Are you an international student preparing to travel to the United States for the fall semester? Are you feeling unprepared for the move? Well, here you’ll find everything you need to know before moving to the US. There is a checklist of things you need to keep in mind before coming to the US.
How You Can Prepare for Moving to the US for Your International Study Experience
Plan Your Funds and Expenses
Before you apply for a US student visa, you need to make sure that you are financially sound enough to study in the US. International students are charged a premium tuition fee in US universities. Therefore, it is best to consider different scholarships and financial aid available before deciding to study abroad in the US.
Gathering the Required Documents
Once you have determined that you are financially viable to move to the US, you need to gather all the required documents to apply for a student visa. You will require a letter of acceptance, also known as an enrollment letter from your preferred university, and a completed Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. Your student visa will take around 3 to 8 weeks to be processed. You will be required to attend an immigration interview carrying the following documents:
- A valid passport
- Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form
- Application fee receipt
- Photographs in a standardized size
- Form I-20
Plan for Health Insurance and Accommodation
The best time to plan for health insurance and accommodation is after completing your immigration interview. You can live either on-campus in dorms or try off-campus accommodations like private flats, etc when attending a college in the US. Initially, a majority of international students opt for student housing as it is an easy way to get integrated into the community and make friends.
