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• Valid Passport
• I-94 (can be printed via )
• Valid SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 (Your I-20 or DS-2019 must show that there are AT LEAST 30 days left in your program of study.)
• Full-time letter obtained from the Office of International Affairs
• Your last paid tuition/fee receipt
• Schedule of classes/transcript (recommended)

Learn more about identification requirements

Students who are obtaining a driver's license for the first time will be required to enroll in a driver education program. There are multiple driver education programs in the Lafayette area.  More information is available on the .

In order to bring family members (spouse and/or children) of an F-1 student to the United States, the student is required to provide the legal documents showing the relationship (marriage or birth certificate) and a financial statement. If the family members will accompany the F-1 student at the start of his/her program, the or the will issue the dependent I-20s along with the I-20 for the F-1 student.

The Office of International Affairs will issue a SEVIS I-20 with the dependent information for all students who are already enrolled in classes at the University.

1.  Bring financial documents to the OIA to request for a dependent SEVIS I-20AB.

2.  Financial documentation must show additional funds of $2,000 for a spouse and $1,000 for each child.

• Bank statements should show the date the account was opened and date the statement was obtained.
• The average balance shown must have been maintained for at least 3 months.
• The statement must be no older than 6 months and must indicate the exact amount of funding.
• Pay stubs, investment funding, and bank statements of companies cannot be accepted.

3. Complete a Financial Guarantee Form (either or Undergraduate) to match the statement.

4. If approved, be prepared to present the following:

•  Clear copy of each dependent's passport
•  For spouses: a marriage certificate (including official English translation)
•  For children: a birth certificate (including official English translation)

Tax Identification Number

The dependent of an international student cannot obtain a social security number, but they are eligible to apply for Tax Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service. An international student's children who are born in U.S. are an exception for this, and they are entitled to a social security number.

Driver's License

Dependents can obtain a driver's license without a Social Security Number by obtaining a Tax Identification Number.

Working in the U.S.

Dependents of F-1 students are not allowed to work in United States, regardless of whether it is on campus or off campus.

Health and Accident Insurance

Although current regulations do not require dependents of F-1 students to carry health and accident insurance, it is anticipated that coverage will soon become mandatory. Because of the high cost of health care in the U.S., insurance for dependents is highly recommended. The U.S. government does not subsidize any health care costs for non-immigrant visitors. If an uninsured family member needs medical care for any reason, your family could end up with an unmanageable financial burden.

Dependents of J-1 students must have health insurance. Dependents of F-1 or J-1 students are not eligible for public assistance programs such as medical services or insurance provided to low-income U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Primary and Secondary School Enrollment

To enroll children in local public schools, submit the following documents when you register your child at the school:

• An official birth certificate, a signed hospital certificate, or a passport as valid proof of your child's birth date.
• A physical examination for all children beginning school for the first time.
• Official copies of the child's school records.
• All immunization records with names and dates of vaccines received.

You've received your student visa! So, what's next? Naturally, you will have lots of questions about the nearest airport, what to bring with you, where to buy supplies and how to transition to life here in Lafayette. Keep these considerations in mind as you plan your move.

Housing

First, secure on or off-campus housing. It is important to have a place to stay prior to your arrival. While on campus housing is not required for international students, it does come with a meal plan and allows students to be able to walk to classes. Campus parking spaces are also available for those students who choose to live on campus. Some students, especially those with dietary restrictions or those who prefer to have a full kitchen, may opt to live off-campus. There are several apartments within walking distance from campus and some that even provide shuttle service to campus. Both on and off campus apartments typically provide a service that will match you with a roommate with similar interests.

Finances

Make sure to exchange your money for U.S. dollars prior to leaving for U.S. You will need approximately $20,000 to pay for tuition, housing, health insurance, books and expenses for the semester. It is best to use traveler’s checks or credit cards. Carrying large amounts of cash money is not recommended. For information on how to pay tuition, please visit the . Once you arrive, it is recommended that you open a checking account as soon as possible. There are several banks in Lafayette that allow international students to open accounts without Social Security Numbers. For more information contact oia@louisiana.edu.

What do I bring with me?

While packing for a long-term stay in the U.S. can be overwhelming, it's important to remember to bring the necessities and non-prohibited items that can't be purchased easily in the U.S. (Make sure to review the for an up-to-date list of items that cannot be brought into the U.S.) The weather in Lafayette is generally warm throughout the year and frequently rainy in the spring and summer months. Depending on when you arrive, you may need a lightweight jacket, but make sure to pack plenty of comfortable warm weather clothes and toiletries for the first week or so. Lafayette has many shopping areas and large department stores where you can purchase inexpensive additional clothing, toiletries and food. However, please note that most of these stores are not within walking distance from campus and you will need to rely on transportation services (i.e. bus, taxi, Uber) to get there. The OIA does provide shuttle service to department store in the area each session at the beginning of the semester. For more information, please see your Orientation Schedule.

Flight Plans

Reserve your plane tickets in advance. The airport code for Lafayette is LFT. There are no direct flights to Lafayette, so you will have to fly into another U.S. airport (port of entry) before arriving in Lafayette. Taxis and Uber services are typically available at the airport during regular business hours.

Orientation

All new international students are required to attend two orientation sessions (immigration and undergraduate/graduate orientation). At orientation, you will learn about F-1 rules and regulations, register for your courses and pay tuition/set up a payment plan. U.S. transfers and graduate students are eligible for pre-registration of courses.

Air Transportation

One of the most commonly used transportation means in the USA is the airways. Various commercials flights are available. Here are links for various airlines:

Road Transportation

BUS: is one of the most commonly used means to travel different places.

CAR -RENTAL: Another common way of traveling in USA is by renting a car.  Here some sites which are helpful in renting a car:

Currency Conversion

Here are some sites for currency conversion:

Time Zone Conversion