First 10 Things Every International Student Should Do After Arriving in the USA

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Upon arriving as an international student in USA, the realisation that everything is about to change and you have just started a new chapter hits you. You are engulfed by the vastness, speed of living, and rushing around to keep up with your orientation timetable. The difference is that how fast you get settled is equivalent to how fast you adapt to a new country. There are ten things you must do before your first class to make sure that your legal, financial, and electronic arrangements are settled in record time. 

1. Double-Check Your Entry Status (Form I-94 & I-20) 

As an international student, present your passport, F-1 student visa, and your signed Form I-20 to the US Customs and Border Protection. Once you pass through the control, you may check your electronic Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) online within 24 hours. Be sure it reads “F-1 D/S” (Duration of Status), as a mistake made by border control can be the source of many later administrative problems. 

2. Check-in with Your DSO 

Your F-1 visa status will not become valid until your university updates SEVIS. Complete your international student check-in through the university's online portal or through the Global Services Office within 48 hours to ensure that you remain in valid immigration status. 

3. Open a Student Checking Account 

Living in the United States requires you to have opened a local bank account. Choose a bank closer to the campus with a special student account that requires no monthly fees, and go with your passport, I-20, admission letter, proof of address, and your US phone number. These help you create your bank account and get a debit card.  

4. GO TO THE Mandatory International Student Orientation 

You should think of the orientation as quarterbacking a legal situation rather than as making acquaintances. The DSO will inform you of important regulations, such as the maximum number of hours you can work on campus, the rules for Curricular and Optional Practical Training, and the minimum number of classes you must have. Failure to adhere to these regulations may result in accidental violations of your visa status. 

5. Get Your Campus ID & Access Information  

Your student ID is your physical key to everything. It provides access to the building, amenities at the library, laboratories, meal plans, and even discounts for public transport in your area. Make your ID available on Day One to avoid any inconvenience. 

6. Local Housing Documentation Should Be Ready 

When you get settled in, get a signed lease or dorm assignment along with utility bills to prove that you stay at a certain address. This is vital if you want to get a bank account, state ID, or any other documents. 

7. Have Insurance and Vaccination Paperwork Ready  

The health services in the USA can be costly if you do not have insurance. Check that your university health insurance is working or apply for an exemption if you are covered elsewhere. Make sure that you have submitted all your vaccination documents, and there are no holds on your record. 

8. Get yourself a SIM card for international students in the USA. 

This should be the first thing you do as soon as you land. You can buy yourself an eSIM for students even before you land. Buying a Lyca Mobile eSIM makes sure you can activate your plan in your home country and choose it as your primary number as soon as you land. This not only helps you save a huge amount of money that you would have to pay for roaming, but it also helps you align your stay, travel and communication with the school as soon as you land. Don’t spend the first hours figuring out where to find a SIM at the airport or learning to navigate overpriced carrier policies that may require you to have a USA credit history. If you have an unlocked phone, you can get your digital Lyca Mobile eSIM activated before you take off or land in USA. With a U.S. line already activated, you will be able to quickly complete your checklist items: 

• Immediate Bank & University Verification: Banks, university portals, and money transfer applications require a local mobile number to send verification codes via SMS. 
• Smooth Dual-SIM Utilisation: You can keep your home number active to receive OTPs and use your local Lyca Mobile eSIM for 5G internet service. 
• Transport and administration: book rides or organise transport arrangements on campus without relying on unreliable airport WI-FI. 

Plans That Are Perfect For Students And Why: 

Opt for the $33 High Data Plan ($7.50/month) if you’re seeking the best everyday option. It provides you with over double the data of the base tier at half the promotional price, making it the best choice for incoming international students. 

Select the Unlimited Pro ($29.50/month) if you cannot rely on campus Wi-Fi or need a large mobile hotspot for school or streaming purposes. 

Pick the $23 Plan ($15.00/month) only if you are extremely careful with your use of Wi-Fi and need a simple backup. If you use the network to call back home. The unlimited international call options make sure you have a few months while trying to keep in touch with family back home.  

9. Mapping Out Transport Routes and Logistics 

Identify your immediate supply routes: grocery hub(s), pharmacy(ies), campus health centre(s), and transit nodes (bus or subway lines). Download local transportation applications and create accounts on ridesharing from your active American cell phone line. 

10. Apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) 

In case you find a job on campus, obtain an employment letter and DSO approval letter. Take these documents along with your passport, I-94, and I-20 to the local SSA office. A social security number opens the door for the official payroll process and building a history of credit in the US. 

Following these steps will not make the whole process smooth, but it will help you. It will make sure you are not stressed and crazed in the first few months of landing. As an international student in the USA, you already have a lot of pressure; you can follow the above ‘must-dos’ and reduce that.