Step-by-step guides
Everything nobody explains when you arrive in Florida — in order.
Your first 30 days in Orlando
What to do when you arrive in Orlando and Central Florida: phone, documents, bank, apartment, school, driver’s license, jobs and doctors, in order.
Read guide →Just arrived · 2 minMoving from Puerto Rico
A guide for Puerto Ricans moving to Orlando: driver’s license, bringing your car, Medicaid, professional licenses, voting and schools.
Read guide →Just arrived · 3 minArriving from Venezuela
A guide for Venezuelans in Orlando and Central Florida: immigration status (TPS, parole, asylum), documents and apostilles, driver’s license, professional credentials, property and sending money.
Read guide →Apartments & housing · 2 minRenting with no credit
Rental requirements in Orlando and Kissimmee, how to rent without a credit history or Social Security number, your tenant rights in Florida, and how to avoid scams.
Read guide →Electricity, water & internet · 2 minSetting up utilities
Which electric and water company serves your Central Florida address (OUC, Duke Energy, KUA, Toho), deposits, internet and phone.
Read guide →Driver's license & documents · 2 minLicense, Social Security & ITIN
How to get a Florida driver’s license or ID, a Social Security number and an ITIN. Requirements, appointments, tests and translations.
Read guide →Immigration & lawyers · 2 minReal immigration help
How to find an immigration lawyer in Orlando, avoid notario fraud, find low-cost organizations, deal with immigration court, and know your rights.
Read guide →Cars & insurance · 2 minBuying and insuring a car
Where to buy a car in Orlando, financing with an ITIN or no credit, taxes and fees, Florida’s required insurance, tags and tolls.
Read guide →Transportation · 2 minGetting around Orlando
How to get around Orlando without a car: LYNX buses, SunRail, Brightline to Miami, airports and toll roads.
Read guide →Jobs · 2 minFinding a job in Orlando
Where to look for work in Orlando and Kissimmee, industries that are hiring, documents, Florida minimum wage, your worker rights, and job scams.
Read guide →Doctors & clinics · 2 minDoctors & dentists without insurance
Free and low-cost clinics in Orlando, how to get health insurance (Marketplace, Medicaid, KidCare), affordable dentists and mental health help.
Read guide →Schools & English · 2 minSchools & English for adults
How to enroll your children in Orange, Osceola and Seminole public schools: documents, vaccines, ESOL and VPK. Plus free English classes for adults.
Read guide →Banking, credit & taxes · 2 minBanking and building credit
How to open a bank account with a passport or ITIN in Orlando, how to build a credit history from scratch, and how to send money home without overpaying.
Read guide →Banking, credit & taxes · 2 minTaxes: what to know
Florida has no state income tax, but you still file federal taxes. W-2 vs. 1099, ITIN, free tax prep (VITA) and the homestead exemption.
Read guide →Buying a home · 2 minBuying your first home
How to buy a home in Orlando: ITIN mortgages, down payment assistance, HOA and CDD fees, insurance and the homestead exemption.
Read guide →Start a business · 2 minStarting a business in Florida
Step by step to open a Florida business: register an LLC on Sunbiz, get an EIN, local licenses, sales tax, and free help for Hispanic entrepreneurs.
Read guide →Hurricanes & emergencies · 5 minHurricanes: what to do
A hurricane guide for Orlando, Kissimmee and Central Florida: county alerts, emergency kit, shelters, flood insurance, power outages, FEMA aid (including for mixed-status families) and how to avoid scams.
Read guide →Free help · 2 minFree help: food and rent
Where to get free food, rent and utility assistance, clothing and support in Orlando and Central Florida. How to use 211 and ACCESS Florida.
Read guide →Get what you need to know, every week
Changes to licenses and immigration, jobs, events and deals from Latino businesses in Orlando. No spam.