Going2USA: Getting Ready to go USA

	Visa forms: DS-156, DS-157, I-134
	Do I need medical insurance soon?
	Consulates in India: New Delhi, Mumbai [Bombay], Calcutta, Chennai [Madras]
	Can I apply for an H1B visa while on Tourist visa ?
	Who is eligible for tourist visa?
	How do I extend my stay?
	Where do I apply for visitor visa?
	Visitor visa: Frequently Asked Questions

Education in USA

Getting Ready

Tasks to do before leaving

Pay the rent and other necessary bills, Balance your bank account, Pet Care, Forward your email, Give copies of your keys to someone else, Visit the dentist, fill in the tax return form, Forward newspapers and magazines, unplug electrical stuff.
Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at home in case they need to contact you in an emergency.
Make two photocopies of your passport identification page, airline tickets, driver's license and the credit cards that you plan to bring with you. Leave one photocopy of this data with family or friends at home; pack the other in a place separate from where you carry your valuables.
Leave a copy of the serial numbers of your travelers checks with a friend or relative at home. Carry your copy with you in a separate place and, as you cash the checks, cross them off the list.
Get the medical insurance done because if you fall sick or if the need arises in which case you need medical assistance, it is very expensive in USA!
Call up airlines to reconfirm your flight 72 hours before the departure time

Packing the Bags [top]

Important Documents and papers:

Along with visa, passport and tickets, keep

Vaccination certificate, Insurance certificate
Foreign Currency or Traveler's check (carry change "25 cents, 1$ notes, 5$ notes) and receipt for the travelers check
Cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express etc):
International driving license
Alarm Clock
Address list (with phone numbers and email addresses)
Maps- take a print out of maps atleast for your first destination. Then you can buy once you reach USA.
All medical records, prescriptions and medical insurance papers which you might need in case you are on some medication.

Clothes:

Carry atleast a dozen of undergarments.
If you are planning to go to beaches, carry swimming costume. You will find it expensive to buy in USA. Take hat also to prevent from sun heat.
Take thermal vests, winter jackets, warm leggings, warm caps, gloves, shoes, sweaters. It is very cold and windy during winters in USA.

Luggage

Carry light hand baggage. Remember, when you change flight in between, you have to carry your own luggage and you may have to walk a lot while changing terminals at the airport.
It is best to carry hand luggage which have the wheels so that you dont have to lift on your shoulder and are easy to take anywhere.
Always label your luggage with your name and address.

Miscellaneous

Electronics & accessories: Camera, chargers for camera, cell-phones etc (remember the plugs and volts are different in the US as compared to India), flashlight, batteries
Cards, documents & stationary: Notebook, Calendar, Envelopes, Business cards, Medical history, hotel and car rental vouchers, Membership cards (AAA, Hertz, Avis, Hilton, ...), extra passport size photographs, Addresses of embassies

Food

Food is everybody's concern and tourist often wonder what they should carry with them. You can carry snacks items which will last longer, sweets. However, food is not a very big problem as people think it to be because after reaching USA, you can always buy bread, jam, butter, fruits etc. For more information on food, click here.

Related links: Packing tips and luggage guidelines

Flight Tips & Important Information for the First Time international traveler [top]

If you are a first time traveler, get yourself familiar with setting your seat preference, boarding passes, what to do in case of flight delay or any mishap, immigration and customs forms, travelling within the USA etc.

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