US Guide

Now that I have completed a month in a US and have got many of the basic things done (like SSN, Bank account, Mobile connection, Apartment...), I just thought will share the process and guide so that it would be useful for others who are landing new just like I did.

Applying for SSN (Social Security Number)

First and foremost thing to do is to apply for a SSN which is similar to our PAN. Its very simple. All we have to do is download the PDF form from the below site, fill it out and go to one of the SSN office directly.

http://www.ssa.gov/
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10120.html
http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf

Though the site says you need many information most probably they would ask only for the following Docs:-

• Passport with valid visa
• I-94 (Departure card)
  

To find out a near by SSN office use the below site and enter the zip code
https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/fo001.jsp

For Jersey City the zip code is 07307 and the nearest SSN office is
SOCIAL SECURITY

3000 KENNEDY BOULEVARD

JERSEY CITY, NJ 07306

1-800-772-1213

This office is very close to Journal Square and we can take the Mini Bus shuttle that goes between New York and New Jersey along the JFK Boulevard. Within 2 or 3 weeks we would get the SSN mailed to the mentioned address. I gave my office address as I hadn’t shifted to an apartment by then. The SSN number would be in the format:- 999-99-9999.

Getting a Mobile Connection

There are number of service providers like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile etc. But most of them don’t give us a mobile connection without a Credit History [that refers to the transaction of payments that you have done in the country]. Obviously for a new person that is going to be difficult. But T-Mobile alone gives you a connection without any credit history. All you need is a Passport with a valid visa.

Documents Required:-
- Passport with valid visa

You should able to find many shops, can use the google to search. For Jersey City there is one in Journal Square. They have many plans for single or family use and depending on our option we can choose. I got a family plan which includes 2 mobiles free Samsung blast & Nokia 6263 (there are few mobiles in the free list and if you choose any other mobile apart from that you may have to pay extra depending on the model). The monthly rent is about $69 + tax and it’s a contract for a year. Normally the contract is for 2 years but the guy assures for 1 year. Unlimited calls to any T-mobile and 1000 mins free for other nos. This 1000 mins includes even the incoming calls. But generally (throughout US) all calls over the weekends and all calls after 9pm before 8 am over the weekdays are free.

Opening a Bank Account

If your company as a corporate account, then you won’t have any issues as the HR-Admin would do everything for you. I never thought opening a Bank Account in US is easy as well. But again it depends on the Bank. Bank of America has many branches and lot of ATM’s and so I would suggest opening the account with them. The Documents Required are:-

• Passport with valid visa
• Credit Card (can be Indian card - for second identity)

It takes about an hour to get all your details but instantly they give a temporary debit card and 3 checks each for checking’s and savings account. After a week you will get your Debit card with photo. You need SSN for opening a Credit card and for a new person the limit is only $500. It can be increased only on credit history for which you have to use the current card for couple of months and make the payment regularly.

If you hadn’t applied for SSN, there is an option in Citibank where you can pay $500 and get a Credit card (its like a prepaid credit card). Based on the credit history of this card you can apply for a permanent credit card later.

Searching for a House and stuff

Craigslist [http://newjersey.craigslist.org] is one of the sites where we can keep looking for posts on Rental apartments. We can also look for electronics and furniture on second sale in the same site. It has links to all states of US and so I’m sure it would be helpful whichever part of US you are in. You can search based on the type (Apartment, Electronics, Furniture), date, the range of amount etc.

For Apartments
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/apa/

For Electronics
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/ele/

For Furniture
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/fur/

Apart from this if you are looking at Laptops, Camcorder, Digital Cameras to purchase you have many discounts and sales. Keep looking at the below site for offers
http://www.deals2buy.com/