The first weeks in a new country feel like a hundred small tasks all shouting at once. Everyone tells you something different, and half of it contradicts the other half. The good news is that you don't have to do everything on day one. Here is a calm, practical order of things that helps many newcomers feel steady quickly.
Before you do anything else, put every important paper in one folder, and keep a second copy: a phone photo or a scan stored somewhere safe. Think about:
Your passports and any immigration papers you were given
Birth and marriage certificates, and children's school and vaccination records
Diplomas, work records and driver's licenses from home
Any letters from U.S. government offices
Not every office wants the same thing, and rules change. For anything official, check with the agency or office itself about what it needs and where to submit it. If a document is in Russian, ask that office whether it needs a translation and in what form.
Housing usually comes first because so much else depends on an address: banks, phone companies, schools and government mail all ask for one. When you start looking for a place, read every document before signing, and ask questions about anything unclear. A Russian-speaking realtor can be very helpful here, because renting and buying terms are easy to misunderstand in a second language.
A bank account makes daily life easier: you can deposit a paycheck, pay bills and get a debit card. Each bank has its own rules about what identification it accepts, so call or visit a branch and ask what to bring. We cover this in more detail in our separate article on opening your first account.
Almost everything runs through your phone: job calls, appointment reminders, text codes from banks and school messages. Compare a few carriers and plans, and read what is included before you sign up. Some plans come with a phone and some are for service only, so ask which one you are getting.
Many people put this off until they are sick, which is stressful. Look into health coverage early (our third article explains the basics), then find a primary care doctor who accepts your insurance. If you feel more comfortable explaining symptoms in Russian, look for a Russian-speaking doctor.
You may eventually need a lawyer for immigration, housing or something else. Please remember that nobody should give you legal advice casually, including friends, forums and articles like this one. For legal questions, find a licensed attorney and ask them directly.
Once the basics are in place, look at how you will get around, find work and handle kids' schedules. Public transit, driving and carpooling all work differently depending on where you live in New York, New Jersey or Pennsylvania. For driving, your state's DMV is the official source on licenses and registration.
Keep copies of everything you submit, and write down dates and names when you talk to an office.
Use official government websites for official forms, and be careful with sites that look similar but ask for payment or personal details.
Ask questions. People generally respect a newcomer who asks, and you will make fewer expensive mistakes.
If you'd like a hand with this list, whether it's figuring out which documents to prepare, getting a translation or some paperwork sorted, or being pointed to a Russian-speaking realtor, doctor or lawyer, Pomogu works with Russian-speaking newcomers across New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Learn more at pomogusa.com.