Documents
What documents must I take with me when moving to the USA?
If you are planning to move to the United States, it is essential to be aware of the documents you will need to bring. Proper documentation is necessary to enter the US and establish legal status once you arrive. In this blog, we will discuss the essential documents you should bring when moving to the USA.
Passport and Visa
Your passport is the most crucial document you will need when traveling to the US. It serves as proof of your identity and nationality; you will need it to apply for a US visa. Your visa is a document that allows you to enter the US for a specific purpose, such as tourism, study, or work.
Immigration Documents
If you are entering the US as an immigrant, you will need to bring your immigration documents with you. This includes your visa and any documentation related to your status, such as a green card, employment authorization document, or refugee travel document.
Birth Certificate
Your birth certificate is an important document that proves your identity and citizenship. If you were born in a country other than the US, bringing a certified copy of your birth certificate with you is important.
Marriage Certificate or Divorce Decree
If you are married or divorced, bringing the relevant documents is essential. This includes a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or annulment decree.
Medical Records
It is important to bring your medical records, especially if you have a chronic medical condition or require ongoing medical treatment. This will help ensure you receive the necessary medical care once you arrive in the US.
Educational Records
Bringing your educational records is crucial if you plan to study in the US. This includes transcripts, diplomas, and certificates from any schools or universities you have attended.
What documents you must bring also depends on how you arrive in the US. For example, if you arrive here across the border with Mexico, it is advisable not to take any extra documents with you. Send their originals in advance by mail, and take only your passport and scanned copies of documents with you. Why? Because at the border, all your documents will be taken away and the Immigration Service is very popular because it loses everything in this mess. What we recommend to bring with you is, for example, an asylum application and, if there is a guarantor, information, and documents from the guarantor. And in other cases, if you, for example, arrive by plane on a green card or a visa, it is advisable to take all your biographical documents with you. We have a lot of clients who lose their essential documents because someone mailed them and they got lost. Therefore, if you send originals by mail, scan in advance, mail copies first, and then the originals.
Moving to the US can be an exciting and challenging experience. Make sure that you have all the necessary documents before you leave, and keep them in a safe place during your travels.
If you have any questions or concerns about your immigration status or documentation requirements, it is recommended that you seek the guidance of an experienced immigration attorney. We’re here to help – call +1 (703) 527-1779 or email [email protected].
