For All Immigrants

Immigration

Immigration Requirements For All Immigrants

  • The first thing you MUST do before leaving your current home to fly to the US is ensure that your accommodation is confirmed. Confirm and reconfirm that the person/people hosting you are reliable.

  • Secondly, confirm and reconfirm that your host will pick you up from the airport on your day of arrival. If they are not able to pick you up, ensure that you have made concrete arrangements for someone else to pick you up and take you “home” from the airport.

  • Ensure you have the contact information of the person that will be hosting you when you initially arrive to the US. This includes, their cell phone number, home phone number (if applicable), their work phone number and their physical address.

  • Write the phone numbers and address down in a note book that you will carry with you in your hand luggage. Also save your hosts phone numbers and addresses on your phone. Give your hosts contact information to someone you can easily contact in the event that you misplace it on your way to the US. Remember, you will be required to provide this information at the port of entry.

  • Carry some US currency in small denominations like single dollars and five dollar bills to enable you to get change for making calls at the airport in case you get stranded.

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  • If you are being hosted, please make sure that you have discussed in detail with your host, he or she is willing to help you with and what your financial responsibilities if any will be in the household.

  • Also, make sure you know how long your host is willing to host you and do not assume that your host will pay for your food and transportation as you settle. Confirm with your host if they will require you to pay rent and if so, how much. Get any agreement in writing.

  • Have a backup plan for accommodation and transportation in case plan A does not work out. Make sure you have several contacts in the US before getting on your flight to the U.S.

  • Suitcases/Luggage: Make sure you carry a suitcase that is easily identifiable. Many travelers carry plain black suitcases which are hard to identify at the airport. You can wrap a colorful band around your black suitcase, or get colorful name tags. We recommend getting suitcases that are unique in color. If you have a phone, take pictures of your luggage at your country of origin so that if they get lost or if you forget what they look like, you have a pictures for reference.

  • If you have a cell phone, make sure you charge it. Turn it off when you are on board your flights if there are no chargers on the plane. Activate your roaming before you leave your country of origin to ensure you have a means of communication at all times.

  • Turn on Wi-Fi when you arrive at the airport. Most airports have free Wi-Fi. This will allow you to communicate using WhatsApp, Facebook etc. Check ahead of time if the airport you will be landing in has free Wi-Fi.

  • DO NOT bring food stuff like meat, sausages, vegetables and fruits. Review regulations in the additional information section for what you can bring.

  • DO NOT carry anything in your luggage that you have not packed yourself. If you are asked to bring goods of any kind to someone already in the US, inspect the goods before putting them in your bags. Also make sure you know if the person you are taking the goods to will pick up the goods from you or pay for shipping.

  • Hand Luggage: Make sure ALL your important documents are in your hand luggage. Also carry spare clothes in your hand luggage in case your luggage does not make it to the U.S at the same time with you. Make sure you have underwear, tooth brush, tooth paste, soap, deodorant/roll on, lotion and any medicine that you need.

  • Documents: Bring your Kenyan ID, Birth Certificate, PIN Number and all your education certificates. Get your original documents notarized as proof of authenticity.

  • Make copies of all your original documents from Kenya including your passport and leave the copies with someone you trust back in Kenya. This is in case you ever lose your documents; someone you trust has copies to assist you get new ones.

  • Never ever give your personal or your family’s information to anyone over the phone, or type it on websites that you are not 100% sure are secure. Personal information includes but is not limited to social security numbers, date of birth, credit card numbers, and bank account numbers. Government organizations and banking institutions will never ask for your personal information. Guard your personal information from identity theft.

  • DO NOT GIVE ANYONE YOUR DOCUMENTS unless if it is for official business. You can purchase a small wallet and fireproof safe to keep all your original documents or you can rent a safety deposit box in your local bank to store your original documents.

  • Learn about the US Currency. (See additional information in the Resources section).

  • When you get money from the bank for traveling, get a combination of $5.00, $10.00, $20.00 and $100.00 notes. Some vendors prefer smaller denominations.

  • If you are not being picked up from the airport, taxis are readily available. Depending on the distance, the cost of ride share (Uber/Lyft) and Taxis cost an average of $20.00 to $100 or more depending on the distance.

  • Uber and Lyft are also available but in the US your Uber or Lyft account must be attached to a credit card. Uber and Lyft drivers are not paid with cash. You can get a taxi and pay cash.

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HELP

ASK FOR HELP- If you find yourself stranded, do not be afraid to ask for help. You can ask for help from police officers, airline staff, or staff at the information desk at any of the airports.

Do not be afraid to ask fellow passengers to call your host or someone for you. Most people are willing to help.

  • Contact the Kenyan Embassy in the US in case you find yourself stranded with no one to assist you.

  • In the event that you find yourself stranded at the airport, call Kwitu Inc. at +1 973-704-0190. When calling make sure you have the following information handy.

    • Your current location

    • The full name, phone number of the person who was supposed to pick you up from the airport.

    • The name, phone number and address of your host.

Disclaimer: Failure to provide the above mentioned information will prevent Kwitu from providing the necessary assistance. The Kwitu Inc. phone number should only be used by individuals who are truly stranded at arrival due to unavoidable circumstances. Kwitu Inc., will vet and confirm any information provided by those seeking assistance.

Clothing

Depending on the state you are going to live in, make sure you dress appropriately for the weather. Most states have four seasons. Below is a list of the seasons.

  • Winter- Cold season starts around the end of November/December through February/March. You will need warm clothes. Layer up, wear sweater, carry a coat, gloves and hat. For shoes, boots with thick socks are the ideal.

  • Spring- Chilly, Rainy and Sunny- Usually the months of March through May. The weather will be cold but the sun will be out. It also rains a lot in the spring.

  • Summer- Very hot. Summer starts around June and ends towards end of September.

  • Autumn/Fall: It will be warm during the day but cold at night. This season starts in October through December. You will need warm sweaters, boots.

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  • Apply for a Social Security number to be able to get a job. This should be one of your highest priorities if you are planning on getting a job in the US. You cannot get employment in most states without a Social Security Card. Additional information about applying for the Social Security Card is in the resources section. Do not share your social security number with anyone unless it is for official purposes.

  • Memorize your social security number. It is required for job applications, bank applications and various transactions.

  • Memorize your date of birth in this format. Month/ Day/ Year. You will be asked for your date of birth in that format. Kenyan format is DD/MM/YYYY.

  • Non- Driver’s license identification- You can apply for an ID before you get a driver’s license. It is crucial to have an ID or Driver’s license in the US. You can apply for one at the local Department of Motor Vehicles office. (See additional information in the resources section).

  • Driver’s license- If you plan to drive in the US, you will need to do a driver’s test and pass. You can access information on taking the driver’s test at the local Department of Motor Vehicle’s office in the state you will live in.

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  • Drivers Education- Taking a driver’s education and/or defensive driving class reduces the cost of your car insurance. (See additional information in the Resources section).

  • Familiarize yourself with American laws. While there are many laws, it is crucial also to know your rights as a resident. For example, you should know what to do when stopped by police, you should NEVER bribe a policeman or government official or anyone for that matter. It is illegal to bribe.

  • Familiarize yourself with various community resources in your neighborhood. This includes but it not limited to food banks, homeless shelters, safe houses for victims of domestic violence etc. (See separate section with specific links and phone numbers to the various resources.)

  • Credit- Almost everything involving personal finance in the US is driven by credit ratings. It is crucial that you educate yourself with how the credit system works, how the ratings affect your ability to get financing for homes, cars, education and even jobs. If you had a bank in Kenya and were in good standings, you don’t necessarily have to build your credit from scratch, your scores can be forwarded to the banks here. Especially if you were a student and took a loan with Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), and are in good standings. (See additional information and resources in the Resource Section).

  • If you have a cell phone, make sure you charge it. Turn it off when you are on board your flights if there are no chargers on the plane. Activate your roaming before you leave your country of origin to ensure you have a means of communication at all times.

  • Bank Accounts- There are many types banks in the US. Most if not all are regulated by the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation). Before you open an account, do some research on bank fees, direct deposit requirements, minimum balance requirements. A regular transactional account is known as a checking account then there are savings accounts. Some banks require that you have a savings account attached to your checking account. For more information regarding banking in the US please review the resources provided in the additional information and resources section.

  • Write a will- It is crucial that you write a will in case of death. Unfortunately, this is something you have to face when living in the diaspora. You need a will to let your family know about your final resting place, plans for your assets, minor children etc. (See additional information in the resources section.)

  • Designate a medical power of attorney and a financial power of attorney in the event that the unthinkable happens and you an incapacitated and unable to make medical and financial decisions for yourself (See additional information in the resources section).

  • Renters and Home Owners Insurance- Please make sure you get renters or home owners insurance. This insurance covers your property and the valuables in the home in the event of a fire, flood damage or other damage depending on the policy.

  • Purchase Life Insurance and Funeral Insurance. – Life insurance will take care of your family when you are gone and funeral insurance will take care of your funeral costs (See additional information in the resources section).

  • Car Insurance – Do not drive a car without car insurance. This can be a costly mistake. Also no matter how expensive your car insurance is, do not allow it to lapse due to non-payment as this will cause your premiums to increase.

Stranded with no help?

Contact the Kenyan Embassy in the US in case you find yourself stranded with no one to assist you.

In the event that you find yourself stranded at the airport, call Kwitu Inc. at +1 973-704-0190. When calling make sure you have the following information handy.

  • Your current location.

  • The full name, phone number of the person who was supposed to pick you up from the airport.

  • The name, phone number and address of your host.

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Disclaimer: Failure to provide the above mentioned information will prevent Kwitu from providing the necessary assistance. The Kwitu Inc. phone number should only be used by individuals who are truly stranded at arrival due to unavoidable circumstances. Kwitu Inc., will vet and confirm any information provided by those seeking assistance.