Questions we have answered
Every question below came from someone moving to the US. Each answer shows the sources it came from.
456 answers
- Keeping Your Canadian Number After Moving to the USKeep your Canadian number during your move and add a U.S. line. After testing banking and other critical logins, either retain the Canadian mobile plan, port the number…
- Best 6-Month U.S. Cell Plan for Visiting StudentsFor a six-month U.S. visit, Mint Mobile's current new-customer eSIM offer is the best match: $90 upfront for six months, plus taxes and fees. Use Visible's $25 monthly…
- Unsolicited Intermediary Bank Call on a Canada-US WireIntermediary banks may know international-wire details and sometimes set exchange rates, but an unsolicited conversion call is not proof of legitimacy. Hang up, verify…
- ITIN Credit Strategy After 6 Months in the U.S.Six months can make you FICO-scoreable, but it is still early for a stable U.S. credit profile. Build six more clean months, use soft preapproval, and make one targeted…
- Free Software to E-File Form 1040-NR in 2026OLT.com lists tax-year-2025 Form 1040-NR as supported and says federal preparation and e-filing are free. You cannot e-file if you are receiving a new ITIN in 2026, and…
- One-Month Sublet Scam Red Flags and Safe ProcessA refused tour plus a $1,000 deposit and rent upfront for an unseen one-month sublet is a serious rental-scam pattern. Do not pay until the property, person, sublet…
- UCLA Postdoc Budget: Hidden Living CostsA UCLA postdoc taking home $4,800 should plan about $625–$1,210 monthly beyond rent, food, electricity and commuting. Key extras include medical costs, phone and…
- SSN Update After Green Card: Name Space in ID.meDo not choose “change name” merely because ID.me removed a space from your first name. Proceed only if SSA’s review screen preserves the correct spaced legal name;…
- Renew an Illinois License With Pending I-485/I-765An expiring I-20 and no OPT do not block an Illinois standard driver’s-license renewal. Pending I-765/I-485 receipts are not a guaranteed receipt-only route to a REAL ID.
- TN Visa: California DMV Residency and Canadian LicenseCalifornia DMV residency starts when California becomes your domicile—not when your SSN arrives. A resident may rely on a valid Canadian license for at most 10 days, so…
- Best Visa Cashback Card for International TravelThe PNC Cash Unlimited Visa Signature is the best flat-rate choice here: 2% cash back, no annual fee and no foreign-transaction fee. Use its score-neutral preapproval…
- Best First U.S. Credit Card for CanadiansFor most Canadian newcomers, Chase Freedom Unlimited through Nova Credit is the best first U.S. card route. Existing Amex holders can use Global Card Transfer, while RBC…
- California License Renewal With I-797A and STEM OPTA valid STEM OPT EAD may support a California license renewal based on current F-1 proof, but the detached I-94 is not a reliable substitute when DMV requests the…
- German Resident in the US: ETF Options Before PFICA German taxpayer moving into U.S. tax residence can use U.S.-domiciled ETFs, direct securities, or PFIC elections. Treaty residence, the first U.S.-resident day, German…
- U.S. Bank Account Without SSN for a French VisitorA French visitor may legally open some U.S. bank accounts without an SSN or ITIN, but a friend's mailing address alone does not meet Bank of America, Chase, or Amex's…
- US Banking and Credit for Canadians Without an SSNCanadians in the U.S. can open Bank of America checking without an SSN if they meet its ID, address, and foreign-tax-number rules. RBC Bank can also consider Canadian…
- L-1 SSN: 10-Day Wait and Card Delivery TimeAn L-1 entrant may book an SSA appointment immediately but should schedule the application visit at least 10 days after arrival. The card normally arrives about two…
- Renting in NYC Without U.S. Credit: NYU Student GuideA Canadian NYU student can rent in NYC without U.S. credit, but should expect stricter screening. A September employer letter, financial packet, accepted guarantor…
- Amex Authorized User Without SSN: Process & TimelineTo add an Amex authorized user who has no SSN or ITIN, the primary Card Member must call the number on the back of the Card. Amex does not publish a fixed verification,…
- Link Bank of America Credit History to a New SSNAfter adding a new SSN to Bank of America, pull all three credit reports and dispute any file that omits your original card history. If the reports are complete, the…
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