Moving to the US: The ultimate relocation checklist

Read our guide to moving to America seamlessly! We cover everything from visas and social security numbers to finding a home and opening a bank account.

Ivandzhelin

8 minute read

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Updated on 24 Sep 2024

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Moving

Planning on moving to the US but need help figuring out where to start? No worries. We’ve created a 6-month timeline for moving to America specifically for internationals. From obtaining visas and securing housing to booking a flight and insurance coverage, we’ve covered all the basics. So, without further ado, let's move you to America!

So, it’s time to start preparing for your move to the US. Some items need to be checked off your list immediately in order for your relocation to go smoothly. This includes applying for a visa and making a budget.

Apply for a US visa

The first thing you need to do is figure out if you need a visa. There’re 3 instances in which foreigners don’t need visas:

1. You’ve been granted a visa waiver (up to 90 days)
2. You’re a Canadian citizen (up to 6 months)
3. You’re under an Automatic Revalidation (up to 1 month living outside the US)

In all other cases, you need an American visa to move to the US. Depending on the type of American visa you need, the process can take 1 to 7 months.

The US has 2 general visa categories:

1. Non-immigrant visas: for foreigners who plan on moving to the US temporarily, e.g. travelling to the US or having a flight layover
2. Immigrant visas: for those who want to relocate to the US permanently.

So, if you’re moving to the US for university, you need to apply for an American student visa, a type of non-immigrant visa.

Depending on your reason for moving to the US, there are 3 general immigrant visa categories for which you can apply. These are visas that allow you to live in the US for an extended period of time:

1. Immediate relative and family-sponsored visa
2. Employer-sponsored visa
3. Other immigrants

Don’t forget that all of your documents have to be translated into English and legalized. To learn more about the different types of visas, the application process, costs, and necessary documents, check out our guide on immigration to the US.

Make a budget for moving to the US

When planning on moving to the US, the costs can quickly get out of hand. Your expenses will vary, but you can expect to spend between $6,405 and $10,575 on your move overall. Make a budget covering things like shipping, flights, rent, and food, and ensure you've got some extra money for unexpected expenses. Here is a sample budget for moving to the US:

These expenses will vary depending on where you’re traveling from. Don’t forget to account for the cost of living in the city you’re moving to, as the cost of living in New York will vary greatly from the living expenses in Charlotte.

Decide on your current home, car, and pets

Are you a renter or a homeowner? If you're a renter, check the notice period you need to give your landlord. If you're a homeowner, look into renting out your place or finding someone to house-sit for you.

Look into selling or shipping your car to the US. As you're moving to the US, leaving your car in the garage isn't advisable, as not turning on the engine for long periods can drain the battery.

Ensure your pet has all the vaccinations, their passport, and insurance to travel to the US. Also, check if bringing your pet to America is permitted and if there are any additional requirements. Make sure the airline you're flying with permits flying your pet, too.

In the 3 months leading up to your move, it’s time to prioritize finding a place to live, booking your flights, applying for social security, and deciding on what you’re bringing with you. Let’s break them down.

Find your new home and sign the rental agreement

It's best to find a place to live and sign the contract before you've arrived to save yourself the stress of looking for one in your first days. When choosing a place to live, consider the proximity to work or university, access to public transport and freeways, amenities and schools, and safety and affordability. Check out our guide to finding an apartment in the US for tips and tricks for getting your dream home.

When booking from abroad, your best option is to use an online rental platform like HousingAnywhere. You can reserve a place months in advance, ensuring you have accommodation ready upon relocating to the US. Plus, we provide tenant protection, guaranteeing a full refund if the place doesn't match the photos.

Tip: We’ve already created guides for neighborhoods in New York or the best neighborhoods for young professionals in Boston, which can help you choose your new neighborhood more easily. If you’re setting off to sunny Los Angeles, we can also help you find the safest areas to live in LA.

Book your flights

By this point, you should know when you're moving. You will have either received your US visa or will soon receive it. To save money, look for flights with connections and book tickets on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Sunday as prices are lower then. Also, look into "Cancel for any reason" flight insurance if you aren't able to move to the US at the last moment.

Apply for a Social Security number (SSN)

An American Social Security number (SSN) allows you to open an American bank account, file taxes, and get benefits. It’s mandatory for every citizen in legal employment.

You can request an SSN when applying for your visa, by filling in Form DS 230 or Form DS 260. Once you’ve moved to the US, the Social Security office will mail your SSN to the address in your visa application. You should receive your SSN within 3 weeks of your move.

If you don't request your SSN when you're applying for your visa, you need to visit the Social Security office once you've relocated to the US. Be sure to bring the following documents when you go to apply:

• Valid passport with your machine-readable immigrant visa (MRIV)/permanent resident card (Form I-551)
• Your birth certificate (and that of every family member applying for SSN)

Collect all of the necessary documents

Ensure your documents, like birth certificate, passport, academic paperwork, driver’s license, and medical history documents, are in order.

The most important thing is to make sure your passport isn't expiring in the next 6 months. If that’s the case, you’ll need to exchange it before proceeding, as you won’t be able to travel.

On that note, if you have a driver’s license and plan on driving once you move to the US, you need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) from your home country. This permit is your driver's license's official translation; you need it to drive in the US legally.

What to bring when moving to America?

Begin by inventorying your belongings, categorizing them, and deciding what is essential for your new life in the US. Think of which ones you will take on the plane, what you can buy in the US, and which you'll ship to the US.

Tip: If you have a lot of luggage that isn't furniture, compare the cost of shipping it to the cost of paying for a few extra suitcases. It might be cheaper and quicker to take your belongings with you.

Only 1 month left until the big move to the US! It’s time to wrap up your life in your current home. Submit your notices at work and to your landlord, cancel bills, and pack. Easier said than done, which is why we explain each one in detail.

Provide your month’s notice

If you aren't relocating to the US because of work, you'll need to give your notice at your current workplace. Check your contract to see how much notice you need to give and the terms of ending your employment.

The same goes for your current home, but it mainly applies to renters. Inform your landlord by giving them a written month's notice that you leave. If your rental agreement isn't ending, make sure to check if there are any early cancellation fees on your lease.

Cancel your utility bills and monthly subscriptions

Canceling your utility bills and monthly subscriptions before moving to the US is a no-brainer, but it can be easy to overlook in the chaos of packing. It's essential to cancel them on time to avoid late fees, prevent identity theft, save up some money for your relocation to the US, and receive any refunds.

Pack your your luggage

You've probably already gotten rid of any non-essential items you want to avoid bringing to America. Now, it's time to pack everything you want to take on the plane and ship the rest to your new home. Make sure you put your most valuable possessions in your carry-on as sometimes luggage can get lost or arrive later.

Once you’re done with packing, ship the belongings you don’t plan on taking on the plane with you, like furniture, lamps, kitchenware, etc.

Congratulations on your move to the US! Now that the difficult part is done, it’s time to enjoy your new life. But before you do that, make sure to take care of these things right after your move.

Collect your US residence permit/certificate (Green card)

The widely known "Green card” is a residence permit card issued to foreigners planning to relocate to the US permanently.

Moving to the U.S. with an immigrant visa makes you eligible for a Green Card as your relocation was sponsored by a family member or an employer or is issued on a humanitarian basis. Once you've gone through the application process and are approved, your residence card will be mailed to your U.S. address within a few weeks to a few months after your arrival.

If you're a student and you intend to become a permanent resident in the US, you need to apply for a Green Card through one of the immigration categories after the completion of your studies.

Register your address with the authorities

Your residential address is already registered when applying for your US visa. But other authorities require you register with them or update your address every time you move. These include:

• The US Postal Service (USPS)
• The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): only if you exchange your IDP for a US driver’s license
• The Social Security Administration (SSA)
• The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
• The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Failing to register an address with any of them can result in a fine and endanger your visa status. Usually, you have to inform the authorities soon after your move, but the exact time depends on the branch.

Apply for health insurance

While healthcare coverage is necessary when applying for a visa, health insurance isn’t mandatory for American residents. You don't need to sign up for health insurance once you move to the US.

Yet, we recommend getting health insurance as medical costs in the US are very high. You can search for the best American private health insurance provider that fits your needs. Prices vary between providers and insurance coverage, but you should expect to pay between $250 and $560 per month.

Medicare (public health insurance) isn't available to foreigners.

Open an American bank account

With a US bank account, you won't be charged hefty exchange rate fees when paying with your debit card. Besides, your salary will be directly deposited in your account and you can pay your bills quickly.

Some American banks don't allow foreigners to register online, so it's safest to do it in person. The 3 biggest banks offering accounts to non-US residents are:

• Citibank
• JPMorgan Chase
• Bank of America

Tip: The process of getting your American bank account might take a little while as the banks run an extensive background check. We recommend having some cash on you when you move so you won’t have to withdraw and pay ATM fees.