How to leave to live in America legally? This question worries many Russians who are not averse to parting with their homeland and savor the charms of “decaying capitalism”. Getting to the United States is much easier than to countries in Western Europe. Getting an appropriate visa is easier than the notorious "Schengen". But to stay in the USA, legally live and work there ... Yes, it’s difficult and not everyone can handle it. But, as they say, the road will be overpowered 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 who want to emigrate from Russia need to carefully think through and choose a strategy for their actions. 
Green card
This method is for lottery lovers. The US government annually raises a certain number of "green cards" - immigration visas, which give the right to come to this country, legally live and work there. However, as in any lottery, only one or two percent of the total number of those who submitted the application win. But what the hell is not joking? If your motto is “I want to go to America to live,” why not try it? Registration is completely free. The main thing is to have time to submit a questionnaire. In Russia, the lottery begins in October and lasts a month. You need to go to the official website, fill out a questionnaire (in English), upload a photo and wait. The results will not be known until 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 United States. Ahead of the lucky one is waiting for an interview at the consulate, which needs to be provided with a package of documents (bank statement, certificate of employment, etc.). The whole process usually takes two years.
Visa H1B
This is another way to leave and stay to live and work in the USA. America needs high-class specialists (especially in the field of new technologies). If you are an IT specialist or a programmer, you have a chance to get a working visa. Happiness is worth trying in large companies. The resume should convince the employer that you are an expert that you can’t find. He must be sure that you need to pay five thousand dollars for opening your visa and refuse American applicants for a vacancy. Many desperate heads set off on adventures. Attributed to Russian emigrants to the United States, which have small firms in this country. They send them money to open H1B plus a fee for the chores. There is no certainty of a successful outcome. It often happens that there is no visa or money.
Participation in social programs for students
“If you are young, love to travel and want to earn some money, Work & Travel was created for you!” - this is the commercial. Well, in practice? Is it realistic to go live in America through Work and Travel, Au Pair or Camp America? The conditions for an official trip are very simple. It is enough to know English at an intermediate level and to be a full-time student from the age of eighteen to twenty-five. The program is valid from May to September.
It is assumed that a young man in five months can travel to the United States, see the country and secure such an American vacation, moonlighting in fast foods, hotels or a waiter. Yes, America’s pay is high. Let's now just calculate: the cost of the program is 1020 (Job Offer) or 1290 dollars (with job search). Various consular fees - 230 at. e. Flights - about another thousand dollars. The same amount you need to take on rental housing and expenses until the first payday. Total - about three thousand dollars.It is necessary to work on three jobs in order to get this money back. Of course, there can be no talk of any excursions. But the student exchange program (with the goal of learning the language) is working. 
student visa
This document is called F-1. True, a student visa only answers the question "how to leave to live in America", since it does not give the right to employment. To get F-1, you must go to any educational institution in the United States. To become a student in this country is an expensive pleasure. But there are plenty of loopholes. For example, a sponsor may pay for you - your future employer. You can win a grand on an educational program. Or pay yourself on a payment plan, for example, on a monthly basis. At the same time, 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 higher education and experience in a managerial position may well be asked to open a student visa for the IBA.
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 danger. fictitious marriage. Your deception will certainly be revealed - after all, time works against you. Before you go live in America, you need to get a visa for the bride or groom. Moreover, your spouse must be a US citizen. This document takes about nine months to complete. After registering the marriage, you can apply for the opening of 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 bother about getting US citizenship.
Tourist Visa Extension
We already mentioned that permission to enter B1 is the most acceptable for Russians. However, with a tourist visa the most difficult thing is to “catch on” in the country. It does not give any right to employment and has a very limited duration. And this must be taken into account before leaving for America. Living in the USA makes people be law abiding. Nevertheless, it all depends on a competent lawyer, to whom you need to turn 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 written correctly, it is considered for a 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: to become a student of the local college or get a working visa.
How to leave to live in America as a political expat
An asylum seeker in the United States is a person who has left his country for a legitimate fear of persecution based on political, racial, 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 they give it to the Russians with might and main. An asylum seeker may be considered for years. And all this time you are in the United States legally. But keep in touch with your country carefully. It will be difficult to return there, and such a trip threatens with the loss of refugee status. And this must be remembered before leaving to live in America.
Ways to leave for the USA
Let us briefly consider other ways of immigration. The United States, 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 universally recognized unique body in the field of science, sport or culture, then even the country will welcome you with open arms. The Family Reunion program will only work if you have direct and close relatives who are US citizens.