Travel

1. We strongly recommend that you do not book your flight to the US, until after you have booked your visa interview at the U.S Embassy.
2. You cannot enter the US before the “Earliest Admission Date” which is written on the first page of your I-20 document.
3. Since you will have a student-visa for admission to the US, you do not need to apply for an ESTA. But, if you have friends or family travelling with you or wanting to visit, they will require an ESTA
   

Essentials for your Hand Luggage

1. Make sure you arrive to the correct airport with plenty of time to spare to reduce stress and any rushing.
   

Along with your check-in details/booking references, and boarding pass – make sure to have:

1. Passport with your student visa
2. The original I-20 – do NOT bring a copy
3. Financial documents that you presented to the school and that you took to the embassy
4. Scholarship Papers (any and all)
5. Proof of SEVIS payment
6. The address of your school (can be found under section 2 of your I-20)
7. Telephone number of your coaches – Head Coach & Assistant Coach
8. Immunization Records
   

Other Important belongings to pack

1. Important electronics– phone, laptop…
2. Electronic Adapters – if you make sure to have them before you travel, then you won’t be stuck without a means to charge your devices
3. Sporting Equipment – e.g., tennis rackets, football cleats
4. Suitable clothing for your universities climate – Know the climate before you go!
5. All paperwork/documents/forms from your schools – e.g., medical paperwork, insurance papers
   

Customs and Immigration

1. You will be required to show your passport with valid F1 student visa and original I-20
2. Completed U.S. Customs Service Form – a blue form which will be given out on the plane before landing
3. To complete this form you will need: passport, student visa, and flight ticket, address of where you will stay your first night
   

Flight Transfers

1. When booking your flight, if you are transferring (not going directly to your end destination), make your layover it at least 2.5 hours. This is crucial to ensure you have enough time to get through customs and make your way through the airport before boarding
2. When transferring, after customs you must pick your baggage up and then deposit them back through transit before going back through security - follow the flight transfer/onward travel/transit signs.
3. If in doubt, ask the airport staff
   

On Arrival

1. When your flight is confirmed, make sure to notify your coach know the date and time of when you arrive so that he/she can arrange the pickup
2. Send the coach and designated pickup individual (could be the coach, assistant coach, teammate. International office staff) a copy of your full travel itinerary.
3. Make sure you have the name and contact details of the person who will meet you.
   

Other Information

Banking

1. You can set up student bank accounts in the US near your university – this will prevent any additional currency charges that would occur if you used your home-country bank card
2. To open a US Bank Account:
3. Student-Visa
4. Passport
5. I-20
6. There may be a bank located on campus, but if not then there will be one nearby
7. Common Banks in the US include: Wells Fargo, Bank of America, HSBC, Capital One…
8. If you wish to transfer money from a home-country bank account to an American one, we highly recommend using ‘Wise’ to make online international transfers as easy as possible https://wise.com
   

Mobile Phone

1. You can stick with your current phone plan and Facetime/iMessage/WhatsApp when on WIFI
   
2. OR you can purchase a US Sim, chose a contract, and receive a US phone number so that you can use your phone as you would at home!
3. Common Phone Service Companies in the US: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Dish Wireless, Mint Mobile

Setting Up Your Living Space

1. Since you are flying there is limited baggage and space there is no need to pack anything needed for setting up your living space
2. We recommend buying things such as bedding, stationary and towels when you arrive.