Moving to United States from Suriname

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Suriname to United States — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Suriname to United States, and you’d need to navigate life in English. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Washington averages 66°F vs 92°F in Paramaribo, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

How many people actually move from Suriname to United States, based on official data.

Moved in 2023
130 ↑ 69% vs 2022

people moved from Suriname to United States · OECD (latest data available)

Who's moving to United States?

Top countries of origin for United States's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Suriname to United States.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

SR
7.3
US
6.4
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

SR
16.2
US
14.2

United States performs significantly better than Suriname across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

SR
$1,143
US
$13,473
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

SR
14.8
US
36.1

United States generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Suriname leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

SR
39.0
US
14.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

SR
4.1t
US
13.6t

Suriname generally does better on environment, though United States leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

SR
20.2
US
37.8
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

SR
4.0%
US
28.2%

United States generally does better on infrastructure, though Suriname leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

SR
7.7%
US
3.6%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

SR
$19,000
US
$73,600

United States generally does better on employment & economy, though Suriname leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

SR
72.4 yrs
US
80.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

SR
30.2
US
5.2

United States performs significantly better than Suriname across all family life metrics.

Data: Ministry of Finance, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Paramaribo Rain: 84.6 in/yr (2148 mm)
92° / 72°F

Avg. annual high / low

Washington Rain: 41.5 in/yr (1055 mm)
66° / 44°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Paramaribo Washington
Jan–Mar 89°/71°F (32°/22°C) 48°/28°F (9°/-2°C)
Apr–Jun 91°/73°F (33°/23°C) 75°/51°F (24°/11°C)
Jul–Sep 93°/73°F (34°/23°C) 85°/62°F (29°/17°C)
Oct–Dec 94°/73°F (34°/23°C) 57°/35°F (14°/2°C)
View all months
Month Paramaribo Washington
Jan 89°/71°F (31.8°/21.6°C) 42°/24°F (5.8°/-4.5°C)
Feb 88°/71°F (31.3°/21.6°C) 46°/26°F (8.0°/-3.3°C)
Mar 90°/71°F (32.1°/21.8°C) 56°/33°F (13.1°/0.5°C)
Apr 91°/73°F (32.6°/22.6°C) 67°/42°F (19.3°/5.6°C)
May 91°/73°F (32.9°/22.7°C) 75°/51°F (23.9°/10.7°C)
Jun 92°/72°F (33.2°/22.5°C) 84°/61°F (28.8°/16.1°C)
Jul 92°/72°F (33.5°/22.5°C) 88°/65°F (31.1°/18.6°C)
Aug 93°/73°F (34.1°/22.7°C) 87°/64°F (30.3°/17.9°C)
Sep 94°/73°F (34.7°/22.9°C) 79°/56°F (26.3°/13.5°C)
Oct 95°/73°F (35.1°/22.9°C) 68°/44°F (20.1°/6.6°C)
Nov 94°/73°F (34.3°/22.6°C) 58°/35°F (14.2°/1.8°C)
Dec 92°/72°F (33.4°/22.5°C) 46°/27°F (7.8°/-2.7°C)

Data: Meteorological Service Meteorological Service, National Weather Service National Weather Service

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Suriname and United States. To live, work, or study long-term in United States, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check United States's immigration authority.

Suriname passport

Suriname passport holder visiting United States

Visa Required
Suriname passport holders need a visa to enter United States.
United States passport

United States passport holder visiting Suriname

Visa Free
United States passport holders can enter Suriname without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from United States?

Internet is rarely the blocker — United States has 37.8 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is United States safe for expats?

United States performs significantly better than Suriname across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in United States is 6.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 7.3 in Suriname.

How is healthcare in United States compared to Suriname?

United States generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Suriname leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 36.1 doctors per 10,000 people in United States, compared to 14.8 in Suriname. United States scores 86 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Suriname: 63).

What's the weather like in United States compared to Suriname?

The average high temperature in Washington is 66°F, compared to 92°F in Paramaribo. Washington receives around 41.5 in of rainfall per year, while Paramaribo gets 84.6 in.

What language do they speak in United States?

The official language in United States is English. In Suriname, the official language is Dutch.

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At a Glance

SR US
Population 632,638 337,341,954
Currency Surinamese Dollar (SRD) United States Dollar ($)
Languages Dutch English
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +597 +1
Time zones 1 11
Emergency number 911