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.