USA · CHAPTER 11
Before you flyto the USA.
Carry your passport, F-1 visa, signed I-20, SEVIS receipt and financial documents in your hand luggage. Arrange housing, waive or enrol in health insurance, and plan to arrive no earlier than 30 days before your programme start.
Published by Althéa Consulting · Adviser: Harshita Kohli
Source review: · How to use our guides
Checklist
- Passport, visa, signed I-20, SEVIS receipt
- Admission letter and financial documents
- Housing confirmation
- Health insurance details
- Vaccination records required by the university
- Forex card and some US dollars
- US plug adapters (type A/B)
IN DEPTH · TAP A TOPIC TO OPEN
Documents in your hand luggage
- Passport with F-1 visa
- Signed I-20
- SEVIS fee receipt
- Admission letter and funding documents
- Address of your housing in the US
- University contact numbers and international office email
Before you fly
- Enrol in or waive the university health insurance
- Get vaccination and immunisation records — most universities require them
- Carry about $500–1,000 in cash and a forex or international card
- Book temporary housing if your lease starts later
- Arrive no earlier than 30 days before the I-20 start date
QUICK ANSWERS
Your questions, answered.
Your immigration documents, medicines with prescriptions, a few weeks of familiar food and spices, warm clothes if you study in the north, and electrical adapters for US type A/B plugs (110V).
WHERE TO GO NEXT
Keep going: the pages that help next.
Each card says what you will find there. Looking for something else? See every page on the site.
USA GUIDE
First weeks in the USA
After arriving in the USA: check your I-94, report to your international office, enrol, open a bank account and apply for an SSN if you get a job.
USA GUIDE
Housing & student life
On-campus dorms, graduate housing and off-campus shared apartments in the USA: costs, leases, deposits and roommate tips.
FROM INDIA
Packing & customs
What to pack from India for study abroad: medicines with prescriptions, food rules for the EU, UK, USA, Canada and Australia, cash limits and baggage tips.
FROM INDIA
Month-by-month timeline
Month-by-month study abroad plan from India for a September 2027 start: tests, applications, scholarships, loans, visa, flights and a document checklist.
TOOL
Compare countries
Compare countries on fees, living costs, visa rules and post-study work, in one table.
FRANCE
Study in France
The full France guide: degrees, fees, Campus France, visa, housing and work, chapter by chapter.
COMING SOON
Support for the USA
opens soon.
Althéa’s personal support for the USA is coming soon. Today we help students coming to study in France, and everyone already living in France.
Coming soonExplore France while you wait