Moving
SSN and ID
Who can get an SSN, when to use an ITIN, REAL ID rules and state driver's licenses for immigrants.
Who this section is for
These guides are for people who have just moved to the U.S., or are about to, on a work visa, as a student or exchange visitor, as a new green card holder, or through a family or humanitarian path. The steps are practical rather than legal: getting the numbers, documents and accounts that daily life in the U.S. depends on. Rules for benefits, health coverage and taxes differ by immigration status and by state, so check each guide for your situation.
What to do in your first week in the U.S.
- Check your I-94. Download your arrival record from the CBP I-94 website. Make sure your name, class of admission and "admit until" date are correct. Errors are much easier to fix right away.
- Store your documents safely. Keep your passport, visa, I-94, approval notices, I-20 or DS-2019, and green card in one secure place, with digital copies.
- Get a U.S. phone number. Banks, employers, schools and government sites often require one for account security.
- Find your temporary housing documents, such as a lease or letter, since many offices ask for proof of address.
Your first 30 days
- Apply for a Social Security number if you are authorized to work, or check whether yours is already on the way. See SSN and ID.
- Open a bank account. Many banks accept a passport and proof of address even before you have an SSN. See banking and credit.
- Arrange health coverage. Enroll in your employer's or school's plan within its deadline, or check your Marketplace or other options. See health insurance and schools.
- Enroll children in school. Public schools must enroll children regardless of immigration status.
- Report your address. Students and exchange visitors report to their school or sponsor within 10 days. Most other noncitizens must report address changes to USCIS within 10 days of moving.
- Complete Form I-9 with your employer by your third day of work if you are employed.
Your first 90 days
- Get a state ID or driver's license. Most states let you drive on a foreign license for a limited period after you become a resident. Check your state's rules and REAL ID requirements.
- Understand your tax position. Whether you are taxed as a resident or nonresident depends on your status and days in the U.S. See taxes for new residents.
- Start building credit with a secured card or credit-builder product, and pay every bill on time.
- Set up a safe way to send money home and learn which methods carry the 1% federal remittance tax that started in 2026.
- Put key immigration dates on a calendar: visa and passport expiry, I-94 date, EAD expiry, green card renewal and any filing windows. Our planning checklist can help.
- Learn the local rules on renting, driving, car insurance and voter registration. Noncitizens, including green card holders, must not register to vote or vote in federal elections.
New arrivals are frequent targets of scams. Government agencies do not demand payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency, and they do not threaten arrest by phone. Read how to avoid immigration scams.
Why your status still matters after you move
Settling in does not end your immigration obligations. Students must keep full-time enrollment, workers must stay with an authorized employer or file timely changes, and green card holders must avoid long absences that could suggest they gave up residence. Long trips, job changes, arrests and benefit applications can all affect your status. When in doubt, ask an immigration attorney before acting; free legal help lists low-cost options.
Guides in this section
Moving
Taxes for new residents
Resident vs nonresident alien, the green card and substantial presence tests, dual-status years, FBAR, FATCA and state taxes.
Moving
Banking and credit
Opening accounts without an SSN, building credit from scratch, the 2026 remittance tax and how to avoid money scams.
Moving
Health insurance and schools
Coverage options by status, the 2026-2027 Marketplace and Medicaid eligibility changes, school enrollment rights and vaccines.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first after moving to the U.S.?
Start by downloading your I-94 record from CBP and checking it for errors. Then apply for a Social Security number if you are eligible, open a bank account, arrange health insurance, and enroll any children in school. Report your address to your school, sponsor or USCIS as required, and keep copies of all your immigration documents in a safe place.
Can I open a bank account before I get a Social Security number?
Often yes. Many U.S. banks and credit unions open accounts using a passport, immigration documents and proof of address, and some accept an ITIN instead of an SSN. Policies vary by institution, so call ahead and ask which documents they accept. Avoid unofficial services that offer to open accounts for a fee.
Do I need to file U.S. taxes in my first year?
It depends on your status, income and days in the U.S. Many new arrivals must file, sometimes as a dual-status taxpayer for the year they move. Students and exchange visitors usually must file at least an informational form even with no income. Because the rules are complex, consider a tax professional for your first return.
How soon can I get a driver's license as a new resident?
Each state sets its own rules. Most require new residents to get a state license within a set period after moving, often 30 to 90 days, and they ask for proof of identity, lawful status and residence. Some states issue licenses regardless of status. Check your state motor vehicle agency's website before you go.
Official sources
General information, not legal advice. Immigration rules change and every case is different; talk to a qualified immigration attorney about your situation. USVisa.com is not a government website. Spot an error? Tell us.
