v256.0 · relocation checklist · IN → US · verified 2026-04
India to United States — relocation checklist
18-step ordered checklist covering visa, banking, healthcare, housing, taxes, schooling, shipping, and pets. Written for the Indian tech professional / student / family on H-1B, L-1, F-1, EB-2/EB-3, or O-1.
From
Total cost
USD 8,000-30,000 (₹6-22 lakh) — visa, deposits, shipping
Timeline
Variable — H-1B 6-18 months lottery; L-1 1-3 months; F-1 2-4 months
Typical profile for this pair
Indian tech professional / student / family on H-1B, L-1, F-1, EB-2/EB-3, or O-1
Step-by-step checklist (18 steps)
Pre-departure (variable)
- Choose visa — H-1B (cap-subject lottery, March registration), L-1A/B (intra-company transfer), F-1 (student), EB-2/EB-3 (employment-based green card), O-1 (extraordinary ability), J-1 (exchange visitor)
Pre-departure (16-20 weeks out)
- H-1B: USCIS Form I-129 by employer; lottery results in April; if selected, full petition due September; visa stamping after approval
Pre-departure (12-16 weeks out)
- DS-160 online + visa fee + appointment at US Consulate (Mumbai/Delhi/Kolkata/Chennai/Hyderabad)
Pre-departure (10-12 weeks out)
- Visa interview at US Consulate — typical 2-4 week appointment wait; stamping in 5-10 working days
Pre-departure (8-10 weeks out)
- Educational + experience attestation; PCC; medical exam for green-card applicants only
Pre-departure (6-8 weeks out)
- Tax planning — file IT-30; LRS USD 250K/year; pre-open Wise or US bank (Schwab International, HSBC US Premier)
Pre-departure (4-6 weeks out)
- Housing — secure first 1-3 months (Airbnb, Furnished Finder); high-cost cities (SF, NYC) require credit history + first/last month upfront
Pre-departure (2-4 weeks out)
- Ship — sea freight Mumbai/Chennai to LA/NYC/Houston 30-40 days, USD 3,500-9,000 for 20ft
Pre-departure (1-2 weeks out)
- Pet — USDA APHIS Form 7001 + CDC import rules (rabies, microchip); USD 1,500-4,000
Arrival (Week 1)
- I-94 record at port of entry; passport stamped with admission expiry
- Apply for SSN (Social Security Number) at SSA office — 10-14 days; needed for employment + banking
Arrival (Week 1-2)
- Open US bank — Chase, BofA, Wells Fargo offer newcomer accounts; SSN typically needed within 30 days
Arrival (Week 2-3)
- Health insurance — employer typically provides for H-1B/L-1; F-1 students via university; ACA Marketplace for self-employed
Arrival (Week 2-4)
- Long-term housing — credit history + employer references + first/last month + security deposit typical
Arrival (Week 3-4)
- Driver's License — state-specific; Indian license generally not transferable, written + road test required
Arrival (Month 2)
- Children school enrollment — public schools free K-12 for residents; school district registration
Arrival (Month 3-6)
- Indian ITR partial year; US 1040 (substantial presence test triggers worldwide income filing); India-US DTAA file relevant residency cert
Ongoing
- H-1B → I-485 (green card) wait can be 10-25+ years for Indian-born due to EB-2/EB-3 backlog; H-4 spouse work authorization continues 2024+
Cost breakdown
| H-1B visa application + stamping | USD 460 + USD 190 stamping (employer often pays USCIS portion) |
| F-1 visa | USD 535 (SEVIS) + USD 185 (visa) |
| L-1 visa | USD 460-960 + employer fees |
| Medical exam (for green card) | USD 200-500 |
| First month rent + first+last+security deposit (SF/NYC 2BR) | USD 6,000-15,000 |
| Shipping (sea freight 20ft) | USD 3,500-9,000 |
| Pet relocation | USD 1,500-4,000 |
⚠ Gotchas + watch-outs
- H-1B lottery (cap of 85,000/year, ~3x oversubscribed) — selection rate ~25-30% recent years
- Indian-born green-card backlog for EB-2/EB-3 — typical wait 10-25+ years
- Substantial Presence Test triggers US worldwide income filing once tax-resident
- No automatic Medicare/Medicaid for visa holders — employer insurance critical
- India-US DTAA limited — saving clause means US citizens/residents lose some treaty benefits
- FBAR + Form 8938 for Indian accounts >$10K aggregate once US tax-resident
- US tax filing required for full year even if you arrive mid-year (Section 7701(b))
Official sources
- US USCIS — https://www.uscis.gov/
- US Consulate Mumbai — https://in.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/mumbai/
- IRS Tax Guide for Aliens — https://www.irs.gov/publications/p519
See also: India profile · United States profile · all relocation checklists · United States tax residency · United States banking
Last verified 2026-04. Immigration, tax, and banking rules change frequently — verify with official sources before acting.