How to leave to live in America legally? This question worries many Russians who are not averse to parting with their homeland and tasting the delights of "decaying capitalism." It is much easier to get to the United States of America than to the countries of Western Europe. The corresponding visa is easier to obtain than the notorious "Schengen". But in order to stay in the USA, to live and work legally there... Yes, it is difficult and not everyone can do it. But, as they say, the road will be mastered by the walking one. In this article, we will look at all the known ways to take root in the United States of America. First of all, those wishing to emigrate from Russia need to carefully consider and choose a strategy for their actions.
green card
This method is for lottery lovers. The US government annually plays a certain number of "green cards" - immigrant visas that give the right to come to this country, legally live and work there. However, as in any lottery, only one or two percent of all those who apply win it. But what the hell is not kidding? If your credo is “I want to go to America to live”, why not try? Registration is completely free. The main thing is to have time to submit the questionnaire. In Russia, the lottery starts in October and lasts a month. You need to go to the official website, fill out a form (in English), upload a photo and wait. The results will be known only in May. The names of the winners will be posted on the same site. But winning the green card lottery is not a trip to the States. Ahead of the lucky person is an interview at the consulate, which needs to provide a package of documents (an extract from a bank account, a certificate of employment, etc.). The entire process usually takes two years. 
Visa H1B
This is another way to leave and stay to live and work in the USA. America needs highly qualified specialists (especially in the field of new technologies). If you are an IT specialist or a programmer, you have a chance to get a work visa. Happiness is worth trying in big companies. In the resume, you should convince the employer that you are an ace, which cannot be found. He must be sure that you need to lay out five thousand dollars for opening your visa and refuse American applicants for a vacancy. Many desperate heads embark on adventures. They are written off with Russian emigrants in the USA who have small firms in this country. They send them money to open H1B plus a fee for the hassle. There is no guarantee of a successful outcome. It often happens that there is neither a visa nor money.
Participation in social programs for students
“If you are young, love to travel and want to earn some money, Work&Travel is for you!” - so says the commercial. Well, in practice? Is it possible to go to live in America under the Work and Travel, Au Pair or Camp America programs? Conditions for an official trip are very simple. It is enough to know English at an intermediate level and be a full-time student between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five. The program runs from May to September.
It is assumed that a young man can travel around the United States in five months, see the country and secure such an American vacation by working in fast foods, hotels or as a waiter. Yes, wages in America are high. Now let's just calculate: the cost of the program is 1020 (Job Offer) or $1290 (with a job search). Various consular fees - 230 c.u. e. Air tickets - about a thousand dollars more. You need to take the same amount for rent and expenses until the first paycheck. Total - about three thousand dollars. You have to work three jobs to get that money back. Of course, there can be no talk of any excursions. But the student exchange program (for the purpose of learning the language) works quite well. 
student visa
This document is called F-1. True, a student visa only answers the question “how to go to live in America,” since it does not give the right to employment. To get an F-1, you need to enroll in any educational institution in the United States. Becoming a student in this country is an expensive pleasure. But there are plenty of loopholes as well. For example, a sponsor, your future employer, may pay for you. You can win a grant for an educational program. Or pay yourself according to the payment plan (payment plan), for example, monthly. In parallel, you can apply for a change of status - ask for permission to work. If you are hardworking and persistent, you can survive. People who already have a higher education and work experience in a managerial position, it is quite possible to apply for an MBA student visa. 
Marriage
How many Russian Cinderellas dream of an overseas prince who will take them to the Land of Dreams on a snow-white liner! However, it is worth warning about the dangers of fictitious marriage. Your deception will definitely be revealed - after all, time is working against you. Before you go to live in America, you need to get a visa for the bride or groom. And your spouse must be a US citizen. It takes about nine months to complete this document. After registering a marriage, you can apply for a green card for two years. Then it is extended. If this “probationary period” expires and you are still married, then you have the right to apply for US citizenship. 
Tourist visa extension
We have already mentioned that B1 entry permit for Russians is the most acceptable. However, a tourist visa is the most difficult to "catch" in the country. It does not confer any right to employment and has a very limited duration. And this must be taken into account before leaving for America. Living in the US forces people to be law-abiding. Nevertheless, it all depends on a competent lawyer who needs to be contacted for help in extending a tourist visa. And you need to do this a month before the end of your legal stay in the country. If the application is drawn up correctly, it is considered for a rather long time, and then the visa is extended for six months. This procedure can be repeated twice. During this time (not without the help of a competent lawyer) you can change your status: become a student at a local college or obtain a work visa.
How to go to live in America as a political immigrant
An asylum seeker in the United States is a person who left their country due to a well-founded fear of being persecuted on the basis of political opinion, race, or religious beliefs. Note that the burden of proving your refugee status lies with you. Previously, the Russian Federation was considered a conditionally safe country. Refugee status was granted to Belarusians. But now it is being given to the Russians with might and main. An asylum seeker's application can take years to process. And all this time you are in the United States legally. But you need to be careful to keep in touch with your country. Returning there will be difficult, and such a trip threatens to lose refugee status. And you need to remember this before you leave to live in America. 
Ways to move to the USA
Let us briefly consider other ways of immigration. The US, like other countries, welcomes investors. Pay more than a million dollars to the cashier and get the citizenship of your new homeland without much hassle. If you are a generally recognized unique person in the field of science, sports or culture, then even then the country will welcome you with open arms. The Family Reunification program will only work if you have direct and close relatives who are US citizens.
