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Moving to the USA from South Africa: Complete Guide
Moving to the USA from South Africa is a thrilling idea - there’s a huge amount of variety in the USA, from naturally beautiful parks to huge vibrant cities. However, if you think you’re going to be able to make the move by simply booking a flight, you’re going to be disappointed.
The USA is a super popular destination for expats, especially for those who are looking for a new country with work opportunities, but it does take preparation to make it as smooth, easy, and enjoyable as possible.
In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at the process of moving to the USA from South Africa, sharing the information, tips, and advice you need to know before you can make the move.
Moving to the USA from South Africa (quick facts)
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD) |
| Population | 340 million⁴ |
| Capital | Washington, D.C. |
| Language | English (American English) |
| Weather | Varies greatly depending on the location within the USA. Typically, northern states have temperate, warm summers, but colder winter months, with heavy snow and freezing temperatures in the mountains. In the south, summers are warmer and can even be “tropical”, and winters are milder. |
| Amount of expats | Around 45 million (as of 2021)⁵ |
| Biggest cities | New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston |
| Average yearly salary | $59,428⁶ |
Send money with Wise to and from the USA to South Africa using the mid-market rate
When sending money to and from the US with Wise, you can reduce international transfer costs¹.
Wise provides a quick, easy, and affordable platform for you to send, receive, and hold money internationally³.
Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate for all transfers, meaning you’ll likely be getting better rates than you may using more traditional international transfer methods, and you’ll know upfront how much each transaction will cost you¹.
Using Wise, you can hold, send, and receive money in 40+ currencies³. Plus, if you are living in the US, you can order a Wise Card³ to spend with.
USA visa types and requirements
As a South African, to become a permanent resident in the USA, you will need to obtain a Green Card. You can do this in a vast number of ways.
The most popular visa types to move to the USA from South Africa are:
- Employment - this is typically the fastest way to move to the USA permanently
- Family sponsorship - this is where a US citizen or someone with US residency can sponsor you
- Study - this is a visa you can apply for and obtain once you have been accepted by an educational institution
Let’s take a look at each of these visa types, the requirements, and the fees associated with them.
It’s important to note that regardless of the type of US visa you choose, you will need to pay for biometrics and a medical examination. The price of the biometrics is typically set, but the medical examination price may vary.
Visa information for moving to the USA from South Africa for employment
There are several types of employment visas available in the USA. We will take a look at all of them in brief detail so you can discover which is the best for you and your situation:
| Type of visa⁷ | Description⁷ |
|---|---|
| First Preference EB-1 | For people with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; including professors and researchers. |
| Second Preference EB-2 | For people with advanced degrees or for persons with exceptional ability in the arts, sciences, or business. |
| Third Preference EB-3 | For professionals, skilled workers, and other workers. |
| Fourth Preference EB-4 | For “special immigrants,” including people with religious posts, employees of the U.S., retired employees of international organisations, etc. |
| Fifth Preference EB-5 | For business investors who invest between $900,000 - $1.8 million in a new business that employs a minimum of 10 full-time U.S. workers. |
The Third Preference EB3 Visa
Unless you fit into any of the other categories, you will likely fit into the “Third Preference” or “EB3” category visa, which is for professionals, skilled workers, and unskilled workers.
These different categories are defined by⁷:
- Skilled Worker: workers who have at least 2 years of experience, training, or education in their area of expertise
- Professionals: workers who have baccalaureate degrees in the USA or equivalent abroad
- Unskilled or other Workers: workers who can perform unskilled labour (requiring less than 2 years of training or experience);
Regardless of which worker category you qualify as, under this type of visa, you “must be performing work for which qualified workers are not available in the United States” and you will need your employer to provide you with a full-time, permanent job offer and labor certification.
Costs of the Third Preference EB3 Visa
| Filing fee (paid by employer)⁸ | $700⁸ |
| Green Card application⁸ | $345⁸ |
| Affidavit of Support⁸ | $120⁸ |
| Biometrics Fee⁸ | $85⁸ |
| Medical examination⁸ | Varies⁸ |
**Visa information for moving to the USA from South Africa for family **
If you have family who are US citizens or are US lawful permanent residents, you may be able to pay for a family visa.
US citizens can file a family visa for either immediate relatives or “family preferences”.
“Immediate relatives” are classed as spouses, parents, or children and there are an unlimited amount of these visas provided each year by the US government for these people⁹.
“Family preferences” are classed as more distant family relationships and there’s a limited amount of these visas provided each year by the US government for these people⁹.
US lawful permanent residents (non-US citizens) can only file a family visa for a spouse or unmarried son or daughter⁹.
| Immigrant petition for a relative | $535¹⁰ |
| Immediate relative or family preference application | $325¹⁰ |
| Affidavit of Support | $120¹⁰ |
| Medical examination | Varies¹⁰ |
If you are going to get married to a US citizen, you can apply for a K-1 nonimmigrant visa, also known as a fiancé visa. Once this visa is granted, you must marry the US citizen within 90 days of entering the USA¹¹.
| K-1 visa petition | $535¹⁰ |
| US State Department processing | $265¹⁰ |
| Adjustment of status form | $1140¹⁰ |
| Biometrics | $85¹⁰ |
| Medical examination | Varies¹⁰ |
Visa information for moving to the USA from South Africa to study
Although the (F1) student visa is not a permanent visa for the USA, it’s still an important visa to discuss since it’s a popular one.
The F1 visa is a visa that allows international students to study at schools and universities that are accredited and approved by the US government and the “Student Exchange Visitor Program”.
To qualify for this visa, you have to first apply and be enrolled in one of these accredited schools or universities¹².
After the F1 visa runs out, you have a 60-day grace period to return to South Africa, or you can apply for a family or work visa whilst in the USA.
| DS-160 fee | $160¹² |
| SEVIS fee | $350¹² |
| Biometrics | $85¹² |
| Medical examination | Varies¹² |
Cost of living in the USA
The cost of living in the USA varies depending on where you decide to live. For example, staying in big cities like New York and Los Angeles will be much more expensive than staying in suburbs or small, country towns.
Generally, however, it’s estimated that a family of four will spend around $4,069 per month, and a single person will spend around $1,140¹³. This does not include rent or bills.
To get a better feeling of the cost of living in the USA, let’s take a look at some general expenses¹³:
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | $20 (375.14 ZAR)¹³ |
| Meal, mid-range restaurant (2 people) | $75 (1406.79 ZAR)¹³ |
| Beer (local) | $6 (112.54 ZAR)¹³ |
| Bread | $3.50 (65.65 ZAR)¹³ |
| Milk | $1 (18.76 ZAR)¹³ |
| Rent in the city centre (1 bed) | $1,835 (34,419 ZAR)¹³ |
| Rent outside the city centre (1 bed) | $1,493 (28,004 ZAR)¹³ |
| Public transport (local, monthly pass) | $70 (1,313 ZAR)¹³ |
| Fuel (1 litre) | $1 (18.76 ZAR)¹³ |
How to open a bank account in the USA?
Opening a bank account in the USA is fairly simple, but a lot of banks only allow residents to set up bank accounts.
Obviously, this isn’t a problem if you become a resident, but if you are not a resident of the USA, you will need to choose a specific bank that allows non-resident bank accounts, such as international or expat-specific bank accounts.
You will need to physically go to a bank branch to set up your account in person.
However, the process is normally simple and fast, regardless of your specific situation, and you can have your account set up quickly, as long as you have the right documentation.
Banking in the USA without residency status
If you don’t have residency status but you’re already living in the USA, you can apply for a bank account at a branch, in-person. You may need to apply for an international or expat-specific bank account.
You will need:
- Proof of address from your home country and where you currently live in the USA
- Your personal contact information and details
- Two forms of ID - for example, a passport, a government-issued document, and a driver’s license
- Your social security number or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
Banking in the USA with residency status
If you have residency status and you’re living in the USA, you can easily apply for a bank account. You can normally do this either at a branch, in person, or online. However, seeing as you will need to submit necessary documentation, it’s normally easier to go to a branch to open an account in person.
You will need:
- Your address in the USA
- Your personal contact information and details
- Your visa or Green Card details
- Your social security number or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
Opening a bank account in the USA
Maintenance fees and charges
Many USA banks do charge maintenance fees and charges, even if you’re not using a premium account. A lot of these fees are not clearly stated, so you need to make sure that you are certain of the fees and charges that you might be subjected to when opening an account.
Some banks will offer a standard current account, meaning they’re typically free from charges or fees, but you may need to hunt around.
Wise Card
Holding, spending, and receiving money in the USA is easy² with Wise. You can not only set up your account whilst you’re in South Africa and open a USA currency account, but once you get to the USA you can also order a physical Wise Card³ for a small, one-off fee¹ .
Alternatively, you can choose to use a free Digital Wise Card³ and you can add this digital card to a mobile wallet and pay in USD to avoid exchange rate differences or hidden conversion fees¹ .
Finding a job in the USA
Finding a job in the USA can be difficult and take time, especially since there are so many skilled workers already in the USA looking for jobs. However, there are a lot of opportunities for expats to work in the USA, especially if you have a specific skill set.
You can job hunt online easily and the best sites for finding jobs in the USA are:
- Indeed
- Glassdoor
- CareerBuilder
- ZipRecruiter
- GoogleJobs
You may also want to reach out to recruitment agencies in the USA - just make sure you are contacting reputable agencies.
How to make friends and socialise in the USA
The USA is a typically friendly place, depending on where you choose to live and how you prefer to make friends.
In suburbs, you will likely be able to find local clubs and groups to join and in cities, you can head out to cafes, networking and social groups, sports events, and more.
Seeing as the USA is so diverse (again, depending on where you live), there will be a lot of opportunities, specifically in big cities, to socialise and make friends with expats. You can find these groups online or by taking a look around your local neighbourhood.
Healthcare in the USA
Healthcare in the USA is very expensive - in most cases, you will have to pay for your own treatment. Unlike the UK, where free national healthcare exists, in the USA, whether you get free or subsidized healthcare depends on your insurance.
You can choose to pay for your own medical insurance, or see if you’re eligible for the US government health plan (Medicare or Medicaid). However, this is designed for the elderly, young, poor, or disabled.
The best way to ensure you’re looked after by the USA healthcare system without spending your own money is to get a job that covers your healthcare insurance - a lot of employers do offer jobs that come with healthcare. So, when you’re looking for jobs, this is definitely something to look out for.
It’s also a good idea to be aware of emergency numbers in the UK:
| Ambulance | 911 |
| Police | 911 |
| Fire Brigade | 911 |
Is it worth moving to the USA from South Africa?
The USA is a hugely diverse country and there’s a plethora of opportunities for people who move there - after all, the idea of “The American Dream” exists for a reason.
If you want to move to the USA and you are suitable to apply for a visa, it could be a great thing to do. Just make sure you properly plan your move, thinking about where you want to be, what you want to do, and how complex the move might be.
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Sources (checked as of Wednesday 18th October)
- Please seeTerms of Use for your region or visit WiseFees & Pricing for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information.
- Eligibility is subject to verification of customer identity. Wise may request additional documents to verify a customer's identity.
- Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visit www.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
- Worldometers US Population
- CBO Gov Publication - The Foreign-Born Population
- Forbes - Average Salary By State in 2023
- USICS Gov Employment-Based Immigration
- Boundless - EB3 Visa Explained
- Travel.State.Gov - Family Immigration
- Travel.State.Gov - Visa Service Fees
- Travel.State.Gov - Family Immigration - K1 Visa
- Shorelight - F1 Student Visas Explained
- Numbeo - Cost of Living USA
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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A guide to the USA: Your one-stop for all you need to know while planning a move from South Africa. Plus, money transfers with Wise!
