North America · Arrival Guide
Just Landed in United States? Your First 7 Days
The United States runs on credit cards, cars, and a Social Security Number (SSN) that unlocks banking, credit, and payroll. There is no national ID or address registration, but you will need an SSN, a US phone number, and proof of address to set up most services. Healthcare is private and expensive, so sort insurance before you need a doctor.
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Washington, D.C.
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English (no official federal language); Spanish widely spoken, plus large Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Arabic-speaking communities
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Getting your bearings in United States
Landing in the United States is less like arriving in one country and more like arriving in one of fifty, each with its own tax rules, driving laws, and price of a pint of milk. The first weeks tend to feel administratively heavy and oddly analogue: you cannot rent a flat, get a phone contract, or lease a car until you have a Social Security Number (SSN) and a US credit history, yet you need somewhere to live and a phone to apply for those very things. Newcomers often describe a chicken-and-egg fortnight of showing a passport, a visa, and an I-94 arrival record over and over. Build in patience and carry paperwork everywhere.
Where you land shapes everything. New York, San Francisco, and Boston are dense, walkable, and eye-wateringly expensive, with real public transit. Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, and Atlanta sprawl for miles and effectively require a car. Chicago, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. sit in between. The Sun Belt (Texas, Florida, Arizona) has grown fastest and taxes lightest; the Northeast and California cost the most but pay the highest salaries. Climate ranges from Florida humidity to Minnesota winters that hit minus 20, so pack for your specific city, not for 'America'.
English is universal in practice, though there is no official federal language and Spanish is a genuine second language across the South-West, Florida, and big cities. What surprises people first: sales tax is not shown on shelf prices, tipping is expected almost everywhere and can feel relentless, portions and cars are enormous, and healthcare bills can be catastrophic without insurance. Distances are vast, everything is open late, and customer-facing staff are strikingly friendly. The pace is fast and work-centred, holidays are short, and 'how are you?' is a greeting, not a question. Give yourself a month before you judge it.
Your first 48 hours
The essentials to sort out the moment you land in United States.
- 1
Download and save your I-94
Go to i94.cbp.dhs.gov and retrieve your electronic I-94 arrival record after you clear immigration. It proves your legal status, visa class, and admission date, and you will be asked for it when you apply for an SSN, a bank account, a driver's licence, and employment verification. Save it as a PDF, screenshot it, and print a copy, because the site is occasionally slow to update after entry.
- 2
Get a US SIM or eSIM
A local number is essential for banking, two-factor authentication, apps, and job onboarding. Buy an eSIM or physical SIM from T-Mobile, AT&T, or Verizon, or a cheaper prepaid brand like Mint Mobile, Visible, or Google Fi, either at the airport or online. Prepaid plans activate instantly and need no SSN or credit check, unlike postpaid contracts, so start prepaid and switch later.
- 3
Apply for a Social Security Number
The SSN is the master key to US financial life: banking, credit, payroll, and taxes all hinge on it. Book online or walk into a Social Security Administration (SSA) office with your passport, visa, and I-94. Most work visas permit application; the physical card arrives by post in about two to four weeks. Keep the number private and never carry the card in your wallet.
- 4
Set up cash and mobile payments
Withdraw a few hundred dollars from an in-network ATM for tips, taxis, and small vendors who still prefer cash. Add a card to Apple Pay or Google Wallet, as contactless is now widely accepted. Carry a stack of one-dollar bills specifically for tipping bartenders, porters, and valets, where card tips are often awkward or impossible.
- 5
Confirm health insurance is active
A single emergency-room visit can cost several thousand dollars without cover, and an ambulance alone can run into four figures. Verify the exact start date of your employer plan, or buy a short-term or ACA marketplace plan at healthcare.gov before you need care. Do not assume travel insurance from your flight covers you once you are resident.
- 6
Sort temporary accommodation with an address
Line up at least a few weeks in a serviced apartment, Airbnb, or extended-stay hotel so you have a stable US address to use on applications. Many banks and the DMV need proof of address, and a hotel receipt sometimes will not suffice. A short-term rental buys you time to view long-term flats in person and avoid rushing into a lease.
- 7
Register with your embassy
Enrol with your home country's embassy or consulate, for example the UK's LOCATE or the US State Department equivalent for other nationals. This lets your government reach you during natural disasters, security incidents, or family emergencies, and speeds up replacing a lost or stolen passport. It takes ten minutes online and costs nothing.
- 8
Map your neighbourhood essentials
Find your nearest grocery store, pharmacy (CVS or Walgreens open long hours), urgent-care clinic, and transit stop or petrol station. Pharmacies double as walk-in clinics for vaccines and minor ailments at modest cost. Knowing where to get medicine, food, and basic care before you need them removes a lot of first-week stress.
Your first week checklist
- Download your electronic I-94 arrival record from i94.cbp.dhs.gov and save a PDF, screenshot, and printout, as almost every subsequent application asks for it.
- Buy a US SIM or activate an eSIM (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, or a prepaid brand like Mint Mobile or Visible) so you have a local number for banking and job onboarding.
- Book an appointment or walk into a Social Security Administration office to apply for your SSN, bringing your passport, visa, and I-94.
- Open a bank account at Chase, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo, or use a newcomer app like Zolve, so your salary and deposits have somewhere to land.
- Apply for a secured or newcomer credit card immediately and use it for small purchases you pay off in full, because a US credit score takes months to build.
- Confirm the exact start date of your health insurance and buy short-term or ACA cover for any gap, since even one uninsured day is a real financial risk.
- Register your presence with your home country's embassy or consulate so they can reach you in an emergency or reissue documents.
- Locate your nearest state DMV and check its deadline (usually 30-90 days) for converting your foreign driving licence to a state one if you will drive.
- Set up Venmo or Zelle for splitting bills, as friends, landlords, and roommates increasingly expect these rather than cash or cheques.
Getting connected
Mobile coverage is strong across cities and along interstate highways but genuinely patchy in rural areas and some national parks, so download offline maps before road trips. Prepaid eSIMs from Mint Mobile or Visible activate in minutes with no SSN or credit check, whereas postpaid contracts from the big three usually run a credit check that newcomers fail. Home broadband from Xfinity (Comcast), Spectrum, or AT&T Fiber typically costs USD 50-80 a month and often requires an SSN or a deposit.
Typical cost: USD 15-30/month prepaid for unlimited talk and text with 5-15GB data; USD 40-60/month for genuinely unlimited data plans
Money & banking
Card is king and many venues are effectively cashless, but tips, food trucks, and street vendors still want cash, so keep small bills. Building a US credit score from zero takes months and quietly gates apartments, phone contracts, and car loans, so start a credit card in week one. Note that many US bank transfers and cheques are slow and dated by international standards, though Zelle moves money between banks instantly.
Opening an account: Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo have branches everywhere and open accounts with a passport plus SSN; Chase often opens accounts for newcomers with just a passport and visa. Immigrant-friendly options include Capital One and American Express, plus apps like Zolve and services like Nova Credit that translate your home-country credit history into US terms so you are not starting from nothing.
Cash: Largely cashless in cities, though tips, food trucks, laundrettes, and street vendors prefer or require cash. Carry a modest supply of small bills, especially ones and fives; there is rarely a need to hold large amounts, and paying big sums in cash can even raise suspicion.
Tipping: Tipping is expected and increasingly prompted on screens: 18-20% at sit-down restaurants, USD 1-2 per drink at bars, 15-20% for taxis and rides, USD 2-5 per bag for porters, and a few dollars per night for hotel housekeeping. Counter-service tip prompts are optional, and you can select 'no tip' without shame.
Registration & residency
The United States has no residents' registration or address-registration system for the general public; you do not report your address to a local town hall the way you would in much of Europe. The practical equivalents are your SSN for financial and tax identity, a state driver's licence or non-driver ID card for everyday proof of identity, and voluntary registration with your home embassy for consular protection. Visa holders must instead keep their own immigration status current and, if required by their category, comply with USCIS change-of-address rules.
Where: Social Security Administration (SSA) for an SSN; the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for a driver's licence or state ID card; USCIS online for immigration address changes
Documents to keep handy:
- Passport with your visa stamp or admission label, kept on you or somewhere secure and easily reachable.
- Your electronic I-94 arrival/departure record, downloaded and printed from i94.cbp.dhs.gov.
- Employment authorisation: your job offer letter, I-797 approval notice, or Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) card, depending on visa type.
- Proof of a US address (a lease, a utility bill, or an official letter) for banking, a driver's licence, and most sign-ups.
- Your foreign driving licence, ideally with an International Driving Permit, for the transition period before you get a state licence.
- Academic and professional certificates, plus a credential evaluation (WES or ECE) if your qualifications need US recognition for work.
Getting around
Most of the country is car-dependent and you will probably need to drive, but a handful of cities (New York, Chicago, Boston, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Philadelphia) have usable rail and bus networks. Ride-hailing via Uber and Lyft is available nationwide, even in small towns, and is often cheaper than owning a second car. Intercity travel means flying (budget carriers Southwest, JetBlue, Frontier), Amtrak trains on the busy Northeast Corridor, or long-distance coaches (Greyhound, FlixBus).
From the airport: At New York JFK, the AirTrain (USD 8.50) links to the subway or the LIRR into Manhattan in about an hour; a yellow cab is a flat USD 70 plus tolls and tip, and Uber or Lyft run roughly USD 55-90. In Los Angeles, the free 'LAX-it' shuttle takes you to the ride-hail pickup zone, while in Chicago the CTA Blue Line runs from O'Hare to the Loop for about USD 5.
Finding a home
Renting usually means a 12-month lease, a credit and background check, and proof of income around three times the monthly rent; newcomers without US credit often need a guarantor, a co-signer, or two to three months' rent upfront instead. Listing sites Zillow, Apartments.com, and StreetEasy (for New York) dominate the search, while Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace cover rooms and sublets. Expect application fees of USD 25-75 per adult and a broker fee (often one month's rent) in New York specifically.
Typical rent: A one-bedroom runs about USD 1,200-1,800/month in mid-size cities and USD 2,500-4,500 in New York, San Francisco, or Boston
Deposit norm: Typically one month's rent as a security deposit, sometimes plus the first and last month's rent; expect landlords to ask for more without a US credit history or a US-based guarantor
Healthcare
Healthcare is private, largely employer-linked, and among the most expensive in the world, with no universal system for working-age adults; Medicare covers over-65s and Medicaid covers low-income residents. Always confirm a hospital, doctor, or lab is 'in-network' for your specific plan before treatment, because out-of-network care can cost many times more. Understand your plan's deductible (what you pay before insurance kicks in) and copays, as even insured Americans routinely pay hundreds out of pocket.
How to access it: Choose a primary care physician (PCP) inside your insurer's network for routine care and referrals; use urgent-care clinics for minor injuries and illnesses, and reserve 911 or the emergency room for genuine emergencies given the cost. Retail clinics inside CVS (MinuteClinic) and Walgreens handle vaccines, flu, and minor ailments cheaply and without an appointment.
Insurance: Get cover through your employer, the ACA marketplace at healthcare.gov during open enrolment or a special enrolment period, or a private insurer such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Kaiser Permanente, or Cigna. Newly arrived students often use university plans. Never go uninsured, even for a few days between jobs, and consider a short-term plan to bridge gaps.
Culture & etiquette
- Tip generously and by default; not tipping table-service, bar, or ride staff is read as an insult rather than a statement.
- Personal space and orderly queuing matter; keep about an arm's length and never push in.
- Small talk with strangers, cashiers, and neighbours is normal and friendly, not intrusive, and a smile goes a long way.
- Sales tax is added at the checkout, so the shelf price is always lower than what you actually pay.
- Punctuality is valued for work and appointments; arrive on time and let people know if you are running late.
- Be careful with humour about politics, religion, and race early on, as these topics are more sensitive than in many countries.
- Americans praise and thank generously; matching that warmth, and saying 'you're welcome', reads as polite rather than over-the-top.
Things to watch out for
- Medical bills can be enormous; never accept non-emergency treatment without confirming your insurance covers the provider and that they are in-network.
- Gun laws and open-carry rules vary by state; avoid confrontations and de-escalate any dispute quickly.
- Jaywalking, open alcohol containers in public, and public intoxication are ticketable offences in many cities.
- Alcohol, cannabis, and even some cold medicines are regulated differently in every state, so carry ID and check local rules.
- Contracts and small print are enforced strictly; read leases, phone plans, and gym memberships carefully before signing anything.
Apps to download before you land
Uber / Lyft
Ride-hailing available in virtually every city and town nationwide
Venmo
Peer-to-peer payments for splitting bills and paying individuals
Zelle
Instant bank-to-bank transfers built into most US banking apps
Google Maps
Driving, transit, cycling, and walking directions plus offline maps
Zillow
Searching flats and homes to rent or buy, with price history
MyChart
Managing appointments, test results, and messages across many US health providers
Nextdoor
Hyperlocal neighbourhood news, recommendations, and secondhand items
Where newcomers live
The US has no single newcomer district; where immigrants and expats cluster depends heavily on the city, industry, and community. That said, certain metros and neighbourhoods have deep, established international populations with the shops, restaurants, and word-of-mouth networks that ease a soft landing. Below are examples across the biggest destination cities, from tech-heavy coastal hubs to fast-growing, lower-cost Sun Belt centres where salaries stretch much further.
Queens, New York
Often called the most diverse place on earth, Queens spans Jackson Heights, Flushing, and Astoria with dozens of immigrant communities, subway access to Manhattan, and rents below the city core, if not below cheap.
Jersey City, New Jersey
Just across the Hudson from Manhattan, it offers PATH-train commutes, a large South Asian population, waterfront high-rises, and noticeably lower rents than New York while keeping big-city access and amenities.
Sunnyvale & Fremont, Bay Area
Silicon Valley suburbs with major tech employers, strong Indian and East Asian communities, good schools, and Caltrain or BART links, though housing costs are among the highest in the country.
Katy & Sugar Land, Houston
Master-planned suburbs west of Houston with spacious homes, no state income tax, large international populations, and far lower living costs than the coasts, though a car is essential.
Naperville, Chicago
A well-regarded western suburb with excellent schools, a Metra commuter line to downtown Chicago, a family-friendly feel, and a substantial immigrant professional community.
Bellevue & Redmond, Seattle
Eastside tech hubs home to Microsoft and Amazon offices, with a large Asian population, modern flats, strong schools, and no state income tax, offset by rising housing prices.
What things cost
Costs vary enormously by state and city: a salary that is comfortable in Houston or Atlanta barely covers rent in San Francisco or New York. The figures below are rough national mid-range averages in US dollars for a large city; coastal hubs run 40-80% higher, while Sun Belt and Midwest cities run lower. Remember that sales tax (0-10% depending on state) is added at the till, and tipping adds 15-20% to most eating out.
Staying safe & avoiding scams
The United States is broadly safe for newcomers, but safety is intensely local: adjacent neighbourhoods can differ sharply, so ask colleagues and check crime maps before choosing where to live rather than judging a whole city. Violent crime is concentrated in specific pockets, while the everyday risks most visitors actually encounter are car accidents, petty theft, and financial scams, so drive defensively, keep bags in sight, and never wire money to anyone you have not met. Firearms are legal and common, so avoid escalating road-rage or bar disputes and simply walk away. In a genuine emergency dial 911 for police, ambulance, or fire; for non-urgent police matters, look up your city's 311 or non-emergency line.
Newcomers are common targets. Know these before you arrive — and read our guide to avoiding immigration scams.
Fake IRS or immigration 'arrest' calls
Callers posing as the IRS, USCIS, or the police threaten arrest, deportation, or fines unless you pay immediately by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. These agencies never phone to demand payment, never take gift cards, and never threaten instant arrest; hang up and, if unsure, call the agency back on its official published number.
Apartment rental deposit fraud
Scammers copy real listings for flats they do not control, refuse in-person viewings with excuses about being 'out of town', and pressure you to wire a deposit to 'hold' the unit. Never pay before seeing a property in person, verify the landlord or agent independently, and be suspicious of any deal far below market rent or paid only by wire or gift card.
Social Security 'suspended number' scam
A robocall claims your SSN has been suspended over suspicious or criminal activity and asks you to confirm the number or pay a fee to reinstate it. The Social Security Administration never suspends numbers and never calls to demand payment or personal details; do not press any buttons, and report the call to oig.ssa.gov.
Zelle and payment-app 'refund' scams
Fraudsters pretending to be your bank text or call about a 'fraudulent charge', then trick you into sending money to yourself via Zelle, which actually goes to them. Zelle and Venmo transfers are instant and usually irreversible, so treat them like cash: never move money at the urging of an unexpected caller, and verify anything by contacting your bank directly.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Social Security Number to open a bank account?
Not always. Chase, Bank of America, and newcomer apps like Zolve can open an account with just a passport and visa, using an ITIN or foreign ID in place of an SSN. However, an SSN is needed for most credit cards, loans, and to build a credit history, so apply for one as soon as your visa allows.
How do I build US credit history as a newcomer?
Start with a secured credit card or a newcomer card from Capital One, American Express, or Zolve, spend a little each month, and pay it off in full and on time. Consider Nova Credit to import your home-country history where accepted. Expect roughly three to six months to establish a usable score, and never miss a payment.
Can I drive on my foreign licence?
Most states let you drive on a valid foreign licence, often alongside an International Driving Permit, for a limited period after arrival. Once you become a state resident you must obtain a state driver's licence at the DMV, usually within 30-90 days, which may require a written test and a road test. Rules differ by state, so check yours.
What should I do if I get sick before my insurance starts?
For minor issues use an urgent-care clinic or a retail clinic at CVS or Walgreens, which cost far less than an emergency room. Buy a short-term or ACA marketplace plan at healthcare.gov to avoid catastrophic bills. Only use the ER for genuine emergencies, as a single visit can cost thousands of dollars uninsured.
How does tipping actually work, and when can I skip it?
Tip 18-20% at sit-down restaurants, USD 1-2 per drink at a bar, and 15-20% for rides and food delivery, as staff are often paid below minimum wage on the assumption of tips. Counter-service and takeaway tip prompts are genuinely optional, so selecting 'no tip' there is perfectly acceptable and common.
Why is the price at the till higher than the shelf price?
US shelf and menu prices almost never include sales tax, which is added at checkout and ranges from 0% in states like Oregon and Delaware to around 10% in parts of California and elsewhere. Budget an extra several percent on most purchases, and remember restaurant bills also add tax before you calculate the tip.
Do I need a car, or can I rely on public transport?
It depends entirely on the city. In New York, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. you can live comfortably car-free using transit and ride-hailing. In most other places, including Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta, and nearly all suburbs, a car is close to essential for daily life.
How do taxes work as a new resident?
You will generally owe federal income tax plus, in most states, state income tax; a few states such as Texas, Florida, and Washington have no state income tax. Employers withhold tax from each paycheck, but you must still file a return by mid-April each year. Keep records, and consider a tax professional or software like TurboTax for your first filing.
Can my spouse or family work and access services?
It depends on the visa. Some dependent categories, such as certain H-4 or L-2 spouses, can obtain work authorisation, while others cannot work at all. Children can usually attend public school regardless of status. Check your specific visa's dependent rules with USCIS or an immigration attorney before assuming anyone can work.
Is it safe, and what number do I call in an emergency?
The US is broadly safe but very location-dependent, so research neighbourhoods before renting and trust local advice over reputation. For any genuine emergency, dial 911 for police, ambulance, or fire, which works nationwide. For non-urgent police or city matters, many cities use a 311 line, and poison control is reachable at 1-800-222-1222.
Planning the move, not just the landing?
This guide covers your first days on the ground. If you’re still weighing visas and pathways to United States, start with a free eligibility assessment.
