Corridor guide
Move from India to United States
India to the United States is a high-stakes corridor dominated by H-1B and other specialty occupations, F-1 study routes, family-based green cards, and long employment-based preference queues. This guide is for Indian applicants who need a sober map of nonimmigrant vs immigrant intent, visa bulletin reality, USCIS/Department of State process splits, and the scam patterns that specifically target India-based tech and student applicants.
Immigration rules and fees change frequently. Confirm current requirements on official government or embassy websites.
AI-assisted. Parts of this page may be drafted with AI and editor-reviewed. Always confirm rules, fees, and hours on official government sources before you act. How we use AI · Editorial standards
Planning tools
- Interactive plan
Milestones, checklists, and saved corridor steps.
- Cost calculator
Compare living costs and salary signals.
- Eligibility quiz
Screen visa pathways before deep research.
- Scam check
Paste an offer or URL to match known fraud patterns.
- Arrival checklist
First-month tasks after landing.
- Community hub
Articles, tools, and corridor resources in one place.
Corridor articles
Browse blog →- New Zealand Opens Two India Work Visas With 5,000 Places From 20 October 2026
New Zealand opened the India Skilled Work Visa and India Iconic Work Visa on 20 October 2026 under the India-New Zealand FTA. Up to 5,000 Indian workers in 16 jobs get three-year visas, with no family and no residence pathway.
- US Makes End of Automatic EAD Extensions Final From 14 October 2026
DHS has finalized the end of automatic work permit extensions, effective 14 October 2026. If you file an EAD renewal now, your card stops on its printed end date unless USCIS approves the renewal first. Here is who is affected and how to plan.
- US Proposes Ending Deference for H-1B and L-1 Visa Extensions
DHS published a proposed rule on 14 October 2026 to end deference to prior approvals for Form I-129 extensions. Here is what the change means for H-1B, L-1, O-1 and TN workers, and how to comment by 13 November.
- US Suspends Microsoft, Adobe and Six Outsourcing Firms From PERM Green Card Program
The US Labor Department froze new and pending PERM green card filings for Microsoft, Adobe and six outsourcing firms on 8 October 2026. Here is what the suspension covers, what 20 CFR 656.31 says, and the steps sponsored workers should take now.
Stay updated
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Set up policy alertsHow the U.S. system differs from Canada-style PR marketing
The United States separates many temporary statuses from immigrant visas. Marketing that treats H-1B like a quick permanent residence program misleads Indian applicants. Employment-based green cards for India-born applicants often face multi-year backlog dynamics tied to the Visa Bulletin — plan career and family decisions with that constraint in mind.
Employer control matters. Many work paths require a U.S. petitioner. If someone in India claims they can “sell” you an H-1B without a real employer relationship, walk away.
Pathways Indian applicants actually use
H-1B and related specialty occupation routes: cap seasons, lottery risk, wage rules, and LCA compliance are central. Extensions, amendments, and portability rules are technical — get them from USCIS policy, not WhatsApp forwards.
F-1 study: SEVIS, I-20, funding evidence, and consular interviews. Optional Practical Training and later work status transitions are possible for many STEM grads, but they are regulated steps — not automatic green cards.
Family-based immigration: immediate relatives of U.S. citizens differ from preference categories. Marriage-based cases need relationship evidence; sibling/parent categories can involve long waits depending on bulletin dates.
Other routes (L-1, O-1, EB categories, diversity lottery where eligible) each have distinct evidence. Do not force-fit your profile into the wrong form packet.
Costs and timeline honesty
Government filing fees (USCIS/NVC/consular) are only part of the bill. Attorney fees, exam costs, travel for consular processing, and U.S. living deposits often dominate. Fee schedules change — bookmark official fee pages.
H-1B timelines cluster around fiscal-year cap seasons; green card timelines can be dominated by priority dates for India. Build dual plans: status maintenance and long-term immigrant strategy.
Document hygiene from India: consistent employment history, tax records where relevant, and clean education transcripts reduce RFE risk.
Consular vs USCIS adjustment realities
Some applicants process through a U.S. consulate/embassy in India; others adjust status inside the United States. The correct lane depends on your current status and petition type. Using the wrong checklist wastes months.
Interview prep should stick to facts in your petition. Coaching that invents a fake job story is immigration fraud.
Landing and compliance
After admission, track I-94, status end dates, employer conditions, and address reporting rules that apply to you. Students must maintain full-time enrollment rules; workers must respect petition terms.
Use MigrantIQ’s United States country hub, visa pages, checklist, and this corridor’s plan/calculator to keep tasks organized while you verify every step on official .gov sites.
Visa costs & timelines (verify officially)
Figures and windows change. Use the official links — MigrantIQ summaries are planning aids, not fee quotes.
H-1B (employer petition + consular/USCIS steps)
USCIS petition fees are usually employer-paid in compliant cases; personal “slot fees” to agents are a scam signal
Timeline: Tied to cap season + petition processing; not a same-month guarantee
Official source →F-1 student visa
SEVIS fee + MRV/consular fees; tuition and living costs are separate
Timeline: Align with program start; interview wait times vary by post
Official source →Family-based immigrant visa / green card
USCIS/NVC fee bills depend on category; Affidavit of Support financials apply
Timeline: Immediate relative vs preference categories differ sharply — check Visa Bulletin
Official source →
India → United States scam patterns to watch
Scammers sell H-1B “registrations,” fake consultancy bench marketing that shifts unlawful fees onto workers, and forged visa appointment letters.
Red flags
- Guaranteed H-1B selection or green card approval for a personal payment
- Employers or agents asking you to pay the petition fee packages that should be employer-borne in compliant setups
- Documents with non-.gov links that mimic USCIS or the Department of State
- “Premium consulate slots” sold by brokers
- Training institutes bundling immigration guarantees with course fees
How to avoid
- Use only uscis.gov and travel.state.gov for forms, fees, and bulletins
- Verify attorneys on state bar sites; beware unverifiable “U.S. agents”
- Never share passport scans with unknown chat recruiters
- Run payment requests through Scam Check and keep written offer letters from real employers
Embassy & apply-from-origin notes
- U.S. Mission India pages publish interview and consular instructions — use them for appointments, not third-party resellers.
- Petition approvals (USCIS) and visa issuance (consular) are different steps; track which stage you are in.
- Medical exams for immigrant visas use authorized physicians — confirm the official list.
Plan this corridor
Money planning for United States
Pack-backed signals for India → United States. Planning estimates only — verify official sources.
- Wage$7Verified 2026-10-26
- Funds$10,000Verified 2026-10-26
- Visa fees$185Verified 2026-10-26
- Rent$1,187Verified 2026-10-26
- Take-home taxOpen calculator
Money planning for moves from India to United States should start with published signals — not guesses. MigrantIQ’s calculator suite surfaces destination wages, settlement-style funds bands, visa fee ballparks, and rent affordability for United States, then links you into take-home tax tools so a job offer or family budget can be stress-tested before you apply.
On this corridor (india-to-united-states), the destination figures currently highlighted are: Wage: $7; Funds: $10,000; Visa fees: $185; Rent: $1,187; Take-home tax: Open calculator. Each number comes from a jurisdiction JSON pack with sources and a last-verified date. Open the linked calculator pages for worked examples, FAQs, and methodology — do not treat a single chip as a filing, banking, or immigration requirement.
Context from destination packs: The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. The rough living wage floor is approximately $2,611 per month. For one adult, the suggested settlement funds are $10,000. Each additional dependent requires an extra $4,000. The main-applicant fee is $185. The biometrics fee is $85. The typical rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the United States is $1,186.84. It is generally advised that no more than 30% of your net incom…
Planning estimates only — not tax, legal, or financial advice. Confirm official minimum wages, proof-of-funds tables, visa fees, and tax withholding on government sites before you decide. Start take-home modelling at the tax calculator for United States. Save numeric estimates to My Plan as metadata only; MigrantIQ does not store identity documents.
Send money home
After you land in United States, many households still support family in India. Use the remittance calculator for directional fee and FX-spread bands, then stress-test totals with the currency shock tool. Some partner links may be affiliates — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Arrival in United States
Arrival playbooks for tax ID, banking, housing, and licence steps — only where we have a published hub for this destination. Missing destinations are omitted on purpose (no invented hub links).
City cost of living
Curated city bands for United States (top-30 set).
Pathway ranking
Top visas by your goal
Ranked from published visa records — always confirm eligibility on the official immigration portal.
- Rank 1Score 86
EB-3 Skilled Workers and Professionals
migration · 17-30 weeks
Matches work pathway signals (work, skilled)
Open visa guide →
- Rank 2Score 78
EB-5 Investor Visa
business · 24-48 months end-to-end
Matches work pathway signals (business)
Open visa guide →
- Rank 3Score 78
Employment-Based Green Card (EB-2 / EB-3)
residency · 1-6 years depending on country of birth and category
Matches work pathway signals (employment)
Open visa guide →
Route comparison
Top pathways for work
Compare published visa routes on this corridor — not a eligibility guarantee.
EB-3 Skilled Workers and Professionals
Best matchmigration · 17-30 weeks
Fees: Min Income Points: , · Min Savings: , (+2 more)
Open visa guide →
H-1B Specialty Occupation
Strong alternativework · 3-6 months standard; 15 days with premium processing
Fees: I129Fee: USD 460 (paid by employer) · Acwia Fee: USD 750-1,500 (+2 more)
Open visa guide →
EB-5 Investor Visa
Considerbusiness · 24-48 months end-to-end
Fees: I829Fee: USD 9,525 · I526EFee: USD 11,160 (+2 more)
Open visa guide →
Timeline tracker
If you apply today
Estimates from published processing times for United States. Always confirm on the official portal.
| Visa | Processing (published) | Est. weeks | Apply by (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| B-1 / B-2 Visitor Visa | 2-8 weeks (depends on consulate wait) | 8 | — |
| CR-1/IR-1 Spouse of US Citizen | 17-30 weeks | 30 | — |
| Diversity Visa Lottery (DV) | 17-30 weeks | 30 | — |
| E-1 Treaty Trader | 8-17 weeks | 17 | — |
| E-2 Treaty Investor | 8-17 weeks | 17 | — |
Check seasonal filing heat on the application pressure calendar before you lock travel or biometrics dates.
Risk awareness
Scams, laws & mistakes — United States
Review before paying fees or sharing documents. Report suspicious offers via our scam check tool.
- Scam alertmediumDocument Translation, Notary, or Apostille Overcharge
In the United States, newcomers, including visa applicants, families, students, and workers, may encounter a scam involving inflated…
- Scam alertmediumFake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee
Scammers in the United States often impersonate airport staff, immigration officers, or travel agents to exploit newcomers. These…
- Scam alertmediumFake University or Scholarship Letter
In the United States, a prevalent scam targets students, parents, and scholarship applicants through fake university or scholarship…
- Scam alertmediumRental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract
In the United States, a common housing scam targets newcomers, students, families, and remote workers. Scammers often post fake apartment…
- LawcriticalImmigration Status and Overstay Rules
Your right to remain in the United States is contingent upon your specific visa, residence permit, entry stamp, or visa-free status.…
- LawcriticalWork Authorisation Rules
In the United States, holding a visa that permits entry does not guarantee the right to work. Different categories of visas have specific…
- LawhighTax Residency and Income Reporting
Tax residency in the United States is determined by the amount of time you spend in the country. If you live in the U.S. for a significant…
- Common mistakeadvisory
Paying unlicensed consultants who promise guaranteed visa approval
Common corridor planning mistake — verify with official sources.
- Common mistakeadvisory
Using unofficial payment links instead of government portals
Common corridor planning mistake — verify with official sources.
- Common mistakeadvisory
Submitting incomplete proof-of-funds or outdated bank statements
Common corridor planning mistake — verify with official sources.
Corridor feed
Guides, answers & people
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- Q&Ahow long does us visa take to expire
The EB-5 Investor Visa is generally valid for two years from the date it is issued. This visa allows foreign investors…
- Q&Awhat documents do i need for pakistan visa
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- ArticleNew Zealand Opens Two India Work Visas With 5,000 Places From 20 October 2026
New Zealand opened the India Skilled Work Visa and India Iconic Work Visa on 20 October 2026 under the India-New Zealand FTA. Up to 5,000 Indian workers in 16 jobs get three-year visas, with no family and no residence pathway.
- ArticleUS Makes End of Automatic EAD Extensions Final From 14 October 2026
DHS has finalized the end of automatic work permit extensions, effective 14 October 2026. If you file an EAD renewal now, your card stops on its printed end date unless USCIS approves the renewal first. Here is who is affected and how to plan.
- ArticleUS Proposes Ending Deference for H-1B and L-1 Visa Extensions
DHS published a proposed rule on 14 October 2026 to end deference to prior approvals for Form I-129 extensions. Here is what the change means for H-1B, L-1, O-1 and TN workers, and how to comment by 13 November.
- ArticleUS Suspends Microsoft, Adobe and Six Outsourcing Firms From PERM Green Card Program
The US Labor Department froze new and pending PERM green card filings for Microsoft, Adobe and six outsourcing firms on 8 October 2026. Here is what the suspension covers, what 20 CFR 656.31 says, and the steps sponsored workers should take now.
- ArticleUS Extends Social Media Screening to TN, TD and I Visas From 1 October 2026
From 1 October 2026, the US State Department reviews the online presence of TN, TD and I visa applicants. You must set every social media profile to public before your consular interview. Here is who is covered and how to prepare.
- ArticleUS Raises ESTA, Parole and TPS Fees From 16 October 2026
DHS has raised H.R. 1 immigration fees for fiscal year 2027. From 16 October 2026, ESTA costs $40.62, the parole fee hits $1,050, and several TPS, asylum, and parole EAD fees rise by $10. USCIS rejects filings postmarked from 16 October with the old fee.
Grounded advisor
Ask about this page
Answers cite MigrantIQ pages first — not legal advice.
India
🇮🇳Country migration profile
india
View country guide
United States
🇺🇸Capital: Washington, DC · Americas
united-states
View country guide
Corridor Snapshot
- Cost of living delta: +49.9 index points
- Net salary delta: +4037 per month
- Destination capital: Washington, DC
Move Timeline
- - 6-12 months: choose visa pathway, budget, and document plan
- - 3-6 months: gather proof of funds, translations, employment or study evidence
- - 1-3 months: confirm housing, insurance, travel, and arrival documents
- - First 30 days: complete local registration, banking, healthcare, phone, and safety setup
Official corridor links
- India official immigration source
Use for departure, passport, and local exit obligations where relevant.
- United States official immigration source
Use for visa eligibility, forms, fees, appointments, and entry rules.
Top Visa Options
Assumptions & Limits
- - Corridor guidance combines structured country, visa, law, cost, and scam-alert data.
- - Official government portals override MigrantIQ summaries for eligibility, fees, forms, and appointments.
- - Cost and salary deltas are directional signals, not personal budget guarantees.
- - Use licensed advice for case-specific immigration or legal decisions.
Sources & Official Links
- MigrantIQ country and corridor data
Structured data from country, visa, law, and scam alert records.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Official destination source for current visa and entry rules.
Continue with official planning
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Plan India → United States
Quick links from MigrantIQ for this corridor — visas, tools, Q&A, and stories.
Tools
Visas in United States
- B-1 / B-2 Visitor Visatourist
- CR-1/IR-1 Spouse of US Citizenmigration
- Diversity Visa Lottery (DV)migration
- E-1 Treaty Tradermigration
- E-2 Treaty Investormigration
- EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Green Cardmigration
- EB-2 Advanced Degree or Exceptional Abilitymigration
- EB-3 Skilled Workers and Professionalsmigration
United States embassies & consulates in India
Where to apply from India for visas and consular services to United States. 5 active missions listed. Always confirm with the mission before you apply.
- Consulate General of Unitedstates in Chennai, India — Consulate General, Chennai
- Consulate General of Unitedstates in Hyderabad, India — Consulate General, Hyderabad
- Consulate General of Unitedstates in Kolkata, India — Consulate General, Kolkata
- Consulate General of Unitedstates in Mumbai, India — Consulate General, Mumbai
- Embassy of Unitedstates in Newdelhi, India — Embassy, Newdelhi
Need a verified expert?
No verified listings are published for this corridor yet. Licensed practitioners can apply to appear on MigrantIQ.
Partners for this move
MigrantIQ is free. Some links are affiliate partners — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
relocation
United States: US planning checklist →Build your US move checklist before paying for services.
Sponsored or partner placement when a matching partner is active.
Summarize this page with AI
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Not affiliated with any AI platform. Always verify immigration rules on official government sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. H-1B is a temporary specialty-occupation status (with possible extensions under rules). A green card is permanent residence via family, employment, or other immigrant categories. Many people transition over time, but it is not automatic.
Numerical limits and per-country dynamics create backlogs reflected in the Visa Bulletin. Your priority date and category drive wait time. Anyone selling a shortcut around the bulletin is a red flag.
Many students use authorized practical training and later employer petitions, but each step has eligibility rules. Plan finances assuming tuition risk even if work options appear later.
Not legally required for every filing, but complex H-1B/EB/family cases often benefit from qualified U.S. immigration counsel. Paying an unlicensed agent for “guarantees” is worse than filing carefully yourself.
a Request for Evidence from USCIS asking for more proof. Respond completely and on time. Inventing documents is fraud.
Only on the official Department of State Visa Bulletin. Screenshots in group chats go stale within days.
What are the main costs associated with studying in the USA from India? The costs of studying in the USA from India include several components. The application fee for a U.S. student visa (F-1) is approximately $160. You will also need to pay the SEVIS fee, which is around $350. Tuition fees can vary widely, ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 per year depending on the institution and program you choose. you should consider living expenses, which can include housing, food, transportation, and other personal costs. These living expenses can vary based on the city and lifestyle you choose.
What are the steps to move to the US from India? Moving to the United States from India involves several steps, and the process can vary based on your situation. The first step is to determine the appropriate visa category for your move. Common visa types include family-sponsored visas, employment-based visas, and student visas. Each category has specific requirements and processes. You should check the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website for detailed information on each visa type. How do I apply for a visa?
More corridor answers in Q&A for United States.