Subscribe to our social channels to get the latest news about Hungary!
5 things to know about immigrating to the U.S. from Hungary
Change language:
Many people immigrate to the United States in pursuit of the American Dream. But it can be a major bureaucratic ordeal if you have no idea how to go about it.
Sponsored content
Immigrating to the U.S. from Hungary
It’s worth hiring an immigration law attorney to guide you through the process, answer your questions, and prepare you to make intelligent decisions.
For Hungarian immigrants to successfully immigrate to the U.S. for work, marriage, school, or other reasons, there are five things to know about immigrating.
1. Visa and Green Card Opportunities
The first thing to do when immigrating to the U.S. is to know what visa or category of residence you fall under. America has various avenues for Hungarians to immigrate through. They are as follows:
Work visas: These are appropriate for individuals who have worked for U.S.-based employers or possess some exceptional skill set.
Student visas: These are appropriate for Hungarians who wish to study at American colleges or in exchange programs.
Family-based immigration: You can qualify under this class if you have close relatives (spouse, child, parent) who are U.S. citizens or green card holders.
Diversity visa program: Hungary is one of the countries that belong to the U.S. Green Card Program, where residents of the participating countries are qualified to apply for legal residence.
Hungarians require the assistance of immigration lawyers or competent consultants to get applications filed correctly and promptly because of the intricacies of American immigration legislation.
2. Prepare for Language and Cultural Adjustment
Some Hungarians speak English—particularly younger people. However, if your English is poor and requires improvement, it’s advisable to refresh your English language skills.
Whether for a job interview, to go to a bank, or to mingle with neighbours or co-workers, English is required.
Aside from language, cultural norms are also crucial. Hungarians will find the following:
Americans are less formal and more polite in everyday interaction.
Restaurants, cab drivers, and barber shops all expect tips.
It’s going to take time to get accustomed to such cultural norms, but you’ll do yourself a favor by preparing beforehand by studying English and learning about U.S. culture.
It is no longer the “American dream”…it is now the “American nightmare”….just look at how mwny Americans are looking for EU passports
And yet, hardly any of those who said they’d move “if XYZ” have actually made the move.
It’s true, though, that the American Dream is practically dead. Late-stage capitalism (which is basically a market dominated by multinational corporations protected by government, i.e. effectively monopolies) has ensured that entrepreneurship has been all but killed.
Sad, but that’s what you get when governments interfere in the marketplace. It’s totally laissez-faire or it’s not at all. You can’t have it both ways.
Tipping is not a law – if you are happy with the service- tip what ever you want.
Service people in the US. know that. If you act like your doing a customer a favour by waiting on them- you can forget it. Many are big tippers in the US- europe could learn a-lot from the custom.
Hear, hear!
And no, the servers are not “underpaid” and establishments should not pay them a higher minimum wage. Being a server is not meant to be a career but a temporary gig to help one gain some experience (customer, labor law, self-discipline, financial management, punctuality, dress code, etc.) and make some extra money in the process.
European hospitality workers, Hungarian perhaps most of all, could indeed learn a lot from the Americans!
Hungarians, The American Dream is now a huge nightmare. Tens of millions of Americans want to leave but are so financially struggling they are trapped. I know 2 Hungarians that experienced life in the USA who returned to Hungary and realised they were better off living in Hungary.