Congratulations on your Diversity Visa! The first 30 days in the U.S. can be exciting but overwhelming. To help you settle in, focus on five key areas: Housing, Banking & Credit, Healthcare & Insurance, Job Search, and Driver’s License & Transport. Follow this checklist to make your transition as smooth as possible.
Housing
Finding the right place to live is a top priority. Aim to secure a lease or temporary accommodation immediately.
- Affordable programs: Explore government rental aid such as HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) or subsidized/public housing programs. Contact your local public housing agency (PHA) early—these programs often have long waiting lists.
- Housing search: Use reputable websites like Craigslist, Zillow, and Apartments.com, plus local newspapers. Beware of scams: never wire money without viewing the property in person. Local immigrant or refugee assistance centers (for example, Catholic Charities or Lutheran Social Services) can also offer referrals or emergency shelter options.
- Documents for renting: Be ready with:
- Passport and visa or green card
- Social Security number (or a letter from the SSA showing it’s pending)
- Proof of income (job offer letter or recent bank statements)
- References (previous landlords or employers)
Most landlords require first and last month’s rent plus a security deposit up front.
- Temporary accommodation: While you look for a longer-term lease, consider staying with friends or family, booking an extended-stay motel, or renting an Airbnb. In extreme cases, emergency shelters or transitional housing programs may be available through local nonprofits.
- Tenant rights: Always sign a written lease and keep copies of everything. Learn your rights through your state housing agency or local legal-aid organizations. If you run into issues—needed repairs, deposit disputes, etc.—reach out promptly for assistance.
Banking & Credit
Opening a bank account and building credit are essential for daily life and future purchases.
- Open a bank account: Go to a bank or credit union branch in person with two forms of government ID (passport + green card or visa), proof of address (lease or utility bill), and an initial deposit. If you don’t yet have an SSN, ask whether an ITIN or a pending-SSN letter will suffice. Credit unions often have more flexible requirements for newcomers.
- Understand the credit system: U.S. lenders rely on credit reports and FICO-style scores. The most important factor is your payment history—always pay on time. Keeping your credit utilization under about 30% of your limit also helps maintain a healthy score.
- Build credit history:
- Secured credit card: You put down a cash deposit equal to your credit limit, and the card issuer reports your payments to the credit bureaus.
- Authorized user: Ask a trusted family member or close friend to add you as an authorized user on their card. Their good payment history will help you.
Charge small, regular purchases and pay your full balance every month—never carry a balance if you can avoid interest charges.
- Debit vs. credit cards: Debit cards draw directly from your checking account (no credit reporting). Credit cards let you borrow on a revolving line, which you repay monthly. Used responsibly, credit cards help build your credit history and sometimes offer perks or cash back.
- Monitor and manage: Sign up for online and mobile banking to track transactions in real time and spot any fraud. Once you have credit, pull your free annual credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com to check for errors.
Healthcare & Insurance
U.S. medical care is expensive, so securing health insurance immediately is critical.
- Get insured quickly: Enroll in your employer’s group plan if they offer one. If not, shop on HealthCare.gov or your state’s insurance marketplace during the open enrollment period. If your household income is low, you may qualify for Medicaid—check your state’s rules, but note that many new green-card holders face a five-year waiting period for Medicaid eligibility.
- Public vs. private insurance: Medicare covers people 65+ or with certain disabilities and won’t apply to you yet. Medicaid and CHIP serve eligible low-income families and children. Most DV winners will rely on employer plans or private marketplace policies.
- Find a primary care provider (PCP): Once you have a plan, use your insurer’s directory to choose an in-network doctor. Having a PCP means you have someone to handle routine checkups and referrals to specialists.
- Understand costs: Insurance plans include monthly premiums, annual deductibles (what you pay before insurance starts covering you), and co-pays or coinsurance for doctor visits and prescriptions. Preventive services (vaccines, annual checkups) are often free. For non-emergency needs, urgent-care clinics cost much less than emergency rooms.
- Emergency services: In life-threatening situations (heart attack, stroke, severe trauma), dial 911. By law, hospitals must stabilize you regardless of insurance or ability to pay. However, ER visits can still cost thousands of dollars, so reserve them for true emergencies.
Job Search
Your green card grants you full work authorization—no separate work permit or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) required. Now it’s time to find a job.
- Leverage career resources: Visit your local American Job Center (also called One-Stop Career Center) for free services: career counseling, résumé workshops, interview prep, and job listings. Online tools like CareerOneStop and MyNextMove help you explore careers and training programs.
- Online job boards: Create profiles on Indeed, Monster, LinkedIn, and the career pages of companies you’re interested in. Upload a concise, 1–2 page English-language résumé—no photos or personal details like marital status or age. Tailor your résumé keywords to each job description.
- Networking: Many U.S. positions are filled through referrals. Tell friends, family, and former colleagues you’re looking. Join professional associations, attend local meetups or industry events, and schedule informational interviews (15-minute chats) with contacts in your field.
- Résumé and interviews: Emphasize quantifiable achievements (e.g., “Increased sales by 20%,” “Managed a team of five”). Research common U.S. interview questions and practice your answers. Dress in business-casual or professional attire, arrive early, offer a firm handshake, and maintain polite eye contact.
- Taxes and paychecks: After accepting an offer, you’ll complete Form I-9 (your green card and SSN verify your eligibility). Your employer will withhold federal and state income taxes and Social Security/Medicare. Keep your pay stubs and the annual W-2 form; you’ll file federal and, if applicable, state returns by April 15 each year.
Driver’s License & Transport
Getting around the U.S. often means driving, but public transit can work in many cities.
- Obtain a driver’s license: As a permanent resident, apply at your state’s DMV. Bring your green card, SSN or SSA denial letter, and two proofs of local residency (lease, utility bills). You’ll take a written knowledge test, a vision screening, and a road-test driving exam. Once you pass, you’ll receive a state license that doubles as REAL ID for domestic flights.
- Public transportation: Major cities typically offer buses, subways, light rail, or trams. Use Google Maps or a local transit app to plan routes and view schedules. Many systems sell weekly or monthly passes for discounted unlimited rides.
- Rideshare apps: Download and set up Uber or Lyft with your payment information for convenient on-demand rides anywhere transit doesn’t go (or late at night).
- Car rental and purchase:
- Renting: Requires a valid license and major credit card; drivers under 25 may have extra fees.
- Buying: Research prices on sites like Kelley Blue Book, obtain a vehicle history report, and have any used car inspected by a mechanic before purchase. Register your car and purchase at least the state-required liability insurance. Factor in ongoing costs like gas, maintenance, and insurance premiums.
If you only need occasional access, look into car-sharing services (Zipcar, Turo) or carpool groups before committing to ownership.
By following this five-part checklist during your first month, you’ll build a solid foundation for life in the U.S. Welcome, and best of luck on your new adventure!