Your First Month in America: A Practical Checklist for Nepalis

Updated 17 August 2026 · Hamro App

The first month is disorienting for everyone. Almost everything requires something else first, and nobody tells you the order. This is the order that works.

Week one

Phone number. A US number first — nearly everything else asks for one. A prepaid plan is fine to start.
Somewhere to stay. Even temporarily. A room in the community is the usual first step; it needs no credit history.
Find the nearest Nepali grocery store. Not only for food — the noticeboard there is the best local source of rooms and jobs, and the people behind the counter have answered these questions before.

Weeks two and three

Social Security number, if your status permits one. Nearly all formal employment and banking depends on it.
Bank account. Bring your passport, visa documents and SSN if you have it. Some banks open accounts without an SSN — ask.
State ID or driver's licence. Requirements vary by state; check your state DMV site before going, and expect to go twice.

Week four onward

Work. Community channels first — see our guide on finding a job.
Health cover. Understand what you have and what an emergency room visit costs without it. This surprises people badly.
Connect with the community. The state Nepali association, the temple, the local Nepali app. This is the thing people delay and later wish they had done in week one.

Watch out for: anyone charging you for a job or a visa, anyone asking for your bank password, and rental deposits requested before you have seen the room. All three specifically target new arrivals.

The single most useful thing you can do early is meet people who arrived two years before you. They remember exactly which office to go to, which bank said yes, and which landlord to avoid.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do first when I arrive in the USA?

Get a US phone number, sort temporary housing, and find your nearest Nepali grocery store — the noticeboard there is often the best local source of rooms and jobs, and the staff have answered these questions many times.

Do I need a Social Security number to open a bank account?

Not always — some banks open accounts without one. Bring your passport and visa documents and ask directly.

How do I meet other Nepalis after arriving?

The state Nepali association, local temples, Nepali grocery stores and community apps. Most associations run Dashain, Tihar and Teej programs that are open to newcomers.

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