FAQ
Question: How to Open a Bank Account
Answer: For information on how to open a bank account, follow this link- Bank Account
Question: How to get a driver's license
Answer: For information on how to get a driver's license in the state of Missouri, follow this link- Driving Information
Question: What documents do I need to work in America?
Answer: All employees (citizen or noncitizen) hired after November 6, 1986 must complete an I-9 form at the time of hire. The I-9 is not required for unpaid volunteers or for contractors. A list of acceptable documents for I9 Work authorization click here
Question: How does someone become a citizen of the United States?
Answer: Any person born in the United States, or in Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands is a citizen at birth, no matter what her parents' immigration status is. A person born in another country to two U.S. citizen parents is also a citizen at birth. A person born in another country to one U.S. citizen and one non-citizen parent may or may not be a U.S. citizen.
Lawful permanent residents may also apply to become citizens after being a lawful permanent resident for a certain number of years; the process of moving from lawful permanent resident to citizen is called naturalization. Most green card holders have to be in lawful permanent resident status for five years before applying for naturalization. If lawful permanent residence was obtained through marriage to a U.S. citizen and the lawful permanent resident continues to reside and be married to the U.S. citizen, then naturalization can occur after being in lawful permanent resident status for three years.
Question: How do I get a Social Security Number?
Answer: A Social Security number (SSN) is a number assigned to you by the United States government. It helps the government keep track of your earnings and the benefits you can get. It is also used by banks and other agencies, such as schools, to identify you. You may be asked for your SSN when you rent an apartment or buy a home. The government department in charge of Social Security is called the Social Security Administration. Find the Social Security office closest to you by: • Calling 1-800-772-1213 or enter your zipcode on the following link You can also get more information by visiting the Social Security Administration website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov org, for Spanish, see http://www.segurosocial.gov/espanol/.
IF YOU DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH The Social Security office can provide an interpreter free of charge to help you apply for a Social Security number. Tell the person who answers the phone at 1-800-772-1213 that you don’t speak English. They will find an interpreter to help on the phone. You can also get help from an interpreter when you visit the Social Security office. The Social Security Administration website contains helpful information for people new to the United States.
Question: What are job benefits?
Answer: In addition to your pay, some employers provide extra employment “benefits.” Benefits may include: Medical care, Dental care, behavioral health plan, Eye care, Life insurance, and Retirement plan. Employers may pay some or all of the costs of these benefits. Ask about the benefits your employer will provide.
Question: What is “identity theft”, and what can I do to avoid it?
Answer: “Identity theft” means someone has stolen your personal information, such as your Social Security or bank account number. They can use it to take money from your bank account or get a credit card in your name. Identity theft is a serious crime. Protect yourself by: • Making sure you know and trust the people or businesses you give your personal information to, especially on the phone or Internet. • Leaving your Social Security card at home in a safe place. Do not carry it with you. • Carrying with you only the identification documents or credit cards you need at the time. Leave the rest at home in a safe place. • Tearing up or shredding any paper or forms with your personal information on them before throwing them in the trash. If you have a problem with identity theft, you can get help by calling the Federal Trade Commission’s ID Theft Hotline at 1-877-438-4338. You also can get information at http://www.ftc.gov.
Question: When should I call 911?
Answer: You can call 911 on any telephone to get emergency help. Call 911 to: • Report a fire. • Report a crime in progress. • Call an ambulance for emergency medical help. • Report suspicious activities, such as screams, calls for help, or gunshots.
Question: How can a person in the U.S. help someone to obtain a visitor’s visa?
Answer: Not all people who come to the U.S. need a visitor’s visa. People from Andorra, Hungary, New Zealand, Australia, Iceland, Norway, Austria, Ireland, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Czech Republic, Denmark, Lithuania, South Korea, Finland, Spain, France, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom do not need a visa to visit the U.S.
If a person is not from one of the aforementioned countries, then she needs a visa to visit the U.S. She will have to apply at the U.S. consulate or embassy in her country of residence. She will have to show, among other things, that she is only coming to the U.S. temporarily, has sufficient money to afford her travels, and does not intend to abandon her residence abroad.
To assist in the application process, a person in the U.S. could write a letter for a friend or family member who wants to visit the U.S. stating the invitee's name, reason for visit, period of stay in the U.S., and explain who will be paying the visitor's expenses, and how. If the guest has enough funds to pay her own expenses, she must be prepared to show the consular officer that she has sufficient funds for the trip. If the American host is paying the expenses, the host may complete an affidavit of support. Remember simply completing this letter or affidavit of support does not guarantee that the friend or family member will be granted a visitor visa. The immigration officer will view the friend or family member’s entire application and will use her discretion when deciding whether to approve the visa application.
Question: Can I Vote?
Answer: It depends upon your immigration status. If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen, you have the same voting privileges as a natural-born citizen and you may vote in any election as long as you meet the other qualifications, which generally include:
Answer: For information on how to open a bank account, follow this link- Bank Account
Question: How to get a driver's license
Answer: For information on how to get a driver's license in the state of Missouri, follow this link- Driving Information
Question: What documents do I need to work in America?
Answer: All employees (citizen or noncitizen) hired after November 6, 1986 must complete an I-9 form at the time of hire. The I-9 is not required for unpaid volunteers or for contractors. A list of acceptable documents for I9 Work authorization click here
Question: How does someone become a citizen of the United States?
Answer: Any person born in the United States, or in Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands is a citizen at birth, no matter what her parents' immigration status is. A person born in another country to two U.S. citizen parents is also a citizen at birth. A person born in another country to one U.S. citizen and one non-citizen parent may or may not be a U.S. citizen.
Lawful permanent residents may also apply to become citizens after being a lawful permanent resident for a certain number of years; the process of moving from lawful permanent resident to citizen is called naturalization. Most green card holders have to be in lawful permanent resident status for five years before applying for naturalization. If lawful permanent residence was obtained through marriage to a U.S. citizen and the lawful permanent resident continues to reside and be married to the U.S. citizen, then naturalization can occur after being in lawful permanent resident status for three years.
Question: How do I get a Social Security Number?
Answer: A Social Security number (SSN) is a number assigned to you by the United States government. It helps the government keep track of your earnings and the benefits you can get. It is also used by banks and other agencies, such as schools, to identify you. You may be asked for your SSN when you rent an apartment or buy a home. The government department in charge of Social Security is called the Social Security Administration. Find the Social Security office closest to you by: • Calling 1-800-772-1213 or enter your zipcode on the following link You can also get more information by visiting the Social Security Administration website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov org, for Spanish, see http://www.segurosocial.gov/espanol/.
IF YOU DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH The Social Security office can provide an interpreter free of charge to help you apply for a Social Security number. Tell the person who answers the phone at 1-800-772-1213 that you don’t speak English. They will find an interpreter to help on the phone. You can also get help from an interpreter when you visit the Social Security office. The Social Security Administration website contains helpful information for people new to the United States.
Question: What are job benefits?
Answer: In addition to your pay, some employers provide extra employment “benefits.” Benefits may include: Medical care, Dental care, behavioral health plan, Eye care, Life insurance, and Retirement plan. Employers may pay some or all of the costs of these benefits. Ask about the benefits your employer will provide.
Question: What is “identity theft”, and what can I do to avoid it?
Answer: “Identity theft” means someone has stolen your personal information, such as your Social Security or bank account number. They can use it to take money from your bank account or get a credit card in your name. Identity theft is a serious crime. Protect yourself by: • Making sure you know and trust the people or businesses you give your personal information to, especially on the phone or Internet. • Leaving your Social Security card at home in a safe place. Do not carry it with you. • Carrying with you only the identification documents or credit cards you need at the time. Leave the rest at home in a safe place. • Tearing up or shredding any paper or forms with your personal information on them before throwing them in the trash. If you have a problem with identity theft, you can get help by calling the Federal Trade Commission’s ID Theft Hotline at 1-877-438-4338. You also can get information at http://www.ftc.gov.
Question: When should I call 911?
Answer: You can call 911 on any telephone to get emergency help. Call 911 to: • Report a fire. • Report a crime in progress. • Call an ambulance for emergency medical help. • Report suspicious activities, such as screams, calls for help, or gunshots.
Question: How can a person in the U.S. help someone to obtain a visitor’s visa?
Answer: Not all people who come to the U.S. need a visitor’s visa. People from Andorra, Hungary, New Zealand, Australia, Iceland, Norway, Austria, Ireland, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Czech Republic, Denmark, Lithuania, South Korea, Finland, Spain, France, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom do not need a visa to visit the U.S.
If a person is not from one of the aforementioned countries, then she needs a visa to visit the U.S. She will have to apply at the U.S. consulate or embassy in her country of residence. She will have to show, among other things, that she is only coming to the U.S. temporarily, has sufficient money to afford her travels, and does not intend to abandon her residence abroad.
To assist in the application process, a person in the U.S. could write a letter for a friend or family member who wants to visit the U.S. stating the invitee's name, reason for visit, period of stay in the U.S., and explain who will be paying the visitor's expenses, and how. If the guest has enough funds to pay her own expenses, she must be prepared to show the consular officer that she has sufficient funds for the trip. If the American host is paying the expenses, the host may complete an affidavit of support. Remember simply completing this letter or affidavit of support does not guarantee that the friend or family member will be granted a visitor visa. The immigration officer will view the friend or family member’s entire application and will use her discretion when deciding whether to approve the visa application.
Question: Can I Vote?
Answer: It depends upon your immigration status. If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen, you have the same voting privileges as a natural-born citizen and you may vote in any election as long as you meet the other qualifications, which generally include:
- Must be a United States citizen
- Must have lived in the state for a period of time (usually 30 days)
- Must be at least 18 years old on or before election day
- Must not have been convicted of a disqualifying felony (or have rights restored)
- Must not have been legally declared "mentally incompetent" by a court
