🇦🇺 Australia → 🇺🇸 United States
Emigrating from Australia to United States: the real cost
Australia's secret weapon is the E-3 visa — a work visa only Australians can use, renewable indefinitely in 2-year blocks, with far less of the lottery and cost than the H-1B. A green card is the longer game.
Difficulty
Moderate
Timeline
2–12 mo
Currency
USD
Cost-to-leave estimator
🇦🇺 Australia → 🇺🇸 United States. Indicative ranges, not a quote.
Estimated total cost to leave
$10,429 – $24,485
Fees reviewed 2026-06. Indicative FX. Not financial, tax or migration advice. Official fees ↗
Your super
Australian super can't be transferred into a US 401(k)/IRA and generally can't be accessed before preservation age — it stays in Australia. The catch: the US may tax your super's earnings as you go, and it's reportable under FBAR/FATCA, with genuinely complex treatment. Get specialist AU-US cross-border tax advice before you become a US tax resident — this is the corridor's biggest money trap.
Dig deeper on United States
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to emigrate from Australia to United States?
It varies by route and family size, but budget across visa fees, an Australian police check, flights, cross-border tax/super advice and a landing fund. Use the estimator on this page for a personalised range. Australia's secret weapon is the E-3 visa — a work visa only Australians can use, renewable indefinitely in 2-year blocks, with far less of the lottery and cost than the H-1B. A green card is the longer game.
Can I take my superannuation to United States?
Australian super can't be transferred into a US 401(k)/IRA and generally can't be accessed before preservation age — it stays in Australia. The catch: the US may tax your super's earnings as you go, and it's reportable under FBAR/FATCA, with genuinely complex treatment. Get specialist AU-US cross-border tax advice before you become a US tax resident — this is the corridor's biggest money trap.
How long does the move to United States take?
Typically 2–12 months. The E-3 visa is Australia-only — your biggest advantage. Green card via employer is the longer route.
Get the United States financial-emigration playbook
Step-by-step checklist for Australian tax residency, your super, moving money and banking. Join the list for launch pricing.
Educational information only — not financial, tax, legal or migration advice. Fees reviewed 2026-06; verify current figures via the official links above before acting.