Moving from Europe to the United States can be a challenging and expensive ordeal. Thus, because a cross-continent move is difficult, “hire a moving company” is the best tip anyone can give you, especially if Europe has been your home for a while and you have a few household items you want to take. 

Fortunately, with proper planning and preparation, moving from Europe to the USA or any other country can be a relatively easy, stress-free transition.

Below are a few key tips and ideas you can use to make your move from Europe to the USA stress-free and easier, irrespective of where you are in the moving process:

1. Consider your visa options carefully

The reality is that the U.S. has different immigration visas you can use. For example, you can use the following options:

1. A family-based visa: Do you have legally recognized (over 21) family members who are U.S. citizens or green card holders? If so, they can sponsor you using an immediate relative or family preference family-based immigration visa. 
2. Employment-based visas (EB-2): With an employment-based visa, you need an employment offer from an employer willing to sponsor your green card application. The employer must meet specific criteria established by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
3. EB-5 visa (Permanent residency visa): If you want to move from Europe to the U.S. for investment purposes, getting permanent residency using an EB-5 visa is one of the best approaches, especially if you use the services of an EB-5 consulting firm of good repute. Because this visa classification has stringent qualifications, such as investing $800,000-$1 million in TEAs or a business that creates ten or more full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers, working with an A+ EB-5 project manager can make the immigration process easier.

Other visa options for European residents include a student visa or the DV lottery green card program.

It’s important to consider your visa options carefully because the visa you get can make all the difference in how well or badly your move goes.

2. Create a moving plan

As mentioned, moving to any country can be expensive and daunting if you don’t have a moving plan. Among other things, your moving plan should consider things like:

• How you will move your possessions: If you are moving with your belongings, you must pack for the intercontinental move and arrange transportation. For oversized items such as furniture, it is crucial to use container transportation and sea freight to get them to the U.S. For smaller items, consider packing them in boxes or suitcases.
• Where you will live: This key consideration should be in your moving plan because no two U.S. states are the same. If you plan to rent long-term or buy property, consider finding permanent accommodation as early as possible to avoid paying high short-term rental or hotel costs for too long.
• How will you get around: Will you use public transportation—and does the area you’re immigrating to have a good public transport system?—or drive yourself? If you intend to drive, do you know what to do to get an American driver’s license? Consider these things before moving.

3. Think about your post-move period and life

Moving to the U.S. from Europe or any other country means you will have to get accustomed to your new life. Thinking about your post-move life long before your moving day can help prepare you for a life in a different country.

For example:

• Your healthcare plan: The healthcare system in America can be expensive and confusing for foreigners who are used to receiving public healthcare funded by the state. Thus, before your move on D-day, consider your health insurance coverage options carefully and choose a private healthcare plan you know will cover you in a medical emergency. 
• Will you need a social security number? The U.S. government requires every resident to have a social security number; without it, you can’t work or open a bank account. Consider getting this shortly after moving, or start the process beforehand.
• What about a bank account? How do you intend to pay for things once you are in the U.S.? To avoid the trouble of carrying around cash to pay up for things, set up a checking account with a debit card. As a non-us-citizen opening a bank account, you will need several documents as proof. It would be best to consider transferring funds from your old bank to your American one.

Conclusion

These three important tips cover every stage of moving to the USA from Europe. If you take care of the various elements within these three stages: the visa, moving, and post-move stage, your immigration process should be relatively headache free.