🛬 Arrival Guide

First 30 days in North America

Everything you should do before you board the plane, at the airport, and in your first weeks — so you hit the ground running. Use the printable checklist at the bottom.

Week before departure

Before you board the plane

  • 📄
    Carry these in your hand luggage (never checked)Passport, I-20 (US) or Letter of Acceptance + PAL (Canada), visa, admission letter, financial proof, address of where you're staying, emergency contacts.
  • 💳
    Tell your home bank you're travelingPrevent card blocks. Also bring $200–$500 in local currency for emergencies.
  • 📱
    Unlock your phoneSo you can swap SIMs. Some carriers charge to unlock — do it before you leave.
  • 💊
    Get a 3-month supply of any prescription medicationBring a doctor's note and original packaging. Some medications legal in your country may not be legal in US/Canada — check ahead.
  • 🏥
    Confirm health insurance is activePrint your insurance card or save it offline. Travel insurance covers gap before school's plan starts.
  • 🗓️
    Confirm move-in date with housingMany dorms have strict first-day check-in windows. Don't arrive too early or too late.
At the US/Canada border

Customs & immigration

  • 1
    Stand in the "Non-Citizens" lineEven if you have a visa. US uses "Visitors"; Canada has kiosks or agents.
  • 2
    Hand the officer your passport + I-20/LOAAnswer honestly: "I'm a student at [school name], starting [date]." Don't joke. Don't give extra info.
  • 3
    Get your I-94 (US) or student permit stamp (Canada)US: I-94 is automatic; verify it at i94.cbp.dhs.gov within a week. Canada: the officer prints your Study Permit — CHECK it before leaving the booth.
  • 4
    Declare any food / currency / prescription drugs$10,000+ in cash must be declared. Food restrictions are strict — most meat and produce is prohibited. When in doubt, declare it.
First week

Set yourself up

1

📱 Get a SIM card

USA: T-Mobile, Verizon, Mint Mobile ($15–$50/mo prepaid). Canada: Rogers, Bell, Telus, Public Mobile ($35–$60/mo). You need an ID and sometimes an address.

2

🏦 Open a bank account

USA: Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo offer student accounts with passport + I-20 + local address. Canada: RBC, TD, Scotiabank — most have "newcomer" packages with no monthly fees for the first year.

3

🪪 Get your SSN or SIN

USA: Apply for SSN if you have on-campus work authorization. Visit Social Security office with passport + I-20 + job offer. Canada: SIN is free and fast — walk into any Service Canada office with passport + Study Permit.

4

🎓 Check in at your school's international office

Mandatory in the US (required to keep your SEVIS record active) and strongly recommended in Canada. Bring all your documents. They'll also run orientation sessions for international students.

5

🏥 Activate health insurance + get a doctor

Your school's plan usually activates around orientation. Register with a primary care physician through student health services. Save the emergency number.

6

🚇 Get your transit pass

See our Transportation page for student-pass pricing in each city. Most universities offer discounted monthly passes.

Packing

What to pack (and skip)

Most international students over-pack. You can buy most things cheaper in North America than you can ship.

✓ Pack these

  • All original documents (passport, I-20/LOA, visa, transcripts, financial proof)
  • 2–4 outfits for different weather (most can be bought after arrival)
  • Winter coat ONLY if arriving in fall/winter — cheaper to buy in-country
  • 3-month prescription supply + doctor's note
  • Electronics + plug adapters (US/Canada use Type A/B, 120V)
  • Formal outfit for interviews and special events
  • Photos of family / cultural items for your dorm
  • Favorite spices or small non-perishable foods you'll miss

✗ Skip these

  • Textbooks (rent or buy at school)
  • Large winter coats if arriving in summer — buy Columbia, Canada Goose, LL Bean locally
  • Bed linens / towels (bulky, inexpensive to buy)
  • Pots, pans, plates (buy at IKEA/Target/Walmart for $50 total)
  • Liquids over 100ml in hand luggage (security will confiscate)
  • Fresh food, meats, plants (customs will destroy)
  • Prescription drugs without a doctor's note
  • More than 5–6 pairs of shoes (closet space is tight)
🖨️

Printable arrival checklist

Print this page as a PDF to bring with you — or save it to your phone for offline access.

Still have questions?

Book a 20-minute consultation — we'll personally walk you through pre-departure.

Book pre-arrival help