Publication date: 05.06.2024
Permanent Residence in America: From the American Dream to the American Reality
When it comes to moving to another country for permanent residence, most Ukrainians traditionally look towards Europe. PHC in the European Union, especially in its warm southern regions, seems a natural choice due to geographical proximity and cultural affinity. However, there is a country that, despite its remoteness, continues to attract thousands of our compatriots who dream of moving to another country for permanent residence, the United States of America.
The United States, a country that has been synonymous with opportunity and freedom for centuries, remains one of the most popular destinations for those considering relocating permanently to another country. Although obtaining a Green Card (officially called a US Permanent Resident Card) may seem like a complicated process, America offers several paths that make it one of those countries where, under certain conditions, it is easy to go to permanent residence.
The most common ways to obtain permanent residence in the United States include:
1. H-1B Work Visa: Focused on highly skilled professionals, especially in the fields of IT, engineering, finance and science. After several years of work, you can apply for a Green Card.
2. L-1 visa: For managers and specialists transferred to the American office of their company.
3. EB-5 Visa: A program for investors investing $900,000 or more in business projects in the United States that create jobs.
4. Diversity Visa Lottery: An annual program that provides 50,000 Green Cards to citizens of countries with low immigration rates to the United States, including Ukraine.
5. Family reunification: If you have close relatives who are US citizens or Green Card holders.
6. O-1 Exceptional Individual Visa: For those who have achieved significant achievements in the sciences, arts, sports or business.
But what makes America so attractive that people are willing to travel thousands of kilometers, leaving behind not only their home country, but also the opportunity to more easily obtain permanent residence in European countries?
First of all, there is a variety of possibilities. The USA is a huge country with a powerful, diversified economy. Here you'll find everything from global tech companies in Silicon Valley to innovative startups in Boston, from financial giants in New York to aerospace corporations in Houston. This diversity means that a person who comes to a foreign country for permanent residence has many chances of finding a job that exactly matches her skills and ambitions.
Secondly, it is a culture of entrepreneurship. The idea that anyone can achieve success through hard work and innovation is deeply ingrained in the United States. This is the place where startups grow into global corporations, and the names of the founders become legends. For many Ukrainians who dream of starting their own business, moving to America for permanent residence is a chance to realize their business ideas in an environment where the entrepreneurial spirit is highly valued.
The third factor is education. American universities consistently rank first in world rankings. Harvard, MIT, Stanford - these names speak for themselves. Many Ukrainians, especially young people, consider studying in the USA as the first step towards permanent residence. Having received an American diploma, they often stay to work, gradually paving the way for permanent resident status.
It is also important to note that America is a country of immigrants. Here, more than 40 million people were born abroad. This means that a person who comes to a foreign country for permanent residence will quickly find a community that understands his experience. In big cities such as New York, Chicago or Los Angeles, there are entire areas where immigrants from Ukraine live. These communities provide invaluable support to newcomers, helping with adaptation, finding work and housing.
But what if you dream not only of new opportunities, but also of a warmer climate? Fortunately, America is large and diverse enough to satisfy this desire. For those who want to go for permanent residence in a warm country, there are excellent options:
1. Florida: With an average annual temperature of about 22°C, many beaches and famous amusement parks, Florida is the American equivalent of permanent residence in warm countries.
2. California: Sunny weather, ocean beaches and a Mediterranean climate make the state similar to permanent residence in European countries, but with an American flavor.
3. Hawaii: For those who dream of real tropics, Hawaii is the closest thing you can get to permanent residence in a warm country, while remaining part of the United States.
4. Texas: Big cities like Houston and Austin offer a combination of warm climates, vibrant economies, and affordable costs of living.
These states prove that even without traveling outside the United States, you can find regions whose climate is not inferior to popular permanent residence destinations in warm European countries.
However, when moving to America, it is important to understand the challenges you will face. Unlike most EU countries, the US does not have a national healthcare system, and health insurance can be expensive. In addition, there are no social guarantees such as long paid vacations or maternity leave, norms in European countries.
It should also be taken into account that although obtaining permanent residence in the European Union may be easier due to geographic proximity and cultural kinship, adaptation to America often requires more effort. American culture, built on individualism and competition, may seem very different from Ukrainian. Therefore, it is important to prepare for the adjustment period and actively seek support from local communities.
Don't forget about the financial aspect. While some regions of the US offer a relatively affordable cost of living, large cities and popular warm states often have high housing prices and daily expenses. Before leaving Ukraine for permanent residence in America, you need to carefully plan your budget.
Another important factor is distance. Unlike moving to a European country, where you can visit family in a few hours' flight, traveling to Ukraine from the US will take much more time and money. This can make it difficult to maintain close ties with those left behind.
However, despite these challenges, thousands of Ukrainians are successfully building new lives in America. Their stories are the stories of people who went for permanent residence to another country and found there not only professional success, but also personal happiness. They prove that the American Dream is not just a phrase, but a reality available to those who are willing to work hard and adapt.
In the era of globalization, the concept of “moving to another country for permanent residence” takes on a new meaning. This is no longer just a change of residence, but a choice of a life path that best suits your goals and values. And although permanent residence in the European Union, especially in the warm southern regions, remains a popular choice, more and more Ukrainians are looking across the ocean, considering America as a place where they can realize their full potential.
So, if you are dreaming of relocation for permanent residence to another country that combines a warm climate, a dynamic economy and endless opportunities, the United States of America should be seriously considered. This is a country that has, for centuries, welcomed dreamers and innovators from around the world, making them part of its unique success story. And who knows, maybe your story will become the next chapter in this great American saga.
