First 30 Days
🔑 First 30 days
Just arrived — getting housing, utilities, ID and daily life set up fast.
What this stage is about
Questions people ask most
- How do I get an Arizona driver license with a foreign license, and what documents do I need?
- How do I set up electricity, water and gas for a new home in the Phoenix area?
- What are my options for a phone plan and home internet as a newcomer?
- How do I open a US bank account without a Social Security number yet?
- Do I need an SSN or an ITIN, and how do I apply?
- How do I get health insurance in Arizona if it does not come with my job?
- Do I need a car in Phoenix, and how do I register one and insure it?
- Where can I find a furnished short-term rental while I look for a permanent home?
- How do I find a family doctor and a pediatrician, and what is urgent care?
- What should I check in an Arizona lease, and what are my rights as a tenant?
Trusted sources for this stage
Official and reference pages SEEKael has verified. Links are checked automatically; the date shows the last check.
Renting
- Officialhousing.az.govArizona Department of Housing — Landlord & Tenant ↗
Publishes the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act and tenant/landlord rights information (deposits, notices, repairs, evictions), plus affordable-housing and housing-assistance programs.
checked Sep 12, 2026 · verify manually
Utilities & repairs
- Officialphoenix.govCity of Phoenix — Water Services ↗
Starting, stopping or transferring Phoenix water/sewer/trash service, paying the bill, rates, water quality reports and conservation programs. (Electricity is separate: APS or SRP.)
checked Sep 12, 2026
- Officialmesaaz.govCity of Mesa ↗
City services for Mesa, including Mesa's own municipal electric, gas and water utilities in parts of the city, permits, parks and business licensing.
checked Sep 12, 2026
- Officialtucsonaz.govCity of Tucson ↗
City services for Tucson: Tucson Water, environmental services, permits, transit (Sun Tran) and community programs.
checked Sep 12, 2026
- Officialsrpnet.comSRP — Salt River Project (electricity & water) ↗
One of the two electricity providers in the Phoenix area (service territory covers much of Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Scottsdale): start service, price plans, deposits and payment options.
checked Sep 12, 2026 · verify manually
- Officialaps.comAPS — Arizona Public Service (electricity) ↗
The other main electricity provider (northern Phoenix, Scottsdale, West Valley and much of the state): start/stop service, rate plans, deposits and outage information. Which utility you get depends on the address.
checked Sep 12, 2026
- Officialswgas.comSouthwest Gas ↗
Natural gas service for most of Arizona: start service, rates and safety information. Many Arizona homes are all-electric and have no gas account.
checked Sep 12, 2026 · verify manually
Banking & finance
- Officialdifi.az.govArizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions ↗
Regulator of insurers, banks, mortgage brokers and lenders operating in Arizona: license lookup, consumer complaints, and guidance on auto, home and health insurance.
checked Sep 12, 2026 · verify manually
- Officialirs.govIRS — Taxpayer Identification Numbers (SSN, ITIN, EIN) ↗
Which identification number a person or company needs (SSN, ITIN for those not eligible for an SSN, EIN for businesses), how to apply and how long it takes — the prerequisite for tax filing and often for opening accounts.
checked Sep 12, 2026
- Officialssa.govSocial Security Administration ↗
Applying for a Social Security number and card (including for new immigrants and work-authorised visa holders), replacing a card and Social Security benefits.
checked Sep 12, 2026 · verify manually
- Officialconsumerfinance.govConsumer Financial Protection Bureau ↗
Plain-language guides to mortgages (shopping, closing disclosures, escrow), credit reports and scores, bank accounts and complaints against financial companies.
checked Sep 12, 2026
Transport & driving
- Officialazdot.govADOT Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) ↗
Arizona driver licenses, ID cards, vehicle title and registration, emissions testing requirements, and the rules for new residents transferring an out-of-state license or a vehicle.
checked Sep 12, 2026 · verify manually
- Officialazdot.govADOT MVD — Driver services ↗
How to get or transfer an Arizona driver license: required documents (identity, residency, legal presence), tests, the Travel ID (REAL ID) option, and office appointments.
checked Sep 12, 2026 · verify manually
- Officialazmvdnow.govAZ MVD Now (online MVD services) ↗
The MVD self-service portal: renew registration, order a replacement license, update an address, schedule appointments and complete many transactions without an office visit.
checked Sep 12, 2026 · verify manually
- Officialaz511.govAZ511 — Arizona traveler information ↗
Live road conditions, closures, construction and weather-related travel alerts on Arizona highways, including the I-17 and I-10 corridors.
checked Sep 12, 2026
- Officialvalleymetro.orgValley Metro (bus & light rail) ↗
Phoenix-area public transit: light rail and bus routes, fares and passes, park-and-ride, and paratransit — useful for judging how car-dependent an area is.
checked Sep 12, 2026 · verify manually
Insurance
- Officialhealthcare.govHealthCare.gov — Health Insurance Marketplace ↗
Buying individual/family health insurance when it does not come with a job: open enrollment dates, special enrollment after a move, subsidies, plan comparison and eligibility for lawfully present immigrants. Arizona uses the federal marketplace.
checked Sep 12, 2026
Healthcare
- Officialazdhs.govArizona Department of Health Services ↗
State public health department: vital records (birth/death certificates), immunisation requirements for school, licensed healthcare facilities, heat safety and public health advisories.
checked Sep 12, 2026 · verify manually
- Officialbannerhealth.comBanner Health ↗
Arizona's largest health system: hospitals, urgent care and primary care locations, finding a doctor, accepted insurance and patient services.
checked Sep 12, 2026 · verify manually
- Officialhonorhealth.comHonorHealth ↗
Hospitals, urgent care and primary care across Scottsdale and north Phoenix: locations, finding a doctor and insurance accepted.
checked Sep 12, 2026
Immigration & visas
- Officialuscis.govU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) ↗
Immigration benefits inside the United States: green cards, work authorisation, change/extension of status, naturalisation, case status and forms. The authoritative source for anything immigration-related after arrival.
checked Sep 12, 2026