Arrival Guide

Your first 30 days
in the USA — week by week

Everything you need to do after landing as an international student — from clearing customs on Day 1 to student discounts, banking, and building your life in the USA.

16 essential steps
Week-by-week structure
Deadlines highlighted
Money-saving tips included
Week 1
Land, report, and sort your essentials
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Critical
Clear customs & check your I-94
At the airport, present your I-20, valid F-1 visa, and passport. Within 3 days of arrival, verify your I-94 record at i94.cbp.dhs.gov — confirm it shows 'D/S' (Duration of Status). Screenshot it and save it.
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Critical
Report to your DSO within 15 days
Visit your International Student Office with your I-20 and passport. Your Designated School Official (DSO) must update your SEVIS record to confirm your arrival. Missing this invalidates your F-1 status.
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Required
Set up your housing & update your address
If living off-campus, you must report your address to your DSO and update it in SEVIS within 10 days of moving in. Federal law requires this. Use your university address temporarily if you don't have permanent housing yet.
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Day 1
Get a US SIM card
The three main options: T-Mobile, AT&T, and Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile prepaid plans start from $15/month. Consider an eSIM from your home carrier for the first few days while you set up a US number.
Week 2
Banking, insurance & university registration
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Deadline
Enroll in or waive health insurance
Most universities auto-enroll you in their health plan ($2,500–$5,000/year). If you want to waive with a qualifying alternative plan, the deadline is typically within 30 days of arrival — check your university's deadline now. Compare affordable plans at ISOA.org →
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Week 2
Open a US bank account
Bring your I-20, passport, university acceptance letter, and local address. Best options for international students: Chase (wide ATM network), Charles Schwab (no foreign transaction fees, great for travel), or your campus credit union. Also consider Wise for receiving money from home.
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Required
Confirm your course registration
Verify you're enrolled full-time (typically 12 credits for undergrad, 9 for grad). Dropping below full-time without DSO approval violates F-1 status. Get your student ID card and set up your university email.
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Week 2
Figure out your transport
Buy a monthly transit pass — most university cities offer student discounts (20–50% off). Check if your university provides free campus shuttles. Uber and Lyft work everywhere but add up fast — use them sparingly.
Week 3
Social security, taxes & settling in
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If employed
Apply for a Social Security Number (if eligible)
F-1 students can only get an SSN if they have on-campus employment authorisation from their DSO. If eligible, visit your nearest Social Security Administration office with your I-20, employment letter, and passport. An SSN is needed for most US employment and some financial accounts.
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Culture
Understand US tipping culture
Tipping is not optional in the USA — it's a significant part of workers' income. Standard tips: restaurants 18–20%, taxis/rideshares 15–20%, hair salons 15–20%, food delivery $3–5. Skipping tips causes genuine financial harm to workers.
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Important
Learn your US tax obligations
All F-1 students must file a US tax return — even if you had zero income (Form 8843 is still required). If you had US income (campus job, scholarship), also file Form 1040-NR. Use Sprintax — built specifically for international students. Tax deadline is April 15.
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Week 3
Join your international student community
Your university's international student office hosts orientation events, cultural celebrations, and peer mentoring. Also find country-specific student associations — most universities have Indian, Chinese, Korean, Brazilian, and Nigerian student groups that are invaluable support networks.
Week 4
OPT planning, discounts & financial habits
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Long-term
Meet with your academic advisor
Map out your full degree plan and confirm your graduation date. This is critical for OPT planning — you need to apply for OPT at least 90 days before graduation, and USCIS takes 3–5 months to process. Start planning now, even in your first semester.
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Financial
Set up your monthly budget
Use our budget calculator to track your spending. The biggest budget mistakes international students make: eating out too often (cook at home to save $200–$400/month), not tracking subscriptions, and forgetting to budget for flights home.
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Save money
Activate your student discounts
Always carry your student ID. Get GitHub Student Pack (free software worth $200k+), Spotify Student ($5.99/mo), Apple/Dell education pricing (10–15% off), Amazon Prime Student (6 months free + 50% off), and local cinema and restaurant discounts.
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Week 4
Explore your city on a budget
Most US cities have free or cheap things to do: free museum days (many museums are free on certain days), campus events, state and national parks (often free), public libraries (free books, music, movies, even tools), and farmers markets. You don't need to spend much to have a great social life.

Health insurance deadline: usually within 30 days of arrival

Don't miss it — most universities auto-enroll you in an expensive plan. Compare affordable F-1 compliant plans before your deadline.

Compare plans at ISOA
More free tools for international students
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Budget Calculator
Estimate your full annual cost by city
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F-1 Visa Checklist
Complete compliance tracker with saved progress
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City Matching Quiz
Find your ideal US study city in 2 minutes
Frequently asked questions
Common questions from international students in their first month in the USA.
What should I do on my first day in the USA as an international student?
On your first day: clear customs and verify your I-94 record at i94.cbp.dhs.gov. Then: get a US SIM card, find your accommodation, and identify your university's International Student Office address. Your first formal task within 15 days is reporting to your DSO to activate your SEVIS record.
How do I open a US bank account as an international student?
You need your I-20, passport, US address, and university acceptance letter. Best options are Chase (wide ATM network), Charles Schwab (no foreign transaction fees), or your campus credit union. Some banks also accept foreign credit history. Many students also use Wise for receiving international transfers.
Do I need a Social Security Number as an international student?
F-1 students can only get an SSN if they have authorised US employment. On-campus employment is the most common path. If you have a campus job, your DSO can provide an employment letter allowing you to apply at the Social Security Administration office. An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is an alternative for tax purposes if you can't get an SSN.
What is tipping culture like in the USA for international students?
Tipping is standard practice in the USA and forms a major part of service workers' income. Tip 18–20% at restaurants, 15–20% for rideshares and taxis, and $3–5 for food delivery. Unlike many other countries, not tipping is considered disrespectful and causes genuine hardship for workers.
When do I need to file taxes as an F-1 student?
All F-1 students must file a US tax return by April 15 each year, even with zero US income (Form 8843). If you had US income from a campus job, scholarship, or other source, also file Form 1040-NR. Use Sprintax for international student tax filing — it handles both forms and knows the tax treaties that may reduce your liability.
Can I work on campus as an F-1 student?
Yes. F-1 students are permitted to work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic semester and full-time during official school breaks. You do not need special authorisation for on-campus work — just a letter from your employer and DSO to apply for an SSN if needed.