Things to Do in Your First 30 Days When Settling in the US

The first 30 days in the US involve many important tasks in your settling in the US journey. This is when new US immigrants need to complete numerous crucial procedures to build a solid legal and financial foundation. Let’s explore with Newland USA the tips for new US immigrants so you can quickly integrate and stabilize your life in this country.

1. Confirm Entry and Safeguard Important Documents

Right after settling in the US, the first thing new US immigrants need to do is carefully check all entry documents. The Green Card is the most important item, serving as proof of your legal permanent resident status in the US.

You need to keep your Green Card along with documents such as passport, birth certificate, translated and notarized diplomas, marriage certificate (if applicable) in a separate file. These are extremely important tips for new US immigrants because you’ll need to present these documents in many transactions such as opening a bank account, registering for a Social Security Number, or applying for a driver’s license.

Many advice for new arrivals in America recommend photocopying and scanning all important documents, storing both hard copies and electronic versions in case of loss. If you unfortunately lose your Green Card, you need to contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) immediately to get a replacement.

2. Register for Social Security Number (SSN)

The Social Security Number is one of the most important things in the first month. SSN is not just an identification number but also a mandatory document if you want to live in the US.

New US immigrants need an SSN to work legally, open a bank account, register for phone services, rent a house, apply for a driver’s license, and conduct most financial transactions. According to advice for new arrivals in America, you should register for SSN as soon as possible, ideally within the first two weeks.

The registration process is quite simple. You need to go to the nearest Social Security Administration Office, bring your Green Card, passport, and fill out form SS-5. Some locations require additional documents for residential address such as a lease agreement or utility bill. Typically, you’ll receive your SSN card by mail within 10-15 business days.

Note that if you registered for SSN during the Visa application process, you may have already been issued a number before entry. Check carefully to avoid duplicate registration.

3. Find and Arrange Suitable Accommodation

Housing is one of the top priorities for new US immigrants. In the first 30 days, you need to determine long-term accommodation suitable for your financial capacity and family living needs.

According to advice for new arrivals in America, renting an apartment or house before deciding to buy is a wise choice. This gives you time to learn about the living area, school quality, security, and surrounding amenities before investing in real estate.

When settling in the US, you should choose accommodation close to your workplace or school to save on costs and commute time. Most large cities have public transportation, but owning a car is still necessary in many states. Rental costs range from $800-$3,000 per month depending on the state and city.

When signing a lease, landlords typically require SSN, proof of income, credit history, and a security deposit (usually equal to one month’s rent). Since new US immigrants don’t have credit history yet, you may need a guarantor or have to pay a higher deposit.

4. Open a Bank Account

Opening a bank account is an essential task on the to-do list for new US immigrants. A bank account not only helps you manage finances effectively but is also necessary for receiving salary, paying bills, and building credit history.

To open an account, you need to prepare the following documents: Green Card or passport, SSN or ITIN, address documents (utility bill or lease agreement), and an initial deposit (usually $25-100 depending on the bank).

There are two common account types for new US immigrants: checking account for daily transactions, and savings account for accumulation with interest. According to advice for new arrivals in America, you should open a checking account immediately for receiving salary and expenses, then open a savings account once you’re settled.

Some large and reputable banks in the US like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank all have support programs for new immigrants. Many banks provide services in Vietnamese in areas with large Vietnamese populations.

Opening an account early also helps you start building credit history – an important factor for large financial transactions later such as buying a house or car.

5. Register Phone and Internet Services

Information connectivity is one of the basic needs when settling in the US. Within the first week, you should register for mobile phone and home internet services for easy communication, information search, and completing other procedures.

Major carriers in the US like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint all offer diverse plans. According to tips for new US immigrants, you should choose a prepaid plan in the first month if you don’t have SSN and credit history yet. After getting SSN, you can switch to postpaid plans with better benefits.

Phone service costs range from $30-80 per month depending on the plan. Home internet costs $40-100 per month. Many companies offer combo packages for phone, internet, and TV with discounted prices.

Having a US phone number is also necessary to register for many other services, verify bank accounts, and receive important notifications. This is one of the advice for new arrivals in America that many families share.

6. Register for Health Insurance

The healthcare system in the US is very expensive, so having health insurance is mandatory as soon as you arrive in the US. A regular doctor visit can cost several hundred dollars, while surgery or hospitalization can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

New US immigrants can access health insurance through multiple channels. If you have a job, many companies provide health insurance for employees as a benefit. If your income is low, you can register for Medicaid (for low-income people) or CHIP (for children). However, new permanent residents typically have to wait 5 years to qualify for Medicaid in most states.

Additionally, you can purchase private insurance through the Healthcare.gov marketplace or directly from insurance companies. Premiums range from $150-600 per month depending on age and insurance package. Plans are typically divided into 4 tiers: Bronze (low premium, high deductible), Silver, Gold, and Platinum (high premium, low deductible).

Open Enrollment period is usually from November to January of the following year. However, new US immigrants are considered a special case and can register outside this period within 60 days of entry.

7. Apply for a Driver’s License

A driver’s license not only allows you to drive legally but is also the most important ID document in the US, used more widely than even a passport. This is one of the priority tasks on the advice for new arrivals in America list.

Each state has its own regulations regarding driver’s licenses. Generally, you need to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in your state of residence, bring your Green Card, SSN, proof of residential address, and pass three tests: vision, written, and practical.

The written test typically has 25-50 questions about traffic laws; you need to score at least 70-80% to pass. Study materials are available free on the DMV website in multiple languages, including Vietnamese. After passing the written test, you’ll be issued a learner’s permit to practice driving.

The practical test evaluates driving skills on the road, parallel parking, and reverse parking. According to tips for new US immigrants, you should practice thoroughly before taking the test because US traffic laws differ significantly from Vietnam, especially regarding pedestrian priority and traffic signs.

Driver’s license application costs range from $30-90 depending on the state. Some states allow conversion of international licenses but still require retaking written and practical tests.

8. Learn About the Education System for Children

If you’re settling in the US with children, school registration is an important priority in the first month. The public education system in the US is free from kindergarten to 12th grade, and children have the right to attend school regardless of their parents’ immigration status.

According to advice for new arrivals in America, you need to contact the school district where you live to register your child. Necessary documents include proof of residential address, health records and vaccination certificates, academic transcripts (if any) that have been translated and notarized.

Many schools have ESL (English as Second Language) programs to support foreign students in improving their English. You should research school quality in the area through ranking websites like GreatSchools.org or Niche.com.

For children under 5 years old, you can register for public kindergarten programs or daycare centers. Daycare costs are quite high, from $800-2,000 per month depending on the state and type.

9. Get Familiar with American Culture and Lifestyle

Adapting to a new culture is a challenge that all new US immigrants must face. In the first 30 days, spend time learning about American culture, customs, and behavior.

Americans highly value punctuality, personal space, and privacy. They typically communicate straightforwardly, politely, and respect the law. Tips for new US immigrants regarding traffic: always give priority to pedestrians, strictly follow traffic lights, and don’t use your phone while driving.

Regarding work culture, Americans value professionalism, efficiency, and creativity. The work environment is usually friendly and open but still maintains clear boundaries between work and personal life. Tipping is a common practice at restaurants, salons, taxis at a rate of 15-20% of the bill.

Joining local Vietnamese communities is useful advice for new arrivals in America. These communities often organize events, provide information, and help new US immigrants integrate faster. You can find information about community groups on Facebook, at Vietnamese churches, temples, or cultural centers.

10. Build a Network and Find Employment

Finding stable employment is an important goal for new US immigrants. In the first month, you should start updating your job application documents, researching the labor market, and building a network.

A resume in the US differs greatly from traditional CVs. Resumes are typically concise (1-2 pages), focused on specific achievements and skills, without photos or personal information like marital status. According to advice for new arrivals in America, you should have a native speaker or professional service review your resume to ensure it meets standards.

Popular job search channels include Indeed.com, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Monster, and company websites. Attending job fairs is also a good opportunity to meet recruiters. For those settling in the US through EB-3, they typically already have employment from the sponsoring company.

Building a professional LinkedIn profile and expanding your network is an important tip for new US immigrants because many job opportunities come from personal connections (networking). Joining professional groups, volunteering in the community, and maintaining contact with former colleagues all help expand career opportunities.

Note that many professions in the US require certifications or licenses. You need to thoroughly research requirements for your profession and complete procedures for recognizing foreign credentials if necessary.

11. Learn English and Improve Communication Skills

Even if you already have a certain level of English, improving communication ability is extremely important advice for new arrivals in America for integration. American English has pronunciation, vocabulary, and usage that differ greatly from textbooks.

Many community organizations, public libraries, and community colleges offer free or low-cost English classes for immigrants. ESL (English as a Second Language) programs help you improve listening, speaking, reading, writing skills and learn about American culture.

Additionally, you can self-study through apps like Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, or watch movies and listen to English podcasts. Practicing daily communication with neighbors, colleagues, and in social activities also helps you progress quickly.

In many areas with large Hispanic populations, knowing basic Spanish is also very useful. This is one of the tips for new US immigrants that not many people think about.

12. Manage Finances and Create a Budget

Effective financial management is a decisive factor for stability when settling in the US. In the first month, you need to create a detailed budget to track income and expenses and adjust accordingly.

Average living costs for a family of 4 in the US range from $3,000-6,000 per month, including: rent ($800-2,500), food ($600-1,000), transportation ($200-500), health insurance ($300-800), utilities and internet ($200-300), and other expenses.

According to advice for new arrivals in America, you should save 20-30% of your income for savings and emergencies. Avoid spending beyond your means, especially using credit cards. Building good credit history (credit score) is very important for large transactions later.

You can start building credit score by applying for a secured credit card, paying bills on time, and maintaining credit utilization ratio below 30%. Good credit score (above 700 points) will help you borrow money at lower interest rates when buying a house or car.

13. Learn About the Tax System and Civic Responsibilities

As a permanent resident, you have the responsibility to pay income tax to the federal and state government. This is one of the important tips for new US immigrants from a legal perspective.

If you have a job, income tax is usually deducted directly from your salary (payroll tax). Each year, you need to file a tax return before April 15 of the following year. You can do it yourself through software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or hire an accountant.

Permanent residents also need to understand their rights and obligations. You enjoy most of the same rights as US citizens except voting rights. You must maintain your residency status by not leaving the US for more than 6 consecutive months, complying with laws, and paying taxes in full.

After 5 years of settling in the US (or 3 years if married to a US citizen), you can apply for US citizenship if you meet the requirements for residency, good moral character, and pass the citizenship test.

14. Conclusion

The first 30 days when settling in the US is a challenging period but will also give you valuable experience living in a new country. By completing important tasks such as registering for SSN, opening a bank account, applying for a driver’s license, and registering for health insurance, new US immigrants will build a solid foundation for their new life.

At Newland USA, we not only provide US immigration services but also support clients in their cultural integration journey in this new country. If you need more information, please contact Newland USA immediately at hotline 0785591988 or email: newsletter@newlandusa.asia for detailed and free consultation.

Learn more:

• Overview of Medical Glove Manufacturing Work in the US under the EB3 Immigration Program
• Important Immigration Terms in the EB3 US Immigration Application
• Does the automotive repair profession through EB3 U.S. immigration require English? Important notes when using English in this industry
• Understanding ETA 9089 Form in the US EB3 Employment-Based Immigration Program