Legal Documents

As a foreign national entering the United States , you must have certain documents as evidence of your legal status. These include:

	valid passport, issued by your country, with at least six months validity beyond your entry date; nonimmigrant visa placed inside your passport by a consular officer of a U.S. Embassy or consulate (see 'Visa Information' for detailed instructions on how to apply for a visa);
	Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 A-B, I-20 M-N, or DS-2019form) for students and scholars;
	Arrival-Departure Record (I-94 form), which will be issued to you, usually on the airplane before landing, filled out by you and reviewed and stamped by the immigration officer at your point of entry into the United States. You may have additional clearance procedures on arrival, in which case you will be directed to a private work station where a photograph and electronic (ink-less) fingerprints will be taken to verify your identity, and a short interview conducted and follow-up appointment scheduled to verify your plans.

These documents define your legal status. They are necessary for your entry and stay in the United States , and for any temporary departure from and reentry into the country. It is extremely important that you keep these official documents valid at all times. Failure to do so may cause problems with your stay in the United States .

It is also a good idea to bring an official copy of your birth certificate, as this may be requested when applying for various forms of identification and other documents in the United States . If you are married and your spouse will accompany you, bring a copy of your marriage certificate or other proof of marriage. Be sure to obtain notarized translations of these certificates if they are not in English.

Certificates of Immunization and Vaccination

Ask at the U.S. embassy or consulate whether you must have a medical examination and/or immunization(s) before entering the United States . Regulations are different for each country of origin. Inform the U.S. embassy or consulate if you plan to visit other countries before going to the United States because this might affect the requirements for you. Major airlines often can supply information on U.S. entry requirements from other countries. Your doctor also might recommend additional immunizations.

Most universities require proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella. This usually is defined as two vaccinations for measles, one for mumps, and one for rubella, given on or after the first birthday. Many schools also require either a recent (within six months to a year) PPD skin test or chest x-ray to screen for or rule out tuberculosis infection. Be sure that all immunizations are recorded on the yellow card of the World Health Organization (WHO). This card should be available from your doctor or from the public health service in your country. For more information, visit the World Health Organization homepage at http://www.who.int/. Also check with the international student adviser to determine your U.S. university's specific policies and regulations.

Prescriptions for Medication and Eyeglasses

When you enter the United States , you must declare medications you are carrying on customs forms. Certain drugs may not be brought into the country. If you have questions, check with the U.S. embassy or consulate before you leave home. If you take prescription medicine on a regular basis, bring a sufficient supply and a copy of the prescription, written in English. If you depend on eyeglasses, it is a good idea to bring an extra pair, if possible, and a copy of your eyeglass prescription, written in English.

Although you may feel more comfortable using medications from home for headaches, colds, upset stomach, or minor injuries, aspirin, ointments, and other remedies are readily available in the United States . A pharmacist can advise you.

Medical and Dental Records

If possible, bring detailed and up-to-date medical and dental records for yourself and any dependents who are traveling with you. It is also a good idea to make sure that these records reflect recent visits to your local health care professionals for general examinations, blood tests, dental and eye checkups, x-rays, and so on. This will not only help your U.S. doctors get a better idea of recent or past diagnoses and treatments, but may also help you avoid repeating these tests in the United States at greater expense. (See "Health Insurance Plan Exclusions.")

Academic Documents

Bring official transcripts from secondary schools, colleges, or universities. Additionally, bring any syllabi, catalogs, bulletins, course descriptions, or other relevant materials issued by the secondary school or university you have attended most recently. These records can be very helpful to the admissions office and academic departments if questions arise concerning academic credit or your placement in courses at your U.S. college or university.

Contact Information

Include with your documents the name, address, and telephone number of the individual at your U.S. university to contact in case of a travel delay or an emergency. Also include the name, address, and telephone number of a contact person at home and the name, address, and telephone number of your country's consulate in the United States or another entity, such as an educational mission or sponsoring agency.

Look at the cost estimates that appear on the I-20 or DS-2019 form that accompanies the letter of admission from your U.S. university. These estimates are usually accurate, and international students are expected to have funds to cover the full amount shown. Look also at the budget you prepared yourself based on estimated expenses, and ask your international student adviser, a U.S. educational adviser, or your sponsor for advice on how much money you will require. Use the list below to help you think about all potential expenses you may have.

No one ever intends to have an automobile accident, lose valuable possessions through theft or damage, or become seriously ill, but sometimes through no fault of our own, these things do happen. The list below gives you an idea of what kinds of insurance you should have while in the United States . Ask your international student adviser where you can find out more about the various types of insurance.

Health insurance provides coverage for medical care in the United States . A more detailed look at health insurance, including the types of insurance available, can be found below.

	Travel insurance covers you during your journey from your home country to the United States
	Life insurance insures your life. If you should die, benefits are paid to the person you name as your beneficiary.
	Personal belongings insurance insures those items you bring to the United States with you against loss, theft, or damage. It is not advisable to bring expensive jewelry or other valuable personal belongings with you to the United States .
	Automobile insurance covers your automobile and injuries to persons in the event of an accident. If you are going to have an automobile in the United States , most states require that you carry automobile and liability insurance. If you rent a car, the fee generally includes insurance coverage.

Health Insurance

The United States does not have a government medical plan or health care service that covers the whole population. Instead, most people have private health insurance.

The U.S. Department of State requires students on J-1 exchange visitor visas to have insurance coverage that includes health and accident, medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains. The U.S. government has no specific health insurance requirements for students on F-1 and M-1 nonimmigrant visas. However, most educational institutions have set their own mandatory health insurance requirements to ensure that international students do not become a "public charge" --- that is, they do not become dependent on the U.S. government to take care of them. International students usually are required to prove they have a certain amount of health insurance (determined by the university) before they will be allowed to enroll in classes.

If a health premium seems too high for your budget or if, as a healthy young person, you think that health insurance is an unnecessary expense, consider the costs that could be incurred in the United States as outlined below.

Hospitals, doctors, and other medical costs vary throughout the country, but emergency room care averages about $200 per visit. Hospital rooms vary in price depending on the hospital and the region of the country, but currently one overnight stay in a hospital room averages $200 to $1,000 per day, not including charges for doctors and other medical services. Maternity care and delivery cost between $5,000 and $8,000. Overall, national figures indicate that the average cost for a one-week stay in a U.S. hospital is often as much as $8,000. In other words, this is about half the cost of attending some U.S. colleges or universities for an entire year.

Health Insurance Plans: Although health insurance covering your stay in the United States can be purchased in your home country, experience has shown that many of these plans do not adequately cover your health care needs during your U.S. stay. In addition, many U.S. health care providers are reluctant to bill foreign insurance companies for health care charges. They prefer to receive payment directly from the patient and to let the patient seek reimbursement from the foreign insurance company. Unless you are certain that the policy is equal to or better than the policies of U.S. health care insurance companies, and that your home-country health insurance policy can be billed in the United States , you should probably purchase health insurance when you arrive in the United States .

If the university or college you attend does not offer a health insurance plan, it is extremely important that you obtain coverage of your own to protect yourself against potentially very high medical costs.

There are countless numbers of health insurance companies and each has numerous plans. Your nearest overseas educational information or advising center may offer sample brochures for your reference. Also discuss health insurance plans with your international student adviser, either through correspondence or when you arrive on campus. The following are some of the types of health plans available:

	Sponsored foreign student: If you have an institutional sponsor or a scholarship, you may already be provided with health insurance through your sponsor. Be sure that you understand which health care services are provided for you and which are not. If your spouse or family will be with you in the United States , ask what provisions are made for their health care. Depending on the amount and type of coverage, you may wish to consider a supplemental policy that will help cover more of your potential expenses.
	University health plans: As mentioned earlier, almost all universities and colleges require that students carry health and accident insurance (the cost of which is in addition to the "health fee" generally charged at the beginning of each school term). Most educational institutions recommend a specific student health insurance plan. However, some of these plans are designed to supplement insurance already held by U.S. students or their parents. Although better than no insurance at all, such health insurance plans may not meet the needs of international students. Be certain any policy you purchase is not intended to be a supplemental policy only.
	NAFSA: Association of International Educators, publishes online yellowpages with information on health and safety. To explore several options for insurance plans, please visit their site at: http://www.eseries.nafsa.org/scriptcontent/YP_auto/c12.cfm.
	Basic health insurance plan coverage: Basic health insurance usually includes doctors' fees (or a percentage of the fee) for major illnesses, as well as hospital and surgical expenses. Minor illnesses or injuries are treated in a doctor's office, and most insurance plans do not pay for such care. If your spouse or family accompanies you to the United States , be certain they are also covered by health insurance. Dependents can be protected by purchasing a "family plan" that covers them as well as you.
	Major medical insurance: This insurance is designed to take care of expenses resulting from a prolonged illness or serious injury. These policies generally involve a "deductible" clause --- that is, you pay a certain amount, and the insurance company pays any additional charges or, sometimes, only the major percentage of those charges. Typically, the deductible is $500 to $1000, depending on the policy and the type of coverage. Maximum benefits (the limit the insurance company will pay) vary greatly and generally range from a low of $5,000 (which is not enough coverage) to $1 million or more (which is usually more than most healthy international students need). You should purchase insurance that provides at least $25,000 in major medical coverage. It would be advisable, however, to purchase $50,000, $75,000, or even $100,000 worth of coverage, especially if you plan on bringing your spouse or other dependents with you.

Most basic health and medical insurance policies specify certain limits, that is, a certain maximum amount the insurance company will pay for certain services. The patient must pay charges in excess of the stated limits.

Health Insurance Plan Exclusions

It is important to read your health insurance policy carefully, especially the section that deals with "exclusions," so that you will know in advance what the insurance company will pay for and what it will not pay for. Below are some areas that are generally not covered by basic health insurance plans:

Maternity care: You must purchase insurance for maternity care separately and, generally, before pregnancy occurs. Most maternity insurance policies allow only two days' hospital stay.

Dental services: If you need dental work done, it is a good idea to have it taken care of before coming to the United States .

Eyeglasses: If you wear eyeglasses, have your eyes examined before you leave home and bring an extra pair of glasses and the prescription (written in English) with you. Except in the case of injury to the eye, eye care is generally not covered by health insurance.

Existing conditions: Most insurance companies will not reimburse you for treatment of a condition that existed prior to the effective date of your insurance policy. If you require care for an ongoing medical condition, look closely at any insurance policies you are considering. Medical care in the United States can be very expensive without insurance.

Prescription medications: Many insurance companies do not provide coverage for prescription medications, which can be very expensive in the United States . Even if they do provide some coverage, a "copayment" or standard fee (often $10 to $15) is usually required from you for each prescription on a monthly basis.

Typing Skills and Computer Literacy

Before you come to the United States, you should learn to type on a computer with English characters. Many university courses require written assignments called "papers" that must be typed. Especially if you are a graduate student, you may have to prepare a typed thesis or dissertation. In engineering, mathematics, or fields that use statistics, you will most likely have to use computers to work on complex problems. Use of the library may also depend on skills in using a computer. A few universities now require all students to purchase a personal computer. Many universities offer informal computer courses at the beginning of each semester. They can help you become familiar with basic computer functions and software packages.

Language Skills

The success of your educational experience in the United States rests largely on your ability to understand, speak, read, and write the English language. Experience has shown that no other single factor is as important to academic success as proficiency in English.

Most academic institutions in the United States require as part of their application process that foreign students take an English examination, like the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Some schools require a second institutional English proficiency exam before students are allowed to register for classes. Requirements vary with different schools and there may be costs involved. The admissions officer at your college or university will give you information regarding English language requirements for foreign students.

If you are offered a graduate teaching assistantship, the school may require that you take a special test to measure your ability to speak English. One examination used for this purpose is the Test of Spoken English (TSE).

Ease with spoken English does not necessarily guarantee adequate skills in written English. Even native English speakers often need additional assistance with reading and writing for academic purposes. If you can read and write English easily and have a good vocabulary, it will be easier to study and to finish assignments on time.

Sharpening Your English Skills

To increase proficiency in English and achieve greater success in your studies, use every opportunity to improve your language skills before coming to the United States.

	Consider joining a class or study group to work on your English skills before you come to the United States. Inquire at your present school or ask a U.S. educational adviser for suggestions.
	Speak English as often as possible. If there are English speaking students at your present school, get acquainted with them and use the opportunity to practice.
	Read English language books, magazines, and newspapers, including books from your field of study to familiarize yourself with the terms specific to your field.
	Get acquainted with American pronunciation and slang by watching television and movies and listening to music or to radio programs in American English. If there are no programs in English in your country, in most parts of the world you can listen to radio broadcasts on Voice of America or Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
	Consider living in the United States for several weeks before beginning formal study at the college or university. Some schools offer special ESL programs during the U.S. summer, from May to September. Most programs include an introduction to U.S. culture and society. Ask your international student adviser about such programs.

Once letters of acceptance or rejection arrive, decide which university to attend, notify the admissions office of your decision, and complete and return any forms they require. Notify each university that offers you admission if you accept or decline their offer. Return any official forms that you will not use.

I you are being sponsored by an organization, notify that organization of your plans. Maintain contact with the sponsoring organization, which can assist with predeparture arrangements. Contact the nearest EducationUSA information and advising center for predeparture information and advice.

Request information about health insurance from your university. Obtain suitable insurance.

Obtain certified copies of your secondary and postsecondary transcripts, along with detailed descriptions of your courses and the books used in the courses.

Obtain copies of important medical records, X-rays, and prescriptions. Have prescriptions written in English in generic terms.

Reread your university's catalog.

Check to see that your passport is up-to-date and valid.

Apply to your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for a visa upon receipt of your I-20 or DS-2019 form. Do this well in advance of your departure date. Application packets are available from many U.S. educational information and advising centers. See chapter 3 for further details.

Learn how to reach the university from your point of entry in the United States.

Make travel arrangements. See chapter 4 for more information. It is advisable to arrive on campus a few days to one week before orientation and registration begin.

Contact the International Student Office (or similar office) at your university with details of your arrival plans, and confirm details of any orientation for new students held by the university.

Finalize arrangements for housing with your university. Inquire about temporary housing, hotel, motel, or other arrangements that need to be made if arriving early or during the weekend.

Organize finances: arrange to transfer funds to a U.S. bank and make sure you have funds for travel and expenses on arrival; consider buying traveler's checks to cover costs during your first month in the United States; consider obtaining a credit card, if possible.

Predeparture Information
http://www.new2usa.com

A Guide for International Visitors
This guide was designed to help participants in State Department-sponsored programs understand how their program was developed and what to expect before, during, and after.
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/ivp/english.htm

Overviews of the U.S. Education System
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/edlite-about.html
http://www.edupass.org

Homepages of U.S. Consulates and Embassies
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/questions_embassy.html

Tax Information for International Students
http://www.edupass.org/finaid/taxes.phtml
http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/

Information on Immunization and Vaccination Requirements
http://www.who.int/en/