Starting a new life in the U.S. from scratch can feel overwhelming, especially for newcomers arriving from other countries. To help new immigrants settle in faster, this article lists 10 things you must do after arriving in the U.S., so you can fit into American society quickly and build a stable foundation for your life here.
📌 1. Apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) or ITIN
Why do you need it?
- The SSN is the most important identification number in the U.S. You need it for almost every financial transaction (such as opening a bank account, filing taxes or applying for a credit card).
- If you don't have an SSN, you can apply for an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) to handle taxes and other financial matters.
How to apply
- Apply with the Social Security Administration (SSA) at: https://www.ssa.gov/
- You can apply for an ITIN through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at: https://www.irs.gov/
🏦 2. Open a U.S. bank account
Recommended banks:
- Chase Bank (https://www.chase.com/)
- Bank of America (https://www.bankofamerica.com/)
- Wells Fargo (https://www.wellsfargo.com/)
- Online banks (such as SoFi and Ally Bank, if you don't need a physical branch)
Documents you need:
- Passport
- SSN or ITIN (if applicable)
- Proof of a U.S. address (such as a lease or a utility bill)
💳 3. Build a U.S. credit history
Why does it matter?
- In the U.S., your credit history affects loans, renting, buying a car and even job hunting.
Credit cards new immigrants can apply for:
- Discover it Secured
- Chase Freedom Unlimited
- Capital One Platinum
Tips to raise your credit score:
- Pay on time and stay under 30% of your credit limit
- Use a rent reporting service that builds credit (such as Experian RentBureau)
🏠 4. Find the right place to live (renting vs. buying)
Recommended rental sites:
- Zillow (https://www.zillow.com/)
- Apartments.com (https://www.apartments.com/)
- Craigslist (https://www.craigslist.org/)
Documents you need to rent:
- SSN (if applicable)
- Proof of employment or bank statements
- Credit history (if you have one)
Thinking about buying?
- Build credit for 6-12 months before applying for a mortgage
- Check home prices and loan terms: https://www.redfin.com/ or https://www.zillow.com/
🚗 5. Buy or lease a car
Car-buying sites:
- Carvana (https://www.carvana.com/)
- CarMax (https://www.carmax.com/)
- Craigslist (https://www.craigslist.org/)
Recommended auto insurance:
- Geico (https://www.geico.com/)
- Progressive (https://www.progressive.com/)
- State Farm (https://www.statefarm.com/)
🛒 6. Get supermarket memberships and save on shopping
- Costco (https://www.costco.com/)
- Walmart (https://www.walmart.com/)
- Target (https://www.target.com/)
📞 7. Choose a U.S. cell phone plan
Recommended carriers:
- T-Mobile (https://www.t-mobile.com/)
- AT&T (https://www.att.com/)
- Verizon (https://www.verizon.com/)
- Mint Mobile (good for prepaid plans, https://www.mintmobile.com/)
📑 8. Learn the U.S. tax rules
- Use TurboTax (https://turbotax.intuit.com/) or H&R Block (https://www.hrblock.com/) to file your taxes
- Learn about the W-2 (wage statement) and 1099 (tax form for freelancers)
- Tax deadline: April 15 every year
🩺 9. Get health insurance
- Find the right health insurance plan through Healthcare.gov (https://www.healthcare.gov/)
- Low-income families can apply for Medicaid
🎓 10. Improve your English and your education
- Top five Chinese-language online platforms for learning English in the U.S.: Hi Tutor / Voicetube / Engoo / Englishlive / Lingoda /zh/learn-english/
- Recommended online English learning platforms:
- Duolingo
- BBC Learning English
- Resources for furthering your education:
- Coursera
- edX
Summary: the keys to adapting to life in the U.S. quickly
These 10 steps will help new immigrants get on their feet in the U.S., from building credit, renting and buying a car to filing taxes and getting health insurance, so your life here goes more smoothly. I hope this guide helps!