North America · Immigration

United States

54 immigration routes

United States sits in North America. Its immigration system runs 54 distinct routes — led by work, family and humanitarian protection, each set out in official law. All 54 cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.

Immigration routes
54across 13 route categories, each set out in official law
Source-cited routes
54 of 54cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
Largest category
Work12 of the 54 routes — see them under Work below
Region
North America
Capital
Washington, D.C.
Population
341,784,857
Official language
English
Currency
USD
Time zone
11 zones
Source-cited pathways

Immigration routes

All 54 routes, grouped by purpose — 54 of 54 cite an official government source directly.

Work

5 of 12 say who you can bring
12 routes

Serve as a crewmember on a qualifying sea vessel or international airline.

Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Direct and develop substantial trade principally between the United States and the treaty country.

Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Work in a specialty occupation normally requiring a directly related bachelor's degree or equivalent.

Can bring: spouse, dependants, children
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Transfer from a qualifying overseas organisation to a related U.S. entity as a manager, executive or specialised-knowledge employee.

Can bring: spouse, dependants, children
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Investment

3 routes

Obtain permanent residence through qualifying capital investment and job creation in a new commercial enterprise.

Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

For an applicant who independently qualifies for lawful permanent residence, is admissible, has a visa number available, and makes an unrestricted gift of USD 1,000,000 to the US government, or USD 2,000,000 if paid by a corporation.

Official government source: trumpcard.gov · checked 2026-08-03

Business & self-employment

1 route

For a founder holding at least 10 percent ownership of a US start-up formed within the past five years, with a central active role, whose venture attracted at least USD 311,071 of qualified investment or a government grant of at least USD 124,429.

Official government source: uscis.gov · checked 2026-08-03

Talent & merit

1 of 3 says who you can bring
3 routes

Immigrate as a person of extraordinary ability, outstanding professor or researcher, or qualifying multinational manager or executive.

Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Work temporarily based on extraordinary ability in science, arts, education, business or athletics, or extraordinary achievement in film or television.

Can bring: spouse, dependants, children
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Study

1 of 4 says who you can bring
4 routes

Family

9 of 9 say who you can bring
9 routes

Residence-based status

2 routes

Immigrate after random selection in the annual Diversity Visa programme and satisfaction of all statutory eligibility requirements.

Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Return to permanent residence after an absence beyond the validity of the re-entry document for reasons outside the resident's control.

Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Cultural, religious & volunteer

1 of 3 says who you can bring
3 routes

Short stay & visit

3 routes

Humanitarian protection

1 of 9 says who you can bring
9 routes

Request protection from persecution after arrival in or physical presence in the United States.

Official government source: uscis.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Enter through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program after overseas refugee screening and approval.

Official government source: uscis.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Remain temporarily as an eligible national or habitual resident of a currently designated country.

Official government source: uscis.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Self-petition without the abuser's knowledge as an abused spouse, child or parent of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Can bring: spouse, children, parents
Official government source: uscis.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Sports

1 of 1 says who you can bring
1 route

Perform temporarily as a qualifying athlete, entertainment group member, reciprocal artist or culturally unique performer.

Can bring: spouse, dependants, children
Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Transit

1 route

Transit immediately and continuously through the United States.

Official government source: travel.state.gov · checked 2026-07-27

Other & special

3 routes

Official sources

Compiled by António Mira, founder · How we verify our data · Not legal advice — immigration rules and thresholds change; confirm with the official sources above before deciding.

See which United States routes you actually qualify for.

Take the free 3-minute check for your verdict, country by country — then unlock the full report.