A little preparation makes your first few days feel much more familiar. Make a plan with ITA before you leave, and keep essential information available offline.
Confirm the essentials
Share your arrival date, flight details and the number of people traveling with your ITA coordinator. Confirm who will meet you, a backup contact, transportation and the address of your first accommodation.
Keep a travel folder
Carry your passport, immigration documents relevant to your status, employer contact details, accommodation address and essential medication information. Keep originals with you. Store sensitive copies securely; do not post passports or immigration records in a group chat.
Check your entry record
After entry, review your admission documents with your immigration adviser or employer. If an I-94 applies to your admission, check the name, status and admission dates. Your required documents depend on your immigration category.
Plan the first 48 hours
Arrange a working phone connection, a way to pay for essentials, groceries and transport. Share an arrival update with ITA. Rest before scheduling a full day of appointments.
Canadian and Mexican TN guidancehttps://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/visas-canadian-mexican-usmca-professional-workers.html
Documents
Social Security number
A Social Security number (SSN) is used for tax and wage reporting. Your immigration category and any application you already submitted determine your next step.
First, check whether you already requested one
If you requested an SSN through your immigrant visa application, check the SSA visa guidance before submitting a duplicate application. Confirm that your U.S. mailing address is correct.
Apply after you enter the United States
SSA recommends waiting 10 days after arrival so your immigration information can be verified. This is a recommendation, not a rule that you must wait exactly 10 days. Do not try to apply at the Canadian border before entering the U.S.
Arrange your appointment and documents
Start with SSA’s official first-number application instructions and arrange an appointment. Bring original documents or copies certified by the issuing agency proving age, identity and eligible immigration status. Ordinary photocopies are not accepted. The precise document set varies by status; check SSA before you go.
Different status, different evidence
Canadian TN workers generally do not need a TN visa stamp; their admission documents matter. Immigrant visa holders may have an endorsed immigrant visa serving as temporary I-551 evidence. Do not assume every nurse needs an EAD or the same document bundle.
While you wait
An SSN is not itself permission to work. SSA says a person authorized to work can work while an SSN application is pending. Your employer must separately confirm work authorization, onboarding and payroll requirements. Protect your number and card; ITA does not need the number in this checklist.
Your current license, country of issue and Indiana residency status affect the process. Use the BMV’s current rules for your situation.
Make a licensing plan early
New Indiana residents generally have 60 days after becoming residents to obtain an Indiana driver’s license. Check the BMV’s new-resident requirements and confirm your own deadline.
Bring the right foreign-license documents
The BMV accepts an out-of-country license in English or the required English translation or International Driving Permit accompanying the foreign license. An IDP is a translation document, not a replacement for a license or a universally required “international driver’s license.”
Check testing and document requirements
Vision, knowledge and driving tests may apply. Some reciprocal arrangements have different requirements. Verify identity, lawful status, Social Security and residency evidence directly with the BMV before scheduling. Knowledge exams are available in selected languages; check availability.
A kiosk is not a staffed branch
BMV Connect kiosks handle selected transactions and may be available outside branch hours. A listing marked 24 hours does not mean staff, testing or new-license services are available all day.
Bringing your own vehicle?
Confirm U.S. import requirements with CBP before you move the car. Registration may require import, safety and emissions documentation. An EPA sticker alone does not establish that the vehicle can be imported or registered.
Official information & next steps
New Indiana residentshttps://secure.in.gov/bmv/licenses-permits-ids/new-indiana-residents/
A vehicle can make everyday life easier, but the monthly payment is only part of the cost. Compare options before committing.
Compare total costs
Include the purchase price, financing charges, taxes, title and registration, insurance, maintenance and parking. Request the full written terms. Approval and rates depend on the lender; limited U.S. credit history may affect the offer.
Arrange insurance before driving
Indiana generally requires minimum liability limits of $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. Minimum coverage may not cover your full risk. Confirm current requirements and your policy’s effective date with a licensed insurer.
Understand your policy
Liability covers eligible harm you cause to others; collision and comprehensive address different risks to your vehicle. Deductibles are your share of a covered loss. A lender may require additional coverage. Compare equivalent limits and deductibles, not just prices.
Before you sign
Ask about vehicle history, independent inspection, warranties, fees and temporary registration. Confirm when permanent registration is due. Payment schedules and temporary plate rules depend on the transaction; do not assume the same arrangement everywhere.
A bank account and a credit history are different things. You can plan both without rushing into a financial product.
Ask the bank what it accepts
Requirements vary. Ask about your passport, immigration or employment documents, proof of address, tax identification and opening deposit. If your SSN is pending, ask what alternatives the bank accepts rather than assuming every bank has the same rules.
Compare account fees
Check monthly charges, minimum balance requirements, ATM access, overdraft settings and international transfer fees. Confirm how to receive your employer’s direct deposit.
Build credit gradually
Pay bills on time and understand credit card interest and fees. A secured card or credit-builder product may be an option, but approval is not guaranteed. Keep balances manageable and review your credit reports for errors.
Keep financial details private
Never send bank passwords, card details or Social Security numbers through the portal’s notes or a WhatsApp group. Use the bank’s official secure channels.
Official information & next steps
CFPB guide to building credithttps://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-are-some-ways-to-start-or-rebuild-a-good-credit-history-en-2155/
Start with a safe arrival address, then choose longer-term housing around your commute, household needs and budget.
Check the full monthly cost
Ask about rent, deposits, application fees, utilities, internet, parking, renter’s insurance and pet charges. Prices change; confirm a current written quote instead of relying on an old rent estimate.
Understand the lease
Read the term, move-in date, renewal and notice requirements, maintenance process and early termination provisions. Ask what identification and income evidence are accepted if you do not yet have a U.S. credit history.
Look at the location
Check the actual commute to your assigned workplace and transportation options. School eligibility often depends on the address, so verify district boundaries before signing a lease.
Prepare for move-in
Confirm key collection, utility activation, essential furniture and internet. Document the property’s condition and keep a copy of the lease and move-in checklist.
Your home address is the starting point for public-school enrollment. Give your family time to explore options and gather records.
Confirm the assigned district and school
Fort Wayne and the surrounding area include multiple school districts. Use the district’s current address lookup or speak to its enrollment office. District boundaries can change. A Fort Wayne mailing address does not by itself identify the district.
Prepare enrollment records
Ask the district which identity, residency, immunization and previous school records it needs. Tell the school about language support, special education needs and any missing records so staff can explain the next steps.
Understand choice and transportation
School-choice or magnet applications may involve deadlines, lotteries and limited space. Transportation depends on the program and residence; do not assume it is included.
Private school and higher education
Private schools set their own admissions and tuition policies. Ask each school directly. Local higher-education options include Purdue Fort Wayne, Indiana University Fort Wayne, Ivy Tech, the University of Saint Francis, Indiana Tech and Manchester University.
A temporary connection can cover your arrival while you compare longer-term plans.
Check your current phone
Ask whether your device is unlocked and compatible with the U.S. carrier you are considering. Confirm eSIM support, roaming charges and whether you need to keep access to your existing number for verification codes.
Compare plans
Check prepaid and monthly options, data limits, hotspot allowances, taxes, activation costs and cancellation terms. Coverage at your home and workplace matters more than a blanket recommendation of one network.
Connect your home
Ask your landlord which providers serve the exact address and what equipment, installation appointment or contract is needed. Compare the total recurring cost after any promotion ends.
Your employer and the relevant licensing and immigration authorities determine when you can begin clinical work. This checklist helps you coordinate their requirements.
Confirm your Indiana practice authority
Check your nursing license or other applicable practice authority with the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency and your employer. Requirements depend on your qualifications and circumstances. A completed portal checklist does not authorize nursing practice.
Keep immigration and employment checks separate
Ask your employer or immigration adviser to confirm your work authorization and employment verification requirements. Track that confirmation without uploading identity documents or recording sensitive numbers here.
Complete employer requirements
Your employer may require health screening, immunization evidence, background checks, training, orientation and other steps. Use its secure systems for the documents and confirm the exact requirements with HR.
Get a clear first-day plan
Confirm the start date, reporting location, supervisor, arrival time, dress or uniform requirements, parking and orientation schedule. Ask for a named contact if anything remains unclear.
Moving countries is a major transition. Plan practical support for the whole household and ask for help early.
For an emergency
Call 911 for an immediate police, fire or medical emergency. ITA’s contact line is not an emergency service.
Understand your health coverage
Ask your employer when coverage starts, who is eligible in your household and how to enroll. Confirm which providers are in network and what deductibles, copays and prescription costs apply. Plan any gap in coverage before traveling.
Bring a medication plan
Discuss continuity of care and travel supplies with your clinician. Carry essential medical information and use official guidance for any medication import restrictions.
Stay in touch
Let your coordinator know when a task is blocked or your plans change. Agree on check-in times and how your family would like to be involved. You do not need to solve every part of the move in the first week.
