Immigrating to US list

[Siddsgal 80]

Hey there! I haven’t found an actual list of needed items people recommend for their immigrating spouses so thought I’d ask if we could get a list of suggestions put together or the link if maybe I’m just not finding a thread that has this already. I know there’s a how did you welcome your spouse thread but I’m looking for more of a basic list of items that immigrating spouse needs. 
 

My hubby is coming to Wisconsin from India and this is all I can think of so I need some help with suggestions of basic things people need when move here lol.

 

Sweatshirts/warm jammie pants 

Socks

US Phone charger 

Winter coat/boots

Gloves/hat

 

 

[Pupmom 24]

coming to Wisconsin - warm weather stuff is a great advance prep add! 

Where in India is he coming from? And any idea of what he likes/dislikes or what he is like overall (loves Indian food, Indian TV etc. or okay with American things?). I would say a few things to add:

 

1. Smart phone and SIM card. He would probably want to call home often so either pre paid calling card or making sure his family can WhatsApp etc.

2. Indian TV subscription. (Can we done after he gets there, takes all Of 10 minutes - may especially need if he is into Cricket etc.). Netflix/Amazon have plenty of Indian content so May not even be needed. 

3. Know where the Indian grocery store is - maybe he might want some food/spices that he didn’t get with him. 
4. Not sure if he is religious but an idea of where the nearest place of worship for him is (catering to community from India). 
5. kind of silly but a lot of Indian folks take forever to get used to TP, so if you can add a bidet to the WC am sure he will appreciate that! 
 

 

[Mike E 11,742]

In the specific case of OP, someone from the tropics living in a sun deprived area: vitamin D pills. 

[millefleur 5,047]

If he's bringing a laptop, he probably needs to get a US charger for that, too.

 

Since he's from India, if there are any dry goods foods or spices he's particularly fond of, probably better to bring some of that with him rather than try to find it here. Especially if there isn't an ethnic food store in your area.

 

If he's used to any particular medications/treatments that are harder to find OTC here, probably better to bring some of that too. An example of how some things are hard to find: it's absolutely insane to my husband how we looked for this nose steamer/inhaler thing that is super common in Russia (it costs only a few dollars and can be bought at any corner pharmacy) only to learn that it is simply non-existent here. We had to get my MIL to ship us a couple from Russia. So, any kind of weird little commonplace device like that which he might be used to and just assume is easy to find here might not be. That could also include maybe cooking utensils, hygiene items or anything else "country specific" that could be hard to find here.

 

Depending on how outdoorsy he is or how much time he wants to spend outside during winter, long underwear might be a good investment. If your place gets really dry due to central heat in winter, perhaps a humidifier is a good idea, especially if he's use to a wetter climate, it helps a lot to keep the nose from overly drying out.

Edited February 7, 2022 by millefleur

[TBoneTX 45,827]

Not a "fun" list, but an important list:

 

Multiple official copies (at least two) of:

 -- birth certificate

 -- divorce certificate, if applicable

 -- children's birth certificates, even if staying in India

 -- school transcripts

 -- vaccination record (with clinic's stamp on it)

 -- driver's license (new, or renewed as recently as possible)

 -- renewed passport, if possible/feasible

 -- other important medical records, if applicable

 -- any official document that would be expensive, difficult, or impossible to obtain from afar

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

Agreed with @millefleur regarding pharmacy stuff.

If he needs some sort of medication it is better if he brings it rather than buying it here; in such case is very important to check prior leaving if any substance he takes is banned in the US. Also important is to bring a prescription. 

He should also bring any personal care items that he might not find here, such as a particular toothpaste or shampoo. 

 

As an idea, you could treat him with a set of men's care products, the kind that include beard oil, after shave, shower gel, etc. 

 

[NandV 87]

If he's coming to Wisconsin:

 

US purchase:

1. Parka

2. Warm boots/snow boots

3. Warm clothing

4. I would say to just switch to a US based phone number. Maybe add another line to yours

5. I agree, find the local worship place

6. Nearest Indian restaurant 

7. Netflix - good enough imo. Sling/willow is a good way to get cricket

8. Cuddles hehe

 

India purchases:

1. Spices - harder to find specific or rare ones in midwestern states

2. Some home cooked sweets

3. All important docs

4. Traditional indian clothes - always useful in the US LOL

5. Any specialized pots/pans he needs for cooking food

6. India charger - but will need a convertor