Area: 9,826,675 km²
Population: Population 327,774,344 (23 May 2018)
Population density: 33 E / km²
Form of Government: Federal Republic
System of Government: Presidential system
Neighboring countries: Canada, Mexico
Capital: Washington DC
National language: English (Spanish)
Religions: The government does not keep a register of the religious status of the residents
33.1% Protestants
22.1% Catholics
2.4% Jews
1.7% Orthodox
0.35% Jehovah’s Witnesses
Currency: US dollars (USD)
1 USD = 100 cents (¢)
Exchange rates:
1 EUR = 1.19 USD
1 USD = 0.84 EUR
1 CHF = 1.08 USD
1 USD = 0.93 CHF
(rate as of March 11, 2021)
Strassen-Netz: 6,466.000 km (right-hand traffic)
Telephone area code: +1
Time zones: UTC-5 to UTC-10
Mains voltage: 110/120 V Degree of
literacy: approx. 3%
In 2020, 5,917 Germans officially emigrated to the USA (and Hawaii) and 9,073 came back to their homeland. Within the 10 years from 2010 to 2019, 123,647 Germans officially emigrated to the USA and 101,966 moved back to Germany. This page gives an overview of the country and immigration. We go into detail on the following pages.
There are now more than 42.8 million Germans or their descendants in the USA (15.2% of the population), although many descendants no longer speak German. Before 2020, an average of 11,000 Germans emigrated to the USA every year. But next to English, which around 227 million people speak, Spanish is the second most spoken language (30 to 40 million). Some of them live in their own quarters in cities. Otherwise, French, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Tagalog are also common.
No other country has experienced so many immigrants, because the original residents, the Indians, make up just under 1 percent (0.9) of the population today. Nevertheless, there are still 562 recognized tribes, as well as 245 Indian groups (including the indigenous people of Alaska). The further composition of the population is: 72.4% European descent, 12.6% African American, 4.8% Asian-American, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and American from Oceania, 6.2% other races, 2.9% multiethnic Americans (2 or more races).
Entry and immigration
Since Germany, Austria and Switzerland participate in visa-free travel (Visa Waiver Program – VWP), citizens of these countries who travel to the USA as tourists and do not want to visit the country for more than 90 days do not need a visa. They can enter with their passport. However, everyone, including babies and toddlers !, needs a biometric passport. In the pass there is a chip on which biometric data (photo, fingerprints) are electronically stored. This pass is called an ePassport.
All eligible travelers wishing to enter the USA without a visa must also apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) and pay a fee. This application should be made online on the Internet as soon as possible, but no later than 72 hours before departure. The ESTA entry authorization is valid for multiple entries within two years, provided that the passport does not lose its validity within this period. Complete the ESTA online here on the official website of the US government. More detailed explanations and useful tips to fill out: Guide to the US ESTA.
If you plan to stay in the USA for more than 90 days, you absolutely need a visa that is specific to the purpose of your entry (if you are still unsure about your decision, you should read useful tips and hints here first). All different visas and different GreenCards are explained in detail on our Immigration Regulations page.
Payment transactions
For international transfers to the United States and in the opposite direction high fees may be partially incurred. A comparison is recommended in any case, because savings of up to 90% are possible. In the case of transfers from and to Germany for amounts of € 12,500 or more or the equivalent, the AWV reporting obligation must also be observed, as otherwise there is a risk of fines of up to € 30,000. You can find more information about currency and payment transactions here.
Work
If you have an immigration permit, you have unlimited access to the job market in the USA, since you do not have to prove that no US citizen can fill the chosen job in order to take up work. In addition to industry, the agricultural sector and tourism are also preferred by German immigrants. In states such as Hawaii and Florida, the labor supply in the tourism sector is above average, while New York and New Jersey, for example, are predominantly characterized by trade. Visit picktrue.com for New York travel package.
Property
With experience since 2007 in the real estate sector Immobilien Lindstedt Management GmbH & Co.KG guarantees its customers a professional and personalized service. Great emphasis is placed on optimal customer service and on quality instead of quantity. The unique, innovative concept with an “all-round carefree” package is very popular with customers (in the USA and in 20 other hotspots worldwide).
Internet: Immobilien-Lindstedt.de
E-Mail: [email protected]
Tel. In Germany: 0170/388 46 34
Emigration and living in the USA – conclusion
The USA as a country of emigration is particularly interesting for highly qualified employees or self-employed people with a good command of English as well as for retirees with assets. The working world here is very performance and success-oriented. However, everyone should have a financial cushion that they can fall back on in the beginning, in emergency situations or in the event of setbacks. The following groups of people have good chances on the US labor market:
- outstanding personalities from the fields of sport, business, art and science
- Skilled workers with a university degree
- Skilled workers with a bachelor’s degree and skilled workers with at least two years of professional experience
