Moving to the US From Africa: A Practical Checklist for Your First 90 Days

Moving to the United States from Africa is a huge step — whether you're coming from Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Douala or anywhere else. The first few months are full of paperwork, new systems and small surprises, from how credit works to how cold the first winter really is.

This checklist breaks your first 90 days in the US into practical steps. It's general guidance, not legal or immigration advice: always check your own situation against official sources such as USCIS and the government agencies in your state.

Week 1: The essentials

Your first week is about getting settled safely and keeping your documents in order.

• Keep your documents together. Passport, visa or immigration paperwork, birth and marriage certificates, school records and vaccination records. Store copies in a secure cloud folder as well as the originals.
• Get a US phone number. Many services — banks, schools, employers — will ask for one. Prepaid plans are a simple way to start.
• Learn your address and nearest essentials. Grocery store, pharmacy, urgent care clinic, public transit stop and the closest African grocery store if there is one.
• Tell someone you trust where you are. Share your address with family back home and a contact in the US.

Weeks 2–4: Identity, banking and work

Most of the systems you'll rely on depend on a few key steps.

• Apply for a Social Security number if you're eligible. Many employers and banks need it.
• Get a state ID or driver's license. Each state's motor vehicle department has its own rules; check its website before you go and bring every document it lists.
• Open a bank account. Ask which documents a bank accepts for newcomers. A checking account makes it easier to receive pay and pay bills.
• Start building credit carefully. The US relies heavily on credit history. A secured credit card, used lightly and paid in full every month, is a common way to start.
• Understand your paycheck. US pay slips include federal, state and sometimes local tax deductions. Ask your employer's HR team to explain anything unclear.

Month 2: Housing, schools and health

Once the basics are in place, focus on stability for you and your family.

• Read your lease carefully before signing, especially rules on deposits, repairs and ending the lease early.
• Enroll children in school. Your local school district's website explains enrollment, required documents and immunization rules.
• Understand health coverage. Health care in the US is expensive without insurance. Find out whether your employer offers coverage, and learn the difference between urgent care and the emergency room.
• Find a doctor and dentist who accept your insurance before you need one.

Month 3: Prepare for the seasons

Depending on where you settle, the weather may be very different from home. In places like Minneapolis–St. Paul, Boston or Columbus, winter arrives fast.

• Get proper winter gear before the first cold snap: an insulated coat, waterproof boots, gloves, hats and scarves for everyone.
• Don't buy everything new. Children outgrow winter clothing every year. Ask your community, or swap items with neighbors and borrow what you need for the first season.
• Learn basic winter safety: how to dress in layers, walk on ice and keep your home warm safely.

Build your community early

The single most helpful thing for many newcomers is finding people who understand where they've come from. Community makes everything easier — from finding a trusted mechanic to knowing which doctor speaks your language.

Good places to start:

1. Faith communities. Churches and mosques often have active African congregations and welcome committees.
2. Hometown and national associations. Many cities have Nigerian, Ghanaian, Ethiopian, Somali, Cameroonian, Kenyan and other associations.
3. African businesses. Grocery stores, restaurants, salons and tailors are often informal community hubs.
4. Cultural events. Independence Day celebrations and cultural festivals are a great way to meet people.
5. Community apps. An African diaspora community app can connect you with verified members nearby.

Read our guide on how to find the African community in a new US city for more ideas.

Borrow, don't buy, while you settle in

New arrivals often feel pressure to buy everything at once — furniture, kitchen basics, a car seat, tools, winter clothing. That adds up quickly when you're still waiting for your first paycheck.

Instead, borrow what you only need for a while. Families in your community often have a spare crib, extra pots, a vacuum cleaner or a box of winter coats they'd gladly lend. With BorrowBuddy, you can borrow items from neighbors who are ID-verified, with photos of each item at handover so everyone knows what was agreed.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Carrying large amounts of cash. Use a bank account and keep receipts.
• Paying strangers up front for apartments, cars or services you haven't seen. Rental and job scams often target newcomers. Read how peer-to-peer payment protection works.
• Ignoring official mail. Letters from government agencies, schools and insurers often have deadlines.
• Trying to do everything alone. Ask for help — most people in your community remember being new too.

The bottom line

Your first 90 days in America will be busy, but a clear plan makes them far less stressful: secure your documents, set up banking and ID, settle your family, prepare for the seasons and find your community early.

BorrowBuddy is built to help with that last step. Join the waitlist to connect with verified members of the African community near you, or explore BorrowBuddy in cities across the United States.