Welcome to the
United States
A Guide for New
Immigrants
M-617 (rev. 09/20)
WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES!
You are part of a long tradition of immigrants who
have come to the United States and contributed to
a strong and vibrant nation. U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS), part of the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security, offers resources
to help you prepare for your new life in the United
States.
Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants is a
publication for lawful permanent residents available
in 14 languages at uscis.gov/newimmigrants. This
guide:
• Introduces the basic information you and your
family need for everyday life in the United States;
• Describes your rights and responsibilities;
• Suggests ideas for getting involved in your local
community; and
• Helps you plan for applying for U.S. citizenship.
Getting Settled in the United States
Inside this guide, learn how you can build a new life in
the United States by taking these important first steps.
• Find a place to live
• Find transportation
• Get a Social Security number and driver’s license
• Get a job
• Register your children for school
• Find healthcare
• Take care of your money
• Improve your English language skills
• Find free information in your local community
• Connect with community organizations that help
immigrants
• Prepare for emergencies
How to Get the Guide
You can download or print your own copy of Welcome
to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants from uscis.
gov/newimmigrants. You can purchase printed copies
in English, Spanish, and Chinese through the U.S.
Government Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.
Your Rights and Responsibilities
As a lawful permanent resident, you have both rights
and responsibilities in the United States. For example,
as a lawful permanent resident, you have the right to:
• Work in the United States;
• Own property in the United States;
• Attend public school;
• Apply for a driver’s license in your state or
territory;
• Apply to join certain branches of the U.S. armed
forces; and
• Receive Social Security and Medicare benefits, if
you are eligible.
As a lawful permanent resident, you have certain
responsibilities, for example, you must:
• File taxes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
to report your worldwide income and report
foreign bank and financial accounts. Please visit
irs.gov/newimmigrants for more information
on filing your federal taxes with the IRS,
including helpful technical topics for new
immigrants.
• Register with the Selective Service (if you are a
male between 18 and 26). To register or learn
more, call 1-847-688-6888 or go to sss.gov.
• Inform USCIS of your new address no later than
10 days after you move. To change your address
online, go to uscis.gov/addresschange. You must
notify USCIS each time you change your address.
Be sure to also change your address with the U.S.
Postal Service so it can forward your mail to your
new address. To change your address with the
Postal Service, visit usps.com/umove.
• Maintain permanent residence in the United
States. If you are planning a temporary trip
outside the United States for one year or more,
you must apply for a re-entry permit using
Form I-131 before you leave. If you go abroad
with the intent to reside abroad temporarily you
will fail to maintain permanent residence. Any
trip outside the United States may affect your
eligibility for citizenship. Visit uscis.gov to
learn more.
The guide provides more detailed information
on your rights and responsibilities. You can also
learn about federal laws that protect you from
discrimination in housing and employment. The
guide also alerts you to the serious consequences
for lawful permanent residents who commit or
are convicted of a crime in the United States. Your
conduct, including failure to meet the responsibilities
of a lawful permanent resident can affect your ability
to become a U.S. citizen.
Becoming a U.S. Citizen
If you are considering U.S. citizenship, the Citizenship
Resource Center at uscis.gov/citizenship has resources
that will help you learn about U.S. citizenship, the
naturalization process and eligibility requirements,
and how to apply.
