Your social security number is a unique identification. As a lawfully admitted alien with  INS permission to work in the U.S., you need a Social Security number. Also, if you are an alien who may not work, and are living in the U.S., federal laws require you to have a Social Security number to - be claimed as a dependent on a tax return, or enlist in the U.S. military service.

You may be required to have a Social Security Number for other reasons. State and local laws, conforming with federal law, may require you to give a Social Security number--even if you don't have permission to work. The Social Security Act permits state and local governments to use the Social Security number to administer laws related to: taxes, general public assistance, driver's license, or registration of motor vehicles.

Related Link:
Social Security Online: Official Social security website. Get all the information about social security number

If you don't have a valid work visa (like H1 and you are a dependent), you cannot get an SSN. To claim tax benefits you can apply/get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). To obtain a TIN, you must complete IRS Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

Related Links:
www.irs.gov : Internal revenue services official website. Get all the details about Tax Identification number.

What is an ITIN?
Who needs an ITIN?
How do I know if I need an ITIN?
Download Form W-7 : Application form for ITIN

Obtaining a driver's license is very essential. It not only gives you rights and permissions to drive but also acts as a Personal Identification Card just like SSN but with your photo and origin. In your day to day activity this will become an official identity license and termed to be your Photo Id. In most cases you are asked to show your DL for identification.

Related link:

www.dmv.org: Official website to know about how to get a drivers license. You will find all the information related to what you need to do to get a drivers license. Select the state where you are going to be and it will give all the details about the requirements for obtaining license for that state.

Bank Account, Credit card application [Top]

They are basically of two types - Savings a/c (with interest) and Checking a/c (with NO interest). Generally most people open a Checking a/c at first.

To open an account you need a social security number, however  since it  takes a week or more to get the social security number one can  request  the bank to verify the passport and open the a/c. Later do remember  to  inform  the bank once you receive your SS number.

You also need to show:- Driver's License, Employment - two year history. (Name, address, position, length of time on job) Income: base earnings, average overtime, commissions, bonuses, etc., current pay stub(s) from the last 30 day period, last two years W-2 forms.

To open a checking account, visit a bank and ask to open a checking account. You will need to deposit money into the account when you open it. You can deposit cash or traveler's checks. Checking and ATM

Choosing a Credit Card: First, consider the annual percentage rate or APR. Second, look at annual fees. There are many cards which not only don't charge any fees but also offer benefits like skymiles, some % cash back etc. Check card offers to see if you will be charged a fee for paying your bill late or going over your assigned limit.

Credit History: It is not so easy to get a credit card in USA. The application is scrutinized by the Credit Organization/Bank and the credit history checked up (They call up the banks where you have an account, to find out your balance and credit status etc). Actually it seems the credit history is traced from your Social  Security  No..

Be careful!: Do not apply for a credit card online with an unfamiliar company or with anyone that doesn't list a phone number or physical address. Also, watch out for outrageous promises of profits, guarantees of credit regardless of credit history, incredibly low prices or prizes that require payments up front. These are questionable policies anywhere, not just on the Internet. Important thing to keep in mind is that whenever you make a payment through a credit card make sure to tear the copy of the receipt in small pieces, so that nobody can use your credit card account.

Apartment, Telephone, Buying a car, Car insurance [Top]

Once you reach USA, you can ask your colleagues or friends about the apartments. You can also get information about Apartments from the brochures available at your local departmental stores. You can search over the internet. Compare the rents, other utilities Ask what are the utilities covered in the rent like water, eletrical or gas utilities, heat, gym or swimming pool (if there is one in the apartment complex), club house etc.? Sometimes utilities provided in the apartment are included in the rental amount or you might end up paying extra amount for the above services which would be costlier. There are a lot of sites on which you can search for the apartments. Some of the websites are: -

www.rent.net
www.apartmentsearch.com.
www.aptselector.com
www.apartmentlinks.net
www.aptsforrent.com
www.aptline.com
www.aptusa.com
www.Apartments.com
www.Apartmentworld.com
www.springstreet.com
 

To get your telephone service you will need to contact your local telephone company. The Telephone Company provides service only. You will have to provide your own telephone. Usually, it takes few days to get telephone service. Besides the cost of the telephone, there are installation fees, a monthly fee for using the service, and naturally, additional fees for long distance or international calls.

When asking for service there are numerous options - basic plan, full service plan or personal choice plan. Services differ on options like caller id, call waiting, call forwarding, call scanning and other features. For your long distance calls check around to find the best rate for your needs. There are several companies like AT&T, MCI, Sprint, etc. These companies can only provide long distance services. You will need a local access provider for connection to the telephone network. You can use calling cards also to call India. There are tons of calling cards available for calling to India. Ask your freinds, relatives about the reliability and quality of calling cards.

You can chat online with relatives in India using Yahoo messenger, MSN chat etc.
 

In the US, owning a vehicle is very important as a means of transportation. Vehicle purchase could be a car, van, SUV, Pick-up truck or a bike. There are three options in acquiring a vehicle. They are whether to Rent, Buy or Lease a car.

Having your own vehicle will reduce the dependency burden and more of it, you will have greater mobility. See what your needs are and what your driving skills are, to act as the first decider in car buying. But to be a driver you need to know/have few things:
- A valid U.S. driver's license or an international driving permit is required.
- Traffic flow is to your Right
- Cars are equipped with Left Hand steering
- Observe Speed Limits

Get your car registered at your local Motor Vehicles Licensing and Registration office. Car registration has to be done every year. Generally, your birthday month is picked for easy commit to memory

You will need a car insurance (auto insurance) know matter how safe you drive. There are different kinds of policies and quotes. Learn How to shop for car insurance. Progressive, Geico, AllState, StateFarm, NationWide, AAA, etc., are some of the insurance companies. Search over the internet to find out more about the  insurance companies or ask your friends, family about it.
To get a car insurance you can call insurance companies, go and see them or insure your car through Internet. When you'll insure your car you'll decide the amount of the coverage in case of accident and crash, and depending on other factors prices may vary from one to another company. But always try to get a full risk coverage! Understand are the terms and definitions before shopping for car insurance or dont feel hesitated to ask the insurance agent if you dont understand anything.

The only national auto insurance for foreign nationals is available through American Insurance Underwriters (AIU). The company handling their insurance plan , Sunrise Financial Concepts, can be reached at 1-800-478-7648, let them know you age, as insurance for individuals under 25 is more costly ! ! ! !

Medical Insurance [Top]

Visitor Insurance:  If you are visiting USA and need a reliable, affordable insurance with best coverage and rate, check out  medical insurance.

Employed in USA: If you are going to be employed in USA, your employer should provide you a medical insurance. Some companies provide it for your spouse and children too, otherwise you should buy a insurance for them.

Student in USA: Most colleges and universities in the United States have a clinic, an infirmary, or some other form of health care service for students, though usually not for their families. The "health fee" the student pays each term goes toward providing such services. Therefore, the services provided are often free or offered at a greatly reduced cost. Usually, however, university health services are limited to minor and emergency care. In case of a serious health problem, the university normally refers the student to a medical facility in the community, and the student, or his or her insurance, pays the costs. Your college or university should send you materials that discuss health care services and fees involved. If you do not receive such material, be sure to write and ask your international student adviser for this information before you leave your home country.

Related link: Information, tips and suggestions on obtaining the medical Insurance

There are four kinds of medical insurance you can get viz. HMO, PPO and POS plan. The basic difference between these plans is the cost, and the flexibility in choosing a physician.

• Fee-for-Service plans (This is the type of plan companies provide)
   
• Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)

HMO Advantages:

Nil or very low deductibles.
Comprehensive benefits.
Preventive care is often good.

 
HMO Disadvantages:

HMO plan includes only a particular chain of hospitals and doctors.
The patient must see doctors within the network.
The patient must get permission from the primary physician to see a specialist, or the HMO may not pay for the services.
HMO's often refuse to pay for the emergency visits, if they don't consider it as a true emergency.

• Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs)
  
  PPO Advantages:
  
  Patient can visit any doctor and hospital. They are categorized as preferred and non preferred providers.
  PPO covers all preferred providers according to their policy.

PPO Disadvantages:

For all non preferred providers PPO covers only 80% of all the expenses, depending on your insurance company rules. And rest has to be paid by you.

• Point-of-Service plans (POS): Point of Service plan, which combines the cost savings of a HMO with the flexibility of a PPO.
   

Related Link: Understanding health insurance terms