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In order to have an
account in a United States bank you will need: A Social
Security Number, two forms of identification (usually), proof of
your address, e.g. gas bill, electricity bill (a US issued
driver's license or ID card are not considered proof of
address)
phone number.
If you have a job and your employer offers direct deposit, most
banks will make your checking account free of monthly charges,
for as long as you maintain direct deposit. It is still possible
to find smaller banks and credit unions which offer free
checking accounts without direct deposit requirement. Accounts,
other than checking, will always have fees associated with them.
Check cashing and payday loans.
Banks don’t usually allow depositing\cashing checks made out to
people other than you. Before you have your own bank account,
you are at the mercy of places that provide check cashing
services. They are located in all immigrant neighborhoods, and
for a fee ranging from 2-5 percent (sometimes higher) they will
cash a check. A SSN is not necessary and non-US identifications
are accepted. Check cashing places provide a variety of
financial services, including cash loans, sending money to
another country and payday loans, but they charge high fees for
these services.
Finding a job in the U.S.
It is believed that up to ninety percent of jobs in the USA
are not even advertised. One of the best ways to find
employment
is to “know someone” and get recommended for an interview.
Otherwise, the classified ad section of local daily newspapers
and the internet will assist you in your search.
Consider furthering your education by getting an online college
degree.
College degrees from other countries are often not recognized
by American employers. However, many of the education credits
acquired outside of the United States will usually be recognized
by American colleges and universities, making the process of
getting an American degree a relatively short one. More and
more colleges are offering distant learning programs, and the
idea of an online college degree is slowly taking root in America.
Online degrees are designed for busy working adults, and their
popularity among new immigrants is great and ever increasing.
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Social Security
Number
Places to live
Bank account
Check cashing
Finding a job
Education
Earning credit
Health insurance
Insurance types |
Opening
a U.S. bank account. 
