Checklist of Items to bring to the U.S.

When you come to the U.S. from your home country it can be difficult to choose what to bring and what to wait to buy once you are in the U.S. We are here to help!

Packing Suggestions

What to Bring from your Home Country: Recommendations from current international students

What to Buy in the U.S.: Ideas from current students on what to buy once you have arrived

Important Documents & Items to Bring (Keep these in your carry-on luggage)

• Passport and Visa
• I-20 or DS-2019 (for F-1 and J-1 international students and scholars), I-797 Approval Notice for H-1B employees
• Admission, invitation or employee offer letter
• Financial documents
• SEVIS Fee payment receipt (for F-1 and J-1 international students and scholars)
• Some cash and/or a credit card (MasterCard and Visa are accepted almost everywhere in the US)
• Driver's license and/or international driver's license
• Phone number/contact information of person who will meet you at the airport (if that has been arranged for you)
• Phone number/contact address of any friends and relatives in the U.S.
• Medication
• Eye glasses and/or contact lenses
• An adapter and converter for U.S. electrical outlets (the US operates on 120 V, 60 Hz)
• Medical and immunization records with English translations (if you have school aged children, they are required to have certain immunizations before beginning school)

• Children’s birth certificates

What to Leave at Home

• Prohibited and Restricted Items
• Food items such as meat, cheese, fruits and vegetables
• Electric appliances (the US operates on 120 V, 60 Hz)