Key takeaways
- Carry every original document in your cabin bag — never in checked luggage.
- Split money across a forex card, a small cash reserve and one international-enabled card.
- Register with the university, open a local bank account and get a SIM in the first 72 hours.
Documents (cabin bag only)
- Passport with visa, I-20/CAS/CoE and admission letter
- Original academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Test score reports — IELTS/TOEFL, GRE/GMAT
- Loan sanction letter, fee receipts and financial documents
- Travel and health insurance policy
- Accommodation confirmation and 8–10 passport photographs
- Scanned copies of everything, stored in cloud storage and emailed to yourself
Money and banking
Load a multi-currency forex card before you fly, carry a modest amount of local cash for the first two days, and enable at least one Indian debit or credit card for international use as a backup. Inform your bank of your travel dates so transactions are not blocked.
Health and insurance
Complete required vaccinations, carry prescriptions in generic drug names with a doctor's letter for any regular medication, and confirm your insurance is accepted by the university — some institutions mandate their own plan.
Packing sensibly
Buy bulky winter wear after you arrive; it is usually better suited to the climate and often cheaper in sales. Prioritise a universal adapter, formal clothing for interviews and presentations, basic medicines, and any Indian groceries you genuinely cannot live without. Weigh your bags at home — excess baggage charges at the airport are brutal.
Your first 72 hours
- Complete university registration and international student check-in
- Get a local SIM and share the number with family
- Open a local bank account — carry your passport, visa and offer letter
- Register with local authorities if your visa requires it
- Locate the nearest pharmacy, grocery store and campus health centre
- Attend orientation — this is where your first friendships and job leads come from
Need personal guidance?
Talk to a Parayu Orbit counsellor for unbiased advice based on your profile, budget and career goals.