INTERNATIONAL PREDEPARTURE CHECKLIST
Think about your priorities for this trip. Work?Study? Sightseeing? Preparation for college? Understanding of
American life? Improving English skills? An International Career? and make a plan.
If this is going to be your first time in your final destination, talk to as many people as you can about their experience of the city or country and the differences in culture. If you have no one in your immediate area to speak to about the country you intend on visiting, try joining or starting a blog – www.blogger.com or www.wordpress.com or visit www.craigslist.org and search the city page of your destination.
If English is your second language, practice before you arrive in the US.
Before leaving your home country, see your health practitioners for complete medical, dental, and eye
examinations, including any necessary immunizations.
If you are taking prescription medication, bring a copy of the prescription with you.
Get health and travel insurance.
Bring enough personal funds to cover unexpected expenses.
Arrange to have a responsible person at home handle your mail.
Check your documents and make sure that they are all correct.
Make travel arrangements. Make sure that you will arrive within the legal time-frame allowed for your program or purpose of study. There are limitations to visitors and various types of visas so learn them in advance.
Check with the airline regarding its luggage policy. Check your flight 72 hours before departure.
Pack clothes for the appropriate weather, but remember that the weather can change quite rapidly from hot
to cool depending on your destination. Leave space in your luggage for the things you may want to take home. For long-term trips, bring small things that will remind you of home (e.g. photos, cd's etc.)
Mark all of your baggage inside and out with your name and the address
Search directions on the internet on how to get from the airport to your place of stay in advance.
Carry with you important phone numbers and the address where you will be staying in case of emergency and for the pupose of filling out important travel documents at the airports.
Do you have friends or family where you will be visiting that you would like to see? Make a plan. Bring their
contact information, email , phone, cell numbers.
Carry your important documents with you in your hand luggage when you travel. Your passport must be valid
six months into the future with valid visa (if necessary), supporting financial documents and the documentation confirming your purpose of visit and length of stay.
Carry with you a small bag with personal articles in case your luggage is temporarily lost.
People that you meet will probably be interested in learning about your home country. You might want to
bring postcards of your country or small examples of your culture.
Eat your favorite food. Try new foods.
Explore your new destination. Soak it in and find time to have fun no matter the purpose of your trip. Share pictures and stories of your experience with others.
We look forward to assisting you.
KnowYourVisaType.com Staff