So you have received a US visa or a Green Card and now your relocation to the USA is imminent? We help you with the planning and have summarized all the important steps for your immigration.
Many US immigrants also want to take a piece of their old home with them into their new life. For this purpose, it is necessary to organize a mode of transport for furniture and other personal belongings before moving to the USA.
Basically, items can be transported to the United States by air freight in a plane or by ship in a sea container.
Transportation by air freight is more expensive than a sea container, as the price is calculated based on the weight of the goods to be carried. However, it is preferable if you want to take only a few moving boxes and items. By plane, short delivery times of a few days are possible, and the US states in the interior are also easy to reach.
A sea container is the best choice if you want to transport a lot of heavy goods. As a rule, shipping companies offer containers in standard sizes of 20 feet (33m³), 40 feet (67m³), and 40 feet high cube (78m³), for which a fixed container price is charged. However, if you decide to book a sea container, you must take into account the harbor fees and costs for customs, packaging materials, insurance, loading, unloading, and, if necessary, further transport by land.
If you need help with the planning, it is recommended to consult a professional service that will help you organize your relocation to the USA.
When planning a relocation to the USA, you should take a good look at your belongings and dispose of your obsolete items. So before you pay for transportation and customs, think carefully about which items should accompany you on your relocation to the USA and which ones are not worth transporting.
American houses and apartments are often partially furnished, so you don't need certain pieces of furniture. For example, most houses already have built-in kitchens and closets, or even walk-in closets. The USA also has its own standard sizes in some cases. American beds, for example, differ in size from those of many other countries, so it is not worth transporting mattresses and sheets.
Electrical outlets in the USA supply 110 volts, which stands in contrast to the 220 or 230 volts prevalent in Europe and elsewhere. Electrical appliances from these countries can only be used in America if an adapter is also used or a transformer is installed. Furthermore, American built-in kitchens are usually already equipped with electrical appliances, which makes transporting a stove, refrigerator & Co. an unnecessary expense.
Bringing cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles into the US involves high transportation costs and other hurdles. For example, some vehicles must be converted to US standards, easily incurring additional costs of $ 2,000 to $ 3,000. Certain types of vehicles (e.g., Smart, some diesel vehicles) cannot be registered in the USA in general. Check the U.S. Department of Transportation website for more information before planning to transport a vehicle.
If you want to immigrate to the USA together with your dog or cat, you must inform yourself about the entry regulations for pets beforehand. Each US state has its own regulations, which are more or less strict.
Accordingly, the documents and vaccinations you need for entry into the US with your four-legged friend vary. In some cases, quarantine may be required. The current regulations for bringing pets to the USA can be found on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Also, check with your airline to find out what transportation requirements apply to your furry best friend. Each airline has its own limits and specifications regarding size and weight when transporting pets. However, cats and smaller dogs can usually travel in a carrier with you in the cabin, while larger dogs must be carried in the cargo hold.
There are strict import regulations for entry into the USA. To avoid problems when crossing the border, you should pay special attention to the following products and items when packing your suitcase.
You should be very careful when transporting food to the United States. Some products may only be taken in specified quantities and in standard packaging, while other goods are generally prohibited. Check all current regulations shortly before your flight to the USA, as they can change at short notice. A comprehensive list of all prohibited foods can be found on the website of the U. S. Customs and Border Protection.
You are allowed to bring certain medications into the USA, including sleeping aids, heart medications, cough medications, and flu medications, if you need them. Obtain a medical certificate with an English translation to prove this at the US border. The medications must also be transported in their original packaging and should be in the necessary quantities.
You may bring up to $ 10,000 in cash, gold, or bonds into the United States duty-free. Amounts exceeding this limit must be declared to customs.
The first days and weeks in America are an exciting time. To ensure that your start into your new life goes as smoothly as possible, you should take care of the most important documents and policies shortly after your relocation to the USA, which are indispensable for all further steps.
The Social Security Card is the first document you need to apply for after you arrive in the United States. Having a Social Security Number is extremely important in America, as it is required for many purposes, such as opening a bank account or taking up employment.
You can apply for the card at your local Social Security Office. It's not necessary to show a lease or ownership agreement for a residence, a temporary holiday lodging address will suffice. After about two weeks of processing time, you will receive your Social Security Card and be able to check off other items on your to-do list.
The American driver's license is also one of the documents you should obtain as soon as possible after relocating to the USA. In most cases, you have a transition period while your driver's license from your home country remains valid, but the American one is more than just a driver's license.
It entitles you to drive in the USA, but it also has an identification function. Since there are no ID cards in the United States, you need your driver's license for various purposes, e.g., when dealing with authorities, applying for loans, or taking out insurance.
You can apply for your American driver's license at the DMV in your home state. The regulations for obtaining one vary from state to state. In some cases, you can exchange the driver's license without additional requirements, but often you have to take a vision test and a theoretical test. Sometimes a practical driving test and other documents are also required.
Furthermore, in some states, it is illegal to hold two driver's licenses, and you must surrender the document from your home country in order to obtain your American driver's license.
The system of health insurance in the USA differs greatly from that in other parts of the world, e.g., Europe, and focuses much more on individual responsibility. The US health insurance market is crowded by numerous private providers offering a wide variety of insurance packages.
The best thing to do is to take enough time to check out different offers in order to identify the package that best suits your personal situation and needs. Therefore, it is recommended that you first take out travel health insurance for the USA, which will cover you for the first few months after your relocation.
-> Get a quote for your travel health insurance from our partner Onshore Kare
After your relocation to the USA, you will need an American bank account to manage your finances. Since you are a newcomer to the United States and do not have a credit score yet, the US banks will probably not give you a credit limit or issue you a credit card at the beginning.
In order to obtain a card, you will need to establish a credit history that proves that you have consistently paid your bills and debts. This process can take several months.
American Express is the perfect credit card for US immigrants. The "AMEX" offers you the advantage that you can apply for it in your home country. Once you arrive in America, you can easily get a new card bearing your credit card number and start building your credit score right after your relocation to the USA. Immigrants from certain countries (e.g., Australia, Great Britain, India, Canada) can even have their credit score carried over from their home country.
California, Texas, or New York? There are so many great US states! If you haven't already lost your heart to a particular region, check out our current top lists and find out where you can best start your American dream.
And don't forget: only with a Green Card can you live and work in the United States permanently. The easiest way to acquire the popular Permanent Resident Card is through the US government's annual Green Card Lottery. Sign up now for the next draw!
Win one of 55,000 Green Cards in the official Green Card Lottery of the US authorities!