Moving to United States: taxes, residence and life
How to become tax resident in United States: personal, dividend and corporate tax, 6 residence programmes, tax-residency requirements and climate. Explore the basics and compare residence routes.
Taxes
In United States the top income tax rate is 50%, dividends are taxed at up to 23.8% and companies pay 25.8% corporate tax.
How to move and become tax resident
You can become tax resident in United States from arrival once you take up residence (Green card (e.g. EB-5): resident from first day present as LPR; else substantial presence (183 weighted days, ≥31 this yr)). The typical route is EB-5 investor green card (US$800k TEA) or E-2 treaty investor (Swiss eligible): EB-5: US$800k in TEA project (US$1.05m elsewhere) + I-526E, lawful source of funds; E-2: substantial active US business; Gold Card US$1m per person There are 4 open residence programmes in United States — see the list below.
Living there
New York has a humid subtropical climate with winter highs around 4.2 °C and summer highs around 29.6 °C.
Key facts
| Top income tax | 50% |
|---|---|
| Dividend tax | 23.8% |
| Corporate tax | 25.8% |
| Skattemæssig bopæl | fra ankomst — Green card (e.g. EB-5): resident from first day present as LPR; else substantial presence (183 weighted days, ≥31 this yr) |
| Deres vej | EB-5 investor green card (US$800k TEA) or E-2 treaty investor (Swiss eligible) — EB-5: US$800k in TEA project (US$1.05m elsewhere) + I-526E, lawful source of funds; E-2: substantial active US business; Gold Card US$1m per person |
| Klimatype | humid subtropical · 4.2° / 29.6° (New York) |
| Military service | none |
| Taxed for holding the passport | worldwide tax for citizens — Worldwide tax + FBAR/FATCA for citizens & green-card holders abroad; FEIE; USD 2,350 renunciation fee + expatriation tax |
| Can you give it up? | difficult — Oath at consulate; long appointment backlogs; tax compliance (Form 8854) required |
| Passport reputation (banks, sanctions) | medium risk — Many Swiss/EU banks refuse or restrict US persons (FATCA, PFIC) |
Residence programmes in United States
Active programmes
- EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program — Investering CHF 640'000 · 2026-10
ROW EB-5 current in Oct 2026 bulletin; rural I-526E often <6 months; fees rise 30 Nov 2026, thresholds rise Jan 2027.
- E-2 Treaty Investor Visa — Investering CHF 80'000 · 2026-10
No direct path to green card; renewable indefinitely while business operates.
- L-1A Intracompany Transferee (Executive/Manager) → EB-1C green card — entrepreneur · 2026-10
- Family-based immigration (spouse/child/parent of US citizen or green-card holder) — Indkomst / år CHF 21'200 · 2026-10
Changes or availability under review
- Trump Gold Card (Form I-140G) — Investering CHF 800'000 · 2026-10
Opened Dec 2025 by EO 14351; only 1 approval reported by Apr 2026; APA lawsuits (AAUP v. DHS, DDF v. DHS) pending in D.D.C.
- Employment-based visas and green cards (H-1B, O-1, EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, EB-2/EB-3) — employment · 2026-10
US$100k H-1B fee struck down by a federal court (reported 1 Oct 2026); appeals likely — check before filing.
Plan your residence route
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need to spend in United States to become tax resident?
fra ankomst. Green card (e.g. EB-5): resident from first day present as LPR; else substantial presence (183 weighted days, ≥31 this yr) Worldwide tax + estate tax; dual-status arrival year; pre-immigration planning crucial
How much tax will I pay in United States?
In United States the top income tax rate is 50%, dividends are taxed at up to 23.8% and companies pay 25.8% corporate tax.
Which residence programmes does United States offer?
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program (CHF 640'000); E-2 Treaty Investor Visa (CHF 80'000); L-1A Intracompany Transferee (Executive/Manager) → EB-1C green card; Family-based immigration (spouse/child/parent of US citizen or green-card holder); Trump Gold Card (Form I-140G) (CHF 800'000)
What is the usual way to move to United States?
EB-5 investor green card (US$800k TEA) or E-2 treaty investor (Swiss eligible). EB-5: US$800k in TEA project (US$1.05m elsewhere) + I-526E, lawful source of funds; E-2: substantial active US business; Gold Card US$1m per person
Compare with nearby countries
Argentina · Belize · Bolivia · Brazil · Canada · Chile · Colombia · Costa Rica · Cuba · Dominican Rep. · Ecuador · El Salvador
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