Countries / United States / Packing guides / Students

Packing for F-1 students and F-2 families

Your first trip to start a U.S. degree is the one where paperwork matters most. This guide is for F-1 students and for F-2 spouses and children travelling with them: what to hand-carry, when you can arrive, and what to pack.

General information only, not legal advice. Your school’s designated school official (DSO) is the best source for your own documents and dates. Rules change, so check the official pages below before you travel.

F-1 students: hand-carry these

Keep them in your carry-on, never in checked luggage. You show the first three to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer when you arrive.

• Passport, valid for your entry.
• F-1 visa in your passport (Canadian citizens do not need one).
• Original Form I-20, signed by you and your DSO.
• SEVIS fee (Form I-901) payment receipt. Check that its SEVIS ID matches your I-20.
• Your acceptance letter.
• Proof of funds: bank statements and scholarship or sponsor letters, like the ones you used for your visa.
• Your DSO’s name, phone and email, and your school’s address.

When you can arrive

New F-1 students can enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before the program start date on their Form I-20. Arrive earlier and CBP can refuse entry. Book a flight inside that window and tell your school when you will land. The flight arrival time tool helps you check the local landing date.

F-2 spouses and children

• Each family member needs their own Form I-20 from the school and their own F-2 visa. F-2 dependents do not pay the SEVIS fee.
• Hand-carry proof of relationship: your marriage certificate and children’s birth certificates, with certified English translations if needed.
• Only children under 21 can hold F-2 status.
• Carry a copy of the F-1 student’s I-20 and visa in case you travel separately.
• Children starting school: bring vaccination records and recent school records, translated into English. U.S. schools usually ask for both.

Other papers worth packing

• Originals and copies of your diplomas and transcripts. You may need them for your school, and later for work authorisation such as OPT.
• Vaccination and medical records in English. Many universities ask for proof of certain vaccinations before you can register.
• A copy of your health insurance details, if your school doesn’t provide insurance.

What students should pack

• Laptop and phone with chargers. Check your phone works in the U.S., or plan to get a U.S. SIM or eSIM when you arrive.
• Cash for the first few days and a debit or credit card that works abroad. Tell your bank you are travelling.
• Clothes for your first season (see your region guide), plus one smart outfit for interviews or events.
• Medicines for the first few weeks, in original containers, with an English prescription.
• Leave out bedding and kitchen things until you see your room. Many U.S. dorm beds are a special “twin XL” size, so check before buying sheets.

Families with children

• Children must ride in a car seat or booster seat that meets U.S. rules. Many families buy one after arriving; airlines often let you check one for free.
• Pack a few favourite toys and snacks for the flight, but declare all food when you land.

Good to know

• F-2 spouses cannot work in the U.S. Ask your DSO what study is allowed for F-2 family members.
• Declare all food at customs, and report cash over $10,000 (see the newcomer basics).

Official sources

• Study in the States: First-time arrival, key information for new students
• Study in the States: Frequently asked questions
• U.S. Department of State: Student visa (including F-2 dependents)
• CBP: Bringing food into the U.S.
• TSA: 3-1-1 liquids rule

Last checked October 2026.