United States (US)

Valid passport is required to enter the US, apply for any visa, and as primary identity proof for Social Security, driver's license exchange, and I-9 employment verification. Ensure at least 6 months' validity beyond your intended stay. Keep the original in a safe place after arrival and carry a photocopy or the Apple Wallet/Google Wallet digital copy for daily ID purposes.

Required for Social Security card application for dependants, some marriage licenses, school enrolment, and citizenship/green card processes. Must be the "long-form" certified copy (not a hospital "certificate of birth"). Apostille from your home country's competent authority under the Hague Convention. Countries not in the Hague Convention require consular legalisation via the US embassy.

Required for spouse visa applications (K-1, CR-1, H-4, L-2), joint tax filing with a foreign spouse, name changes, and adding a spouse to employer health insurance. Certified copy with apostille. If not in English, must include certified translation. Foreign marriages are generally recognised in the US if valid where performed.

Required for F-1 student visas, H-1B visas, academic job applications, licensing in regulated professions (nursing, teaching, engineering), and some green card categories. A foreign credential evaluation from WES (World Education Services), ECE (Educational Credentials Evaluators), or a NACES member is typically required to convert your degree to US equivalence. Cost: $160–$300 per evaluation; timing 2–4 weeks.

Valid for driving in the US for 30–90 days after arrival (varies by state). Required to exchange or convert to a US state driver's license. Some states (California, New York, Florida) require you to start the full testing process (written + road) from scratch regardless of your home license; others allow direct exchange for certain countries (Germany, South Korea). Keep your home license even after getting US license — required for car rentals in Europe later.

Issued in your home country before you leave — an official translation of your home country driver's license into multiple languages. Valid for 1 year and recognised in most US states alongside your home license. Useful in the first 30–90 days while you have not yet obtained a US state license, especially if your home license is not in the Latin alphabet. Not a substitute for a home country license.

Required for certain visa categories (employment-based green card I-485, K-1 fiancé, some professional licenses), adoption, and some employer background checks. Request from the national police authority of every country you have lived in for 6+ months since age 16. Apostille required. Certified English translation required if not in English. Valid 6–12 months from issue.

Required for US school enrolment (immunisation records — strict state requirements, especially MMR, DTaP, varicella, polio), green card medical exams (done by USCIS-designated civil surgeon in the US), some employer onboarding. Bring a summary of chronic conditions, allergies, and current medications (with generic names) in English. Keep prescriptions in original containers when travelling.

Not a US government requirement but extremely useful. US credit scores start from zero for newcomers, making renting an apartment, getting a mortgage, or even signing a phone contract difficult. A letter from your home bank or credit bureau (in English, on letterhead) describing your payment history can help landlords and some lenders. American Express and HSBC offer international credit history transfer programmes for their global customers. Otherwise, use secured credit cards or Chase/Capital One to build US credit from scratch.

Not a document you bring — it is issued upon entry to the US and defines your legal status and authorised stay period. Retrieve and print from i94.cbp.dhs.gov within days of arrival. Required for SSN application, driver's license, employer I-9, and visa extensions. Mistakes (wrong class of admission, wrong duration) happen — correct them at a CBP deferred inspection office immediately.

Nine-digit number and paper card issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Essential for employment, tax filing, opening bank accounts, credit, and most government services. Apply in person at an SSA office after arrival (you must be in the US for at least 10 days and have entered on a work-authorising visa). Card arrives by mail 2–4 weeks later. Keep the card secure — do not carry in your wallet.

The paper notice USCIS issues to approve your visa petition (H-1B, L-1, O-1, etc.). Keep the original — it is required for visa stamping at a US embassy abroad, I-9 employer verification, driver's license application, and SSN. If you lose it, order a duplicate from USCIS (Form I-824) — expensive and slow. Make multiple scanned copies stored in cloud storage.