What makes the United States so appealing? Why do so many people strive to immigrate to the United States? Many Chinese families immigrate to the United States to enjoy the superior living environment and higher social welfare benefits abroad, but they may not fully understand the specific benefits available. To assist, we have compiled and summarized the relevant benefits of living in the United States, hoping it will be helpful to everyone:
1. Newborn Children: Any child born in the United States (including those who entered illegally) is considered a U.S. citizen, holding a U.S. passport, with no restrictions on the duration of stay outside the United States, and the right to enter and exit the United States freely for life. Upon turning 18, citizens can take an oath and legally enjoy all rights of U.S. citizenship, including the ability to immediately apply for U.S. immigration for their spouse, children, and parents.
2. Student Tuition: Before turning 18 and attending college, all primary and secondary education in the United States is compulsory and free of charge (excluding private schools). In contrast, institutions in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou require over $20,000 for one year of primary and secondary study in the United States. For college (including graduate and doctoral studies), only local tuition fees are charged. For example, at a mid-level public university in California, foreign students pay over $12,000 in tuition per year, while "locals" at California State University only pay a little over $2,000 per year. If a child completes three years of high school and four years of college in the United States, they can save approximately 500,000 RMB just on tuition.
3. Scholarships: For ordinary Chinese individuals wishing to apply for scholarships at U.S. universities, they can only compete for a very limited number of scholarships available to foreign nationals against outstanding individuals from around the world. However, for those with a green card, the range of scholarships available is far greater than what a foreigner can apply for. Many scholarship-granting organizations in the United States limit scholarships to "Americans" (including those with U.S. permanent residency). Therefore, after immigrating to the United States, children have far greater opportunities to apply for scholarships than international students.
4. Student Loans: Green card holders over the age of 18 can apply for various types of student loans in the year they obtain their green card. For example, attending a prestigious private university in the United States can cost around $30,000 per year. When a green card holder wishes to pursue a two-year master's degree, they can take out a loan of $60,000 to $70,000. If they graduate and cannot find a job, they do not have to repay the loan; once they find employment, they can repay it over the years, typically paying only five to ten percent of their salary each month. In the United States, no one is unable to attend school due to financial difficulties.
5. Direct Family Benefits: Green card holders who marry foreign nationals can apply for green cards for their spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21.
6. Government Assistance in Job Search: The U.S. government has dedicated agencies that help citizens find jobs for free. Green card holders can register their skills, expertise, and interests with these agencies, which will assist them in finding employment at no cost. Additionally, these agencies provide free training in basic skills (such as computer skills and English) to help job seekers.
7. Employment Freedom: Green card holders can work in the United States without restrictions. To protect the interests of its citizens, many jobs in the U.S. (in high-tech, biochemistry, military research, production, and security) are not open to foreigners, even if they possess the necessary knowledge and expertise. This situation places foreign students at a significant disadvantage when seeking employment after graduation compared to U.S. students. However, green card holders do not have to worry; they can shift from the "disadvantaged" to the "advantaged" position.
8. Retirement Benefits: After accumulating ten years of tax records (with a minimum of about $50 in actual taxes paid per month), individuals can receive a federal retirement pension from the U.S. government for life after retirement (usually at age 65), amounting to $1,000 to $1,200 per month. For many immigrants, the number of years receiving retirement benefits can exceed the number of years they worked and paid taxes.
9. Unemployment Benefits: Applicants, their spouses, and even children can receive government assistance in finding jobs if they are unemployed after obtaining a green card. After having six months of tax records, they can report unemployment to the relevant local U.S. department and receive government relief (ranging from $400 to $1,200 per month).
10. Life and Fund Insurance: Green card holders can enjoy certain life and fund-linked insurance products that are not available in China, providing them with a higher income after retirement.
11. Elderly Medical Insurance: Medical expenses in the United States are quite high, but any "low-income" green card holder (no tax records required) can apply for a "medical card" after retirement, allowing them to receive medical care without incurring costs. This alleviates the concerns of elderly individuals suffering from illnesses. For those who do not fall into the low-income category, as long as they have accumulated ten years of tax records, they can pay a minimal insurance fee after retirement and not bear the medical expenses themselves.
12. Housing Subsidies: Green card holders can apply to purchase low-income senior apartments after retirement. They can buy their own housing in the United States, built with government subsidies, for about 35% of the market price.
13. Government Subsidies: If green card holders do not have ten years of accumulated tax records before retirement, they can become U.S. citizens, and after retirement (at age 65), the government will directly provide living subsidies (over $600 per month). They can receive this money even if they do not live in the United States.
14. Social Security Card: The amount of social security benefits an individual can receive throughout their life is calculated based on the income recorded on their social security card. Therefore, it is crucial to use the same social security number throughout one's life. Additionally, the name used while working must match the name on the social security card. If a name change occurs, it is essential to update the name on the social security card. This service in the United States is free. Furthermore, your child will also have their own social security card. When filling out tax forms, you must also include your child's social security number in the direct family section.
15. Disability Benefits: Any individual who has earned sufficient social security credits and suffers from a severe physical or mental illness that prevents them from engaging in fixed employment for over a year, or who has a terminal illness, can receive disability benefits. Generally, work that earns over $800 per month is considered fixed employment.
16. Family Benefits: If you qualify for retirement or disability benefits, your family members can also receive family benefits. Family members include:
1. Spouse aged 62 or older
2. Spouse under 62 but caring for a child under 16
3. Unmarried children under 18
4. Children under 19 who are full-time students
5. Children aged 18 or older with disabilities
If you are divorced, your ex-spouse may also be eligible for these benefits.
17. Social Security Subsidies: Social security subsidies provide monthly living allowances to low-income individuals and the impoverished. Only those aged 65 and older (including 65) and individuals with disabilities are eligible to receive these benefits. Adults or children can also receive disability payments from social security subsidies.
18. Pension Insurance: The pension system includes three aspects: basic social pension insurance, enterprise supplementary pension insurance, and individual savings plans, often referred to as the "three-legged stool." Retired individuals receive basic free medical care from the government, while enterprise supplementary pension insurance has a history of 120 years. It is established by enterprises, allowing employees to receive pensions based on their account accumulations after retirement, generally equivalent to 10% of their salary at retirement. The retirement age stipulated in the United States is 65, but individuals can generally retire early at 62 and receive pension checks, with their family members also receiving appropriate assistance. After retiring, if they return to work or delay retirement past 65, their pensions will increase. Additionally, seniors can choose to purchase private insurance plans tailored to their needs.
Of course, the aforementioned benefits may have different meanings for different applicants, depending entirely on the specific family circumstances of the applicant.