Moving to Minnesota: what newcomers should know

Here is what stands out in Minnesota for someone arriving from another country.

A license without proof of status. Under the Driver’s License for All law, passed in 2023, the state issues standard driver’s licenses and ID cards without proof of immigration status (Minn. DVS). New residents have 60 days to get a Minnesota license (Minn. DVS). Tests, documents and card types: Minnesota driver’s license and ID.

A state Office of New Americans. Part of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), its staff serve as the state’s specialists on issues relating to immigrants, refugees and evacuees (Minn. DEED). Its Welcome Guide for Newcomers comes in English, Arabic, French, Haitian Creole, Somali and Spanish (Minn. DEED). A pilot, open since December 15, 2025, helps internationally trained professionals aged 18 or older who meet income limits get credit for prior learning in health care, engineering, education or information technology (Minn. DEED). See foreign degree recognition.

One number for questions. The Department of Human Services (DHS) runs the Refugee and Immigrant Helpline, 1-800-814-4806, which connects callers with resources for jobs, food, health, housing, legal help and language classes (Minn. DHS). Navigators speak English, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili and Ukrainian, and interpreters can join for other languages (Minn. DHS). DHS says some health coverage exists for residents without immigration status who meet other program rules, and that the helpline can explain options in your language (Minn. DHS). For refugees, asylees and some other humanitarian statuses held five years or less, its Resettlement Programs Office provides federally funded services through regional networks (Minn. DHS). See refugee resettlement services and health insurance for newcomers.

Renters may get money back. The Renter’s Credit is a refundable credit claimed on the Minnesota income tax return (Minn. Revenue). Its conditions include a valid Social Security number or ITIN and full- or part-year residency, and your landlord must give you a Certificate of Rent Paid by January 31 (Minn. Revenue). See state income taxes.

Winter is serious. At some point every winter, temperatures drop below zero, says the state’s emergency management division (HSEM) (Minn. HSEM). It suggests a car kit with a shovel, an ice scraper, sand or kitty litter, jumper cables and blankets, and checking roads at 511mn.org or by calling 511 (Minn. HSEM). See our emergency preparedness guide.