A detailed introduction to the first entry and exit of new immigrants in the United States

# American Immigration # Introduction It is a matter of great caution for new immigrants to enter the United States. Here, I would like to give you a detailed introduction to the entry precautions of new immigrants, hoping to give you some reference and help.

Before entering:

1. When you enter the United States, you should take the following items with you:

? Original passport

? Sealed postal parcel issued by Guangzhou Consulate (it can't be opened to the staff when entering the country)

? Vaccination card

? Health certificate (if any)

? X-ray chest radiography

2. Take the following documents, which will help you and your family to start a new life in America:

1) In order to facilitate your future work, study and development in the United States, you can bring the originals, translations and official documents of the following documents that may be used:

? Academic qualifications, degree certificates and transcripts

? Professional training certificate

? Work unit certificate, work recommendation letter, resume.

2) In order to facilitate your children to study in the United States in the future, you can bring the following documents that may be used:

? Proof and report card of children's study at school (English translation is required for the last three semesters)

? Letter of recommendation from the school teacher

? Children's Award Certificate (if any)

3) In order to facilitate the future life of you and your family in the United States, you can bring the following documents that may be used:

? Original driver's license in China, translated driver's license and original ID card (for you and your family to use before renting a car or obtaining a driver's license in the United States).

? Birth certificate of the whole family

? marriage certificate

? Other documents deemed useful.

In addition to the above items and certificates that need to be prepared when logging in, there are also some precautions when entering the country, such as carrying no more than $65,438+0,000 in cash, no pirated DVDs, and no food, especially meat. In addition, in view of the fact that investors can't buy health insurance immediately when they first land in the United States, it is recommended to take prescription drugs for chronic diseases and some family drugs.

Upon entry:

For many new immigrants, a series of English forms and inquiries from customs officials are the first challenge to set foot on American territory. Remember to abide by the regulations of the American government and answer questions honestly and objectively.

1. Fill in the customs declaration form.

Before entering the United States, the flight attendants on the plane will issue this form to the passengers on board. 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.

When you get off the plane, you will be guided to the immigration counter.

At this stage, you will queue up for inspection according to different types of entry visas. For those who hold immigrant visas or green cards, you need to stand at the citizen/resident registration office. 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. As usual, immigration officials will ask you some questions and answer them calmly and truthfully. After immigration officials ask questions, they will take fingerprints of all family members. Stamp the entry date on the immigration visa page (this endorsement makes your immigration visa valid for one year, and you can use this endorsement to enter and leave the United States before the green card is issued)

2. Baggage claim, customs declaration and customs clearance.

Follow the instructions in the aisle to the baggage claim area at the baggage claim area, and find your own flight baggage conveyor belt according to the computer screen or notice. Take your luggage down. When queuing for customs clearance, you may wish to choose the shortest line to queue up for inspection. Don't glance left and right, hesitate, and don't watch the other line break quickly and temporarily, resulting in doubt and being carefully examined. Smile, be sincere, answer questions, but don't talk too much, lest you ask for trouble.

When you check your luggage, you have to hand in the customs declaration form and documents. If the customs requires unpacking inspection, open it immediately, don't hesitate. Don't doubt that the customs officer motioned to pass, and immediately put forward the luggage to leave. 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. The original packed luggage is in a mess, so it takes some effort to put things back in place. But sometimes with luck, it can be quick. 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.

Special tips

1. Never argue with the immigration officer (because you will never win);

2. Don't explain too much (especially when your document is confusing or you can't answer the questions clearly);

3. Don't expect VIP treatment (even the monarch of Saudi Arabia will be inspected);

4. Never ask the immigration officer for legal advice (because you will never get it);

Don't be nervous if you need a second inspection (most inspections just ask a few more questions or copy your relevant documents).

After entering the country:

After experiencing the initial freshness and joy, you still have a lot of things to do in this brand-new land to get your life back on track as soon as possible. The most important of these include:

1. Bank account opening card

Many friends choose to bring traveler's checks and cash when they come to the United States for the first time, but this is not convenient to use in the United States. So after you get off the plane, you need to open an account in the bank to save money and apply for a bank card for daily consumption.

Warm reminder: you must apply for a credit card, because the United States is a credit society, and you need to check your credit history in many aspects such as renting a house, looking for a job, getting a loan, and buying insurance. 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 secure 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. It was a good idea at first.

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.

Take a driving 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 state law does not explicitly require that the driver's license must be translated or notarized in English, but it is recommended that you keep the English translation. Meanwhile, you need to apply for a driver's license from your state as soon as possible.

Buy a car

America is called "a country on wheels". Due to the underdeveloped public transportation, it is almost impossible to move here without cars. 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 to the nearby vehicle management office to change the license plate number as soon as possible.

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 ask for an application form for insurance payment.

6. 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.

There are three types of social security cards:

The first one has only the name and number on it. This card is only issued to American citizens and permanent residents (green card holders). Holders of this social security card are not restricted from working in the United States.

In addition to the name and number printed on the second card, there is also the words "working effectively on lywithdhsauthorization". These words mean "only work permits issued by the Department of Homeland Security are allowed to work". This card is issued to foreigners who hold a work permit of the US Department of Homeland Security and can work temporarily in the United States.

The third card is printed with your name and number and the words "NOTVALIDFOREMPLOYMENT". This card is issued to foreigners who have legal status in the United States but cannot work legally in the United States.

American social security number is the basis of personal credit record. Through this number, investigators can see everyone's income, tax payment, bank account opening, stock trading, loan, car purchase, job change, home address change, crime and so on. The record content of social security number will directly affect the success or failure of personal application for credit card, mobile phone number and application work. Credit cards are so important, you must keep them safe and don't give them to others casually.

7. Tax declaration consultation

Since the United States files tax returns in April every year, it is recommended to consult professionals about tax returns as soon as possible after arriving in the United States.

8. 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. Reading the handbook "Welcome to America, A Guide for New Immigrants" published by the US Citizenship and Immigration Bureau can help you find your daily needs and the organizations you need.