After the visa
Your First Months
in America
Everyone prepares for the visa and nobody prepares for the week after. This is what to do once you land, in the order that actually matters.
- PracticalWeek by week
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Arriving is not the end of the process; it is the start of a different one. The first weeks decide how the first years go — whether you have a record of your income, whether you understand what you signed, whether your children are in school. None of it is complicated, but almost all of it is easier to get right the first time than to fix later.
- At the airport
Entering as a permanent resident
You travel on an immigrant visa. At the port of entry an officer admits you as a lawful permanent resident, and that admission is what makes your status real — the physical card follows in the post.
- Keep your sealed visa packet unopened; it is for the officer, not for you.
- The stamp in your passport proves your status until the card arrives.
- Confirm the address the card will be posted to before you leave the desk.
- Week one
A social security number
Almost nothing else works without it: no payroll, no bank account in most cases, no credit history. Apply as soon as you arrive, or tick the box during visa processing so it is issued automatically.
- Bring your passport with the admission stamp.
- It normally arrives by post within a few weeks.
- Never carry the card itself day to day; memorise the number.
- Week one to two
A bank account
Being paid in cash leaves you with no record of income, which matters later for housing, credit and any immigration application. Open an account early, even a basic one.
- Many banks accept a passport plus proof of address.
- Ask specifically about accounts with no minimum balance.
- Keep every payslip; they are your evidence of lawful employment.
- Week two
Starting work
Your employer completes an employment eligibility verification with you. You are entitled to work for the sponsoring employer from the day you are admitted.
- You choose which documents to present from the acceptable list — an employer may not demand a specific one.
- Get your schedule and pay rate in writing before the first shift.
- Ask how overtime is calculated, before you work any.
- First month
Somewhere to live
Deposits are usually substantial and landlords often ask for proof of income you do not yet have. Employer-arranged housing is common in these roles — read what you sign, and check whether leaving the job means leaving the accommodation.
- Never sign a lease you have not read in a language you understand.
- Photograph the condition of the property on the day you move in.
- Understand what happens to your housing if the job ends.
- First months
Health cover, school, transport
Healthcare is expensive without insurance, so find out what your employer offers and when you become eligible. Children have a right to attend public school regardless of immigration status, and a state ID or licence is worth getting early.
- Ask when employer health cover begins — it is often not day one.
- School enrolment normally needs proof of address and vaccination records.
- Keep your children's vaccination records from home; they are usually accepted.
- Ongoing
Keeping your status
Permanent residence can be put at risk by long absences and by failing to keep your address current. Both are avoidable with a little attention.
- Tell USCIS when you move; there is a legal obligation and a deadline.
- Extended trips outside the US can raise questions about whether you have abandoned residence.
- Note the date you become eligible to apply for citizenship, if that is your intention.
This page is general information about a US immigration category, not legal advice. ImmiAxis is not a law firm. For advice on your own case, consult a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative.
The journey does not stop at the airport
Know What Happens Before It Happens
The more you understand before you land, the less of your first year is spent working it out.
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