has the status of a resident, then he can transfer to himself only the closest relatives (spouse, minor child).
Green Card
| Immigration fee | Immigration Time |
| 160 USD | from 1 to 8 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) |
List of documents:
- Certificates of no criminal record;- Diploma;
- Birth/marriage/divorce certificate;
- Certificate of work experience;
- Financial guarantors.
Additional Information:
Every year the USA draws a green card.It gives the right to obtain a resident in the country and the right to work.
Every year in the fall there is a drawing. You need to fill out a questionnaire and indicate in it the data for yourself, your spouse and all your children.
In May, the results are announced and if you win, you will need to pass an interview and honey. exam. Green card lottery website: https://dvprogram.state.gov/
Birth of a child
| Immigration fee | Immigration Time |
| 160 USD | - |
List of documents:
Documents for the visa that you will use to enter the United States. - International passport;- 2 color photos;
- Receipt of payment of the fee;
- General civil passport;
- Medical insurance;
- Certificate of no criminal record;
- Financial documents.
Additional Information:
A child born in the United States automatically receives the citizenship of the state.But there are no bonuses for parents, only when the child is 21 years old, he will be able to apply for family reunification, and only then parents will be able to get a residence permit.
Refugee
| Immigration fee | Immigration Time |
| 0 USD | from 1 to 8 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) |
List of documents:
- Identity document;- 2 color photos;
- Fill out a police statement on arrival.
Additional Information:
You can get to the United States as a refugee. To do this, you will need to prove the fact of harassment in your country on any basis: race, gender, nationality, religion, political views, social status. Military actions and natural disasters are also grounds for granting asylum.Taxes
The US tax system is three-tiered. Taxation operates at the federal, state and local levels. Taxes are levied on income, wages, sales, property, dividends, imports and other things, as well as various fees.Each state has its own tax system, which differs from the tax systems of other states. There may be several jurisdictions within a state that also levy taxes. For example, counties or cities may levy their own taxes in addition to state taxes.
Basic taxes:
Income tax
The United States taxes the worldwide income of its citizens and residents. Non-residents are taxed on income earned in the United States. The country has adopted a progressive tax rate from 10% to 37%, depending on the amount of annual income. Personal income tax is levied on income from employment, passive income from capital ownership, rent, income from capital gains, income of self-employed persons.
Company income tax
The fixed corporate income tax rate is 21%.
Corporate tax rates at the state level usually range from 1% to 12%. In some states, there is no income tax.
Taxation of income of non-resident companies depends on ties with the United States. As a rule, the level and degree of presence, the presence of an office and employees, and storage facilities are evaluated. Certain income that is not related to a business with a U.S. origin, such as interest, dividends and royalties, is taxed on a gross basis at a rate of 30%.
Sales taxes
There is no consumption tax at the federal level in the US, but most states and some municipalities have sales and use taxes. They are set as a percentage of the retail sale price, their rate can be up to 11%. Each state sets its own tax rate and rules by which purchases are taxed.
Property tax
There is no property tax at the federal level in the United States of America, but in most states property taxes are levied on owners of both commercial and residential real estate, based on the value of the property. The tax is usually levied at the municipal or state level. Tax rates vary widely depending on the fiscal needs of the tax jurisdiction.
Social insurance contributions
The health insurance contribution is 1.45% of the total salary.
Social insurance taxes for self-employed self-employed persons account for 12.4% of the first $132,900 of income.
Health insurance contributions account for 2.9% of the total net income from independent activities.
Capital gains tax
Federal capital gains tax rates can be 0%, 15%, 20% for assets held for less than 12 months. The application of a specific rate depends on the method of filing a tax return based on the marital status of an individual. At the corporate level, the standard profit tax rate of 21% is applied.
Education
The education system in the USA consists of 5 stages: preschool education, elementary, middle and high schools and higher education.Preschool education in the USA
Preschool education in the United States begins almost from the cradle. A child can be sent to a nursery or kindergarten from the age of 6 months. He can stay there from six in the morning to six in the evening. A child can be brought to kindergarten and after school, since by law he cannot be at home alone until the age of 12. All kindergartens in America are paid, the average monthly fee is about $ 1,200.
For children from three to five years old, there are "preparatory groups" at schools.
Kindergarten and preschool classes are an optional step. Compulsory education in America begins at school and lasts 12 years.
School education in the USA is divided into three stages:
- Primary (grades 1-5) – children study basic compulsory subjects, play sports and creativity.
- Secondary: Middle School (grades 6-8) or Junior High School (grades 7-9) – in addition to compulsory subjects, elective disciplines appear.
- Senior classes: High School (9-12) or Senior High School (11-12) – reduction of the number of compulsory subjects, maximum freedom in the choice of subjects studied.
For the last 2 years, gifted students can study Advanced Placement programs. Upon graduation from High School, an American student will have to take the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) exam.
Depending on the state, children start studying at the age of five to eight. As a rule, each of the steps of the American school has its own building and is a completely separate educational institution.
The academic year at the American school is divided into two semesters. The duration of training sessions is 5-6 hours a day with a lunch break. The afternoon is most often devoted to sports, interest clubs and other socially useful work, which are a mandatory component of American school education. Grades are given in alphabetic form: A, B, C, D, F.
Higher education in the USA
The US higher education system includes colleges and universities – private and public.
The only difference is that colleges offer only bachelor's degree programs, while universities and institutes provide an opportunity to engage in scientific research and pursue an academic career in master's degree (1-2 years), postgraduate studies (from 3 to 6 years) and research after defending a doctoral dissertation.
Technical institutes and municipal colleges belong to professional education, but they can serve as the first stage of higher education if, after studying in them, a student is transferred to a university for a bachelor's degree program. As a rule, the transfer is carried out for the 2nd or 3rd year.
Healthcare
The healthcare system in the United States of America occupies a leading place in the world in terms of the scale of resources concentrated in it.In the USA, mainly private healthcare organizations work, and the share of public ones is only 20%. There are several options in the country for how medical insurance is issued:
- Self-purchase
- If a person works officially, then some of the costs are covered by the state
- The state fully assumes the payment of the insurance policy (pensioners, low-income people, children, etc.)
- The employer pays the insurance policy in full or in part.
In the USA, you can purchase two health insurance options:
HMO (Health maintenance organizations)
This insurance has a low cost, but this option provides treatment only in certain healthcare organizations of a single network and only with one therapist, who decides on the need and possibility of visiting the patient with other specialists.
In cases of emergency, an ambulance in other hospitals will still be provided to the victim with HMO insurance.
PPO (Preferred provider organizations)
This insurance costs significantly more, but in this case you can use services on favorable terms in a certain health network. Such insurance guarantees a free and independent visit to the right specialist. PPO implies special tariffs that depend on the amount of compensation for services:
Platinum – insurance company contribution 90%
Gold - insurance company contribution 80%
Silver - insurance company contribution 70%
Bronze - insurance company contribution 60%
Minimum – emergency cases, persons only under the age of 30 or with a difficult financial situation.
But even with the option of expensive insurance, you will have to pay separately for all services related to dentistry, ophthalmology and psychiatric care, because the services are quite expensive.
For needy citizens of the country, the US government provides two special programs — Medicaid and Medicare.
The Medicaid program, designed to help people with low incomes, is funded both by the federal government and at the state level.
Medicare is aimed at helping people over the age of 65, as well as citizens of pre-retirement age who have health problems.
In America, medicines can only be bought by prescription, even a simple antipyretic or headache remedy.
Climate
Climate type |
- Temperate climates
|
Climate Information |
Сlimate in different countries |
The capital is the city of Washington (DC). The largest megacities in terms of population — New York, Los Angeles and Chicago - are the most important global cities. The United States borders Canada to the north, Mexico to the south, and also has a maritime border with Russia to the west and Cuba to the south. They are washed by the Pacific Ocean from the west, the Atlantic Ocean from the east and the Arctic Ocean from the north.
The highest point of the state (Mount McKinley) is located in Alaska. Its height reaches 6,193 m above sea level. In the USA there are mountain systems, canyons, deserts, waterfalls, rivers and lakes.
The territory of the United States is located in almost all climatic zones: from subarctic in Alaska to tropical in Hawaii, but most of it lies in a temperate continental climate zone. The western territories with deserts and semi-deserts are characterized by dry weather and weak precipitation. The east of the country is characterized by increased humidity with 2000 mm of precipitation per year. In summer, the average values in the northern and southern states range from +22 °C to +28 °C. In winter, temperatures range from -2 ° C to +8 ° C in the north and south, respectively.
Every year, a relatively large number of various natural disasters occur in the United States.
Frequent tornadoes are a well-known feature of the climate of North America, in fact, the United States is far ahead of any other country in terms of the number of tornadoes.
Another natural disaster that is common in the United States is hurricanes. The East coast, the islands of Hawaii and especially the southern US states bordering the Gulf of Mexico are most susceptible to this element. The hurricane season in the United States begins in June and ends by the beginning of December, the peak falls on the period from August to October.
Floods, like droughts, are infrequent phenomena in the USA.