First Steps in the US for Ukrainians: Bank, Credit History, Renting, Car, Healthcare and School

Often you can: many banks and credit unions open accounts with a passport and an ITIN, and some with just a passport.

• Federal law does not specifically require an SSN, but the bank must verify your identity. So each bank decides which documents to accept.
• Bring your passport, I-94 or EAD, proof of address (a lease, a utility bill) and your ITIN if you have one.
• Go to a branch. Online banks usually do not open accounts without an SSN.
• If you were refused because of a ChexSystems check, the bank must tell you so.

When you get your SSN, bring it to the bank and update your information.

An ITIN is an IRS tax number for people who are not eligible for an SSN but must file taxes or be listed on a tax return.

• You apply with Form W-7, usually together with your tax return.
• An ITIN does not give you the right to work and does not make you eligible for Social Security benefits or the EITC.
• If you have an EAD, you are eligible for an SSN and do not need an ITIN. You file taxes with your SSN.

An ITIN is useful, for example, for a family member without work authorization whom you list on your tax return. Read more about taxes in the "Benefits and Taxes" topic.

Start with one simple card and pay on time, because payment history affects your score the most.

1. Secured card: you make a deposit, and it becomes your limit. The key is that the bank reports to all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). Ask about this before you apply.
2. Use a small share of your limit and pay off the full balance every month.
3. You can become an authorized user on the card of a person with good credit history.
4. After several months of on-time payments, the bank may move you to a regular card and return your deposit.

You can check your report for free every week at AnnualCreditReport.com, and it does not lower your score. Do not pay companies that promise to "fix your credit" for money: you can correct errors yourself for free.

You can, but you will need to make up for the lack of credit with other proof that you are reliable.

• Show your income: a letter from your employer, pay stubs, bank statements.
• Offer a larger deposit or payment for several months in advance, if your state's law allows it.
• Find a co-signer (guarantor) with good credit history.
• Look for private landlords rather than large complexes: they are more often willing to work with you.
• Get references from a previous landlord, your sponsor or your employer.

Never pay a deposit before you have seen the place and confirmed that the person is really the owner. Fake rental listings are common.

There is no single number: it depends most on the state and city, because rent in New York and in Ohio differs many times over.

Calculate the main expenses yourself:

• housing: first month, deposit, sometimes last month and application fees;
• transportation: in most cities you need a car, insurance and registration;
• phone, groceries, household items;
• healthcare: insurance or money for a doctor;
• documents and USCIS fees, if needed (some fees went up starting 10/16/2026).

Set aside a reserve for at least 2–3 months while you get your SSN, EAD and first paycheck. Until you get work authorization, you cannot work officially.

You can buy a car even without credit history. But insurance will be more expensive, and getting a loan at a normal interest rate is hard.

• Driver's license: the rules for foreign licenses and getting a local license are set by each state. See your state's DMV website and the "Documents" topic.
• Car insurance is required in almost all states. Compare offers from several companies: prices for a person without US driving history vary a lot.
• Before buying a used car, check its history by VIN and have it inspected by an independent mechanic.
• Read the loan or lease contract in full: the rate (APR), term, and extra "packages."

In the first year, many people buy an inexpensive car for cash to avoid overpaying in interest.

The easiest option is a prepaid plan: it usually requires neither an SSN nor credit history.

• Prepaid SIM or eSIM cards are sold at carrier stores, supermarkets and online.
• A contract with phone installments usually requires a credit check or a deposit.
• You will need a US number for your bank, work, USCIS and doctors, so get one as early as possible and keep the same one.

Never read out SMS codes over the phone and never pay "USCIS fines" over the phone: USCIS does not work that way.

In an emergency, go to the ER: the hospital must examine and stabilize you regardless of insurance or ability to pay (the EMTALA law).

• Non-emergency: look for a community health center at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov (federally funded health centers), as well as urgent care.
• Good faith estimate: if you are uninsured or paying yourself and book in advance, the provider usually must give you a written cost estimate. If the bill is $400 or more above it, you can dispute it.
• Ask about a self-pay discount, hospital financial assistance and a payment plan.

For ACA insurance, tax subsidies for parolees and TPS holders will end on 01/01/2027. Read more in the "Benefits and Taxes" topic.

Your child has the right to free public school regardless of immigration status: this was decided by the Supreme Court in Plyler v. Doe (1982).

• You enroll in the school district where you live. Usually you need proof of address, a document showing age (a birth certificate or passport) and vaccination records.
• According to federal guidance, a school should not require documents that discourage children from attending, such as proof of immigration status.
• For children who do not know English well, the school provides ESL/ELL programs.

A translation of Ukrainian grades will help determine the grade level. If the school refuses enrollment because of status, contact the school district or a legal advocacy organization.

Free English courses (ESL) exist in almost every city; you just need to look for them locally.

• Adult education through school districts and community colleges: often free or very cheap.
• Public libraries: conversation clubs, online courses with a library card.
• Churches, community and volunteer organizations, including those that help Ukrainians.
• Courses to prepare for the citizenship test are also often free.

Courses with live conversation are the best choice. English is the main thing that improves your chances of a better job.

There is no single government body in the US that "recognizes" diplomas. For work and study, your diploma is evaluated by a private credential evaluation service, and licenses are issued by each state separately.

• For college admission and most employers, order a credential evaluation (usually from NACES member services). First ask which service your college or employer accepts.
• For licensed professions (doctor, nurse, lawyer, teacher, CPA accountant, PE engineer), the rules are set by the state board: exams, proof of practice, English.
• Keep the originals and notarized copies of your diplomas and transcripts with grades.

Recognition of your diploma does not change your immigration status, but it is needed for work visas such as the H-1B or EB-3 Professionals.

Immigration legal help can be provided only by licensed attorneys and accredited representatives at organizations recognized by the Department of Justice (DOJ-accredited).

• A "notary" (notary public) in the US is not a lawyer and has no right to give immigration advice.
• Nobody can guarantee approval or "speed things up through connections": only USCIS decides on expedites.
• USCIS does not ask you to pay by phone, by transfer to a person, through Western Union, PayPal, Venmo or with gift cards.
• Official websites end in .gov. The DV lottery is free, and the State Department does not send emails about winning.
• Do not pay for TPS re-registration until USCIS has officially announced it.

Americanization helps with the technical side (filling out forms, support), does not pretend to be attorneys and does not promise results. Report scammers to USCIS or the FTC.

Hang up: these are scammers. Government agencies do not demand urgent payment by phone and do not threaten arrest over a call.

• Do not pay anything and do not give out your SSN, A-number, card details or SMS codes.
• Check your case status yourself in your account on uscis.gov or with your receipt number.
• You can forward suspicious emails sent in the name of USCIS to USCIS.Webmaster@uscis.dhs.gov.
• If you have already paid, notify your bank and file a complaint with the FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov).

Real USCIS notices usually arrive by mail or in your online account.