For immigrants to the United States, trying to navigate their new environment can be challenging — but there are several things that you can do to make the transition a bit easier.
Even if you can’t handle these until you get into the country, adding them to your to-do list is beneficial.
Get your personal documents together
Of course, you should ensure that you have your documentation in order as quickly as possible. For many, this is done ahead of time, but others might come into the country on a special petition that enables them to reside here while their application is pending.
Find a place to live
One of the most important things that you need to do is to ensure that you have somewhere to live. Many people who come to the U.S. will stay with family members at first. Some, especially those who are coming under an employment visa, may stay in an executive rental that’s paid for by the company. You might want to still find a place of your own so you have space.
Open a bank account
Having a bank account makes navigating transactions (including paying rent) a lot easier in this country. In order to open up a bank account, you’ll need some documentation, including a Taxpayer Identification Number. Contacting the bank where you hope to open an account can help you to find out what else you might need.
Immigrating to the United States is a complex process, especially given the ever-changing rules and constant reforms to various programs. It’s generally unwise to try to navigate the process without experienced legal assistance.