How to Open a Bank Account in the USA Without an SSN
Account without SSN – ITIN, PSFCU (Polish bank), Chase, BoA, Wells Fargo. Step by step with a passport.
🇺🇸 USA Guide: Immigration and paperwork
Practical guides on "Immigration and paperwork". Plain language, with examples for the Polish community in the USA.
Tourist Visa in the USA Expires – What to Do: I-94, I-539 Extension, Overstay, and 3/10 Year Bars (2026)
The legality of your stay is determined by the I-94 date, not the visa validity – check it at i94.cbp.dhs.gov; ESTA has no extensions (emergency satisfactory departure up to 30 days), while for B-2 you file I-539 (470/420 USD) preferably 45 days before the deadline; overstaying more than 180 days results in a 3-year ban upon departure, over a year leads to a 10-year ban, and ANY overstay invalidates your visa and permanently closes ESTA.
How long does it take to wait for a work permit (EAD) in the USA – USCIS processing times 2026
Processing times for I-765 in 2026: asylum, AOS, OPT, H-4. How to check status, automatic 540-day extension.
Tourist Visa to the USA 2026 – Step by Step
Do you need a B1/B2 visa or is ESTA sufficient? Procedure, costs, DS-160 form, and what to do in case of denial.
How to Get a Green Card in 2026 – A Guide for Poles
Real pathways to obtaining permanent residency in the USA in 2026: family, work, DV lottery, and more – costs, timelines, forms.
Official U.S. e-Services for the Polish Diaspora: my Social Security, IRS Account, USCIS, Login.gov, and ID.me (2026)
Duplicate SSN cards, IRS installment payments, and N-400 citizenship applications – all online. How Login.gov (requires SSN) and ID.me (also works from Poland) function, what has disappeared in 2026 (Direct File eliminated, Polish IRS pages removed), and where you can still receive service in Polish (SSA with free translators).
Traveling with Cash Within the USA – Civil Asset Forfeiture, How to Defend Yourself, How to Recover
TSA, DEA, and state police can seize your legal cash without criminal charges; learn what to say, what not to sign (Disclaimer of Interest), how to file a Judicial Claim, and how to protect your money from seizure.
How Does Customs Control Work with Large Amounts of Cash?
Learn how customs control works when bringing large sums of cash into the USA, including the inspection process, rights during questioning by CBP officers, and when to seek legal assistance.
Do children have a separate $10,000 limit at the U.S. border? NO – explanation
The most common myth in the Polish community: each child has their own $10,000 limit. FALSE – the limit applies to the entire family collectively. What CBP says, why splitting is structuring (up to 5 years in prison).
Exporting Cash from the USA Over $10,000 – Limit for the Family, Not Per Person
$10,000 is the threshold for the ENTIRE family/group traveling together, not a limit per person. How to file FinCEN Form 105, why splitting the amount is a crime, and how to protect legal money.
How to Travel with a Large Amount of Cash: Practical Tips
Traveling with a large amount of cash can be concerning; learn how to prepare the right documentation, avoid suspicion, and what to say (and what to avoid) when interacting with officials.
Can TSA Search Cash? Your Rights While Traveling
Learn whether TSA has the right to search cash during security checks and what your rights are as a traveler, including procedures and what to do in case of confrontation.
How to Legally Transport Large Sums of Money: A Practical Guide
Planning a trip and want to transport a large sum of money? Learn how to do it legally to avoid issues at the border with these best practices regarding transfers, traveler's checks, and documentation.
Can You Transport Gold Across Borders? A Guide to Rules and Regulations
Are you wondering if you can transport gold across borders? Learn about the regulations in the USA and the formalities you need to fulfill to avoid issues.
How to Recover Money Taken by CBP: A Guide to the Process
Recovering money taken by CBP can be complicated; learn how to effectively file for remission and the steps to take to increase your chances of success.
Civil Asset Forfeiture in the USA – What You Need to Know
Learn how civil asset forfeiture laws work in the USA, the differences between civil and criminal forfeiture, and how you can defend against unjust property seizure.
CBP Confiscation – How Can the Agency Take Cash?
Learn how the cash confiscation process by CBP works in the USA, understand the reasons for confiscation, and your rights as a traveler.
What Happens If You Don't Declare Money When Entering the USA?
Failing to declare money when entering the USA can lead to serious consequences, including cash confiscation by CBP and potential criminal charges. Learn about the real implications for travelers.
FinCEN Form 105 – Step by Step: How to Complete the Report on Currency and Monetary Instruments
Learn how to correctly fill out FinCEN Form 105 to avoid mistakes and penalties; our step-by-step guide will help you understand each element of the form and who needs to submit it.
Bringing Cash into the USA – Complete Guide (aggregate limit, not per person)
Are you entering the USA with cash over $10,000? The limit applies to the entire family collectively. CBP Form 6059B + FinCEN 105, source documentation, how to avoid confiscation of the entire amount.
Is the $10,000 limit per person or per family?
Learn how the $10,000 limit applies when traveling to the USA; it is important to understand that the limit pertains to the entire family traveling together, not to an individual.
How Much Cash Can You Bring Across the U.S. Border? A Guide to Regulations
Are you planning a trip to the USA and wondering how much cash you can take with you? Learn about the rules regarding cash transportation and the potential consequences of improper reporting.
How to Avoid Immigration Scams: Fake Lawyers and Green Cards
Learn how to identify fake immigration lawyers and avoid scams related to documents and Green Cards, including how to verify lawyers and report abuses.
Głosowanie za granicą w wyborach polskich z USA – konsulat, rejestracja, terminy
Polish citizens w USA mogą głosować w wyborach polskich (Prezydenckich, Sejmowych, Senatu, Europarlament, referendach) – tylko OSOBIŚCIE w polskim konsulacie lub polish embassy. NIE ma głosowania korespondencyjnego z USA (zostało zniesione w 2023 dla większości wyborców za granicą). Procedura: rejestracja na listę wyborczą online (e-konsulat) lub przez konsulat, 24-30 dni przed wyborami. W dniu wyborów – wizyta w polskim konsulacie lub punkcie wyborczym. Wymagany ważny polski dowód osobisty LUB paszport. Wyniki: głosy zliczane razem z polish votes w Warszawie. Każde wybory wymagają OSOBNEJ rejestracji – nie auto-renew. Polish Americans bez polish citizenship NIE mogą głosować w polish elections (różne od US elections).