Study in the U.S.
Pre-Departure Checklist for TXST: Documents, Packing, Money and Your Last 30 Days at Home
After your visa is approved, the last 4–6 weeks at home fly by. This checklist keeps you and your family from missing anything — built from hundreds of students the Vietnam Office has sent off to Texas State University.
30 days before departure
- ☐ Book your flight to Austin (AUS), arriving at least 3–5 days before orientation.
- ☐ Finalize housing (hall/apartment) and confirm move-in date.
- ☐ Upload immunization records (meningococcal is mandatory under 22) and health forms to the TXST portal.
- ☐ Pay first-semester tuition or enroll in a payment plan.
- ☐ Register for classes with your academic advisor (usually online during orientation).
- ☐ Check passport validity ≥ 6 months beyond entry date.
- ☐ Get an international Visa/Mastercard from your home bank for the first weeks.
7 days before departure
- ☐ Original documents (carry-on): passport + visa, signed I-20, admission letter, SEVIS I-901 receipt, financial documents, original diploma/transcripts + certified translations, English vaccination record, passport photos.
- ☐ Scan everything to Google Drive; share copies with family.
- ☐ Exchange $300–$500 cash (small bills: $1, $5, $20).
- ☐ Buy short-term travel insurance for week one if the university plan hasn't started.
- ☐ Install apps: TXST mobile, Canvas, Google Maps, Uber, your bank, messaging apps for family.
- ☐ Enable roaming or prepare a U.S. eSIM so you're online on landing.
Packing — bring vs. buy there
| Bring | Don't bring (cheaper in the U.S.) |
|---|---|
| Two weeks of basic clothes, one warm jacket, swimwear | Bedding, cookware, stationery |
| Laptop + charger, U.S. plug adapter | Heavy winter clothes, many pairs of shoes |
| Spare glasses, labeled common medicines | Large bottles of shampoo/body wash |
| A few sealed spices/instant noodles for week one | Fresh food, meat, seeds (prohibited) |
| Small gifts from home for roommates/hosts | Heavy books — use digital editions |
Most Asian carriers allow two 23 kg bags — don't exceed it; overweight fees are steep.
Departure day
- ☐ Arrive at the airport 3 hours before an international flight.
- ☐ Original documents + cash + laptop in carry-on; power banks cannot be checked.
- ☐ Share your itinerary with your pickup contact in Austin and the Vietnam Office.
- ☐ After entry: download your I-94 and tell your family you've arrived safely.
For parents
Save the Vietnam Office hotline +84 989 869 268, the ISSS number and your child's U.S. number. Agree on a monthly money-transfer routine. And trust the process — thousands of Vietnamese students have walked this path successfully.
Get the full PDF checklist from the Vietnam Office.
