Stage 7 of 8 · 6 lessons · ~4 weeks
Visa, money and pre-departure
Turn an offer into a visa and a safe arrival: prove your funds the way the rules require, prepare for the visa process, arrange health cover and housing, and avoid the scams that target students at exactly this point.
Start: Proof of fundsLessons· one lesson for each topic, in this order
Do this
- Read the full official visa page for your route and list every requirement.
- Prepare proof of funds in exactly the form and for the period the rules require.
- Book the visa appointment as early as the rules allow.
- Arrange health cover that satisfies both the visa and the university.
- Apply for university housing as soon as you accept your offer.
- Verify every offer, scholarship and landlord through official channels.
- Prepare a folder of originals and digital copies for hand luggage.
Start with
- GuideFreeStudy in the States
US Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security guide to the I-20, SEVIS and F-1 rules
Keep handy
Before moving on: A complete visa application submitted from official instructions, with proof of funds in the required form, health cover and first-month housing arranged, and a pre-departure folder of originals and digital copies.
US rules for students changed a lot in 2025 and 2026: in-person interviews, online presence review, entry restrictions for some nationalities and the new fixed admission period. Read travel.state.gov and Study in the States for your case, and answer interview questions in your own words.