How to Immigrate From Germany to the US?

The war in Ukraine had a catastrophic impact on the German economy and overall job security. Because of this, a record number of Germans have started leaving the country, looking for a more secure and stable job market. And, many of them have chosen to move to the US. In fact, according to the latest data, more than 25,000 Germans moved from Germany to USA in 2023 alone. If you want to join that group in moving from Germany to USA, you’re in the right place.

In this article, we’ll talk about the main types of USA visas for German citizens, and we’ll cover the main reasons that drive immigration from Germany to USA. We’ll also share with you some of the main steps you should consider before the move. 

Let’s start.

Can Germans Travel to the US?

Yes, German citizens can easily travel to the US. Thanks to the Visa Waiver Program, Germans can travel to the US for tourism, business, or transit without a US visa. The Visa Waiver Program allows Germans to stay in the US for up to 90 days. However, there are some requirements to become eligible for the Visa Waiver Program:

• You must have a valid electronic passport.
• You must register through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)

Moving From Germany to USA: Main Reason for the Move

Here are a couple of crucial reasons why people are moving from Germany to the USA:

1. German Economy in Recession

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the German economy has been in rapid decline. For the first time in modern German history, the country has experienced two years of rescission. Rising interest rates (around 2% since 2022), increased energy costs, and the inability to access all the world’s markets (because of EU sanctions) have turned Germany from an economic giant to a disaster waiting to happen. 

On the other hand, the US economy is simply booming. The national GDP increased by 6.28% between 2022 and 2023 and shows no signs of slowing down. If Trump keeps his election promises and brings back industrial production facilities to the US, the country will be in need of highly skilled workers. 

2. Higher Salaries for the Same Job

Salaries for skilled and highly skilled workers are generally higher in the US than in Germany. The best example to illustrate this is the difference in pay between engineers working at Tesla. In the US, an engineer at Tesla can expect to make between $120K and $177K per year. In Germany, engineers working at Tesla will earn between $68K and $101K.

Now, you might be thinking, “Yes, salaries are higher in the States, but what about the cost of living in the US?” It has to be higher there, right? Well, yes, on average, the cost of living is around 9% higher in the US than in Germany. However, average salaries are around 20% to 30% higher in the US, which more than makes up for that difference.

German Communities in the US

The first groups of Germans started immigrating to the US all the way back in the late 17th century. Since then, the German-American population has slowly risen to include more than 41 million people. Some US states with the highest number of German-Americans are:

Moving From Germany to USA: US Visas for German Citizens

Here’s a list of the main types of US visas for Germans:

1. Visitor USA Visa for German Citizens

All German citizens can travel to the USA without a visa (under the Visa Waiver Program) and can legally stay in the country for 90 days. However, for longer stays, they’ll need to get a Visitor visa:

• B-1 Visa — for business visits, like meetings, conferences, etc…
• B-2 Visa — for tourism or visiting friends and family

2. F-1 Student USA Visa for German Citizens

F-1 student visa is available to all Germans who wish to study in the US. To apply for one, you’ll need to:

• Get an acceptance letter from a US educational institution
• Prove that you have enough financial resources to live and study in the US (e.g., via bank statements)

Apart from studying in the US, with an F-1 visa, you can apply for part-time jobs (less than 35 hours a week). You can also get an F-1 Visa mortgage loan, which you can use to buy real estate in the US.

3. J-1 USA Visa for German Citizens

J-1 exchange visitor visa is available to all German citizens who want to participate in exchange programs for the purposes of:

• Academic research
• Internships
• Giving lectures or teaching in a US educational institution
• Cultural exchange (e.g., work and travel programs) 
• Professional training
• Etc…

To obtain a J-1 visa, first, you’ll need to find a sponsor willing to fill out the DS-2019 form. You’ll also need to prove your ability to financially support your stay in the US and will have to complete the DS-160 form. 

J-1 visa allows you to get a Social Security Number and legally work in the US. With it, you can also apply for special J-1 visa mortgage programs, that allow J-1 visa holders to finance properties in the US. 

4. H-1B Work Visa for German Citizens

H-1B work visa is typically reserved for skilled workers with a bachelor’s degree. To apply for one, you must have a job offer from a US employer. Also, the employer has to start the application process for you by filing the H-1B petition on your behalf. If the petition is approved, you’ll have to apply for a H-1B work visa at a US consulate. 

5. E-2 Treaty Investor Visa for German Citizens

E-2 visa is a special type of US visa given to German citizens who plan to invest substantial money into a US-based business. The investment needs to be at least $100,000, but it can be higher depending on the type of business. 

6. L-1 Intra-company Visa  for German Citizens

L-1 intra-company visa is for employees of multinational companies who are being transferred to a US branch. There are two types of L-1 visas, and they are:

• L-1A — for managers and executives
• L-1B — for employees with specialized knowledge 

How Can a German Citizen Move to the US: 4 Steps to Consider

Moving from Germany to USA is a complicated process that can take quite a bit of time. To help you on your journey and make the whole thing easier for you, we’ve created a list of some of the main steps to consider before making this life-changing move:

1. Prepare Documentation

The first step in immigration from Germany to USA is to ensure you have all the right documentation. In most cases, you’ll need to have the following:

• Valid passport
• Documented reason for immigration (e.g., a job offer letter, University acceptance letter…) 
• Birth certificate 
• Passport-sized photo for the visa application
• Personal financial documents (e.g., bank statements)

And, depending on your situation, you might also need to prepare:

• Marriage certification
• Military records
• Court and prison records
• Medical examination report

2. Get the Right Visa

The second step in moving from Germany to USA is to find and apply for the right US visa. In general, there are two main types of US visas — Immigrant and Non-immigrant visas. With an immigrant visa, you can permanently move to the US. A non-immigrant visa allows you to stay in the US for a specific amount of time, usually for the purposes of working, education, or visits longer than 90 days.

It’s important to note that it’s much harder to get an immigrant visa than a non-immigrant one. That’s why many immigrants start with a temporary non-immigrant visa that allows them to get a foothold in the US and slowly build their new lives. Many immigrants start with a temporary visa and work toward securing a permanent one while living and working in the US. Yes, this might take a couple of years, but it will ultimately be worth it. 

To learn more about different US visas available to Germans, check out the above “Immigration From Germany to USA: US Visas for German Citizens” heading.

3. Rent or Buy a Home

Whether you’re moving from Germany to USA for work, to study, or are looking to live there permanently, you’ll need to find a place to stay. You’ve got two options — rent or buy.

Renting a place to live in the US is relatively easy because of the supply (there are more than 20 million rental units in the country). The average rent is around $1,300, but it can go up or down depending on the state. Renting is technically a good option, but it is ultimately inferior to buying.

If you have the financial means, buying a house in the US is a much better option, especially if you plan to live there permanently. Having a place to call home will set you up for the future and will make the process of settling much easier. 

The average house cost in the US is around $410,000 but can go lower in certain states. And, if that seems like too much money to pay out of pocket, don’t worry, you won’t have to. In the US, you can get a mortgage loan even if you are not a citizen. This means that you’ll only have to pay the downpayment with cash, which is much easier than covering the full cost of a house. At the same time, it’s much better to spend your money on paying off a mortgage and building equity in the property instead of wasting money on rent. 

Are you a German moving to the US and looking to buy your new primary residence there? NRI can help. Contact us to learn more.

4. Some Final Touches

Moving from Germany to USA is not easy. Sorting out your visa and living situation will take up most of your time but not all of it. To make sure the move goes smoothly, you’ll still need to:

• • Apply for an SSN or ITIN — Based on your visa type, you might be eligible to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN), which offers many benefits and can help you greatly with your move. However, if you can’t get it, the next best thing is to apply for an ITIN. 
  • Open a US bank account — A private US bank account will make your new life in the States much easier. Ideally, you should try to get one before you move.

• Get a Credit Card — Having a US credit card will help you build a US credit score and history. Previously, you needed an SSN before you could get one, but that’s not the case anymore. You can now get a credit card with ITIN.

Learn about US taxes and healthcare — The two biggest differences between US and Germany are how these countries deal with taxes and healthcare. Try to educate yourself about these topics as much as possible before your move.