Spring 2025 Travel Checklist for International Students to the U.S.

(UNITED STATES) For thousands of international students joining the Spring 2025 Intake in the United States 🇺🇸, the real journey starts long before the first class. December flights, visa checks, winter packing, university deadlines, and future plans like CPT, OPT, H‑1B, and even a Green Card all connect into one long process. This Essential Travel Checklist breaks that journey into clear stages—from the moment you book your ticket to the first months on campus—so you know what to do, when to do it, and what to expect at each step.

Stage 1: Two–Three Months Before Departure — Laying the Legal Foundation

The first stage is all about legal documents. Without these, you can be stopped from boarding your flight or refused entry at the airport in the U.S.

• Check your passport: it must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you arrive. Renew if it expires sooner. If you hold multiple passports, carry all of them.
• Confirm your F‑1 visa (or other student status) matches your details. If you are a citizen of Canada 🇨🇦, you generally do not need a visa stamp but you must carry your Form I‑20.
• If your visa has expired while you are abroad, you may need a new appointment at a U.S. embassy/consulate. December slots can be tight—start checking wait times early.

Your DS‑2019 or I‑20 is central to your entry. It must be:

• Signed by you and your Designated School Official (DSO)
• Show a program start date that matches your plans
• Be used for arrival no more than 30 days before that start date

Returning students: ensure your travel signature on page 2 of the I‑20 is less than 12 months old, or less than 6 months if on OPT.

You must also have proof of having paid the SEVIS fee. Keep your I‑901 SEVIS Fee Receipt with you; you can reprint it from the official payment website at I‑901 SEVIS Fee.

Other key documents to collect in this stage:

• University admission letter, plus any scholarship or assistantship offers
• Proof of financial support: bank statements, education loan letters, sponsor affidavits
• Vaccination records and medical history, if required by your university
• The U.S. address where you will stay (even if temporary) and your DSO’s contact details

Scan every document and store digital copies in email and cloud storage. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, students who keep digital backups face fewer problems if bags are delayed or documents are misplaced at transit airports.

Stage 2: Six–Eight Weeks Before — Flights, Housing, and Money

Once your core documents are ready, shift to planning your trip and living arrangements.

Flights:

• Book flights at least 6–8 weeks in advance—December is very busy and prices rise sharply.
• Avoid connections with less than 3 hours at your first U.S. airport, because immigration and customs can take considerable time.

Housing:

• For on‑campus housing, keep confirmation emails and check move‑in dates.
• For off‑campus housing, retain your lease. If you don’t have permanent housing yet, hold written proof of temporary stays such as Airbnb or hotel reservations.

Financial planning:

• Check tuition payment deadlines for Spring 2025.
• See if your university allows online bank account setup before arrival (banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo often offer this).
• Decide how much money to carry as cash, forex card, or international debit card.

Important customs rule:

• Any cash over $10,000 per family must be declared at U.S. customs.

Stage 3: Two–Three Weeks Before — Building Your Travel Folder

Create a carry‑on folder that holds all immigration and university papers. Nothing important should go in checked baggage.

Include in the folder:

• Passport and F‑1 visa (or proof of Canadian citizenship plus I‑20)
• I‑20 or DS‑2019 with valid travel signatures
• I‑901 SEVIS fee receipt
• Admission letter and scholarship/assistantship documents
• Bank statements and sponsor letters from the last 3–6 months
• Housing confirmations and your full U.S. address
• Printed flight itinerary and return or onward travel plans, if any

Also add:

• 5–10 passport‑size photos
• Sealed academic transcripts and copies of past degrees (often needed for ID cards, driver’s licenses, or later OPT/work-authorization filings)

Medicine kit essentials:

• 2–3 months of regular prescription medicines in original labeled boxes
• A written doctor’s note explaining each medication
• Basic painkillers, cold medicine, and any special items you depend on

Many students underestimate U.S. medical costs; this preparation saves money and stress.

Stage 4: Packing Week — Winter Gear, Electronics, and Food

The week before your flight is hectic. Use a structured packing list.

Climate and clothing:

• Cold cities (New York, Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis) can drop below zero in January. Pack:
  • A heavy winter jacket
  • Thermals, gloves, warm cap
  • Waterproof shoes or boots
• Milder areas (much of Texas, California) still need:
  • A warm sweater or light jacket
  • Long pants and closed shoes

Electronics:

• Laptop and charger
• Phone and charger
• Power bank (usually allowed in carry‑on only)
• Universal adapter (U.S. uses 110V, Type A/B plugs)

Avoid high‑voltage appliances like large irons or hair dryers; they often don’t work well and are cheap to buy after arrival.

Food and customs:

• You may pack dry snacks: biscuits, nuts, instant noodles.
• Small, labeled sealed spice packets are usually fine.

Do not bring fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, or unlabeled powders. Customs can delay, confiscate, or fine you for prohibited items.

Stage 5: Day of Travel — At the Airport and On the Plane

Keep your document folder in a small backpack or handbag under the seat in front of you. You should be able to pull out passport, visa, and I‑20 within seconds.

Before boarding:

• Confirm your final U.S. address and emergency contacts are on your phone.
• Download offline maps of your destination city and airport.
• Save any university Wi‑Fi details or arrivals instructions.

During the flight:

• Crew may hand out a customs declaration form, or you may complete it digitally.
• Report any food items and declare total cash if above the legal limit.

Honest declaration is safer than attempting to hide items.

Stage 6: First U.S. Airport — Immigration and Customs

Your first entry point in the U.S. is where you go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection. CBP describes the inspection process at CBP study and exchange page.

At primary inspection, the officer may ask:

• Why are you coming to the U.S.? (Answer: to study)
• Which university are you attending, and what is your major?
• How will you pay for your studies and living expenses?
• Where will you stay?

Speak clearly, stay calm, and answer honestly. Present passport, visa, I‑20, and SEVIS fee receipt if requested.

Secondary inspection:

• Some students are sent to secondary inspection for random checks, SEVIS verification, or missing documents.
• It can feel stressful but is usually routine. Officers may contact your DSO or check records in detail. If your documents are correct, admission is normally granted.

After immigration, collect baggage and go through customs. Notes:

• Declare cash over $10,000 per family
• Disclose any food items you are carrying
• Avoid seeds, soil, or medication without prescriptions

Once cleared, you can re‑check bags for any onward domestic flight.

Stage 7: First Week on Campus — Legal and Practical Setup

Your first week after landing is a critical compliance window for your student status.

Important actions:

1. Report your arrival to your university’s international office so they can activate your SEVIS record.
2. Attend any international student orientation sessions.
3. Apply for your student ID card.
4. Open a bank account using passport, I‑20, and admission letter.

If you have an approved on‑campus job:

• Get the required DSO letter and then apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) at a local office.
• You cannot apply for an SSN without work permission.

Tax and health compliance:

• All F‑1 students must submit Form 8843, even if they have no income. Download from Form 8843.
• Many universities host tax workshops in February or March.

Practical tasks:

• Buy a local SIM card or eSIM (Mint Mobile, AT&T, T‑Mobile, Verizon are common)
• Set up campus Wi‑Fi and learning portals
• Visit the health center if immunization records or TB testing are required

Stage 8: January–June 2025 — Academic Progress and Future Pathways

When classes begin in January 2025, manage two parallel tracks: academic progress and immigration planning.

Academic tips:

• Meet course registration deadlines and attend from week one.
• Speak with your academic adviser about degree planning. Falling below full‑time enrollment without DSO approval can jeopardize your SEVIS record.

Immigration timeline highlights:

• March 2025 — expected H‑1B registration window. If you finish a U.S. master’s or are on OPT in 2025, discuss the H‑1B lottery with your employer and DSO.
• April–June 2025 — most students with income will file federal tax returns, often using software or campus-supported services.

STEM and work authorization:

• If your program is in a STEM field, you may qualify for a STEM OPT extension (up to 24 additional months after the initial 12‑month OPT).
• Discuss CPT options during your program and OPT timelines with your DSO early to map deadlines.

Ongoing document checks:

• Passport validity (6‑month rule)
• Visa validity and renewal needs
• I‑20 travel signature date
• Any policy alerts from your international office

Note on domestic ID requirements:

• From May 7, 2025, adults will generally need a REAL ID‑compliant license or ID for U.S. flights; until then, your passport remains the most reliable ID.

Key takeaway: Treat your move as a series of clear stages—from document collection and flight booking to SEVIS activation and future work plans—to maximize the chances of a smooth Spring 2025 Intake and a strong start to life as an international student in the United States.