first things to get done after poe

[8xeno8 1]

First things first for me will be apply for SSN... then i already have a deposit on my car and im going to pick it up on the morning after poe.

but then things just get blurry for me... what important things do i need to do within lets say the first 3 days of arrival into the US ?

Obviously im going to get married but thats happening 12 days after my arrival.

Im excited to hear some stories or just some advice, would be very helpful to help me remember some important things! Thank youuu!!!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Nothing really. You should wait around 10 days to get the SSN so your POE details has time to get into their system. You could open some joint bank accounts or try to start establishing your credit by getting a credit card (once you get the SSN). The real stuff happens after marriage (file AOS) and thereafter (get EAD, look for job etc). I can't think of anything that is so time sensitive that you need to do it within the first 3 days after POE. To be honest, you won't be able to do a lot of things until you have your Greencard. You are getting a car? How are you going to be insured or get your license?

[fantonledzepp 159]

Yep, I went to the SSA office on the very first Monday and was advised to wait two weeks to let my wife's info get into the system.

As far as the bank account, HSBC wanted a picture ID with the address on it. So we have to wait to go to DMV and get her ID. Ask your bank, they may want the same. And depending on your state and bank, your SO may not be able to get a state ID without the SS#

[Andrea&Henry 311]

There's no much you can do, besides getting marry. You can buy a car, but remember that a foreign license has a time in which cant be used anymore. Besides that, you can start adjusting to you new life, spending quality with your future wife, unpacked your stuff, and going around your new neighborhood. The first month, is the most exciting cause everything is new and its all about adjusting. I spent that whole month enjoying with my husband and planning our wedding. Take a time and rest from the whole paperwork, trust me, once you start filing for AoS you will be very busy . You can also start with the SSN but you need to wait at least, 2 or 3 weeks AFTER your arrival, also open some joints accounts after getting married. Basically that's all you can do the first weeks in terms of paperwork. But according to my experience, the best thing you can do is relax and enjoy the time. Starting with feeling comfy in your new house, unpack, go out and meet your fiance's friends, go to the malls, learn new address of supermarkets, pharmacy, bakery store, gyms, hospital etc etc, so when the times comes and you can get your green card, you can feel totally comfy with your new life. Im also doing some english studies for free in a high school near my home.

[venusfire503 54]

I would suggest getting sleep, getting familiar with your area, observing, figuring out where to find things (favorite foods, stores, etc).

Oh, and you could get a journal or notebook or something - write down your thoughts. Take pictures/videos, if you can. My SO did some of that when he first got here, and it's really nice to look over it now!

The best part, though, is enjoying the company of the person you love, knowing that you're finally together for good!

Enjoy!

venusfire

[X Factor 1,111]

Also buy the book "Culture Shock - USA" at Amazon.com for under $10 to get an idea of the culture in the US. It has been very informative for my fiancee.

[Moomin 292]

I'd suggest catching up with your fiance, unpacking and simply getting settled because you can't do that much without your ssn. After that, you can check to see if any bank will let you open a bank account. If your state/county clerk's office doesn't require ssn, you can apply for a marriage license as long as it's still valid on the day of marriage. This applies especially to those who have a waiting period from applying until getting married. See when you can be added to your future spouse's health insurance(if there is any).

I spent the first few days/weeks buying whichever I needed that I didn't bring, had sent or already purchased online before arriving. And cleaning. After a week, I applied for ssn, then state-ID. Then scanned all documents(the stamp in passport, i94 etc) for there sole purpose of not having to copy or scan 100 documents at the same time when preparing for AOS, and to have backup of it if anything went missing.

Congrats on approval, and upcoming wedding!

[khwaidee1 196]

Nothing really. You should wait around 10 days to get the SSN so your POE details has time to get into their system. You could open some joint bank accounts or try to start establishing your credit by getting a credit card (once you get the SSN). The real stuff happens after marriage (file AOS) and thereafter (get EAD, look for job etc). I can't think of anything that is so time sensitive that you need to do it within the first 3 days after POE. To be honest, you won't be able to do a lot of things until you have your Greencard. You are getting a car? How are you going to be insured or get your license?

We arrived POE on 9/2/12. Went SSA office on 9/4/12 and applied no problem, got her SSN card on 9/10/12. Went to the bank on 9/8/12 with her Passport and opened joint savings and checking accounts and got her an ATM card. I have a mortgage on my home so I can't add her to title without a credit check, same for utilities and needless to say she has no credit yet. Will get her an Amex and Visa card next. We get married on 10/5/12 and then file our AOS the next week.