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It’s an exciting time for international students who are preparing to come to the United States for their studies! But it can also be overwhelming because international students have many things to prepare for, such as immigration and visa requirements, housing, health insurance, transportation options, to name a few.
International students can enter the United States up to 30 days before their program start date. So to help international students prepare, Lewerglobal designed a pre-arrival guide to help students navigate the process of arriving in the United States and settling into their new homes.
We hope by providing this information in advance, it will help international students ease their transition and help them feel more comfortable and confident as they depart their home countries to begin their academic programs.
Before leaving their home countries, international students should think about the various items they should bring. There are certain items international students should pack in their carry-on luggage versus a checked bag, so these items remain with them at all times. These items are essential for entering the United States and getting settled.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recommends that international students have at least two copies of their passports, visas, and I-20s: one set of copies stays with their parents, and the other for their designated school official (DSO).
It can be hard for an international student to know what to pack if they don’t know when they’ll be able to return to their home country. It’s a balance of deciding what items are necessities and which items you can purchase after arrival. But some recommended items to pack include:
Of course, new students need other essential items when settling in. Some items that may be tempting to pack but can wait include:
Upon arrival in the United States by land, air, or water, an international student will go through Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) where they will need to show their passport, visa, and I-20 to receive a Form I-94, also known as an arrival/departure record.
The I-94 is one of the most critical documents for an international student because it says that the student has legally entered the United States, why they entered, and how long they are allowed to stay.
For new students arriving by air or sea, the Form I-94 is electronic, and they can download a copy later, but they’ll receive a stamp in their passports that includes the date entered, why they are in the country, and the length of period they’re allowed to stay. Students arriving by land receive a paper Form I-94 and a stamp.
When meeting with a CBP officer, students must have their passports, student visa, and Form I-20. If the CBP officer has trouble verifying a student’s information, they may have to go to a secondary inspection area for an interview. Yikes!
The journey may not be over after an international student enters the U.S. and successfully receives Form I-94. The U.S. is a large country, so depending on the final destination, it may take international students one or two more flights or a few more hours of driving to reach campus.
Bonus Tip: The most common entry points from international flights are New York City, Newark, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. All luggage from international flights gets unloaded on arrival in the U.S., so if a student is catching another flight, they must check their bags again after going through CBP.
New international students must “report” to their school before the program start date listed on the I-20. This means stopping by the international office and quickly meeting with a designated school official (DSO).
It’s critical for international students to check in with their international office because the DSO must report the student’s arrival to campus in a system called the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, or SEVIS for short. SEVIS is a system that allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to track all international students (F, M, and J visa students and dependents) in the United States.
If an international student thinks they won’t be able to arrive on campus by the date listed on the I-20, they need to contact a DSO immediately.
Many universities will host international student orientation lasting anywhere from 1-5 days. Orientation helps new international students adjust to U.S. life and provides important information about the university and local area.
During orientation, students will attend programs to meet other students, and receive information on various topics, including important campus resources like the student health center, obtaining health insurance, how to make an appointment with an academic advisor, applying for on-campus housing, and much more.
Most importantly, orientation is where students learn about immigration regulations and requirements they need to follow while in the country.
In addition to arriving no more than 30 days before the program start date and reporting to a university’s DSO, DHS outlines additional specifics steps for international students to main their status, including:
There are also several scenarios where international students would need to talk to a university DSO before taking action, such as changing majors, degree programs, or transferring to another university.
It’s important that international students learn and understand the legal requirements of maintaining their status, so be sure to attend orientation!
There are definitely pros and cons to living either on campus or off campus. It usually comes down to finances, what’s available, and the kind of experience students are looking for. Here’s a brief summary what students need to know.
One of the main pros of living on campus is the convenience. Students are close to classes, the library, the health center, and the recreation center. Residence halls, also called dorms, will have laundry rooms, study lounges, and places to eat. It’s also easier for international students to meet and connect with American students.
One possible con of living in a residence hall is the size of the rooms available. While some universities are starting to build spacious apartment-style rooms, many still have “traditional” residence hall rooms where 2-4 students share the same space and use a community bathroom and down the hall.
Additionally, the residence halls usually close during winter and summer breaks. This may mean students need to pack up and leave for every break or apply for break housing, which usually costs money.
Lastly, if international students bring family, they’ll need to see if the university provides family-style housing. If not, then going off-campus is the only option.
Depending on the number of roommates, finding a house or apartment to rent off campus can offer more flexibility and be more cost-effective. Plus, while residence halls usually have certain rules around visitation, quiet hours, and decorations, students off campus have more flexibility.
Additionally, renting an apartment or house means having a full kitchen. For international students, cooking their own food is important, while on-campus students usually only have the option of eating at a dining hall.
Some possible cons of heading off campus include navigating the local rental market. Finding an affordable rental nearby can be hard, and leases are usually for one year. Plus, commuting to campus can be time-consuming and expensive depending on the location.
Additionally, some landlords may not rent to someone without a social security number (SSN). An SSN is needed to run a background check and credit check, but a new international student will most likely not have an SSN yet.
International students can explore both on and off-campus options by talking with the university’s international office, residence hall office, or by connecting with current international student groups via social media.
Most international students will quickly learn that to navigate living in the U.S., a vehicle is definitely needed! But to legally drive, a student will need to get a driver’s license.
For international students, here are the steps for getting a driver’s license:
From there, a DMV staff member will explain the next steps. Depending on the state, country of origin, or type of driver’s license previously held back home, an international student could get a temporary license, a license right on the spot, or need to wait a few weeks. Additionally, some states may require an individual to pass both a written and driving test before issuing a license.
Most international students are allowed to work on campus, but there are very strict rules they need to follow. It’s important to remember, especially for F1 students, they had to prove their financial ability to cover tuition and living expenses to receive a student visa, so that is why there is a limit to the employment opportunities available.
But international students are allowed to work on campus or at a place with an educational affiliation with the university. Most common jobs are in the dining halls, bookstores, residence halls, recreation center, etc. International students can look for jobs up to 30 days before classes start.
The common steps for finding on-campus employment:
Remember: International students can only work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year.
Of course, last but not least as part of our comprehensive pre-arrival guide, is health insurance!
Most universities require international students (F and M visas) to have health insurance, and for J students, the government requires them to have health insurance. This ensures that students have access to medical care and treatment when needed.
There are usually three scenarios international students fall into when it comes to selecting a health insurance plan:
Students need to check the university’s minimum requirements when considering different plans. The DSO can answer any questions.
We hope international students find this pre-arrival guide to be helpful! And when in doubt, do not hesitate to contact the international office at the university or another university official. Many people are ready and happy to help new students!