Planning a move to the United States. Where to begin.

Where the visa stands

The United States is included for complete geographic coverage. U.S. citizens do not need a visa to live in their own country. Noncitizens need the status appropriate to their circumstances.

Start with your work plans

For foreign visitors, the State Department says a B-1/B-2 visitor visa does not permit employment or work in the United States. Do not treat it as a nomad visa.

Describe who pays you, where your employer or clients are based and what you would do while living abroad. Use those details when checking the official route. Employer approval and immigration permission are separate questions.

Employer approval and immigration permission are separate questions.

Take the first application step

U.S. citizens planning to move abroad should choose the destination country. Noncitizens should use the official U.S. visa-category directory.

No dollar amount is presented as a visa requirement for a U.S. citizen returning home.

Keep two money questions separate

The visa income test concerns the evidence required for an application. A living budget concerns your housing, healthcare, transport and daily spending. Compare both before committing to a move.

This briefing reorganizes the existing visa summary. It does not represent a new source review. The visa section of the guide keeps the original review dates and qualifications.

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