International Student's Guide to Moving to the USA

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Moving to USA as an international student is equally thrilling as well as stressful. Between sorting out your F1 visa regulations, figuring out currency exchange, and fitting your whole life into a couple of suitcases, things can get extremely chaotic. The emotional takeaway from this situation can also be heavy. Whether you are moving to LA/New York or somewhere in Midwest, let this guide help you with the first few months of checklists, logistics and hacks that every international student in USA needs to know.  

Pre-departure checklist: 

Before you say your goodbyes, or even start packing your bags, make sure you have your paperwork 100% aligned. Important tip: make sure you do not carry your paperwork in your luggage; make sure it is in your carry-on bag.  

• Passport and F-1 Visa: Check if your passport is valid for the amount of time between your departure and return. 
• Form I-20: Official paper signed by both the school’s DSO and you. 
• SEVIS I-901 Payment Receipt: Have a printed copy ready.  
• Evidence of Financial Capability: Bank statements, loan approvals, and proof of grants confirming that you can pay for tuition. 
• Vaccination Records: Have them translated into English along with doctors' prescriptions and copies of the prescriptions. 
• eSIM for Students: Before you take off, make sure you have bought a plan with SIM card for international students in USA. This will help you save a lot of money and stress as soon as you land.  

Before taking off and as soon as you land, here are a few things that you can do to make your entry in a new country much smoother: 

1. Buy your mobile plan and activate your eSIM for students before you leave for the airport. 

Doing this will make sure you don’t have to run around looking for a kiosk at the airport. Doing this will help you save a lot of money that you might end up paying for roaming from your home number. This secures you when you want to book a rideshare, update your family and more.  

Here are some for the plans that will help you, depending what you need:  

• $33 High Data Plan: At $7.50 you get 18GB of high-speed 5G data and unlimited national talk and text. You also get unlimited international text and talk to 100 countries.  
• Unlimited Plus: $18 gives you a lot of unlimited: you get 5G data and national talk and text, as well as international talk and text to 100 countries.  
• $23 Unlimited International Plan: 8GB data with unlimited national and international talk and text  

SIM card for international students in the USA is the first thing you need as soon as you land, so make sure you have it ready and activated. Choosing an eSIM is digital and fast activating; it is also digital, so you can keep your home number active while you are in the USA for school.  

2. Pre-book your ride & set up your ride once you land as well: 

Walking around in a massive USA airport after a long flight and not having a ride ready for you is just bad planning. Before you take off, make sure you have downloaded Uber or Lyft and added a card that allows international transactions.   
Pro-Tip: If your school provides a pick-up shuttle, make sure you arrange that, and it is important to have an accessible phone plan with data to keep in touch with them.  

3. Update your bank and carry emergency physical cash: 

As you will be making a lot of international transactions, it is important to notify your bank of this to avoid any issues. Having $100 or $200 in hand as emergency cash is always a great idea.  

4. Notify Your DSO of Your Address 

Upon landing on US soil, you must update your F-1 visa status promptly. 

Before You Depart: Confirm your temporary or permanent US address with the dorm name or apartment details and save the contact information of your DSO in case of emergency. 

Upon Arrival: Ensure that you check in formally as soon as you hit the ground and activate your SEVIS record within the timeframe by logging into your university portal or visiting the International Student Office. 

Ready to take off?  

Moving across the world as an international student in USA is a huge life milestone. Doing extra preparation goes a long way. Get an eSIM for students in USA, sort out all your paperwork and first-day logistics. Once all this is done, you will enter the USA with confidence, connectivity and campus readiness.  

Travel safely and welcome to the best chapter of your life!