After your PID is generated and you have accepted the admission, request the I-20 form from Virginia Tech to apply for a US student visa. Create an account on intlHokies and log in with your PID and password. Complete the immigration information form for new international students. Once your I-20 is generated, you will be informed through your Virginia Tech and personal email IDs.

Obtain your I-20 from Virginia Tech. Pay the SEVIS Fee online. Complete the visa process at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/. Schedule dates for Biometrics and Visa Interview. Complete the Visa Interview (if your visa is approved, your passport will be submitted at the interview location). If you opted for home delivery, wait for it to arrive. Otherwise, once your passport is ready, collect it from the specified location.

Passport with USA visa (carry all new and old passports). Signed I-20 form (keep 3 copies). SEVIS receipt. University admission offer letter. Financial documentation showing enough funds to cover costs as listed in the financial section of your I-20 form. Previous university transcripts to show educational eligibility (if undergraduate, then high school transcripts). Address proof of Blacksburg (lease document or dorm residency letter). Relieving letter/experience letter (for working professionals, if applicable). Keep copies of all original documents.

What university are you attending? Where will you stay during your time at the university? What is your course? How many years is the course? What is your major?

The declaration form is provided during the flight. Immigration takes place at the port of entry in the US.

Visit the Hokie Passport Services office in the Student Services Building. Fill out an ID Request Card available on tables in the building lobby. Take the card, along with a valid U.S. driver's license or international passport, to the ID window.

Dulles - Washington D.C. (IAD) Newark - New Jersey (EWR) New York - John F. Kennedy - NYC (JFK)

SmartWay Bus: Departs from ROA and drops off at Maroon Loop Bay #1, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg.

MegaBus OurBus Amtrak Train: The closest drop-off is Roanoke. Check their websites for more information on timings.

Amtrak: Departs from Newark (EWR) and arrives at Roanoke Station.

Amtrak: Departs from Penn Station - New York and arrives at Roanoke Station.

Residence Inn Dulles Airport at Dulles 28 Center Fairfield Inn & Suites at Dulles Airport Courtyard by Marriott Dulles Town Center These are some hotels which provide free airport shuttle.

Have at least 3-4 hours of buffer at the point of entry for your next connection to Blacksburg/Roanoke/Other locations. Consider time for Immigration/Customs, checking in your luggage for the next flight (domestic), and security.

Check the country’s transit visa policy if you have a layover. For example, a layover of more than 12 hours in Saudi Arabia might require a transit visa. The airline you are traveling with is the best source of information for transit visa requirements. If you cannot satisfy the transit visa requirements, it would be wise to change the layover.

We have arranged the packing list (click here) according to the following categories. : Clothes and accessories Personal care Kitchen appliances Food Medicines Stationery items

Maintain a separate folder for all important documents and keep it in your carry-on bag. Keep the carry-on bag close during your journey. Include the following: Original and photocopy (2 copies) of Passport (new and old) Original and photocopy (2 copies) of VISA I-20 (signed) - double-check your name, course name, and course start date Original and photocopy (2 copies) of Air-ticket - double-check the time, date, and name on the ticket SEVIS fee receipt (2 copies) Original and photocopy (2 copies) of Offer Letter Original and photocopy (2 copies) of Marksheets + Degree certificates GRE + TOEFL/IELTS + SAT results (2 copies) Recommendation letters (2 copies each) Carry a doctor’s prescription and the pharmacy bill for the medicines you are carrying Original and photocopy (2 copies) of Aadhaar Card Original and photocopy (2 copies) of PAN Card (if applicable) Original and photocopy (2 copies) of Driving License (if applicable)

Typically, 2 check-ins (23 kg) + 1 carry-on (7 kg) + 1 laptop bag (5 kg) Additional laptop bags are not allowed in some airlines. Please check with your airlines before you reach the airport. Check the luggage policy, including dimensions, with your airline. Check if the airline offers an extra bag to students.

Many airlines offer extra bags for students. For example, Air India allows 3 check-in bags for students. Check out more such offers from different airlines that suit you.

Refer to the travel guide (click here) for all the necessary information.

Stonegate Foxridge / Hethwood Smith’s Landing Terrace View Park Place The Hub Refer to the housing guide (click here) and https://offcampus.vt.edu/ for more information.

Refer to the following website for on-campus housing options: Housing and Residence Life Website - https://housing.vt.edu/ Living Learning Programs (LLP) - https://llp.vt.edu/ Residence Halls - https://housing.vt.edu/experience/YourResidenceHall.html StarRez Portal - https://vt.starrezhousing.com/

Minor Flex Plan: $1389 per semester Major Flex Plan: $2613 per semester Mega Flex Plan: $2803 per semester Premium Flex Plan: $2999 per semester Visit meal plan’s website (click here) for more information.

Complete details and roommate preferences at the form on https://www.isa-vt.org/roommate-finder. Once your preferences match, contact potential roommates.

Join the Blacksburg Facebook Housing group (click here) to learn more about housing options. Note: This Facebook group is not managed by the Indian Students Association at Virginia Tech.

You must have a checking account. Savings accounts are optional based on your needs. Debit cards offer contactless payments and ATM access. You can avoid the monthly service fee by having the primary account owner be 17-24 years old (available in most banks). Minimum age to open an account is 17 years or older.

Wells Fargo Bank Address: 920 University City Blvd, Blacksburg, VA 24060 Phone: +1 (540) 951-7100 Truist Bank Address: 902 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060 Phone: +1 (540) 808-1200 Atlantic Union Bank Address: 601 N Main St, Blacksburg, VA 24060 Phone: +1 (540) 951-0180

Virginia Tech uses two payment systems for tuition and fees: FLYWIRE and CASHNet. To make a direct transfer to the university, contact the Bursar’s Office at bursar@vt.edu (they provide bank account details only in extenuating circumstances).

Pay part or all of your tuition, fees, dining, and housing in monthly installments during the semester. Payable through a U.S. domestic bank account only, no credit cards. $45 application fee per semester (non-refundable). Automatically adjusts for credits and charges placed on the account. Can be combined with financial aid, loans, or scholarships. Go to Hokie Spa to enroll.

Apply for an SSN in person at the nearest Social Security Administration (SSA) office. The nearest SSA office is in Roanoke. When applying for your SSN, bring your passport, I-94 card, offer letter from your employer, and an SSN request letter from the university, which can be applied for through the International Hokies Portal.

Dining Services: 800-1100 jobs annually. Learn more and apply by clicking here. Math Department: Jobs include Grader, Tutor, or Math Emporium employee (grader/proctor). Learn more and apply clicking here. UTA/UGA/GTA: Check your College Department’s website for this. Recreational Sports: Jobs include Customer Service Attendant, Field House Monitor, Supervisor, Manager Assistant, etc. Learn more and apply clicking here. Residence Life: 200 residence advisor positions annually. Learn more and apply here.

Assistantships may offer partial or complete tuition fee waivers and might provide students with funding during the semester. Most assistantship opportunities are managed at the department/program level. Interested graduate students should contact the program of interest. GA positions are available on job portals such as Handshake and department website. Current students seeking funding are encouraged to monitor Handshake for assistantship and wage openings that administrative offices share with the Graduate School.

Explore all the plans; joining a family plan is very economical. (Only available in postpaid plans) NOTE: Postpaid plans require you to have a social security number (SSN). Prepaid plans do not require you to have a social security number (SSN). Recommended Carrier Websites: Mint Mobile - https://www.mintmobile.com/ US Mobile - https://www.usmobile.com/ AT&T - https://www.att.com/ Verizon - https://www.verizon.com/ T-Mobile - https://www.t-mobile.com/ US Cellular - https://www.uscellular.com/ Visible - https://www.visible.com/ You can visit the carrier websites directly for an eSIM to have a SIM before you travel if your phone supports it. You do not need to get SIM cards using services like Zolve if your phone supports eSIM.

Blacksburg is generally safe, with various public safety operational units. Emergency Management Environmental Health and Safety Police Department Rescue Local Agency Contact Information: Blacksburg Police: +1 (540) 443-1400 Christiansburg Police: +1 (540) 382-3131 Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department: +1 (540) 382-6915 Virginia Tech Police: +1 (540) 231-6411

All immunizations must be uploaded by following instructions at the links below before July 31, 2024. Required Immunizations - https://healthcenter.vt.edu/new_student/required_immunizations.html Uploading Immunization Forms - https://healthcenter.vt.edu/content/dam/healthcenter_vt_edu/assets/docs/IM_Health_Instructions.pdf

Health insurance is provided by multiple companies in the United States. We have partnered with Student Medicover (click here) to provide international students with affordable, high-quality health insurance. Review the plans provided by these providers based on your visa, age, deductible, and co-payment. Important: If you choose to buy insurance other than the one provided by VT, you will need to fill out a waiver form, which can be found on your chosen insurance provider's website. The deadline for applying for the waiver is August 31, 2024.

Blacksburg Pharmacy CVS Pharmacy

Oasis: Some Indian food items are available. Kroger Walmart Food Lion

El Rodeo Restaurant Hamro’s Kitchen India Garden Restaurant