Passport Atlas

Entering United States

United States playbook updated 2026-09. Openness first, then how to apply and how to stay.

Openness rank

#162

Entry openness

Visa free

Visa required

140

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Country profile

Capital

Washington, D.C.

Population

340.1 million

Area

9,629,091 km²

Currency

United States dollar USD

Languages

English

Time zone

UTC-10:00–UTC-05:00

Foreign-born

52.4 million · 2024

Migrant share

15.2%

Ethnic groups · 2020

White61.6%
Black or African American12.4%
two or more races10.2%
other8.4%
Asian6%
Indigenous and Alaska native1.1%

Foreign-born counts are UN international migrant stock via the World Bank (mostly 2024). Ethnic groups follow each country's published categories — most do not census by skin colour. Indicative only.

Travel notes

Plug

Type A / Type B

Mains

120 V · 60 Hz

Driving

Right

Emergency

Police 911 · Ambulance 911

Dialing code

Airports

JFK · MIA · LAX · ORD

Highlights

Statue of Liberty
Grand Canyon
Yellowstone
Golden Gate Bridge
Manhattan

United States Passport Guides · United States Visa site Immigration site

How to get a visa

B-1/B-2 or ESTA
Visit / tourism · ESTA usually 90 days; B visas often 6 months
- VWP passports use ESTA. Others file DS-160, pay, and interview at a mission.
H-1B specialty occupation
Work · 3+3 years, lottery and cap
- Employer files with USCIS, subject to the annual cap and lottery except for cap-exempt employers.
F-1 student + OPT
Study · Programme length + OPT / STEM OPT
- After an I-20, pay SEVIS and interview. OPT after graduation; STEM can extend.

Immigration routes

EB-1 / EB-2 / EB-3 employment immigration
Skilled work
Employer or self-petition (NIW), then wait for a priority date, adjust status or consular process.
Leads to PR：Approval is a green card. Backlogs vary sharply by nationality and category.
Family immigration
Family
Citizens or green-card holders sponsor a spouse, child, parent or sibling.
Leads to PR：Immediate relatives of citizens (spouse, minor child, parent) are usually fastest.
EB-5 investment
Investment
Invest at TEA or standard amounts and create jobs.
Leads to PR：Capital and project risk need independent due diligence.

PR & citizenship

Lawful permanent resident (green card)

Time to PR：Depends on category and backlog, not a single clock

Keep the US as principal residence; long absences can break it.

Naturalise after 5 years on a green card (3 if married to a citizen): English, civics, residence and good moral character. Dual nationality depends on the other country.