You've arrived in the U.S. on your work visa. Now what? From getting your Social Security Number to opening bank accounts and finding housing, here's your complete guide to the first three critical months.
1 min read
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Your first 90 days in the U.S. require tackling essential bureaucratic tasks in a specific order: Social Security Number (needed for everything else), bank account, credit card (start building credit immediately), phone plan, permanent housing, driver's license, and healthcare setup. Many tasks depend on others (can't get apartment without credit, can't build credit without SSN), so sequence matters. Budget $5,000-$10,000 for deposits, initial expenses, and setup costs beyond your first month's rent.
Social Security Number comes first: You need it for banking, credit, employment, and almost everything else.
Temporary housing initially: Book 2-4 weeks of Airbnb while you apartment hunt and get documents.
Credit building starts day one: Get secured credit card immediately. Every month without credit history is wasted.
Order matters: SSN → Bank → Credit Card → Phone → Apartment → Driver's License → Everything else.
Front-load costs: First 90 days are expensive. Budget for deposits, furniture, and duplicative costs.
Documents are currency: You'll need passport, visa, I-94, and offer letter for almost everything.
Social Security Number comes first: You need it for banking, credit, employment, and almost everything else.
Temporary housing initially: Book 2-4 weeks of Airbnb while you apartment hunt and get documents.
Credit building starts day one: Get secured credit card immediately. Every month without credit history is wasted.
Order matters: SSN → Bank → Credit Card → Phone → Apartment → Driver's License → Everything else.
Front-load costs: First 90 days are expensive. Budget for deposits, furniture, and duplicative costs.
Documents are currency: You'll need passport, visa, I-94, and offer letter for almost everything.
Day 1-3: Get Temporary Housing
Why temporary first:
Can't sign apartment lease without credit/references
Need U.S. address for SSN application
Need time to explore neighborhoods
Avoid rushed, bad rental decisions
Options:
Airbnb (easiest, 2-4 weeks)
Extended stay hotel
Corporate housing (if employer provides)
Friend's couch (cheapest but not ideal)
Cost: $1,500-$4,000 for 2-4 weeks
Day 3-5: Apply for Social Security Number
Why this is priority #1:
Everything requires SSN:
Bank accounts
Credit cards
Employment payroll
Apartment applications
Utilities
Phone plans
How to apply:
Wait 10 days after entry (SSN system needs to sync with immigration)
Visit local Social Security Administration office
Bring: Passport, I-94, visa, job offer letter
Fill out SS-5 form
Free application
Timeline:
Application: 30 minutes
Receive card: 2-3 weeks by mail
Critical: Apply immediately. This is your longest-lead-time item.
Day 5-7: Open Bank Account
What you need:
Passport (with visa)
I-94 (print from cbp.gov/i94)
U.S. address (even temporary)
Initial deposit ($25-$100)
Some banks: SSN (though some will open without if you're waiting)
Best banks for new immigrants:
Chase (branches everywhere, good for newcomers)
Bank of America (immigrant-friendly)
Citibank (global banking if you have account back home)
Capital One (online, good early credit products)
What to open:
Checking account (for direct deposit and bills)
Savings account (start emergency fund)
Avoid:
Banks requiring SSN immediately (wait for yours)
Banks with high fees
Banks without many branches/ATMs
Cost: Usually free with minimum balance
Day 7-10: Get Phone Number
Why you need it:
Apartment applications require U.S. phone
Banking and security
Job communication
Everything requires 2FA these days
Options:
Postpaid (best if you can):
Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile
Requires SSN and credit check
$50-$80/month
May require deposit without credit history
Prepaid (if no SSN yet):
Same carriers, prepaid plans
No credit check
$40-$50/month
Can switch to postpaid later
MVNO (cheap option):
Mint Mobile, Visible, Cricket
Use major carrier networks
$25-$40/month
Good for first few months
Recommendation: Get prepaid immediately, switch to postpaid once you have SSN and want to build credit with phone payments.
Get Secured Credit Card
Why this is critical:
U.S. credit system penalizes having no credit history. Starting immediately matters.
How secured cards work:
You deposit $200-$1,000
That becomes your credit limit
Use card and pay in full each month
After 6-12 months, graduate to unsecured card
Deposit refunded
Best secured cards for immigrants:
Discover it Secured (good rewards, graduates quickly)
Capital One Platinum Secured (low deposit option)
Bank of America Secured (if you bank there)
Strategy:
Apply as soon as you have SSN
Make small purchases ($20-$50/month)
Pay in full every month (never carry balance)
After 6 months, you'll have credit score
This is not optional: Without U.S. credit history, you'll face:
Higher apartment deposits
Difficulty getting car loans
Higher insurance rates
Can't get mortgage later
Set Up Direct Deposit
With employer:
Provide bank account routing and account number
First paycheck may still be paper check (bank can deposit)
Verify deposit timing (weekly, biweekly, monthly)
Understand Your Paycheck
Deductions you'll see:
Federal income tax (20-30% typically)
State income tax (0-13% depending on state)
Social Security (6.2%)
Medicare (1.45%)
Health insurance premium
401(k) contribution (if you enrolled)
Your take-home: Roughly 65-75% of gross salary
Shock factor: If offered $100K, expect $5,400-6,200 per month take-home.
Apartment Hunting
What landlords want:
Proof of income (3x rent in gross income)
Credit report (you won't have yet)
Background check
References
First month + last month + security deposit
How to overcome no credit:
Offer 2-3 months rent upfront
Get letter from employer verifying income
Offer larger security deposit
Use international credit report (if available)
Consider corporate housing/sublease for first 6 months
Where to search:
Apartments.com, Zillow, Trulia
Craigslist (careful of scams)
Facebook housing groups
Walk around desired neighborhoods
Cost: Expect to pay 3x first month's rent upfront
Example: $2,000/month apartment = $6,000 upfront
Furniture and Setup
Budget options:
IKEA (affordable, easy to assemble)
Facebook Marketplace (used furniture cheap)
Amazon (everything delivered)
Thrift stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army)
Essentials first 30 days:
Bed and mattress ($300-$1,000)
Kitchen basics ($200-$400)
Cleaning supplies ($50-$100)
Bathroom items ($100-$200)
Skip initially:
Living room furniture (use floor cushions temporarily)
Dining table (use kitchen counter)
Decorative items
Total furniture budget: $1,500-$3,000 for basics
Transportation
First 30 days:
Uber/Lyft (expensive but flexible)
Public transit (learn the system)
Walking/biking (explore neighborhood)
Month 2-3 decisions:
Buy a car if:
Living in car-dependent area (most of U.S.)
Public transit inadequate
Can afford $300-$500/month (payment, insurance, gas)
Skip car if:
Living in NYC, SF, DC, Chicago, Boston (good transit)
Work from home
Everything walkable
Getting driver's license:
Requirements vary by state
Usually: Written test + driving test
Some states require SSN, some don't
Some states accept foreign licenses, some don't
Cost: $30-$100
Timeline: 2-6 weeks depending on state
Health Insurance
Through employer:
Enroll within 30 days of start date
Choose plan based on expected usage
Understand: Premium, deductible, copay, out-of-pocket max
If employer doesn't offer:
Healthcare.gov (marketplace)
Private insurance
Very expensive without employer subsidy
Find doctors:
Primary care physician (annual checkup)
Dentist (dental separate from health insurance)
Specialists as needed
Understand before you go:
What's covered
What's your copay
Is doctor in-network
Utilities and Services
Set up:
Electricity/gas (usually bundled)
Internet (Comcast/Xfinity, Verizon Fios, AT&T)
Water (sometimes included in rent)
Trash (sometimes included)
Cost expectations:
Internet: $50-$100/month
Electricity/gas: $80-$150/month (varies by season/size)
Water: $30-$60/month (if separate)
Connect with Community
Find your people:
Meetup.com (professional and social groups)
Facebook groups for your nationality in your city
Alumni networks (university alumni groups)
Religious/cultural organizations
Work colleagues
Why this matters:
Loneliness is real challenge
Practical advice from those who've done it
Job opportunities come from networks
Emotional support during adjustment
Optimize Banking
Once you have credit score (6+ months):
Apply for rewards credit card (2-5% cash back)
Open high-yield savings account (4-5% APY)
Consider investment account
File W-4 Correctly
Review tax withholding:
Too much withheld: You're giving government interest-free loan
Too little: You'll owe at tax time
Adjust based on your situation
Set Up Retirement
401(k) through employer:
Contribute at least enough to get employer match
Employer match is free money
Tax-advantaged savings
IRA (Individual):
Additional retirement savings
Roth IRA if eligible
$7,000/year limit (2025)
Understand Your Benefits
Review everything:
Health insurance details
Life insurance (if offered)
Disability insurance
FSA/HSA (health savings)
Stock options (if tech company)
Paid time off policy
Mistake 1: Not applying for SSN immediately
Every day of delay pushes back everything else.
Solution: Apply within first week after 10-day wait period.
Mistake 2: Signing long apartment lease too quickly
You don't know neighborhoods yet. Rushed decisions lead to regrets.
Solution: Temporary housing first. Take 3-4 weeks to explore and decide.
Mistake 3: Not starting credit building
Waiting even 6 months means 6 months less credit history.
Solution: Secured credit card as soon as you have SSN.
Mistake 4: Overspending on furniture
Tempting to furnish entire apartment immediately.
Solution: Buy essentials only. Add gradually over 6-12 months.
Mistake 5: Not budgeting for double costs
First 90 days have overlapping expenses (temporary + permanent housing, etc.).
Solution: Expect to spend 2-3x normal monthly expenses in first 90 days.
Expense | Amount | Timing |
Temporary housing | $2,000-$4,000 | Week 1-4 |
Apartment move-in | $4,000-$8,000 | Week 3-4 |
Furniture/basics | $2,000-$4,000 | Week 4-8 |
Transportation | $500-$1,500 | Month 1-3 |
Food/groceries | $1,000-$2,000 | Month 1-3 |
Phone/utilities setup | $300-$600 | Week 1-2 |
Miscellaneous | $1,000-$2,000 | Ongoing |
Total | $10,000-$22,000 | First 90 days |
Note: This is beyond your regular monthly expenses. You'll need this upfront while waiting for first paycheck.
Personalized Checklist: Based on your visa type, location, and situation, get customized task list.
Timeline Planner: Sequence tasks optimally based on dependencies.
Resource Database: Find SSN office, immigrant-friendly banks, housing, community groups in your city.
Cost Calculator: Estimate first 90-day expenses based on your destination city.
Just arrived or arriving soon in the U.S.? Want a personalized checklist and timeline for your first 90 days?
Take the OpenSphere evaluation. You'll get location-specific guidance for settling in.
Day 1-3: Get Temporary Housing
Why temporary first:
Can't sign apartment lease without credit/references
Need U.S. address for SSN application
Need time to explore neighborhoods
Avoid rushed, bad rental decisions
Options:
Airbnb (easiest, 2-4 weeks)
Extended stay hotel
Corporate housing (if employer provides)
Friend's couch (cheapest but not ideal)
Cost: $1,500-$4,000 for 2-4 weeks
Day 3-5: Apply for Social Security Number
Why this is priority #1:
Everything requires SSN:
Bank accounts
Credit cards
Employment payroll
Apartment applications
Utilities
Phone plans
How to apply:
Wait 10 days after entry (SSN system needs to sync with immigration)
Visit local Social Security Administration office
Bring: Passport, I-94, visa, job offer letter
Fill out SS-5 form
Free application
Timeline:
Application: 30 minutes
Receive card: 2-3 weeks by mail
Critical: Apply immediately. This is your longest-lead-time item.
Day 5-7: Open Bank Account
What you need:
Passport (with visa)
I-94 (print from cbp.gov/i94)
U.S. address (even temporary)
Initial deposit ($25-$100)
Some banks: SSN (though some will open without if you're waiting)
Best banks for new immigrants:
Chase (branches everywhere, good for newcomers)
Bank of America (immigrant-friendly)
Citibank (global banking if you have account back home)
Capital One (online, good early credit products)
What to open:
Checking account (for direct deposit and bills)
Savings account (start emergency fund)
Avoid:
Banks requiring SSN immediately (wait for yours)
Banks with high fees
Banks without many branches/ATMs
Cost: Usually free with minimum balance
Day 7-10: Get Phone Number
Why you need it:
Apartment applications require U.S. phone
Banking and security
Job communication
Everything requires 2FA these days
Options:
Postpaid (best if you can):
Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile
Requires SSN and credit check
$50-$80/month
May require deposit without credit history
Prepaid (if no SSN yet):
Same carriers, prepaid plans
No credit check
$40-$50/month
Can switch to postpaid later
MVNO (cheap option):
Mint Mobile, Visible, Cricket
Use major carrier networks
$25-$40/month
Good for first few months
Recommendation: Get prepaid immediately, switch to postpaid once you have SSN and want to build credit with phone payments.
Get Secured Credit Card
Why this is critical:
U.S. credit system penalizes having no credit history. Starting immediately matters.
How secured cards work:
You deposit $200-$1,000
That becomes your credit limit
Use card and pay in full each month
After 6-12 months, graduate to unsecured card
Deposit refunded
Best secured cards for immigrants:
Discover it Secured (good rewards, graduates quickly)
Capital One Platinum Secured (low deposit option)
Bank of America Secured (if you bank there)
Strategy:
Apply as soon as you have SSN
Make small purchases ($20-$50/month)
Pay in full every month (never carry balance)
After 6 months, you'll have credit score
This is not optional: Without U.S. credit history, you'll face:
Higher apartment deposits
Difficulty getting car loans
Higher insurance rates
Can't get mortgage later
Set Up Direct Deposit
With employer:
Provide bank account routing and account number
First paycheck may still be paper check (bank can deposit)
Verify deposit timing (weekly, biweekly, monthly)
Understand Your Paycheck
Deductions you'll see:
Federal income tax (20-30% typically)
State income tax (0-13% depending on state)
Social Security (6.2%)
Medicare (1.45%)
Health insurance premium
401(k) contribution (if you enrolled)
Your take-home: Roughly 65-75% of gross salary
Shock factor: If offered $100K, expect $5,400-6,200 per month take-home.
Apartment Hunting
What landlords want:
Proof of income (3x rent in gross income)
Credit report (you won't have yet)
Background check
References
First month + last month + security deposit
How to overcome no credit:
Offer 2-3 months rent upfront
Get letter from employer verifying income
Offer larger security deposit
Use international credit report (if available)
Consider corporate housing/sublease for first 6 months
Where to search:
Apartments.com, Zillow, Trulia
Craigslist (careful of scams)
Facebook housing groups
Walk around desired neighborhoods
Cost: Expect to pay 3x first month's rent upfront
Example: $2,000/month apartment = $6,000 upfront
Furniture and Setup
Budget options:
IKEA (affordable, easy to assemble)
Facebook Marketplace (used furniture cheap)
Amazon (everything delivered)
Thrift stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army)
Essentials first 30 days:
Bed and mattress ($300-$1,000)
Kitchen basics ($200-$400)
Cleaning supplies ($50-$100)
Bathroom items ($100-$200)
Skip initially:
Living room furniture (use floor cushions temporarily)
Dining table (use kitchen counter)
Decorative items
Total furniture budget: $1,500-$3,000 for basics
Transportation
First 30 days:
Uber/Lyft (expensive but flexible)
Public transit (learn the system)
Walking/biking (explore neighborhood)
Month 2-3 decisions:
Buy a car if:
Living in car-dependent area (most of U.S.)
Public transit inadequate
Can afford $300-$500/month (payment, insurance, gas)
Skip car if:
Living in NYC, SF, DC, Chicago, Boston (good transit)
Work from home
Everything walkable
Getting driver's license:
Requirements vary by state
Usually: Written test + driving test
Some states require SSN, some don't
Some states accept foreign licenses, some don't
Cost: $30-$100
Timeline: 2-6 weeks depending on state
Health Insurance
Through employer:
Enroll within 30 days of start date
Choose plan based on expected usage
Understand: Premium, deductible, copay, out-of-pocket max
If employer doesn't offer:
Healthcare.gov (marketplace)
Private insurance
Very expensive without employer subsidy
Find doctors:
Primary care physician (annual checkup)
Dentist (dental separate from health insurance)
Specialists as needed
Understand before you go:
What's covered
What's your copay
Is doctor in-network
Utilities and Services
Set up:
Electricity/gas (usually bundled)
Internet (Comcast/Xfinity, Verizon Fios, AT&T)
Water (sometimes included in rent)
Trash (sometimes included)
Cost expectations:
Internet: $50-$100/month
Electricity/gas: $80-$150/month (varies by season/size)
Water: $30-$60/month (if separate)
Connect with Community
Find your people:
Meetup.com (professional and social groups)
Facebook groups for your nationality in your city
Alumni networks (university alumni groups)
Religious/cultural organizations
Work colleagues
Why this matters:
Loneliness is real challenge
Practical advice from those who've done it
Job opportunities come from networks
Emotional support during adjustment
Optimize Banking
Once you have credit score (6+ months):
Apply for rewards credit card (2-5% cash back)
Open high-yield savings account (4-5% APY)
Consider investment account
File W-4 Correctly
Review tax withholding:
Too much withheld: You're giving government interest-free loan
Too little: You'll owe at tax time
Adjust based on your situation
Set Up Retirement
401(k) through employer:
Contribute at least enough to get employer match
Employer match is free money
Tax-advantaged savings
IRA (Individual):
Additional retirement savings
Roth IRA if eligible
$7,000/year limit (2025)
Understand Your Benefits
Review everything:
Health insurance details
Life insurance (if offered)
Disability insurance
FSA/HSA (health savings)
Stock options (if tech company)
Paid time off policy
Mistake 1: Not applying for SSN immediately
Every day of delay pushes back everything else.
Solution: Apply within first week after 10-day wait period.
Mistake 2: Signing long apartment lease too quickly
You don't know neighborhoods yet. Rushed decisions lead to regrets.
Solution: Temporary housing first. Take 3-4 weeks to explore and decide.
Mistake 3: Not starting credit building
Waiting even 6 months means 6 months less credit history.
Solution: Secured credit card as soon as you have SSN.
Mistake 4: Overspending on furniture
Tempting to furnish entire apartment immediately.
Solution: Buy essentials only. Add gradually over 6-12 months.
Mistake 5: Not budgeting for double costs
First 90 days have overlapping expenses (temporary + permanent housing, etc.).
Solution: Expect to spend 2-3x normal monthly expenses in first 90 days.
Expense | Amount | Timing |
Temporary housing | $2,000-$4,000 | Week 1-4 |
Apartment move-in | $4,000-$8,000 | Week 3-4 |
Furniture/basics | $2,000-$4,000 | Week 4-8 |
Transportation | $500-$1,500 | Month 1-3 |
Food/groceries | $1,000-$2,000 | Month 1-3 |
Phone/utilities setup | $300-$600 | Week 1-2 |
Miscellaneous | $1,000-$2,000 | Ongoing |
Total | $10,000-$22,000 | First 90 days |
Note: This is beyond your regular monthly expenses. You'll need this upfront while waiting for first paycheck.
Personalized Checklist: Based on your visa type, location, and situation, get customized task list.
Timeline Planner: Sequence tasks optimally based on dependencies.
Resource Database: Find SSN office, immigrant-friendly banks, housing, community groups in your city.
Cost Calculator: Estimate first 90-day expenses based on your destination city.
Just arrived or arriving soon in the U.S.? Want a personalized checklist and timeline for your first 90 days?
Take the OpenSphere evaluation. You'll get location-specific guidance for settling in.
1. How much money should I bring for first 90 days?
$10,000-$20,000 depending on city and lifestyle. More for NYC/SF, less for smaller cities.
2. Can I open bank account without SSN?
Some banks yes, but limited. Better to wait for SSN for full access.
3. When will I get my first paycheck?
Usually 2-4 weeks after start date, depending on company pay schedule.
4. Should I buy furniture or rent it?
Buy basics. Renting furniture is expensive over time.
5. Do I need a car immediately?
Depends on city. NYC/SF/DC: probably not. Houston/Phoenix/most suburbs: yes.
6. How do I know which health insurance plan to choose?
If healthy and young: high deductible, low premium. If you have ongoing care needs: low deductible, higher premium.
7. Can I use international credit score?
No. U.S. has separate credit system. You start from zero.
8. What's a good credit score?
700+ is good, 750+ is excellent. You'll start around 650-700 after 6 months of secured card.
9. Should I ship belongings from home country?
Rarely worth it. Shipping costs more than buying new for most items. Ship only irreplaceable items.
10. How do I make friends?
Join groups (Meetup, cultural organizations), say yes to colleague invitations, be proactive about reaching out.
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