Just Arrived: Your First Steps

1. Apply for a Social Security number (if eligible)

If you are authorised to work in the US, the SSN is your gateway to a lot: payroll, credit, and many accounts. Sometimes it is requested as part of your visa or immigration process. If not, you apply through the Social Security Administration, usually with an appointment at a local office and original documents proving identity and immigration status. It is free to apply.

2. Get a driver's license or state ID

Driving rules, and the licence itself, are handled by each state, not the federal government. That means the exact steps, tests and documents vary depending on where you live, and you generally have a limited window after establishing residency to switch to a local licence. Your UK licence may let you drive for a short period after arrival, but do not assume, check your state's rules.

To find the right official source, search for your state's motor vehicle agency (often called the DMV, MVD, BMV or similar) plus "new resident driver license." Bring proof of identity, residency and your immigration status, and your UK driving record can help. We do not link a single DMV here because it differs by state.

3. Sort a phone and SIM

A US mobile number makes everything else easier, since so many services text you a verification code. Your options usually include:

• A prepaid (pay as you go) SIM or eSIM from a major carrier or a lower-cost reseller. Quick, no credit check, good for your first weeks.
• A monthly contract (postpaid) plan, which often wants an SSN or a credit check, or a deposit if you have no US credit yet.

Check your current phone is unlocked and compatible with US networks before you rely on it. Starting prepaid and switching to a contract once your credit builds is a common path.

4. Set up utilities

For electricity, gas, water, internet and so on, you usually contact each provider directly once you have an address. Without US credit history, some utilities ask for a deposit up front, which you typically get back later. If you are renting, ask your landlord or building which providers serve the property, as in many areas the electricity or water company is fixed by location.

5. Understand US healthcare and insurance

This is the big cultural shift for Brits. There is no NHS equivalent, and healthcare is mostly paid for through health insurance, which can be expensive. Many people get cover through an employer. Others buy their own, or may use the government marketplace, and some qualify for public programs. Costs, networks and terms like "deductible," "premium," "copay" and "in-network" take some getting used to.

This is general information only. Being uninsured, even briefly, can be very costly in the US, as a single incident can run up large bills. Employer HR teams can explain workplace plans, and a licensed health insurance broker can explain other options. Our Health & Insurance guide explains how it all fits together.

6. Renting and housing

Most newcomers rent first. Landlords typically run a credit and background check, which is tricky when you have no US credit history yet. Common ways around it:

• Offer a larger deposit or a few months' rent up front.
• Provide a letter from your employer, proof of funds, and UK references.
• Ask about a guarantor, or a guarantor service.

Read the lease carefully, as terms differ from the UK, and budget for upfront costs like a security deposit and sometimes the first and last month's rent together.

7. Start building US credit from scratch

Your UK credit history does not come with you. In America you start again with a "thin file," which affects cards, car finance, renting and later a mortgage. Sensible first moves include a secured credit card, becoming an authorised user on the card of someone with established credit, and always paying on time and in full. It builds over months, so start early. Our banking guide goes into this in more detail.

8. Schools for the children

Public (state-funded) schools are free and are assigned largely by where you live, so your address often determines the school. You will usually need to register in person with documents such as proof of address, your child's immunisation (vaccination) records, and previous school records, so bring those from the UK. Private and charter schools have their own admissions. Search for your local school district for the official enrolment steps, as these are set locally.