XaploreNewcomer Picker

New to the US

Your first US credit card and phone plan

Two short pickers for people who just arrived — students, H-1B and L-1 workers, new green card holders and visiting parents. Answer a few questions and see the realistic options, with named examples and prices checked on the issuer’s or carrier’s own website.

First credit card

No US credit history, maybe no SSN yet. See which of six paths fit you — secured, student, starter, no-SSN, credit-builder, authorized user — with named cards and fees.

Open the card picker →

Phone plan

Prepaid, MVNO or big-three postpaid? Filter by data, budget, lines and network, plus calling China and keeping your Chinese number.

Open the phone picker →

Your first 30 days: phone, bank, credit

  1. Week 1: get a US phone number (prepaid or an MVNO eSIM works without an SSN).
  2. Week 1–2: open a checking account at a big bank with your passport, visa documents and US address.
  3. If you are authorized to work: apply for your SSN (students: once you have on-campus work, CPT or OPT).
  4. Week 2–4: apply for your first card on the path that fits you — secured, student, starter or no-SSN.
  5. Turn on autopay for the full statement balance from day one.
  6. Move money home cheaply — compare remittance fees before your first transfer.

Sending money home? Compare fees on remit.xaplore.dev.

FAQ

Does my credit history from China transfer to the US?

No — US credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) do not import Chinese credit reports, so you start with no US file. A few issuers can look at credit reports from certain other countries through a cross-border service; check whether your country is on their list.

Can I get a US phone number without an SSN?

Yes. Prepaid plans and most MVNOs do not need an SSN or a credit check — you pay up front. Postpaid plans run a credit check; without an SSN or US credit a carrier may ask for a deposit.

What is the difference between an ITIN and an SSN?

An SSN comes from the Social Security Administration and is for people authorized to work in the US. An ITIN comes from the IRS (Form W-7) for people who have a federal tax reason but are not eligible for an SSN; it is for tax purposes only and does not authorize work. Some card issuers accept an ITIN on applications; many still require an SSN.

How do I check my credit report for free?

AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site for free reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion; according to the CFPB you can view them online for free once a week. Checking your own report does not hurt your score.

Is this financial advice?

No. This is general information about common starting paths, with product details copied from official pages on the date shown. Issuers decide approvals and change terms often — always read the issuer’s current terms before applying.

More guides

Other free Xaplore tools

  • Remittance calculator — Compare Wise, Remitly and bank fees to send money to China.
  • Tax helper — Residency test, FBAR and the tax basics for new arrivals.
  • H-1B lottery odds — Estimate your H-1B lottery odds under the weighted selection rule.

Official references