After you are admitted on an immigrant visa, your green card is mailed to your U.S. address, usually after you have paid the USCIS immigrant fee. In the first 90 days, check that your Social Security number and card arrive, report address changes on Form AR-11 within 10 days, set up banking and ID, sort out health insurance, and plan to file U.S. taxes on worldwide income. This is general information.
Arriving in the United States on an immigrant visa is a big moment, and the first three months are busy. There are a few legal duties that apply from the start, and many practical tasks that are easier if you know them in advance. This article gives a general checklist. Rules and processing times change, and your own circumstances may differ, so treat it as a starting point and confirm important points with an immigration attorney or the official agency. It does not promise any outcome.
Your green card and admission
Before you travel, you will usually need to pay the USCIS immigrant fee online, so that your green card can be produced after you are admitted. When you arrive, a Customs and Border Protection officer inspects your immigrant visa packet and admits you as a permanent resident. The physical green card is then mailed to the U.S. address you gave, often within a few weeks, though timing varies. Make sure someone at that address will receive mail. Check the card carefully for spelling and date errors, and contact USCIS if it has not arrived after a reasonable time or if anything is wrong. Adults are required to carry their green card, so keep it with you and keep a copy at home.
Report address changes within 10 days
Non-citizens in the United States must tell USCIS when they move, within 10 days of the move, using Form AR-11, which you can file online. This applies even if you move only a short distance. Do it every time, and keep the confirmation. Updating your address with the post office does not replace this step.
Social Security number and ID
A Social Security number (SSN) is used for work, taxes and many financial services. If you asked for one on your immigrant visa application, the card is often mailed automatically after you arrive. If it does not arrive, or you did not request it, apply with the Social Security Administration, bringing your passport and immigrant visa evidence. Never pay anyone to apply for you, as it is free. After that, get a state driver's license or state ID from the motor vehicle office in your state, since requirements differ by state. Keep your passport, which remains your main identity document from your home country.
Money, health and taxes
| Task | What to know |
|---|---|
| Bank account | Bring your passport, green card and proof of address. Ask about fees and avoid sharing your online banking passwords. |
| Credit history | You start with little or none. Pay bills on time, and be careful with high-interest loans. |
| Health insurance | Medical care in the U.S. can be very expensive. Check whether your employer offers coverage and when it starts, and look at what is covered before you need care. |
| Taxes | As a U.S. resident you are generally taxed on your worldwide income and file a return every year. Ask a qualified tax professional about your situation. |
| Emergency contacts | Save 911 for emergencies, plus a contact in the U.S. and one at home, and the address of your nearest consulate or representative office. |
Keep your documents and money safe
- Store your green card, passport and visa packet safely, and keep scanned copies in a secure place.
- Your employer should not hold your original documents or take fees from your wages for recruiting you. If this happens, see warning signs in recruiter promises.
- Know your basic workplace rights, including minimum wage and overtime rules that apply to your role, and keep your own record of hours worked.
- Be careful with offers of "help" with immigration paperwork from people who are not attorneys. Learn what to expect from the job in EB-3 jobs, wages and duties.
- If you plan to be outside the U.S. for a long time, ask an attorney first, because long absences can affect permanent resident status.
Settling in takes longer than 90 days, and it is normal to feel overwhelmed. If you are preparing for the journey, you can read families' stories or contact us with general questions. We cannot give legal advice or guarantee any outcome.
Official sources
- USCIS, Form AR-11, Alien's Change of Address Card
- Social Security Administration, Social Security Numbers for Noncitizens
- USCIS, Green Card
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