North America · Immigration

United States

54 immigration routes

United States sits in North America. Its immigration system runs 54 distinct routes — led by work, family and humanitarian protection, each set out in official law. All 54 cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.

Immigration routes
54across 13 route categories, each set out in official law
Source-cited routes
54 of 54cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
Largest category
Work12 of the 54 routes — see them under Work below
Region
North America
Capital
Washington, D.C.
Population
341,784,857
Official language
English
Currency
USD
Time zone
11 zones
Source-cited pathways

Immigration routes

All 54 routes, grouped by purpose — 54 of 54 cite an official government source directly.

Work

5 of 12 say who you can bring
12 routes

Serve as a crewmember on a qualifying sea vessel or international airline.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Report facts: 1
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Direct and develop substantial trade principally between the United States and the treaty country.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Report facts: 2
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Work in a specialty occupation normally requiring a directly related bachelor's degree or equivalent.

Can bring: spouse, dependants, children
Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Report facts: 5
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Work temporarily in a qualifying specialty occupation as a Chilean or Singaporean national.

Can bring: spouse, dependants, children
Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Report facts: 3
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Transfer from a qualifying overseas organisation to a related U.S. entity as a manager, executive or specialised-knowledge employee.

Can bring: spouse, dependants, children
Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Report facts: 3
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Work temporarily in a listed USMCA profession as a Canadian or Mexican citizen.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Report facts: 3
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Investment

3 routes

Direct and develop a substantial investment enterprise in the United States.

Eligibility: 3Documents: 1Report facts: 1
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Obtain permanent residence through qualifying capital investment and job creation in a new commercial enterprise.

Eligibility: 3Documents: 1Report facts: 4
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

For an applicant who independently qualifies for lawful permanent residence, is admissible, has a visa number available, and makes an unrestricted gift of USD 1,000,000 to the US government, or USD 2,000,000 if paid by a corporation.

Investment from USD 1,000,000
Eligibility: 3
Official government source: trumpcard.gov · checked 2026-08-03

Starting a business

1 route

For a founder holding at least 10 percent ownership of a US start-up formed within the past five years, with a central active role, whose venture attracted at least USD 311,071 of qualified investment or a government grant of at least USD 124,429.

Report facts: 3
Official government source: uscis.gov · checked 2026-08-19

Talent and merit

1 of 3 says who you can bring
3 routes

Immigrate as a person of extraordinary ability, outstanding professor or researcher, or qualifying multinational manager or executive.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Report facts: 4
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Work temporarily based on extraordinary ability in science, arts, education, business or athletics, or extraordinary achievement in film or television.

Can bring: spouse, dependants, children
Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Report facts: 4
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Study

1 of 4 says who you can bring
4 routes

Pursue full-time academic study at an approved school.

Eligibility: 3Documents: 1Report facts: 2
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Receive training unavailable in the home country or participate in qualifying special-education exchange training.

Can bring: spouse, dependants, children
Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 3
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Participate in an approved educational or cultural exchange programme.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Report facts: 2
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Pursue full-time vocational or other recognised nonacademic study.

Eligibility: 3Documents: 1Report facts: 2
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Family

9 routes

Long-term residence

2 routes

Immigrate after random selection in the annual Diversity Visa programme and satisfaction of all statutory eligibility requirements.

Report facts: 1
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Return to permanent residence after an absence beyond the validity of the re-entry document for reasons outside the resident's control.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Process & costs: 1
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Culture, faith and volunteering

1 of 3 says who you can bring
3 routes

Participate in an approved international cultural exchange combining work, training and cultural sharing.

Can bring: spouse, dependants, children
Documents: 1Report facts: 5
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Short stays and visits

3 routes

Travel for eligible business or tourism without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program.

Documents: 1Report facts: 4
Official government source: cbp.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Humanitarian protection

9 routes

Request protection from persecution after arrival in or physical presence in the United States.

Documents: 1Report facts: 3
Official government source: uscis.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Immigrate after qualifying service as an interpreter or employee for or on behalf of the U.S. government and completion of the statutory approval process.

Documents: 1Report facts: 4
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Enter through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program after overseas refugee screening and approval.

Documents: 1Report facts: 3
Official government source: uscis.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Remain temporarily as an eligible national or habitual resident of a currently designated country.

Documents: 1Report facts: 4
Official government source: uscis.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Remain as a qualifying victim of listed criminal activity who suffered substantial abuse and assists law enforcement.

Documents: 1Report facts: 3
Official government source: uscis.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Sport

1 of 1 says who you can bring
1 route

Perform temporarily as a qualifying athlete, entertainment group member, reciprocal artist or culturally unique performer.

Can bring: spouse, dependants, children
Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Report facts: 4
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Transit

1 route

Transit immediately and continuously through the United States.

Documents: 1Report facts: 3
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Special cases

3 routes

Immigrate within one of the statutory special-immigrant classes.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 3
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Official sources

Compiled by António Mira, founder · How we verify our data · Not legal advice — immigration rules and thresholds change; confirm with the official sources above before deciding.

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