MY ENDEAVOUR IS TO GIVE HERE ALL INFORMATION AN NRI WILL NEED FOR HIS EXISTENCE IN USA

 
If you are looking at this page either you are planning to take a trip to USA or you are already here. I will try to explain below all the absolutely necessary things you need to accomplish on your first few months here.
 
 
SOCIAL SECURITY:

Anyone seeking employment in the US (citizen, permanent resident, foreign worker) must have a Social Security Number.In order to get a new card, you will need to provide documents that show your age, lawful alien status, and who you are; for example, a birth certificate, passport/visa and employment verification.

To apply for a Social Security number and card, you need to complete Form SS-5 which is available for download at   SS-5 form   and submit evidence of your identity. Or you can obtain Form SS-5 by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local Social Security office. These services are free.

You will also need to submit evidence of your age, identity, and U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status.

Alien Status: SSA need to see an unexpired document issued to you by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), such as Form I-551, I-94, I-688B, or I-766. SSA will Not accept a receipt showing you applied for the document. If you are not authorized to work in the U.S., SSA can issue you a Social Security card if you are lawfully here and need the number for a valid nonwork reason. Your card will be marked to show you cannot work.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies of documents. We need original documents or copies certified by the custodian of the record. Notarized copies are also not acceptable.

Mail or bring the application and evidence in person to your local Social Security office. You can find that office at: SSA Office Locator  Your documents will be returned to you.

You should receive your card within two weeks of the date SSA have all the information they need to process your request. If you have not received your card within this time frame, contact the Social Security office where you filed the application and they will investigate to see why it is being delayed.

For information on social security number and to understand what it is  click here

 
 
OPENING BANK ACCOUNT:
You will need to open an account soon to deposit your paycheck and to withdraw funds.Several types of accounts can be opened. 1.checking account 2.savings account 3.Money Market accounts 4.Certificate of Deposits The specific options for each of these accounts varies from bank to bank To find out more about bank accounts in USA   click here
 
 
 
OBTAINING DRIVERS LICENCE IN USA:

Owning a car is a necessity in USA, unless your project is in places like Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago or Boston which are well connected by subway. For the majority of us people whose projects are not in places like these, car is one of the first things that you would need to get. It is better to learn driving in India and take your international driving permit. Many cities let you drive on an IDP, but you would be better off with taking a quick instructor course here, learning and mastering the different rules.Even if you have an IDP you will be better off getting a driving licence here because all states do not allow you to drive on an IDP.
 

If you are in USA on H-4 visa you will have to obtain a refusal of SS No from the social security Office to apply for drivers licence.Now a days some states don't give drivers licence to H-4 people.click here to visit social security office site for details.

You can visit the sites below to get all information for obtaining a drivers licence in USA. 
Department of Motorvehicle in various states of USA
Minnesota driver licence-new resident
NJ Driver Licences
Driving Tests in NJ
Online Guide to Practice Written test for Driving
Driving in USA-National Highway safety administration
 
 
BUYING A CAR:

These sites will help you to determine the car you will want to choose and to decide on the features you want. Best would be to become a member of  American Automobile Association-AAA.They have dealer referring options and you will get a better rate if you go through them.You will any way need to take AAA Membership as it is very useful if have some problem with the car on the road.
Be decided on a particular car model before you visit a dealer. Get Printouts of the approximate Price you have to pay for that model from the sites below and then Visit the dealer.Take along a friend who has been here sometime so that he/she can talk with the dealer and bring down the cost.Once you are certain of the car you want and the accessories you need you can concentrate on reducing the Price.All the best for your car hunting
 
EDMUNDS AUTOMOBILE BUYERS GUIDE
Kelly Blue Book for car Buyers
FOR USED CAR BUYERS-Carfax report
Car Buying Tips
 
 
 
 
 
CREDIT CARDS:
USA is a country of credit cards and credit history.It is very essential to have a credit card here. For more information about credit cards and how to obtain them click here
 
 
Credit cards are issued by banks as well as by Credit unions.Studies have showed have Credit unions offer lower interest rates and fees when compared with banks.To learn the comparison between rates of Credit unions and Banks  Visit Bank rate site  
 
You can also visit the sites of credit unions given here

USA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
AFFINITY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
EMPIRE CORPORATE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
DIGITAL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FEDERAL CREDIT UNIONS
 
 
RENTING APARTMENTS:
You will need to start your hunt for apartments as soon as you are on a project.Here are some sites that will help you.
Rent.com
Rent.net
Apartments.com
 
 
 
TIPS FOR THE NEW ARRIVAL
LIST OF THINGS TO BRING FROM INDIA
 
 
FOR STUDENTS COMING TO USA:
 
Study In USA
USA STUDY GUIDE
Edupass-Guide for study in USA
For Non-US students
American consortium of universities
ISTUDENT CITY
Admission guru
 
 
GETTING A PHONE/PHONE CARD/LONG DISTANCE COMPANY
To make calls to India and to other parts of USA you will need a longdistance phone company.To compare the rates of various long distance companies   click here
If you would rather use a phone card here are some points to look for before buying a prepaid phone card.
 
1.What is the cost per minute? Anything from 48¢ to 99¢ per minute is common among the various discount calling card retailers. Usually these cards are available in denominations of 20$, 25$, 40$, 50$, etc. giving you a fixed amount of calling time.
2.Is the billing on a per minute basis or on 6 second intervals? Is there a per-call surcharge (connection charge)? Most companies charge 1$ or more on each call as a connection charge.
3.What all counts towards the time of the call (is the actual connection time also included)? Many times it seems like you attempt a call, get a busy tone and the next time you try the call, some minutes have been used up though you've never made the call. Is there a minimum charge per call?
4.Are the rates different based on when you call (day-time, weekends, etc)? 5.Is customer support available to handle issues that you may face? Does this customer support have a 800/888 (toll-free) number? If general experience is anything to go by, this is an essential feature to have. 6.When does the card expire? Most cards expire in about 6 months from the first call made.
 
 
Here are some online calling card retailers
Tel3
Global online telecom
CYTUS Communications
World Quest
 

 
 
GREENCARD/VISA:
Homeland security
LAW OFFICES OF CARL SHUSTERMAN
LAW OFFICES OF SHEILA MURTHY
IMMIGRATION NETWORK
 
 
GREEN CARD APPLICATION STATUS:
To see how fast your greencard application is being processed in various centres..click here
You can also visit the sites below for processing details      

California

Nebraska

Texas

Vermont

Green card- Family based
Green card-labor certification:national interest waivers
 
 
OTHER INTERESTING SITES:

NRI ONLINE
FOR NRI RETURNING TO INDIA
 
 

This site is intended for reference purposes.If you have any suggestions you can contact me

SREEKULU

 
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