What daily life for an expatriate in the USA?

What daily life for an expatriate in the USA?
destination USA To fully live an expatriation in the United States is to prepare well for leaving and settling in this country of many faces. From administrative procedures to practical aspects such as the choice of place to settle, finding work or schools for the children, knowledge of the local health infrastructure and immersion in American culture, there are many points worth considering. we linger there so that the stay takes place in the best conditions.

Before leaving: which visa?

There are different types of visa depending on the activity sector and the purpose of the expatriate's trip:

for business and tourism: B1, B2 and B1 / B2 visas
athletes and artists: O and P visas
for an au pair stay: the J visa
domestic workers: B1, A3, G5 or NATO-7 visas depending on the visa available to their employer
diplomatic and official staff: A, C3, G and NATO visas
students: F and M visas
investors: the E visa
journalists: visa I
crew members: the C1 / D visa
workers: H, L or Q visas
in the context of exchanges, training or internships: the J visa
for a simple transit: the C visa
Spouses and children can generally accompany the expatriate during his stay. However, children must be under the age of 21 to benefit from a derivative visa. Beyond this age, they need an independent visa.

You can also try to get a Green Card, a real key to permanent residence in the USA without a visa.

If you have any doubts about which visa to apply for or want to know more about the paperwork for traveling to the United States, visit the website of the American Embassy in France.

A leap into American culture

Country of freedom, the United States cultivates a lifestyle, "the American way of life", which favors the development and the happiness of each one. The taking of initiative, the famous "do it yourself", is still very present in the way of thinking and living. Human contact seems easy and often friendly. Contrary to European habits, casual outfits naturally enter the business code wardrobe. However, the notion of hierarchy should be kept in mind to avoid missteps.

Pragmatic and always in search of efficiency, Americans also have a strong civic sense. Respect for the cleanliness of public places clearly demonstrates this aspect of their culture. In this country, work and merit condition success and any comments relating to sexist, racial or social discrimination should be avoided in all circumstances. The best way to understand and immerse yourself in this culture is to learn English, reach out to others and not hesitate to strike up a conversation as soon as the opportunity arises.

The most popular regions for expatriates

The majority of French people who live in the United States have settled on the East Coast in cities like New York, one of the most expensive cities in the country, Boston or Washington. However, West Coast cities such as Los Angeles or San Francisco are also popular with expats. Apartment rents hover around $ 1,200 to $ 10,000 for the East Coast and $ 1,600 to $ 8,000 for the West Coast, respectively. Sharing or renting in a home can be a temporary solution while looking for more suitable accommodation. There are many real estate agencies and it is possible to turn to online ads and the specialized press to complete the search.

Try the adventure with the family

Family in the USA For parents who wish to live the experience as a family, a successful expatriation to the USA requires real preparation of the children for this change of life. It is important to find the time to introduce them to the basics of the language, whether in the form of games or moments of discovery to share together in the evening before sleeping. The choice of schools is also an often thorny issue. For toddlers and children in elementary school, joining the American system or enrolling in English-language schools can be an opportunity to improve language skills and facilitate integration into the local culture.

If the children are already older or if the duration of the expatriation is short, or even uncertain, staying in the French system may be more interesting. Distance education is also a possible alternative in order to allow the child to continue his studies or to learn French while working in a school in English. Depending on the quality of the school, its location and its reputation, a school year in a private American school can cost as much as 40,000 th