Martijn(44)

After twelve years at an international logistics company in Rotterdam, I was offered the opportunity to lead the financial operations in New York. It was a chance I couldn't pass up. My employer arranged an L-1A visa for intra-company transferees, which is significantly faster than the H-1B route. Within six weeks I had my visa -- no lottery, no uncertainty. The company hired a specialized immigration firm that guided the entire USCIS process.

With my wife Saskia and our two children aged 8 and 11, we moved to Westchester County, just outside Manhattan. The housing market was a shock: we pay $4,200 per month rent for a house that in Rotterdam might cost €1,800. But the school district was excellent and that was our priority. The American school system is heavily dependent on where you live -- property taxes fund local schools, so an expensive zip code often means better schools.

The tax situation as a transferred Dutch person in America is extraordinarily complex. FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) requires me to report all my Dutch bank accounts to the IRS. Additionally, I must file an annual FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) if my foreign accounts collectively contain more than $10,000. The penalties for non-reporting are draconian -- up to $100,000 per violation. I now pay two tax advisors: one in the Netherlands and one in the US.

Saskia had a difficult time initially. In Rotterdam she had her own practice as a physiotherapist, but her Dutch degree is not automatically recognized in the US. She had to get a credential evaluation and pass additional exams. After a year and a half she could finally work again. For expat partners this is an underestimated problem -- you lose your professional identity and have to rebuild it entirely.

The children adapted surprisingly quickly. The oldest went to a public middle school and spoke fluent English within three months. The youngest struggled more, but the school offered an ESL (English as Second Language) program that helped enormously. What struck us: American schools have many more extracurricular activities -- from lacrosse to robotics. The children have become more social and confident.

After three years the choice is before us: return to the Netherlands or apply for a green card. The L-1 visa is valid for a maximum of seven years. My employer wants to sponsor the green card through a PERM application, but the process is slow and priority dates for certain categories lag years behind. Financially, life in New York is more expensive, but my compensation package more than makes up for it. What I miss is the Dutch healthcare system, the cycling infrastructure and the directness of Rotterdam people. What I've gained is an international career and a worldwide network.