Main Page

My country is the world, and my religion is to do good.” — Thomas Paine.

WelcomeToPenn.com is a community-built guide for international newcomers to Pennsylvania. It focuses on statewide, status-inclusive first steps and connects you to reliable, multilingual resources. Start with one roadmap page, then explore the core topics below to get settled with confidence.

Want to help improve or translate pages? See How to Collaborate. Need peer support? Join our WhatsApp group: Join here.

Start here

Read this one page first. It lists the key steps and links to every article you are likely to need in your first 90 days.

• Newcomer Roadmap: First 90 Days in Pennsylvania — A single, status-inclusive checklist that links to documents (SSN/ITIN, IDs, proof of address), healthcare coverage, school enrollment, housing, work and money, transportation, language access, city guides, and legal help.

Core topics

These topic hubs organize what to do next. Each bullet is an article to write or improve.

Documents and identification

• Getting a Social Security number (SSN) — Eligibility, documents, and timing.
• Getting an ITIN — Tax ID for people not eligible for an SSN.
• Getting a Pennsylvania Driver's License — Requirements, permits, tests, and reciprocity.
• Photo ID for non-drivers (PennDOT) — How to apply and what to bring.
• REAL ID in Pennsylvania — When you need it and how to upgrade.
• Proof of address in Pennsylvania — What counts and how to obtain it.
• Updating your address (USCIS and PennDOT) — Legal timelines and online filing.

Healthcare

• Healthcare Services — How U.S. care works (primary care, urgent care, ER) and how to make appointments.

Housing

• Finding housing in Pennsylvania — Where to search and how to avoid scams.
• Understanding leases and deposits — Terms, inspections, and move-in checklists.
• Tenant rights and renting in Pennsylvania — Repairs, evictions, and notices.
• Fair housing and discrimination — How to get help if you face bias.
• Utilities setup (electric, gas, water, internet) — Starting service and typical costs.
• Renters insurance basics — What it covers and when it helps.

Education and family

• K–12 school enrollment in Pennsylvania — Required documents and how placement works.
• ESL and adult education — Free and low-cost options statewide.
• McKinney–Vento rights in Pennsylvania — School stability for families without fixed housing.
• Special education and IEP in Pennsylvania — Evaluations, services, and parent rights.
• Childcare options and subsidies in Pennsylvania — Finding care and applying for help.
• Libraries in Pennsylvania — Cards, internet access, ESL groups, and community programs.
• College and financial aid for immigrants in Pennsylvania — Pathways, in‑state rules, and resources.

Work and money

• Finding a job (PA CareerLink) — State job centers, training, and job fairs.
• Work and jobs — Resumes, interviews, and workplace basics.
• Workers' rights in Pennsylvania — Pay, safety, and protections for all workers.
• Opening a Bank Account — What banks require and how to avoid fees.
• Money and banking — Budgeting, bill pay, and everyday banking tools.
• Credit history and scores (starter guide) — Building credit safely.
• Taxes and filing (ITIN, VITA) — Free help and key deadlines.
• Sending money internationally (remittances) — Safe, low-cost options.
• Professional Licensing of Pennsylvania — Steps, exams, and foreign credential tips.

Transportation

• New drivers — Permits, practice, and the road test.
• Driving basics in Pennsylvania — Rules of the road and common differences.
• Auto insurance in Pennsylvania — Required coverage and how pricing works.
• Car buying and registration in Pennsylvania — Title, plates, inspection, and emissions.
• Intercity buses and trains in Pennsylvania — Regional and national options.

Legal and immigration

• Immigration basics — Common terms, statuses, and documents explained.
• Know your rights (police, ICE, and courts) — What to do and how to ask for an interpreter.
• Finding legal help — Low-cost and free assistance; how to choose a reputable provider.
• Humanitarian protections (asylum, U/T visas, VAWA) — Who may qualify and where to learn more.
• Fraud and scams: how to avoid notario fraud — Warning signs and reporting.

Language access and community

• Language access and interpretation — Your right to free interpreters in key services.
• Community organizations for immigrants — Statewide directory and how to get help.
• Where to get help — Hotlines, benefits portals, and local offices.
• Language and culture — Everyday communication, etiquette, and community life.
• Translation and multilingual resources — Official materials and where to find them.
• Brazil — Portuguese-language resources (example community page).

Emergency and safety

• Emergency and safety — Preparation and common scenarios.
• 911: how to call and what to expect — Language options and what to say.
• Emergency Medicaid in Pennsylvania — What it covers and how to apply.
• Disaster preparedness in Pennsylvania — Weather alerts and readiness kits.

Digital life and everyday systems

• Digital life — Internet access, mobile plans, and essential apps.
• USPS: mail and addresses — Forwarding, PO boxes, and package tips.
• How to pay bills in the U.S. — Online, auto‑pay, money orders, and checks.
• Online safety and privacy — Avoiding scams and protecting accounts.

City guides

Each local guide lists transit, clinics, ESL, legal aid, and community groups.

Selected Pennsylvania cities and county seats (2010 Census)

Seat name	Population (2010)	County	Municipal type
Philadelphia	1,526,006	Philadelphia	City
Pittsburgh	305,704	Allegheny	City
Allentown	118,032	Lehigh	City
Erie	101,786	Erie	City
Reading	88,082	Berks	City
Scranton	76,089	Lackawanna	City
Lancaster	59,322	Lancaster	City
Harrisburg	49,528	Dauphin	City
York	43,718	York	City
Wilkes-Barre	41,498	Luzerne	City
Norristown	34,324	Montgomery	Borough
Williamsport	29,381	Lycoming	City
Easton	26,800	Northampton	City
Lebanon	25,477	Lebanon	City
New Castle	23,273	Lawrence	City
Chambersburg	20,268	Franklin	Borough
Carlisle	18,682	Cumberland	Borough
West Chester	18,461	Chester	Borough
Greensburg	14,892	Westmoreland	City
Bloomsburg	14,855	Columbia	Town
Pottsville	14,324	Schuylkill	City
Indiana	13,975	Indiana	Borough
Butler	13,757	Butler	City
Washington	13,663	Washington	City
Meadville	13,388	Crawford	City
Uniontown	10,372	Fayette	City
Sunbury	9,905	Northumberland	City
Lock Haven	9,772	Clinton	City
Warren	9,710	Warren	City
Doylestown	8,380	Bucks	Borough
Lewistown	8,338	Mifflin	Borough
Gettysburg	7,620	Adams	Borough
Huntingdon	7,093	Huntingdon	Borough
Stroudsburg	6,674	Monroe	Borough
Franklin	6,545	Venango	City
Somerset	6,277	Somerset	Borough
Clearfield	6,215	Clearfield	Borough
Bellefonte	6,187	Centre	Borough
Lewisburg	5,792	Union	Borough
Hollidaysburg	5,791	Blair	Borough
Media	5,327	Delaware	Borough
Clarion	5,276	Clarion	Borough
Jim Thorpe	4,781	Carbon	Borough
Danville	4,699	Montour	Borough
Beaver	4,531	Beaver	Borough
Honesdale	4,480	Wayne	Borough
Waynesburg	4,176	Greene	Borough
Ridgway	4,078	Elk	Borough
Kittanning	4,044	Armstrong	Borough
Brookville	3,924	Jefferson	Borough
Ebensburg	3,351	Cambria	Borough
Wellsboro	3,263	Tioga	Borough
Towanda	2,919	Bradford	Borough
Bedford	2,841	Bedford	Borough
Coudersport	2,546	Potter	Borough
Emporium	2,073	Cameron	Borough
Mercer	2,002	Mercer	Borough
Tunkhannock	1,836	Wyoming	Borough
Smethport	1,655	McKean	Borough
Montrose	1,617	Susquehanna	Borough
Middleburg	1,309	Snyder	Borough
New Bloomfield	1,247	Perry	Borough
McConnellsburg	1,220	Fulton	Borough
Milford	1,021	Pike	Borough
Mifflintown	936	Juniata	Borough
Tionesta	483	Forest	Borough
Laporte	316	Sullivan	Borough

University guides

• Student Discounts - A U.S. college or university email address unlocks a wide range of free and discounted.

Universities in Pennsylvania

Name	City
Alvernia University	Reading, PA
Carnegie Mellon University	Pittsburgh, PA
Chatham University	Pittsburgh, PA
DeSales University	Center Valley, PA
Drexel University	Philadelphia, PA
Duquesne University	Pittsburgh, PA
Gannon University	Erie, PA
Gwynedd Mercy University	Gwynedd Valley, PA
Immaculata University	Immaculata, PA
Indiana University of Pennsylvania	Indiana, PA
La Salle University	Philadelphia, PA
Lehigh University	Bethlehem, PA
Misericordia University	Dallas, PA
The Pennsylvania State University--University Park	University Park, PA
Point Park University	Pittsburgh, PA
Robert Morris University	Moon Township, PA
Temple University	Philadelphia, PA
Thomas Jefferson University	Philadelphia, PA
University of Pennsylvania	Philadelphia, PA
University of Pittsburgh	Pittsburgh, PA
Villanova University	Villanova, PA
West Chester University of Pennsylvania	West Chester, PA
Widener University	Chester, PA
Wilkes University	Wilkes-Barre, PA

How to use this site

• Start with the Newcomer Roadmap: First 90 Days in Pennsylvania and follow the links.
• Use the search box for keywords (for example, “driver’s license” or “Medicaid”).
• Follow “See also” sections on pages to explore related topics.
• Pages are kept simple and link to official sources; many include multilingual materials.

Official quick links

• USCIS — Immigration forms, case status, and multilingual guides.
• Social Security Administration — SSN information and office locator.
• PennDOT — Licenses/IDs, testing, and REAL ID.
• Pennie — Pennsylvania health insurance marketplace.
• COMPASS — Apply for Medicaid/CHIP and other benefits.
• PA CareerLink — State job services and training.
• PA 211 — Multilingual community resource line (housing, food, utilities).

Contribute and connect

• Improve clarity, add local links, or help translate: see How to Collaborate, Help:Editing, and our Style guide.
• Join the community chat for newcomers and volunteers: WhatsApp group.

See also

• About this wiki
• How to Collaborate
• Help:Editing
• Style guide
• Privacy policy