10 Things You Should Do Right After Arriving in the U.S.

The first few weeks after landing in the US are equal parts exciting and overwhelming. What catches most newcomers off guard is how interconnected everything is — you can't open a bank account without an address, can't get a driver's license without a Social Security Number, can't build credit without a bank account. It's a domino chain, and the order matters. Some steps vary depending on your immigration status (green card holder, work visa, student, or corporate transferee), but the ten items below apply to nearly every Korean newcomer. Details are current as of 2026 — rules change, so always verify with the official agency website before you act.

This isn't a generic checklist. Each item includes the actual procedure, required documents, cost ranges, and the mistakes people most commonly make. Read it, then get moving.

Steps 1–2: Lock Down Your Address and Mail System

Everything else starts here. Your Social Security card, green card, bank statements, and government notices all arrive by mail, so you need a stable, official mailing address from day one. Short-term accommodations like Airbnb or hotels are often not accepted as a legal address for government purposes. If possible, arrange a temporary address before you fly — a relative's home or a Korean short-term rental works well. Once your address is set, visit usps.com to set up mail forwarding or rent a PO Box as a backup.

Common mistake: Changing addresses frequently causes you to miss critical mail from USCIS or the Social Security Administration. If you move, you are legally required to file a change of address using USCIS Form AR-11 (available online) within 10 days. This applies to both green card holders and nonimmigrant visa holders — no exceptions.

Step 3: Apply for Your Social Security Number (SSN)

Think of the SSN as the American equivalent of a national ID number. You'll need it for employment, credit card applications, tax filing, and — in most states — getting a driver's license. Wait at least 10 days after entry before applying, then visit your nearest Social Security Administration (SSA) office (ssa.gov). You can schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-772-1213, and Korean-language interpreter services are available upon request.

• Required documents: Passport, visa, I-94 arrival/departure record (print it at i94.cbp.dhs.gov), and employment authorization documents if applicable (EAD card or employer letter)
• Processing time: Expect your card in the mail 2–4 weeks after applying
• Cost: Free
• F-1/J-1 students — important: Students on F-1 or J-1 visas can only apply for an SSN if they have a job offer or active employment authorization — no exceptions. On-campus employment, CPT, or OPT all qualify, but you must bring your DSO's verification letter and your employer's offer letter. Receiving an SSN does not, by itself, grant you work authorization.

Steps 4–5: Open a Bank Account and Start Building Credit

You don't necessarily need an SSN to open a bank account. Major banks like Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo will often open a basic checking account with just your passport and an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) — some branches accept a passport alone. Policies vary by branch, so call ahead. In Korean-American hubs like LA Koreatown, Flushing (New York), or Annandale (Virginia), Korean-American banks such as Hanmi Bank, Cathay Bank, and PCB Bank offer Korean-language service and tend to be more flexible with documentation requirements. For a full walkthrough of the account-opening process, documents needed, and fee structures, see our US Bank Account Opening Guide.

Credit history is the other thing you want to start building immediately. As soon as your account is open, apply for a secured credit card. You deposit a security amount — typically $200–$500 — and receive a card with a matching credit limit. Use it consistently for 6–12 months and most issuers will upgrade you to a standard unsecured card. Your credit score affects far more than credit cards: it's checked when you rent an apartment, buy a car, and in some cases even when you apply for a job.

Step 6: Get Your Driver's License (DMV)

In the US, a driver's license doubles as your everyday photo ID. Licenses are issued by each state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and the process varies by state.

• General process: Schedule a DMV appointment → pass the written knowledge test → pass the road driving test → receive your license
• Required documents: Passport, visa, SSN (or a letter confirming you're ineligible for one), and two proofs of residency (utility bill, bank statement, etc.)
• Cost: Varies by state, typically $30–$80
• REAL ID: As of May 7, 2025, a REAL ID-compliant document is required for domestic air travel and access to certain federal facilities. Most states issue a REAL ID-compliant license (marked with a star ★) to both citizens and permanent residents — but the rules differ by state.

⚠️ Washington State residents, pay close attention. Washington's REAL ID-compliant credential is the EDL/EID (Enhanced Driver's License / Enhanced ID) — and it is available to US citizens only. Green card holders and work visa holders cannot obtain one. Washington's standard driver's license is marked "Federal Limits Apply," which means it cannot be used for domestic air travel.

If you live in Washington State and are not a US citizen, you'll need to show one of the following at airport security (per Washington State DOL guidance):

• Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
• Passport — US passport or your Korean passport
• Employment Authorization Document (EAD, Form I-766)

For the record, a standard Washington license is perfectly fine for driving across state lines or taking Amtrak, and TSA does not require ID from travelers under 18 for domestic flights. Other states have different rules, so check your state's DMV website. (Current as of 2026.)

Washington State Tip: Where You Test Matters More Than How You Study

Washington's written knowledge test is available in Korean — both paper and electronic formats support Korean, along with Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Russian, and others. Confirm language availability with your chosen office when you book.

The real bottleneck isn't the test itself — it's the appointment wait time, which varies wildly by location. When preparing for the test, the Lakewood and Federal Way DOL offices were running more than four weeks out due to high demand. The Lacey DOL office, a bit farther away but much less crowded, had appointments available within two weeks.

Practical tip: Don't limit your search to the nearest office. Check DOL offices within a 30–60 minute drive — you can compare available dates across multiple locations in Washington's online booking system at once. Spending an extra hour in the car can easily save you two weeks of waiting. Offices in or near dense Korean-American communities like Seattle and Tacoma tend to have the longest backlogs.

Steps 7–8: Get Health Insurance and Register a Primary Care Doctor

Medical costs in the US are extraordinarily high. Health insurance is not optional. If your employer offers coverage, enroll through HR during your onboarding window. If you're self-employed or your employer doesn't offer insurance, compare plans at Healthcare.gov (the ACA Marketplace). Students are often automatically enrolled in a school health plan — check with your campus health insurance office. If your income is limited, check whether you qualify for your state's Medicaid program before shopping for private plans. If terms like premium, deductible, and copay are unfamiliar, read our US Health Insurance Basics guide first.

Once you're insured, register an in-network primary care physician (PCP) right away. Many plans require a referral from your PCP before you can see a specialist — without one, you may be responsible for the full cost. To find a Korean-speaking doctor, search the Korean American Medical Association directory or use Zocdoc and filter by "Korean-speaking."

A common misconception: You do not have to wait until the November Open Enrollment period. Moving to the US from abroad qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) — you have 60 days from the date you obtain lawful status to enroll in a Marketplace plan. Miss that window and you could go uninsured until the next Open Enrollment. Check Healthcare.gov immediately after arrival. (As of 2026; state-run marketplaces may vary.)

Steps 9–10: Enroll Your Kids in School and Prepare Your ITIN

If you have children, they have the right to enroll in the local public school regardless of your visa status. Go to the school district office or the school directly, fill out an enrollment form, and bring proof of residency, your child's immunization records, and previous school transcripts. Korean immunization records are generally accepted once translated into English.

If you are not eligible for an SSN but have a US tax filing obligation, you'll need an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) from the IRS. File Form W-7, which is generally submitted together with your federal tax return.

• ⚠️ Notarized copies are not accepted. The IRS requires your passport original or a certified copy issued directly by the passport-issuing authority.
• If you're not comfortable mailing your original passport, use an IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) or make an appointment at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) for in-person document verification.
• Processing typically takes around 7 weeks, though it can take longer depending on the time of year (as of 2026).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I open a bank account without an SSN?
Yes — several banks will do it. Korean-American banks in particular often accept a passport alone. You may be asked to provide an SSN or ITIN later for tax-reporting purposes on interest income.

Q: Can I drive on my Korean license right away?
In most states, yes — for a limited time. Carry your Korean license along with an International Driving Permit (IDP), and you can generally drive for 30–90 days after entry (the window varies by state). Once you establish residency, you're required to get a local license.

Q: How long does it take to get through all ten steps?
The two longest items are receiving your SSN (2–4 weeks) and completing the driver's license process including both tests (2–6 weeks). Most other steps can be handled within your first two weeks. Budget roughly 1–2 months for everything to fall into place.

Once you've worked through these ten steps, you have the foundation of your American life in place. Your next priorities: preparing for tax season, getting auto insurance, actively managing your credit score, and plugging into the local Korean-American community. Browse the Settlement Guide category on netraweb.com for in-depth articles on each of these topics.