Introduction to the landing guide for new immigrants in the United States

For new immigrants who want to start a new life in the United States, the first landing is very important. In addition to making full life and psychological preparations before landing, there are also some materials and certificates that you must have when landing in the United States, which will also save you a lot of trouble after entering the United States.

Before entering

First, the important information that must be carried when landing includes:

Passport and immigrant visa; Physical examination certificate, X-ray chest film (CD); Unopened consulate material package; Adequate living expenses; If you need to rent a car in the United States without obtaining a US driver's license, you need to prepare the original China driver's license (original) and the original ID card (notarized driver's license is required); Payment receipt of US immunization fee 165 USD.

2. If you need to help your children go through the admission formalities, you need to prepare the following documents in China:

Proof and transcript of children's study at school (bilingual version); Standard Chinese and English vaccination certificate (1under 8 years old); Original birth certificate (original public certificate).

Three. Other files that can be used:

Birth notarization; Marriage notarization; Academic qualifications or degree certificates, professional training certificates and transcripts; Certificate of domestic work unit, recommendation letter from the unit and resume; Immunization records or related health records.

When entering

First, fill in the customs declaration form.

Everyone, whether American citizens, green card holders or tourists with various American visas, must fill out a customs declaration form, which the flight attendants on the plane will issue to the passengers on board before entering the United States. However, I-94 form is not required for immigration visa or green card entry. When you declare your belongings, you should declare them truthfully, otherwise you will be punished once you are found.

2. After getting off the plane, they will be guided to the immigration counter.

At this stage, you will queue up for inspection according to different types of entry visas. When it's your turn to be inspected, please give your passport, the package delivered by the consulate and the customs declaration form filled in on the plane to the immigration officer for inspection. Immigration officials will ask you some questions and answer them calmly and truthfully. After immigration officials ask questions, they will collect fingerprints of all family members. Stamp the date of entry on the immigrant visa page.

3. Baggage claim, customs declaration and customs clearance

Go to the baggage claim area according to the instructions on the aisle of the baggage claim area, and find your own flight baggage carousel according to the computer screen or notice. Take your luggage down. According to American law, customs officers have no right to open your luggage without permission, but if they ask you to open it and you refuse, they have the right to open your luggage. If any prohibited items are found in the luggage, they will be confiscated on the spot. Always pay attention to your luggage documents and don't leave your body in case someone takes the opportunity to steal them.

If the amount brought into the country exceeds 1 10,000 USD, you should take the initiative to declare to the customs and fill in the corresponding form to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Tip:

All affiliated applicants can enter the customs together, but if affiliated applicants need to go to the United States in advance, they cannot enter the customs alone for the first time and need to be accompanied by the main applicant; After getting off the plane, you need to go through customs inspection before you can go out to get your luggage. Generally, there are two types of channels in the US Customs inspection area: non-citizen visitors with non-immigrant visas and nationals (citizens/residents, American citizens and green card holders). Our customers have EB-5 immigrant visas, so they need to take the national channel. (Please follow the customs guidelines for details. If the customs officer asks you to go through the foreigner's passage because you have a China passport, please show me your immigrant visa. American customs officials will routinely ask everyone who enters the country, so there is no need to panic when crossing the border. As long as you show your family's passport, immigrant visa and visa package of Guangzhou consulate to the customs officers when you go through the customs, the customs officers will understand that you are a new immigrant landing for the first time.

It is suggested to choose the customs gates where new immigrants land for the first time, such as San Francisco, Los Angeles and new york. That is, when buying flights to the United States, it is recommended to buy direct flights to San Francisco, Los Angeles and new york in the United States, and not to buy direct flights to other cities in the United States or to transit through airports in other countries such as Canada or through third countries, because customs officials with more new immigrants are familiar with the customs entry procedures of new immigrants, and the customs entry process will be relatively smooth, reducing unnecessary communication obstacles.

After entering the country

I. Opening a bank account and handling a card.

After getting off the plane, you need to open an account in a bank and apply for a bank card for daily consumption. I want to remind you here: you must apply for a credit card, because the United States is a credit society, and many aspects such as renting a house, looking for a job, getting a loan, buying insurance, etc. need to check credit records. You need to accumulate your credit line from the beginning. However, to apply for a credit card, you need to provide work information and credit information, which some friends can't provide for the time being. There is also a secured credit card in the bank. You can save your own money to accumulate your credit limit. After a while, you can apply for a formal credit card.

Second, turn on the phone.

After arriving in the United States, if you still use China calling cards to answer and make calls, the price will be too high. At this time, you need to apply for an American calling card for domestic contact in the United States. The United States has T-Moble, AT & amp； T, Verizon and other national telecommunications companies, these companies provide prepaid telephone services, family planning services and personal planning services. , you can choose to buy different services according to your call and internet needs. If you want to call back to China, you can choose to buy an international long-distance phone card, but Skype software is popular at present. Download Skype software, and you can make domestic calls online in advance, which is cheap and fast. At the same time, the popularity of QQ and WeChat on mobile phones makes communication between the United States and China more and more convenient and simple.

Third, take a driver's license test.

If you have a valid driver's license issued by China, you can drive in Washington with the original China driver's license. Once you drive on the road, you need to buy vehicle insurance to avoid possible problems. The laws of each state are different, so whether notarization or other procedures are needed should be implemented in accordance with local laws and regulations. Therefore, the driver's license can be supplemented by the English translation first. Meanwhile, you need to apply for a driver's license from your state as soon as possible.

Fourth, buy a car.

The United States is known as the "country on wheels", where it is almost impossible to move without a car. You should also consider buying a car when you arrive in America. Buying a car in America is similar to that in China, but there are also differences. If you buy a new car, the price of the new car consists of the following parts: * car price, taxes and fees, licensing fees and labor costs. If you want to bargain, you can start with the car price, because the tax and license fee are fixed. If you buy a used car, you need to check the mileage, accident, flooding and renovation records to avoid buying a used car with these records or problems. Beware of being fooled. At the same time, after buying an old car, you must go through the transfer formalities as soon as possible.

Verb (abbreviation for verb) to buy medical insurance

When you arrive in America, you must buy medical insurance as soon as possible, just in case. People who apply for medical insurance will get a medical insurance card, and the hospital will settle accounts with relevant insurance companies according to this card and number. When the insured seeks treatment due to illness or injury, he must inform the insurance company as soon as possible and claim insurance money.

Six, apply for social security number

Social security number is a nine-digit number on the social security card, which is called "social security number" in English, or SSN for short. You can log on to the website of the Social Security Number Administration Bureau to inquire about the information needed to apply for social security numbers and social security cards and the application process.

7. Understand American society and actively participate in community activities.

After completing these essential links in life, you can breathe a sigh of relief. But you still have a lot to adapt to. As a new immigrant, you need to know about this country, its culture and government system. You should know your rights, responsibilities and obligations. You should know how the federal, state and local governments work, and learn American history. You can go to the public library or community college near your home to take all kinds of free or low-cost English courses. You can log on to Citizenship and Immigration Service (www.uscis.gov) and read the handbook "Welcome to America, A Guide for New Immigrants" published by Citizenship and Immigration Service, which can help you find your daily needs and organizations you need.