Before you start

An unlocked handset, or an eSIM-capable one
A US address for postpaid, but not for prepaid
A payment method — prepaid accepts foreign cards, postpaid usually does not

Step-by-step

1
Activate an eSIM before flying, or buy prepaid on arrival
A US eSIM activates before you land so you have a working number immediately. No identity registration is required at any point, for either option.
OnlineWho: YouDay 1
2
Check your handset is unlocked and band-compatible
Phones bought on contract abroad are frequently locked, and US band combinations trip up some regional models. With 3G shut down there is no fallback network.
OnlineWho: You
3
Start prepaid rather than fighting a credit check
Postpaid runs a credit check. With no US file you will be declined or asked for a deposit. Prepaid has no check and is usually cheaper for the same data.
OnlineWho: You
4
Check the FCC broadband map before signing a lease
Availability across Norfolk varies address by address between the pre-war neighbourhoods and the post-war ones. The FCC's national map reports at address level and is free — two minutes now against a year of a bad connection.
OnlineWho: YouBefore signing a lease
5
Leave Wireless Emergency Alerts switched on and learn your evacuation zone
The National Weather Service office in Wakefield covers Hampton Roads. Wireless Emergency Alerts need no signup and are how tropical storm warnings, flash-flood warnings and evacuation notices reach you. Virginia's Know Your Zone system assigns every address a lettered evacuation zone — look yours up now, not in September.
Mobile appWho: YouWeek 1
6
Port rather than cancel if you switch later
Number portability is a legal right and works between carriers and MVNOs. Request the port from the new carrier — never cancel the old service first, or the number is gone.
OnlineWho: You

Documents you’ll need

Passport for postpaid; nothing at all for prepaid
US address for postpaid
A payment card — prepaid usually accepts foreign cards, postpaid rarely does

Things most newcomers don’t know

Your phone is the evacuation system.

Hampton Roads is low-lying, criss-crossed by water and connected by tunnels that can close. Wireless Emergency Alerts arrive automatically on any US handset and are the fastest public warning available for tropical storms, flash floods and evacuation orders. People switch them off after being woken once and then miss the one that mattered.

Source: National Weather Service — Wakefield

Check the address, not the city, for broadband.

The FCC's map reports availability at address level, and in Norfolk the answer changes between the pre-war neighbourhoods and the post-war ones, which were built out at different times by different providers. This is the cheapest pre-lease check available and almost nobody does it.

Source: FCC — national broadband map

The US has no SIM registration at all.

Most countries in this app require passport registration to activate a SIM. The US requires nothing whatsoever for prepaid, which makes arriving with a working local number the easiest administrative task of the whole move.

Source: FCC — consumer guides

The credit check is the barrier, not the documentation.

Carriers check credit before offering postpaid, and a newcomer with no file gets declined or charged a deposit. Prepaid sidesteps it entirely and usually costs less for the same allowance.

Source: FCC — consumer guides