Before you move to the U.S.: a pre-departure checklist

Step 1 — Collect documents you may not be able to get later

• Education and work records. Diplomas, transcripts, and proof of professional licenses are easier to request while you’re still at home. See getting your foreign degree recognized.
• Your children’s school and vaccination records. Schools will ask about them when you enroll. See enrolling your child in a U.S. public school.
• Your driving record and license. If you plan to drive, read about your home license and the International Driving Permit before you leave. See driver’s licenses and state IDs.

Keep originals and copies in separate places, and keep digital copies somewhere secure.

Step 2 — Plan your money

• If you carry more than $10,000. You must report amounts over $10,000 — in U.S. or foreign currency, traveler’s checks or certain other monetary instruments — to U.S. Customs and Border Protection when you enter or leave the U.S. Carrying any amount is legal (CBP — Form 6059B), but failing to report can lead to the money being seized and to penalties. For a family or group traveling together, the $10,000 threshold applies to the total amount (CBP). The report is FinCEN Form 105 (CBP).
• Opening an account after you arrive. Find out which documents U.S. banks and credit unions may ask for. See opening a U.S. bank account.
• Sending money back home later. See sending money home.

Step 3 — Your phone

• Check whether your phone will work in the U.S. and how to get a U.S. number soon after you arrive. See getting a U.S. phone number and internet.

Step 4 — Health

• Understand how health insurance works in the U.S. before you need it. See health insurance for newcomers.
• Know where to go if you get sick in your first days. See where to get medical care.

Step 5 — A place to live

• Be careful with rentals you can’t see in person, especially if you’re asked to pay before you have seen the home or signed a lease. See the warning signs in renting your first apartment.

Step 6 — Safety and trustworthy help

• Learn the warning signs of scams before anyone contacts you. See scams that target newcomers.
• Know who may give you immigration advice. USCIS says only an attorney or an accredited representative working for a Department of Justice–recognized organization may give you legal advice on immigration matters (USCIS — Avoid Scams). See free immigration legal help.

Step 7 — Your first days after you land

When you arrive, continue with your first 30 days, step by step. It starts with checking your I-94 arrival record.