Getting used to living in a different country is always a challenge, and working in the land of opportunity is something that everyone considers at some point in their life. Among all the countries that exist to work in, one of the most attractive is usually the United States.
However, if you are going to enter this wonderful country, there are some things you should know:
Passport
You cannot travel to the United States without a passport, that is the first thing you should know. If you do not have one, do not forget to get one and, very importantly, if you do have one, check that it is not expired. Passports must be valid for at least 90 days from the date of entry into the country.
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)
This is a form that you have to fill out online before entering the country. Since January 12, 2008, it is mandatory to print it out and take it with you when you travel. You have up to 72 hours before your flight to do so, and it is valid for up to two years or until your passport has expired, so if you return to the United States during that period, you can use it again.
Plane ticket
When buying your ticket, you have to take into account the visa period you will have and get a return ticket. Most people who travel to work in the United States have a set date for their departure and return. If for any reason you cannot find out when you will return, buy it and change it if necessary since customs like to know that you will return to your country.
Visa
The criteria for work visas can be a bit confusing as there are many different types of visas, depending on the type of work. First, people who wish to work in the United States must apply for a work visa and have it approved. Work visas are non-immigrant visas, meaning they are only valid for a certain period of time. It should be added that most US visas can be easily renewed.
Requirements for a work visa
Each work visa has different criteria for obtaining it, which must be met by the applicant. Most work visas have an annual quota.
Types of Visas
- E-1 Treaty Trader Work Visa
- E-2 Treaty Investor Work Visa
- E-3 Work Visa for Australians
- F-1 Student Visa that can work on OPT/CPT
- H-1B Temporary work visa to perform specialized work
- H-2B Temporary Work Visa
- H-1C Temporary Work Visa for Specialized Nursing Work
- H-3 Trainee Visa
- L-1 Transfers between affiliated companies
- O-1 Visa for Workers with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
- P Visa for athletes/artists
- R-1 Religious Worker Visa
Worker Rights in the United States
Below we list the rights of workers in the United States of America, regardless of their visa category:
- Right not to be retaliated against.
- Right to be paid.
- Right not to be an element of discrimination.
- Rights as a woman in the face of workplace discrimination.
- Right to a healthy and safe workplace.
- Right to join a union and bargain collectively.
- Right to more protections under the decency of state laws.
- Right to leave an abusive employment situation.
Take out travel insurance
When we go to a country outside the European Union, we should always consider taking out travel and medical insurance for anything that might happen. In the United States, there is certainly not much danger, but private healthcare is very expensive, and the cost of it is not so high as to consider not taking it. Those of us who come from outside are safer with health insurance that covers us on the trip, especially if we are going to spend a long time there.
Language
As you well know, the official language is English. But the United States is full of Spanish-speaking people, most of them from Mexico and other Latin American countries.
Be careful with American accents, since in the United States the most typical accent is “American English”, but this is too generic. Someone from Texas, New York, Boston or California does not speak the same way. So we will have no other alternative than to get used to the typical accent of the place we are going to.
Climate
The climate in the United States is very diverse and offers everything, depending on the area and the season of the year. If you prefer warm temperatures, you will like to live in Florida, Arizona or southern California; if you prefer cold temperatures, Washington or Minnesota, among others. As in Spain, there are also other states such as New York, Chicago or the Great Lakes area, where autumns and winters are quite cold and it always snows. In these areas, summers are usually hot.
Accommodation
Accommodation varies greatly depending on the state and area you choose to live in. In some areas, it will be very difficult to find good, cheap accommodation. We advise you to always look for an apartment in an area that is not very central to the city so that it will be cheaper.
Other things you should know
- Driving: The maximum speed in the United States is limited to 88 and 110 km/h, there it is measured in miles, so 55 or 70 miles/hour. Cars are usually automatic. You need to validate your driving license in traffic and ask for an international license or get your license there.
- Units of measurement: You’ll need to forget about kilometres and meters, as we only use them in Europe. Distances are measured in inches, feet, yards, and miles. Capacities are measured in gallons, and weight is measured in pounds. Temperature is measured in Fahrenheit instead of degrees Celsius.
- The smallest size for women is 6, which is equivalent to 36 and is added in pairs. For men, it is 10 sizes less than in Europe. As for footwear, a size 36 is equivalent to 6.5 and is added in pairs from there.
- Hours: Normal office hours are Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00, with a half-hour lunch break. Breakfast is usually served early at around 7:00. Lunch is served at around 13:00 and dinner is served between 6 and 8:00.
- Sports: Basketball, American football, baseball, and hockey are the most popular sports in the United States. European football is called “soccer” and is also popular, although culturally it is not as fun. Sports are very present in American culture.
- Tips: Many jobs such as waiters, taxi drivers, hairdressers, etc. require tips, which means that they receive most of their salary from them. Therefore, you should always pay them and it is usually between 10% and 20% of the bill.
- Electrical appliances: The plugs are different so you need to buy an adapter. The plugs used in the United States of America are type A/B.
If you are going to work in the United States, the best option is to take out AXA Assistance’s Corporate Mobility insurance. You will have the best coverage anywhere in the world.
