It depends on what you're optimizing for. The US has the highest tech salaries but the hardest immigration system. A senior engineer earns $150,000-$250,000 in the US vs €60,000-€90,000 in Europe — but you might wait 2-3 years to get there vs 2-4 weeks for Netherlands.
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Should You Target the US?
✅ Worth it if: Tech/finance, salary premium justifies the wait, clear visa pathway.
⚠️ **Maybe not if:** Betting everything on H-1B with no backup.
❌ Not worth it if: Need to move fast, salary under $80K, no US connections.
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US vs Europe
| US | Germany | Netherlands | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sr. Engineer salary | $150K-$250K | €60K-€85K | €65K-€90K | €55K-€80K |
| Visa processing | 2-12 months | 6-16 weeks | 2-4 weeks | 5-8 weeks |
| PR timeline | 5-10+ years (India) | 21 months | 5 years | 21 months |
What Most People Get Wrong
"The US is always best." For salary, often yes. For timeline and certainty — often no.
"I should wait for H-1B instead of Europe." Work in Europe while entering the lottery simultaneously.
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**Which country should you target first?**