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Settling in

Settling in Miami

Miami is quickly tamed, as long as you take the steps in the right order: everyone's status and I-94 records, the consular register, the Social Security number, health insurance, then housing near the school and a Florida licence within 30 days. Here is what we would have liked to know before arriving, checked against official sources.

Verified on 31 October 2026

Arrival and first steps

Nobody settles in the United States without a visa, and every family member has their own status, attached to that of the parent who works or invests. In Miami, many French families arrive on an E-2 investor visa or an L-1 transfer.

Good to know

  • The spouse and unmarried children under 21 of an E-2 investor or employee receive dependant status for the same period; an E-2S spouse is authorised to work by virtue of that status, the notation appearing on their I-94 record. Source
  • Same logic for an intra-company transfer: the spouse and children of an L-1 employee receive L-2 status, and since 30 January 2022 an L-2S spouse can work without a separate permit. By contrast, the spouse of an H-1B holder (H-4 status) cannot work by default. Source
  • At every entry, US customs records an electronic I-94 that sets each person's authorised stay: download it for the whole family on arrival, it will be requested for Social Security, the driving licence and sometimes school. Source
  • Registering with the French consular register is not compulsory but strongly recommended: free, valid for 5 years, it is done online on service-public.fr and gives access to the registration certificate and consular card. Source
  • In Miami, registration has one more benefit: during hurricane season, the consulate relies on a network of local wardens who pass information on to the registered French community. Source
  • Week 1, in order: I-94 records, Social Security appointment for whoever is working, bank account, mobile plan, choice of health insurance, school enrolment for the children, then the consular register. The Florida licence follows within 30 days.
  • Visiting grandparents travel visa-free for up to 90 days with an ESTA authorisation, applied for online before departure and paid, babies included. Source

Addresses

  • Consulat général de France à Miami

    Consulate

    1395 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1050, Miami, FL 33131

    On the 10th floor of the Brickell Arch tower. Open by appointment Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:30; covers all of Florida, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, the Turks and Caicos and the US Virgin Islands.

    Website Source

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Housing: neighbourhoods and renting

In Miami, the school often decides the neighbourhood: French schools are spread from north to south, and rush-hour car journeys weigh heavily. Choose the school first, then look within twenty minutes of it.

Good to know

  • The accredited offering is split between EFAM (Miami Shores in the north, South Miami in the south), ISCHS's free French track in Little Havana and the Lycée franco-américain in Cooper City, Broward County: the choice of campus shapes everything else. Source
  • County public schools also run a French section within their International Studies programme, supported by the FIPA parents' association: a free option worth a close look if you are aiming for public school. Source
  • No visa is required to rent, but landlords usually ask for proof of employment, a credit and rental history, sometimes references, and application fees may be added. Without a US credit history, bring an employer letter and bank statements. Source
  • Florida law governs the security deposit: after you move out, the landlord has 30 days to notify you in writing of any deduction, and you have 15 days to dispute it. Leave your new address and photograph the property on arrival and departure. Source
  • A Miami-specific trap: the evacuation zone and flood risk. The authorities ask residents to know their zone and enforce evacuation orders; before signing, ask whether the home has hurricane shutters or impact windows and whether it has ever flooded. Source
  • In Brickell or Miami Beach towers, the condo association often has to approve the tenant as well as the owner: allow a few extra days and an additional application before getting the keys.

Addresses

  • Coral Gables

    Neighbourhood

    The family classic: tree-lined streets, well-regarded schools, nature close by, and EFAM's southern campus in South Miami right next door.

    Source

  • Coconut Grove

    Neighbourhood

    A village feel on the bay, parks and marinas, halfway between Brickell, Coral Gables and ISCHS's French track in Little Havana.

    Source

  • Pinecrest et South Miami

    Neighbourhood

    Houses with gardens, increasingly popular with expats; close to EFAM's southern campus, Fairchild and Matheson Hammock.

    Source

  • Key Biscayne

    Neighbourhood

    The family island, with Crandon Park's calm beaches, but a single access road: think about the school run and evacuations during hurricane season.

    Source

  • Brickell

    Neighbourhood

    The high-rise business district, home to the consulate: handy for parents working downtown, free Metromover, but few gardens.

    Source

  • Miami Shores

    Neighbourhood

    A quiet residential area in the north, home to EFAM's northern campus: ideal for families working towards Downtown or Aventura.

    Source

  • Aventura

    Neighbourhood

    A safe northern suburb where everything happens on the spot (shops, schools, leisure), halfway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

    Source

  • Cooper City et Weston (Broward)

    Neighbourhood

    For families choosing the Lycée franco-américain in Cooper City: bigger houses, but Miami 40 minutes or more away at rush hour.

    Source

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Phone and insurance

A prepaid eSIM gets you going from the airport, a contract plan will come with a credit history. On insurance, the car's is compulsory and flood risk is covered separately.

Good to know

  • For the phone, an eSIM or prepaid card activates in minutes with a passport; contract plans often require a Social Security number and a credit check.
  • Registering a car in Florida requires insurance from an insurer licensed in Florida, with at least $10,000 of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 of Property Damage Liability (PDL), kept for the whole registration period. Source
  • Renters insurance is not required by law but is often demanded by the lease. Check what it excludes: in Florida, flood damage usually falls under a separate flood insurance policy.
  • There is no longer a federal penalty for lacking health insurance, but without it every visit is paid in full: take the employer's family coverage from day one, or international insurance if you are self-employed on an E-2 visa. Source

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Banking and money

The account opens at a branch with a passport. Day to day everything is paid by card, and between individuals by Zelle or Venmo; credit builds over several months.

Good to know

  • To open an account, the bank asks for a Social Security number (SSN) or an ITIN, and ID: a passport works. Many banks open accounts for non-citizens with a foreign passport; go to a branch with your passport, visa and a US address, as online sign-up usually requires an SSN. Source
  • You arrive without a US credit history, and your credit score will matter for a loan and sometimes for a lease. A credit card paid off every month, often a secured one at first, builds it within a few months. Source
  • Until the local account is open, your French bank card works in most shops. Wise also offers a multi-currency account and card in the United States, according to its US page. Source
  • Day to day, people mostly pay by card, credit or debit, often contactless or by phone; cash is still used by a large majority of Americans, so keep a few notes. Source
  • Between individuals (babysitter, club fees, splitting a bill), people send money with Zelle, built into the app of over 2,400 banks (the separate Zelle app closed in 2025), or with Venmo. Zelle's own advice: only send money to people you know and trust, as a payment to a stranger is hard to get back. Source
  • For a transfer between France and the United States, the provider (bank or transfer service) must tell you the fees, the exchange rate and the amount that will arrive before you pay; you have 30 minutes to cancel at no cost. For school fees or the security deposit, follow the payment instructions given by the school or landlord. Source
  • Keep your French account, but tell your bank before leaving: it must become a non-resident account, and because of the US FATCA law some French banks refuse or close the accounts of French people living in the United States. If refused, the right to an account lets you ask the Banque de France to designate a bank. Source

Addresses

  • Bank of America

    Bank

    Large national bank, with many branches in Miami and the county.

    Website Source

  • Chase

    Bank

    Large national bank, with branches throughout Miami-Dade.

    Website Source

  • Wells Fargo

    Bank

    Large national bank, with branches in Miami and the suburbs.

    Website Source

  • Truist

    Bank

    South-eastern regional bank, with a strong presence in Florida.

    Website Source

  • Citi

    Bank

    National bank with branches in Miami, including Brickell and Coral Gables.

    Website Source

  • Zelle

    Instant transfers between US accounts, from your bank's app; all you need is the recipient's phone number or email address.

    Website Source

  • Venmo

    Peer-to-peer payment app, linked to a US account or card, widely used to split expenses.

    Website Source

  • Revolut

    App-based payment account with a card: handy day to day and for currency exchange, but not a bank in this country.

    Website Source

  • Wise

    Multi-currency account (Wise is not a bank): receive money from France, pay with the card, exchange currencies.

    Website Source

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Getting set up

Miami has two IKEA stores, in Sweetwater (Miami-Dade) and Sunrise (Broward). Publix, Target and Costco cover the essentials, and second-hand goods move mostly through Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp.

Addresses

  • IKEA Miami

    Furniture and home

    1801 NW 117th Avenue, Sweetwater

    The Miami-Dade store, west of the city near Dolphin Mall.

    Website Source

  • IKEA Sunrise

    Furniture and home

    151 NW 136th Avenue, Sunrise (Broward)

    The Broward County store, convenient for families living further north.

    Website Source

  • Publix

    Supermarket

    Florida's main supermarket chain, with delivery.

    Website Source

  • Target

    Supermarket

    Big-box stores: home linen, storage, baby gear, school supplies and groceries.

    Website Source

  • Costco

    Supermarket

    Membership warehouses in Miami-Dade County, for buying in bulk.

    Website Source

  • Whole Foods Market

    Supermarket

    Organic supermarkets with imported products, several stores in Miami.

    Website Source

  • Aventura Mall

    Shopping mall

    Aventura

    Large mall between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, with the Rainbow Valley Playground.

    Website Source

  • Dadeland Mall

    Shopping mall

    7535 N Kendall Drive, Miami

    Kendall mall, south of the city, with department stores and children's shops.

    Website Source

  • Dolphin Mall

    Shopping mall

    11401 NW 12th Street, Miami

    Outlet mall west of Miami, next to IKEA.

    Website Source

  • Best Buy

    Appliances

    Electronics and appliances (washer, fridge), with delivery and installation on request; adapters and converters for your French devices.

    Website Source

  • The Home Depot

    Appliances

    DIY, storage and large appliances, delivered to your home.

    Website Source

  • Craigslist

    Second-hand

    Miami classifieds: furniture, bikes, baby gear. See the item before paying, in a public place.

    Website Source

  • Facebook Marketplace

    Second-hand

    The main neighbour-to-neighbour second-hand market, along with neighbourhood groups and French expat groups where departing families sell their belongings.

    Website Source

  • OfferUp

    Second-hand

    Peer-to-peer buying and selling app, widely used in Florida for furniture and equipment.

    Website Source

Getting around with children

Miami is first and foremost a car city: most families have one, often two. Public transport still helps downtown, and the free Metromover is an outing in itself for little ones.

Good to know

  • A trip costs $2.25 on Metrobus and Metrorail alike; you pay contactless (bank card, phone) or with an EASY Card, and bus-to-rail transfers are free. Local students from kindergarten to Grade 12 get the discount fare with a dedicated EASY Card. Source
  • The Metromover, an automated elevated people mover, is free seven days a week between Downtown, Omni and Brickell: it serves Bayside Marketplace, the Kaseya Center and Miami Dade College, among others. Source
  • Car seats: in Florida, every child aged 5 or under must travel in an approved restraint, a car seat or carrier up to and including age 3, a seat or booster from 4 to 5. Source
  • Driving licence: as a resident with a visa, you must apply for a Florida licence within 30 days of settling, otherwise you are driving illegally on your French licence; it will be temporary, aligned with the end of your residence status. The consulate neither issues nor replaces French licences. Source
  • Florida law imposes the same 30-day deadline on the spouse and children of driving age as soon as a parent works in Florida or a child is enrolled in public school. Source
  • To leave Miami without a car, the Tri-Rail regional train links MiamiCentral (Downtown) and Miami airport with Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach: handy for a beach day in Broward or Palm Beach. Source

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Admin: Social Security, taxes and the consulate

Two numbers matter in the United States: the Social Security number for those who work, the ITIN for everyone else. On the tax side, Florida has a welcome feature: no state income tax.

Good to know

  • The Social Security number (SSN) is applied for with the Social Security Administration, in person, with passport, visa, I-94 record and proof of work authorisation; it is reserved for people authorised to work. Source
  • A spouse or child who is not eligible for an SSN but must appear on the tax return applies for an ITIN from the IRS with Form W-7, attached to the return; it is available regardless of immigration status. Source
  • Florida does not levy personal income tax: no state return to file. Only the federal return remains, due by 15 April for the previous year, with most of the tax withheld at source. Source
  • A tax treaty between France and the United States avoids double taxation; the consulate does not handle tax matters, your French obligations fall under the tax office for non-residents. Source
  • What the Miami consulate does: passports and ID cards, the register, elections, means-tested social aid and AEFE school grants (filed on the SCOLAIDE platform, with a compulsory interview for a first application). Civil status, including transcribing a birth in Florida, is handled by the Washington consulate. Source
  • What it does not do: US visas, legal advice, driving licences, and it covers no medical costs. Out of hours, it only answers serious emergencies (accident, death, arrest, child in danger); a lost passport with no imminent trip is not one. Source

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Budget: what costs more or less

Miami is expensive, but not in the same way everywhere: housing, private school, healthcare and insurance weigh heavily, while the lack of state income tax, free pre-kindergarten and outdoor life lighten the bill.

Good to know

  • Housing: significantly more expensive than in France for the same space, especially by the sea and near the French schools. Add year-round air conditioning, a big electricity item, and sometimes condo fees. Source
  • Taxes: the absence of income tax in Florida makes a real difference compared with New York or California; only federal tax applies. Source
  • Childcare for the little ones: private daycare or a nanny are very expensive before age 4. After that, the state VPK programme offers a free year of pre-kindergarten to every child living in Florida who turns 4 by 1 September. Source
  • Healthcare: the item that surprises most. The premium is only part of the cost: add the deductible, copays and the out-of-pocket maximum, and stay within the insurer's network. Source
  • Car: purchase or lease, mandatory Florida insurance, fuel and tolls add up; with two working parents and children to drive around, a second car quickly becomes necessary. Source
  • Leisure: the beach, county parks and libraries cost little, often just the parking; museums and the zoo charge entry but offer family memberships that quickly pay off. School: public is free, French and private schools are very expensive, see our school fees page. Source

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A place has closed, something has changed? Tell us: the mums of Miami will thank you.

Sources for this page

The public pages these landmarks come from. The official website always prevails.

  1. 1 Consulat général de France à Miami
  2. 2 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
  3. 3 Miami-Dade County, Department of Transportation and Public Works
  4. 4 Florida Statutes (Online Sunshine)
  5. 5 Florida Department of Revenue
  6. 6 Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
  7. 7 lepetitjournal.com Miami
  8. 8 FDIC, ouvrir un compte bancaire aux États-Unis

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