I always feel like I'm forgetting something... (CAN to US student)

[Danger_Zone]

I'm a Canadian student going to the US, so I don't need a student visa but just the i-20 (under F1 status.) I've been going over a check-list in my mind feeling like I'm going to go to the airport and realize I've forgotten something. So I thought I'd make a list of what I need here... maybe this will help other students make sure they have what they need too.

So I have my:

-passport (expires in 2018)

-bachelor's degree certificate

-i-20

-booked my international student check-in

-paid SEVIS I-901 fee and printed receipt

-proof of funding (in form of my TAship letter and bank statement... might possibly get a fresh one from the bank tomorrow.)

-my acceptance letter

-will be getting an immunization records document this week

Whenever I look up check-lists I get information for students on a visa, so it can get kind of confusing knowing what it is I need. I'd appreciate if any Canadian students currently studying in the US could just ease my mind a bit.

Edited July 3, 2016 by Danger_Zone

[TakeruK]

The bare minimum you need:

- Valid passport

- Signed I-20

- Paid SEVIS fees

Extra things that you should have with you but you may not have to provide (in order of most likely asked to show to least likely):

- Acceptance letter

- Proof of funding

- SEVIS receipt (only necessary if their computer system is down and they can't access proof of payment, or you paid it hours or a day before entering the US so it's not in the system yet)

- Immunization records*

- Bachelor degree certificate*

(* It is very very unlikely you will be asked these things unless you get pulled aside for additional screening. However, these are things you should bring with you to the US anyways as you will need them for non-border related things. And, if you are flying, you should always take all important documents in your carry-on, not your checked bag, so you should have them accessible at the border anyways).

Also both starred items can be obtained after you enter the US because they are required by your school, not by the border officials. Some students don't finish undergrad degree requirements until August so they won't have the actual certificate itself when they enter the US.

Overall, you will be fine and you have everything you need!

[Danger_Zone]

@TakeruK Thanks so much for going over that with me. I thought I may have had everything but it's nice to clarify, I feel a lot better now. Hope you are having a nice time in the US.

[fernandes]

Money is something you should not forget to bring to the US. ;D

[Danger_Zone]

On 7/4/2016 at 8:03 AM, fernandes said:

Money is something you should not forget to bring to the US. ;D

Definitely! But I want to make sure I have what I need so that they will let me into the US in the first place. I always take out a bit of money from the bank before taking trips and take money out of the ATM, if needed.