Pre-Departure Checklist for Studying Abroad from India: The Complete Guide

You've got your admission. Your visa is approved. Your bags are almost packed. But are you actually ready?

After sending thousands of students abroad over 27 years, I can tell you: the students who struggle most in their first month aren't the ones with lower grades or smaller budgets. They're the ones who didn't prepare properly before leaving.

Here's the checklist I give every student at their final pre-departure session.

4-6 Weeks Before Departure

Documents (The Non-Negotiables)

• Passport: Check validity (at least 6 months beyond your course end date). Make 4 photocopies. Scan and store digitally.
• Visa: Print your visa grant letter. Know your visa conditions (work hours, enrollment requirements).
• University offer letter and CoE/I-20/CAS: Carry originals AND digital copies.
• Academic documents: All original marksheets (10th, 12th, UG, PG). Notarized copies recommended.
• Test scores: IELTS/TOEFL/GRE/GMAT score reports (originals).
• Financial documents: Loan sanction letter, bank statements, scholarship letters.
• Health insurance: Policy document and card. Know your coverage and claim process.
• Medical records: Vaccination certificate, prescription records if you take regular medication.
• Passport-size photos: Carry 10-12 (different countries have different size requirements).

Finances

• Forex card: Load a multicurrency card (Niyo, BookMyForex, HDFC ForexPlus). Carry at least $1,000-$2,000 equivalent for initial expenses.
• International debit card: Ensure your Indian bank card works internationally. Enable international transactions.
• Cash: Carry $200-$500 in local currency of your destination. You'll need it for the airport taxi, first meal, and emergencies before you set up a local account.
• Bank account plan: Research which bank you'll open an account with after arrival. Some universities have partner banks with easy student account setup.

Housing

• Confirm your accommodation: University dorm, private rental, or homestay — have written confirmation.
• First-night plan: If you can't move into your permanent accommodation on Day 1, book a hotel/Airbnb for your first 2-3 nights.
• Local SIM card or eSIM: Research options. Many countries let you activate an eSIM before landing (Airalo, Holafly). Having data on arrival makes everything easier.

2-4 Weeks Before Departure

Health

• Complete vaccinations: Check your destination country's requirements. Common ones: MMR, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Meningitis (required by many US universities).
• Dental checkup: Dental care abroad is expensive and often not covered by student insurance. Get everything done in India.
• Eye checkup: Get an updated prescription. Carry an extra pair of glasses.
• Prescription medications: Carry a 3-month supply with your doctor's prescription. Check if your medication is legal in the destination country.

Packing

• Check airline baggage limits: Most international airlines allow 2 checked bags of 23kg each for students. Verify with your specific airline.
• Weather-appropriate clothing: Check the weather at arrival. Students going to Canada/UK in September don't need winter gear immediately — buy locally after arrival (better quality, proper fit).
• Indian essentials: Your favorite spices, snacks, a small pressure cooker (if you cook), and any specific toiletries you prefer. These are hard to find and expensive abroad.
• Electronics: Laptop, universal power adapter (different countries have different plugs!), phone charger, earphones.
• DO NOT pack: Bedding (provided by most dorms or buy cheaply locally), heavy winter jackets (buy there for better quality), textbooks (all digital now), iron/hairdryer (voltage differences cause problems).

1 Week Before Departure

• Confirm your flight details. Check in online 24-48 hours before.
• Download offline maps of your destination city, airport, and route to accommodation.
• Save emergency contacts: University emergency line, Indian embassy/consulate number, your accommodation contact, a local friend or senior student (ask in university WhatsApp/Facebook groups).
• Inform your Indian bank about your travel dates to avoid card blocks.
• Set up VPN: For accessing Indian content and banking portals from abroad.
• University orientation: Register for orientation week. Many have online pre-arrival modules — complete them.

Day of Departure

• Carry in your hand luggage: Passport, visa, university documents, laptop, medications, forex card, and change of clothes (in case luggage is delayed).
• Arrive at the airport 3 hours before international flights.
• Immigration: Have your visa letter, university offer, and financial proof accessible — you may be asked at the departure gate.

First Week After Arrival

• Open a local bank account within the first week. You'll need it for rent, salary (if working), and tax purposes.
• Get a local SIM card if you haven't already. You'll need it for verification codes, local apps, and emergencies.
• Attend ALL orientation events. I know they seem boring. But this is where you meet your first friends, learn about campus resources, and get critical information about registration, health services, and local life.
• Register with the Indian embassy/consulate. This is optional but recommended — it helps in emergency situations.
• Explore your neighborhood. Find the nearest grocery store, pharmacy, public transport, and your classrooms. Do this in the first 2-3 days before classes start.

The Emotional Preparation Nobody Talks About

Here's something I tell every student privately: the first 2-3 weeks will be hard. You'll miss home. The food won't taste right. Everything will feel unfamiliar. Some students call home crying in their first week.

This is completely normal. It happens to nearly every student, regardless of how confident they seemed before leaving.

What helps:

• Join university groups on WhatsApp/Facebook before you leave — you'll already have connections when you arrive
• Say yes to every social event in the first month, even if you're tired
• Cook a meal from home when homesickness hits — food is comforting
• Give yourself 4-6 weeks to adjust before judging the experience

Every student I've ever placed abroad — including the ones who cried in their first week — tells me the same thing at graduation: "It was the best decision of my life."

Country-Specific Tips

Going to the USA?

• Carry your I-20 form — you CANNOT enter without it
• Expect a detailed immigration interview at the US port of entry. Have your university documents, financial proof, and return flight ticket accessible.
• US plugs are Type A/B (same as India in many cases, but voltage differs — 120V vs 230V)
• Open a US bank account at your university's partner bank within the first week (often Bank of America, Chase, or Wells Fargo have on-campus branches)

Going to the UK?

• Carry your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) letter
• UK uses Type G plugs — you'll need an adapter from Day 1
• Open a UK bank account (Monzo and Revolut are easiest for new arrivals; traditional banks like Barclays or HSBC take 2-3 weeks)
• Get a BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) from the post office within 10 days of arrival

Going to Canada?

• Carry your study permit approval letter and Letter of Introduction
• Open a Canadian bank account BEFORE arriving (some banks like Scotiabank and RBC allow international students to open accounts online)
• Get a SIN (Social Insurance Number) within the first week — you need it to work
• Canada uses the same plugs as the US (Type A/B)

Going to Australia?

• Your visa is electronic — no sticker in passport, but carry the grant letter
• Australia uses Type I plugs — you'll need an adapter
• Activate your OSHC (health insurance) upon arrival
• Open a bank account (CommBank and Westpac are most student-friendly) — some allow pre-arrival setup

Related Reading

• Student Accommodation in USA
• Student Accommodation in UK
• Student Accommodation in Australia
• Cost of Living in USA
• Cost of Living in UK
• Education Loan Guide
• Study Abroad: All Countries