Moving to another country is a long list of small tasks that depend on each other. You can’t open bank accounts without an address, you can’t get an apartment easily without a bank account, and you can’t build credit without both. The trick here is doing things in the right order.
This checklist is split into four stages: before you leave, your first week, your first month and your first 90 days. It works whether you’re arriving as a student, a worker, a family member or a new permanent resident. Where rules differ by visa, we point you to the right guide.
Before you leave:
Documents to carry in your hand luggage
Keep these with you on the plane, not in checked bags. If a suitcase goes missing, you can replace clothes. Replacing a visa document from abroad is much harder.
- Passport, valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay
- Your US visa, or your green card if you’re a returning resident
- Your immigration document: Form I-20 for F-1 students, DS-2019 for J-1, or your approval notice (I-797) for work visas
- Job offer letter or university admission letter
- Proof of funds, such as recent bank statements or a scholarship letter
- Marriage and birth certificates for family members traveling with you
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates, with certified English translations if needed
- Vaccination records, especially for students and children starting school
- Your international driving permit and home country license
Tip: Scan every document and store copies in a secure cloud folder. Email a set to a family member at home as a backup.
Money
Plan to cover your first month without relying on a US paycheck. Most new arrivals need money for a security deposit, first month’s rent, furniture basics, groceries, transport and a phone plan before income starts.
A rough starting point for one person in a mid-cost city is a few thousand dollars. In New York, the Bay Area or Boston it can be much more, because deposits alone can equal one or two months of rent. Our first-month budget guide breaks this down line by line.
- Bring a mix of payment options: a debit or credit card that works internationally, a small amount of US cash for the first days, and access to your home bank account
- Tell your home bank you’re traveling so your card isn’t blocked
- If you’re carrying more than $10,000 in cash or monetary instruments, you must declare it to US Customs when you arrive. Declaring is legal; not declaring can lead to seizure
Phone, housing and health
- Make sure your phone is unlocked so you can use a US SIM or eSIM
- Book temporary housing for at least two weeks: a short term rental, university housing or an extended stay hotel
- Get a supply of any prescription medicine, with the prescription in English
- Check whether your employer or school plan covers you from day one, and buy short-term travel insurance if there’s a gap
Your first week:
1. Get through arrival
At the airport, a Customs and Border Protection officer will check your documents. Your arrival record, Form I-94, is created electronically. A few days after you land, download it from the CBP website and check that your name, visa class and admit-until date are correct. Errors on the I-94 can cause problems later with work permits and driver’s licenses.
2. Get a US phone number
A US number is needed for bank verification codes, apartment applications and job forms. Prepaid plans need no credit check and can be set up the same day. Our phone plans guide compares the options.
3. Open a bank account
Many large banks and credit unions will open an account with your passport, visa documents and proof of address, even before you have a Social Security number. A US account lets you get paid, pay rent and avoid foreign transaction fees.
4. Apply for a Social Security number, if eligible
If you’re authorized to work, apply for your SSN. Students usually need a job offer for an on-campus role first. Many people wait around 10 days after arrival so their records reach the Social Security Administration. The card usually arrives by mail within a few weeks.
Your first month:
Find long-term housing
Apartment applications usually ask for proof of income, credit history and references. Without US credit, landlords may ask for a larger deposit, a guarantor or several months paid upfront. Our guide to renting without credit history explains your options.
Set up utilities and internet
Ask your landlord which utilities you pay and which companies serve the building. Internet installation can take a week or two in busy areas, so book early.
Get a driver’s license or state ID
Most states require new residents to get a local license within a set period, often 30 to 90 days. Even if you won’t drive, a state ID is useful for daily life and domestic flights. Check your state’s DMV site for documents; many ask for your I-94, passport and two proofs of address.
Understand your health coverage
Find your insurance card, choose a primary care doctor in the network, and learn the difference between urgent care and the emergency room before you need either.
Enroll children in school
Public schools are free for children who live in the district, regardless of immigration status. Bring proof of address, birth certificates and vaccination records.
Your first 90 days:
Start building credit
Your credit history from home doesn’t transfer. Start with a secured card or a card designed for newcomers, use a small part of the limit, and pay the full statement balance every month. You’ll usually get a first score after about six months of activity.
Build an emergency fund
Aim for at least one month of expenses at first, then three to six months over time. If your visa depends on your job, a larger cushion gives you more time if something changes.
Learn how US taxes work
Your employer withholds tax from each paycheck, but you still file a return each spring. Your filing status as a resident or nonresident for tax purposes affects which forms you use.
Make it feel like home
Join a community group, a sports league or a faith community, or find people from your home country through local associations. The practical tasks get done faster than the emotional adjustment, and that’s normal.
Printable checklist:
| Stage | Task | Done |
|---|---|---|
| Before you leave | Documents in hand luggage, scanned copies | ☐ |
| Before you leave | First month’s money, bank told you’re traveling | ☐ |
| Before you leave | Phone unlocked, temporary housing booked | ☐ |
| Week 1 | Download and check I-94 | ☐ |
| Week 1 | US phone number | ☐ |
| Week 1 | Bank account | ☐ |
| Week 1–2 | SSN application, if eligible | ☐ |
| Month 1 | Long-term apartment, utilities, internet | ☐ |
| Month 1 | Driver’s license or state ID | ☐ |
| Month 1 | Doctor and insurance set up | ☐ |
| 90 days | First credit card, paid in full monthly | ☐ |
| 90 days | Emergency fund started | ☐ |
Remember: This is general information, not legal advice. Visa rules depend on your status. Your school’s international office, your employer’s HR team or an immigration attorney can answer questions about your case.
Extra steps by visa type:
F-1 and J-1 students
- Report to your school’s international office and complete check-in within the deadline on your I-20 or DS-2019. Your SEVIS record needs to be activated
- Enroll full time and keep your address updated with your school within 10 days of any move
- Waive or accept your school health plan before the deadline
- Ask about on-campus jobs early if you plan to work; off-campus work needs separate authorization such as CPT or OPT
H-1B, L-1 and other workers
- Complete Form I-9 with your employer by your first day of work
- Enroll in health insurance and other benefits within the enrollment window, usually 30 days from your start date
- Keep copies of your approval notice and pay stubs; you’ll need them for visa stamping, extensions and a future green card
- Ask HR how they handle relocation reimbursements, since some are taxable
New permanent residents
- Your green card is mailed to the US address you gave; if you moved, update it with USCIS
- You can work for any employer and don’t need to carry an I-9 approval letter
- Men aged 18 to 25 generally need to register with Selective Service
- Plan trips abroad carefully. Long absences can affect your residence and a future citizenship application
Mistakes new arrivals often make:
| Mistake | Why it hurts | Better approach |
|---|---|---|
| Signing a long lease before seeing the area | You may pick the wrong neighborhood for your commute | Use temporary housing for two to four weeks |
| Carrying all documents in checked luggage | Lost bags can mean lost visa papers | Keep originals with you |
| Waiting a year to get a credit card | Credit history takes months to build | Start in your first 90 days |
| Buying a car before comparing insurance | Rates for drivers with no US history can be very high | Get quotes first |
| Ignoring I-94 errors | Mistakes can block licenses and work permits | Check your record in the first week |
| Paying only the minimum on credit cards | Interest adds up fast | Pay the full statement balance |
A realistic first-month timeline:
Most people don’t finish everything in 30 days, and that’s fine. A typical pattern looks like this:
- Days 1 to 3: rest, get a SIM card, buy groceries and household basics, learn the local transit system
- Days 4 to 10: open a bank account, check your I-94, tour neighborhoods and apartments
- Days 10 to 20: apply for your SSN, sign a lease, schedule internet installation, register children for school
- Days 20 to 30: move in, set up utilities, book a DMV appointment, find a doctor
- Month 2 to 3: apply for a credit card, set up automatic savings, and start meeting people outside work or class
Questions to ask your employer or school before you fly
- Is temporary housing included, and for how long?
- When is the first paycheck, and is there an advance or signing bonus?
- When does health insurance start?
- Who helps with the SSN, driver’s license and tax forms?
- Is there a buddy program or local community group for international staff or students?
Getting clear answers before you land can save you weeks of back-and-forth after you arrive.
