• 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