Short answer
Set up your US life in this order: open a bank account, apply for your SSN (~day 10), enroll in benefits within the 30-day window (and set your 401(k) for the employer match), get a secured credit card, line up housing (offer letter + upfront cash beats no credit), then your driver's license or state ID. Miss the benefits window and you wait until November; start credit late and housing gets harder.
Before you fly
- Open a multi-currency account (Wise/Revolut) so you have US account details on day one.
- Photograph every document: passport, visa, offer letter, marriage/birth certificates.
- Start researching housing in your office's city — and note which neighborhoods accept "no US credit" applicants.
Week 1: get money moving
- Open a US bank account in-branch with your passport and offer letter — no SSN needed.
- Get a US phone number / SIM (some banks and landlords want one).
- Review your W-4. If you have RSUs, request extra withholding now to avoid an April tax surprise.
Weeks 2–3: identity and the 30-day clock
- Apply for your SSN — you can usually do this about 10 days after entry; the card comes in 2–6 weeks.
- Enroll in benefits within 30 days of your start date. This is the one hard deadline most people don't know about — health, dental, vision, 401(k), HSA, FSA. Miss it and you wait until November open enrollment.
- Set your 401(k) to capture the full employer match from your first paycheck — it's free money you only get if you contribute.
- Get a secured credit card to start your credit history immediately.
Months 1–2: housing and your license
- Sign a lease. With no credit, offer 2–3 months upfront plus your offer letter and home-country bank statements — most tech-hub landlords accept this.
- Get a driver's license or state ID. Deadlines to convert a foreign license vary by state, sometimes as little as 10–60 days of residency.
- If your job needs a state professional license (PE, etc.), start it early — processing is slow.
Month 3: it starts compounding
- Your credit score begins to form — keep utilization low and autopay on.
- Sanity-check your tax withholding against your real bracket, RSUs included.
- Add your SSN to your bank to switch off backup withholding.
| When | Do this | Why it's time-sensitive |
|---|---|---|
| Before flying | Multi-currency account | Somewhere for paycheck + deposits |
| Week 1 | Bank account, W-4 | RSU withholding compounds if late |
| ~Day 10 | SSN application | Unlocks cards, removes withholding |
| By day 30 | Benefits + 401(k) | Hard window — else wait to November |
| Month 1–2 | Housing, license | State license deadlines bite |
Frequently asked
What should I do first when I arrive in the US?
Open a bank account (you don't need an SSN) and apply for your SSN around day 10. Those two unlock almost everything else — paychecks, credit, and removing backup withholding.
How long do I have to enroll in benefits?
Typically 30 days from your start date for health, dental, vision, 401(k), HSA, and FSA. Miss it and you usually wait until November open enrollment.
When can I apply for a Social Security Number?
Usually about 10 days after you enter the US. The card then arrives within 2–6 weeks.
Can I rent an apartment with no US credit history?
Yes. Offer 2–3 months of rent upfront along with your offer letter and home-country bank statements; most landlords in tech hubs accept this in place of a credit check.