This section is a guiding tool for you once you land in US. You should have
read the first chapter by now to mentally prepare to come to the US. This section
is helpful even if you have arrived and spend some time in the US. Once you land in
the US and finish all the customs, immigration at the airport, you will be
welcomed by your friends or a representative from the company who you worked. It
depends on how you have arranged to be picked up at the airport. If a company
representative picks you, you will driven to company guest house, or some
hotel/motel room. Just relax, and get a good night sleep because you need it
after a long journey away from home.
Next day, you will be visiting your employers. You will be asked to sign some
papers to get you started.
Employee Application forms.
Bank account form
W-4 tax form
Employment eligibility form
and in many cases, you have to sign bond that you are staying in their company
for 6 months to 1 year. Do not sign it. (See. bonds).
Keep the H1 original papers with you. Do not hand your original H1 papers and
your passport to your employers.
You should be getting initial amount of money for your immediate needs. If you
have already received prior to your journey, open a bank account and immediately
deposit the money. Do not carry huge amount of cash with you.
You might get a company Tshirt, or a jacket. Your employer will give you some
company information packet. This is the time you should go to the nearest
bank and open an account. Ask your employer or some of your friends which banks
are good and convenient. Open a savings and checking account since you will
writing lots of checks in the future. Many banks have minimum $300 to $1000
requirement for checking account, but it is worth it. Also enquire what type of
investment accounts available for future references(see investement).
Next thing is to get a social security card(see SSN for more details), without
it, you won't be put into payroll. Your employer will assist you in this. You have
to fill out a form in the social security office. Take all the original
documents and a set of copy if they ask. They will verify your visa, passport
and H1 approval. You will get your social security card within a month. Don't
reveal your social security number to strangers or third parties. This is also
useful for getting credit cards which is must in this country.
You can get a very low interest credit card from this site. Please click on the
picture 
In most cases you will be staying in the company guest house for 30 days. You have
to find a place to live. As a first timer to the US, you have to rely on friends
or co-workers for help. Your best bet is to find a roommate who willing to share
with you. You can put advertisements, click here or go to nearest Indian
grocery stores or restaurants or ask you co-workers. You can also make use of
internet. Precautions should be taken while searching for roommates, because you
will be living with a stranger even they are from India. It is in your best
interest to live with a person you know or somebody your friends know. You have
to pay a deposit and get qualified by the person who is renting the apartment.
They may need your job offer letter, and other information. They may also need
to check your credit rating. Ask your company to provide guarantee or reference
for you. You have to sign a rental contract which is the binding that you will
be renting this for a minimum of 6 months to 1 yr. As you will be settling down,
start buying necessary items for daily use.