Your First 30 Days in the US: Bank Account, Credit Card and Phone Plan

Life in the USOct 31, 2026 · 6 min read

In short: Get a US phone number first (prepaid or an MVNO works without an SSN), open a checking account at a big bank, then apply for one first credit card on the path that fits your situation — secured, student, a starter card at your own bank, or one of the few products that take an ITIN or a passport. Turn on autopay from day one. Your credit history from China does not carry over, so the clock starts with that first card.

The first month in the US is a chain: banks want a US phone number, card issuers like an existing bank relationship, and landlords and carriers look at credit you don't have yet. Doing things in the right order saves weeks. This guide walks through that order. Our free Newcomer Credit Card & Phone Plan Picker turns it into two short questionnaires, with named products whose fees and prices we checked on each issuer's and carrier's own website on October 31, 2026.

Week 1: a US phone number

Almost everything else — bank sign-up, two-factor codes, your school or employer, apartment applications — needs a US mobile number. You do not need an SSN or credit history for this:

MVNOs run on the big networks for less. On the date we checked, Mint Mobile's 6GB plan was $15/month as a new-customer offer paid for 3 months up front ($25/month after the intro), Visible was $25/month with taxes and fees included, and Tello Unlimited was $25/month with China on its free international calling list.
Prepaid brands like Metro by T-Mobile ($40/month for unlimited data, taxes and fees included) and Cricket need no credit check.
Postpaid big-three plans get much cheaper per line with 3–4 lines but involve a credit check; without US credit, expect a possible deposit.

Many MVNOs let you buy an eSIM online before you fly so your number works when you land — check that your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM. Use a carrier number (not Google Voice) for bank and card verification codes; some banks and apps don't accept internet numbers.

Keep your China number alive

WeChat, Alipay and Chinese bank cards verify you by your Chinese mobile number. Before leaving, move it to your operator's cheapest monthly package, keep international roaming on, and set up automatic top-up through Alipay or WeChat Pay. China Mobile's roaming page lists receiving texts in the US as free (calls ¥0.99/min on the date checked), so a dual-SIM phone with the China SIM in the second slot keeps verification codes coming. Calls to China are cheapest over WeChat; dialing +86 from a US plan is an international call unless the plan includes China.

Week 1–2: open a checking account

Open an account at a large bank with branches near you, using your passport, visa documents and US address. Besides paying rent and getting paid, it helps your first card: for example, Chase says having at least $250 in a Chase checking or savings account increases your chances of approval for Chase Freedom Rise, its card for people new to credit.

SSN, ITIN, or neither

Most US credit cards ask for a Social Security number. SSNs go to people authorized to work, so H-1B, L-1 and green card holders get one soon after arriving, and F-1 students usually only with on-campus work, CPT or OPT. If you are not eligible for an SSN but have a federal tax reason, the IRS issues an ITIN with Form W-7 — for tax purposes only; it does not authorize work. Capital One's ITIN guide lists cards you may be able to get with an ITIN, including Platinum Secured, Quicksilver Secured, Platinum and its student cards. A few fintech cards, such as Zolve, say you can apply with a passport and no US credit history.

Weeks 2–4: pick a first credit card path

Path	Who it fits	Examples (annual fee)
Starter / bank relationship	SSN, income, a checking account	Chase Freedom Rise ($0), Capital One Platinum ($0)
Student	Enrolled college students	Discover it Student Cash Back ($0), Capital One Savor Student ($0)
Secured	No history, or other applications declined	Discover it Secured ($0; deposit $49, $99 or $200), Capital One Platinum Secured ($0; deposit $49, $99 or $200), Citi Secured ($0; deposit $200–$2,500)
No SSN	Passport or ITIN only	Zolve (no annual fee per its cardholder agreement)
Credit builder	No income yet, or as a second line	Chime Card (no annual fee; needs a Chime checking account), Self Visa ($0 the first year, then $25)

Fees and deposits above were copied from each issuer's page on October 31, 2026; they change, so read the current terms before you apply. A spouse or relative with US credit can also add you as an authorized user. Apply for one card, not several at once — each application can mean a hard inquiry.

The next 12 months

Autopay the full statement balance from day one. FICO weights payment history at 35% of the score.
Keep the reported balance low. Amounts owed are another 30%.
Check your reports at AnnualCreditReport.com — the CFPB says you can view them online free once a week.
Around month 6 you should have a score: myFICO says a file needs an account at least six months old to be scored.
Months 6–12: ask about a limit increase or a secured-card upgrade, and consider a second no-fee card. Keep the first card open.

Sending money home? Compare fees on our remittance calculator before your first transfer, and check the tax self-check before your first US filing season.

FAQ

Can I get a US phone number without an SSN?

Yes. Prepaid plans and most MVNOs are paid up front and usually need no SSN or credit check. Postpaid plans from T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T run a credit check, and without US credit a carrier may ask for a deposit.

Does my credit history from China carry over?

No. US credit bureaus do not import Chinese credit reports, and China is not on Nova Credit's list of supported countries, so you start with no US credit file.

What is the difference between an ITIN and an SSN?

An SSN is for people authorized to work in the US. An ITIN is issued by the IRS (Form W-7) for people who have a federal tax reason but are not eligible for an SSN; the IRS says it is for tax purposes only and does not authorize work. Some card issuers, such as Capital One, say you may be able to apply for certain cards with an ITIN.

How long until I have a credit score?

myFICO says a credit file needs at least one account that is six months old or more, and at least one account updated in the past six months, to produce a FICO Score. So open your first card early and keep it in good standing.

Sources

Last updated 2026-10-31. General information, not financial advice. Product names, fees and prices were checked on official issuer and carrier pages on 2026-10-31 and change often; issuers decide approvals. No affiliate links.

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