Welcome! Arriving in the US is an exciting step in anyone’s life! There are a lot of things to do and know when arriving in the USA.
The information below is intented to faciliate the transition but is by no means an exhaustive list. It may not contain the latest updates from immigration so you should definitely explore beyond this site.
However, it will get you started with the first important steps. That way, you can focus on your kids and the new school year with peace of mind.
To learn more about the difference between the French & American education systems and cultures, click below:
You will need this to purchase or rent a home and open a bank account. This will serve in lieu of a U.S. credit history to show that you are a financially qualified applicant. This letter should include your :
It should be on the company letterhead and be signed. Moreover, it should include the name and phone contact information of a member of the U.S. staff (your boss or HR representative for example). This contact should be able to confirm by phone that you are employed in the U.S. offices. You may need several copies of this letter : for your landlord, the bank, the utilities company etc. Be sure to have as many as you need.
This is one of the first things you need to do arriving in the US. With it, you will be able to pay and collect money, and to build your credit score. You will need
You will be able to open a checking account with a debit card even before you get your Social Security number. Once you have your Social Security number (this will take about 4 weeks after arrival), you will be able to apply for a credit card as well. All the above may vary with each bank. Here is a list of the largest banks in America. Check with your bank what they need to open a bank account for an expat.
It will be useful for many things. For example, it will allow you to work in the US. You will have to wait 10 business days to go to a Social Security office. It is very important that your full name appears exactly the same on all of your official documents (passport, I-94, driving license, and EVL). Any discrepancy can result in a much longer waiting period to get your Social Security number. If you are married, your spouse will need your original marriage certificate, as well as the other documents mentioned above. For more info visit Foreign Workers and Social Security Numbers
This will serve as a regular ID for pretty much everything. You will need :
Go to the Motor Vehicle Commission site for full details. Use your home country driving license and IDP until you get a state driving license.
Moving to the US from certain countries and experiencing the difference in living costs can come as a shock to some. However the cost of living will be different from state to state or city to city. For major US cities, accommodation will generally be the reason to such high costs of living leading many employees to move out to more suburban areas and commute into work daily. Luckily in places like the New York Metropolitan Area, there are many forms of affordable and efficient transportation.
As Universal healthcare is not employed by the United States, figuring out the healthcare system as an expat can be a hassle. Luckily the internet provides many useful tools to efficiently give you access to your healthcare necessities.
Finances should remain a top priority when planning to move to the US to make sure you can accommodate to all of your needs upon arrival.
Here is a very important tip : be sure to gather your medical records as well as school and medical records for your children including their immunizations for school registration. If you use any prescription drugs, be sure to fill the prescriptions and bring these with you in case there is a delay in finding a doctor in the U.S.
To go further down the things to prepare when arriving in the US, please visit : Bienvenue aux États-Unis, Consulat général de France à New York, Immigrating to the US as an Expat [Full Guide], Association des Français du New Jersey, Association des Français de New York.
Follow the links for more tips for parents, or to discover the French American Academy’s community
