Living in United States

The United States is a federal republic of 50 states and the District of Columbia. For newcomers this means three layers of rules: federal (immigration, Social Security, federal income tax), state (health insurance marketplace, driving licences, tenancy law, state income tax, minimum wage) and local (city services, local taxes and, in New York City, extra protections for tenants and workers). The HomiStart United States guides currently focus on New York City.

Who does what

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) decides petitions and applications inside the country: work petitions such as H-1B, L-1 and O-1, changes and extensions of status, green cards and naturalisation.
• The U.S. Department of State runs the embassies and consulates that issue visas abroad.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) admits you at the border and creates your electronic I-94 arrival record, which shows your status and how long you may stay.
• The Social Security Administration (SSA) issues Social Security numbers (SSNs), which you need to be paid and taxed correctly.
• The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) collects federal income tax and issues Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) to people who must file but cannot get an SSN.
• New York State runs the NY State of Health marketplace, the Department of Labor, the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Taxation and Finance.
• New York City runs 311, the IDNYC municipal ID card, public schools, housing inspections and its own consumer, worker and human rights agencies.

What most newcomers deal with first

1. Immigration status. Citizens of the 42 Visa Waiver Program countries can visit for up to 90 days with an ESTA, and Canadian citizens can usually visit without a visa, but living, working or studying in the US needs the right immigrant or nonimmigrant visa. Most non-citizens must also report every change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving.
2. A Social Security number. Work-authorised non-citizens apply to the SSA, usually in person; the SSN is free.
3. Health insurance. There is no automatic public cover for most working-age adults. Most people are insured through an employer; others buy a plan on their state marketplace, which in New York is NY State of Health.
4. A bank account and a credit history. Rent, salaries and bills run through US bank accounts, and many landlords check your credit.
5. Housing. In New York City, landlords' brokers may not charge you their fee, application fees for background checks are capped at $20 and deposits are limited to one month's rent.

Getting help

• In New York City, call 311 for any city service (212-NEW-YORK from outside the city).
• The City's free Immigration Legal Support Hotline (800-354-0365) answers immigration questions and refers you to free, safe legal help.
• Beware of immigration services fraud: only lawyers and accredited representatives may give legal advice on immigration.

The HomiStart United States guides are general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules, fees and thresholds change, and immigration policy in particular changed often in 2025 and 2026; confirm details with the official sources linked in each guide or with a qualified adviser.