What should new immigrants pay attention to when they "land" in the United States for the first time?

As a popular immigrant receiving country in the world, the United States has a large number of people moving to the United States every year. So, what about the new immigrants from America? First landing? What should I pay attention to in the United States? What documents do I need to carry? What are the procedures? I have specially prepared a detailed guide for you, covering all aspects of new immigrants landing in the United States. Recommend your collection! First of all, start with the preparation at the time of entry.

A. Important information that must be carried when landing includes:

1. Passport and immigrant visa;

2. Physical examination certificate and X-ray chest film;

3. The unopened materials package of the consulate;

4.6-month living expenses budget (don't bring a large amount of cash exceeding $65,438+0,000, you can deposit it in a bank dollar account that allows the United States to withdraw cash and swipe its card);

5. If you need to rent a car in the United States but haven't obtained an American driver's license, you need to prepare the original of China driver's license and it is best to entrust an international driver's license in advance.

B. For children to enter school, you need to prepare the following documents in China:

1. Children's school study certificate and report card (bilingual version);

2. Standard Chinese and English vaccination certificate (1under 8 years old);

3. Original birth certificate (original public certificate).

Other files that can be used:

1. Birth notarization;

2. Marriage notarization;

3. Academic qualifications or degree certificates, professional training certificates and transcripts;

4. Certificate of domestic work unit, recommendation letter from the unit and resume;

5. Immunization records or related health records.

(2) Entry preparation

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.

First, 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 declaring articles, you'd better declare them truthfully, otherwise you will be punished once you find them.

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 collect 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

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. 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 look at the rapid and temporary changes in the other line, resulting in doubts and careful investigation. 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 if you are lucky, you can get through customs quickly. 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.

(3) Preparation after entry

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:

I. Opening a bank account and handling a 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. Many big banks in Seattle have Chinese-speaking staff who will help you with your bank account according to your different needs.

Experts remind: you must apply for a credit card, because the United States is a credit society, and you need to check your credit records 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 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. It was a good idea at first.

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 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.

Fourth, buy a car.

The United States is called? The 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: naked car price, taxes and fees, licensing fees and labor costs. If you want to bargain, you can start with the bare car price, because taxes and license fees 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.

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 ask for an application form for insurance payment.

Six, apply for social security number

The social security number is the nine numbers on the social security card. Social security number? Short for SSN. 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.

Besides the name and number printed on the second card, what else is on it? Only valid for work authorized by DHS? In that case. What do these words mean? Only a work permit issued by the Department of Homeland Security is 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.

Your name and number are printed on the third card, and then what? Invalid employment? In that case. 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. 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.

The above is the first thing to do as a new immigrant to the United States. These things can make you get along more harmoniously with America and make you feel more belonging to America.