Land prepared. Settle faster.
The exact checklist of every visa, document, account, and service to sort — split into before you fly, first week, and first month. Country-specific. Saves to your device.
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Before you fly
30 days before departure
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- Documents
Confirm passport valid for 6+ months past your last day in country
Most countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay. Renew now if you're cutting it close — embassy waits can be 4-12 weeks.
- Documents
Schedule your visa stamping appointment
F-1 (US), Tier 4 / Student (UK), Study Permit (Canada), Subclass 500 (Australia). Book the earliest available slot — appointment availability varies by city.
- Documents
Pay SEVIS fee + bring I-20 in original
$350 SEVIS I-901 fee paid online at fmjfee.com. Bring your I-20 (signed by you and your DSO) and the SEVIS receipt to your visa appointment.
- Money
Open a Wise account or international transfer service
Wise (formerly TransferWise) gives you the real exchange rate. Saves $200-$1,200 over your first year vs. bank wires. Sign up before flying.
Get Wise - Money
Save first month + security deposit + 1-month buffer in transferable form
Typical upfront cost is 2-3 months' rent + setup costs. Have it accessible, not locked in fixed deposits in your home country.
- Health
Confirm health insurance is sorted
US: usually mandatory school plan or ISO/IMG. UK: NHS via IHS. Canada: provincial plan + university supplemental. Australia: Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory.
- Communication
Sort an arrival SIM
Either pre-buy a US/UK/CA/AU eSIM via Airalo, or plan to buy at the airport. Don't roam — costs add up fast.
- Logistics
Lock in housing OR a 7-night temporary stay
Don't land without a place to sleep. If your lease isn't signed yet, book a hostel / Airbnb for the first week so you can view places in person.
Get matched in 24h - Documents
Scan + email yourself every key document
Passport, visa, I-20/CAS/POE, admission letter, vaccine records, transcripts, prescriptions. Keep one copy in cloud, one printed in checked luggage.
First week
Days 1-7 in country
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- Documents
Confirm your I-94 entry record at i94.cbp.dhs.gov
Within 24 hours of landing in the US, download the I-94 PDF — proof of legal entry. You'll need it for SSN, banking, and re-entry.
Get I-94 - Money
Open a US bank account (passport + lease + I-20)
Bank of America Student, Chase Total, or Wells Fargo Everyday — all accept passport + lease + school ID without an SSN. Walk into any branch.
- Communication
Activate a US phone plan
Mint Mobile (eSIM, $15/mo, no SSN), Visible, US Mobile — all sign up online with passport. Avoid Verizon/AT&T/T-Mobile direct in week 1 (require SSN).
Mint Mobile - Logistics
Walkthrough your apartment + photo every wall, appliance, fixture
Email the photos to yourself before unpacking — your security deposit insurance. Save the email forever.
- Logistics
Set up renter's insurance ($10-$15/mo)
Required by most US/UK/CA landlords. Lemonade (US), URBAN-EXPAT (UK/EU), Square One (CA) all sign up online in 5 minutes.
Insurance options - Settling in
Attend international student orientation
Activates your SEVIS / school registration / starts the SSN clock. Critical — don't skip.
First month
Days 8-30
0/5
- Documents
Apply for SSN at a Social Security office
After SEVIS is active + you have a job offer (on-campus / GRA / GTA). Bring passport + I-20 + I-94 + admission letter + job offer + SSN support letter from international office.
- Money
Apply for a secured credit card
Discover It Secured (US) or Capital One Secured (UK / CA). Pay full balance every month for 12 months → 700+ FICO. No more guarantor needed for second-year housing.
Credit options - Documents
Get a state ID / driver license
US: state DMV (after SSN issued). UK: not strictly needed — passport suffices. Canada: provincial driver license. Australia: state RMS/RTA. Useful for everything from buying alcohol to flying domestically.
- Settling in
Furnish + outfit your apartment
Mattress + bedding + kitchen kit + cleaning supplies + a couple chairs. Buy used on Facebook Marketplace + Kijiji + Gumtree to save 60-80% off retail.
Full shopping list - Settling in
Find your campus + nationality community
Cultural student associations, intramural sports, faith communities, language exchange. Loneliness is the #1 thing intl students underestimate. Plug in by week 4.