Documents Checklist — What to Carry
Mandatory Documents (Keep in Hand Luggage)
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your course end date)
- Student visa or BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) confirmation letter (UK)
- University offer letter / Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for Australia
- Proof of accommodation (booking confirmation or host letter)
- Health insurance proof — OSHC (Australia), NHS IHS receipt (UK), or UHIP (Canada Ontario)
- Forex card + some cash (GBP/CAD/AUD/EUR — at least 2-3 days worth)
- Emergency contact numbers (family + university international office)
Academic Documents (Attested Copies)
- 10th and 12th mark sheets + passing certificate (attested)
- Degree certificate and all semester mark sheets (attested)
- IELTS/TOEFL/PTE scorecard (original)
- GRE/GMAT scorecard if applicable (original)
- Experience letters and employer certificates if applicable
- SOP, LORs, and offer letter printed copies
Financial Documents
- Bank statements showing proof of funds (last 3–6 months)
- Education loan sanction letter (if applicable)
- Sponsor declaration letter (if applicable)
- Forex card loading receipts
Health Documents
- Vaccination records (COVID, MMR, Hepatitis B) — many universities require these
- Prescription for any ongoing medications (with generic name, not brand)
- Sufficient supply of medications (at least 3-month supply in original packaging)
- Doctor's letter for controlled medications carried internationally
Financial Preparation Before Departure
Forex Card — Essential for Indian Students
- Get a multi-currency forex card (Niyo Global, HDFC ForexPlus, ICICI Travel Card, Thomas Cook) — much better rates than airport currency exchange
- Load 2–3 months of living expenses onto the card before departure
- Keep one international credit/debit card as backup (notify your Indian bank about international usage to prevent automatic blocking)
- Carry GBP 200–300 / CAD 300–400 / AUD 300–400 in cash for emergencies (airport taxi, first groceries)
Opening a Foreign Bank Account
- UK: Open Monzo or Starling (online, no UK address history needed) before leaving India using just your passport — use it from day 1. Add Barclays or HSBC once you have a UK address.
- Canada: Open a Scotiabank or TD Bank account — both have "Student International" programs allowing pre-arrival account opening from India (bring SIN documents and enrollment letter to branch on Day 1)
- Australia: ANZ, CommBank, and NAB allow international students to open accounts before arrival via online applications — activate with your passport and CoE on day 1
- Germany: N26 (fully online, no German address needed) is the best option; Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank require in-person branch visits after arrival
Education Loan — Last Steps
- Confirm loan disbursement timeline with your bank — many Indian banks disburse in installments per semester
- Ensure first semester fees are paid before departure (universities may cancel enrollment for fee non-payment)
- Keep the loan account number and bank contact handy abroad for reference
Accommodation — Booking Before You Leave
University Accommodation (On-Campus)
- Apply for university accommodation immediately after accepting your offer — waitlists fill fast (UofT, UBC, and Melbourne fill within weeks)
- On-campus is more expensive but reduces first-arrival stress — prioritise it for the first semester
- Cancellation policies vary — read before committing
Private Accommodation — How to Find It from India
- Facebook Groups: "[City name] Indian Students Housing" groups — highly active; real listings from students
- SpotAHome, Unilodgers, Amber Student: Dedicated international student housing platforms with verified listings and virtual tours
- Rightmove / Zoopla (UK), Kijiji (Canada), Domain (Australia): Local housing platforms; require a guarantor for non-students
- Never transfer large sums without a signed rental agreement. Use Interac e-Transfer (Canada) or bank transfer with contract — never wire to unverified WhatsApp contacts.
SIM Card, Health Insurance, and Packing Essentials
International SIM Card Options
- UK: Three UK, Giffgaff, or Lebara — buy an Indian-compatible SIM online and activate on arrival; GBP 10–15/month for 5G data + India calling minutes
- Canada: Public Mobile, Lucky Mobile, Fizz — CAD 30–45/month for 5G data. SIM can be ordered to campus address before arrival.
- Australia: Lebara, Amaysim, ALDI Mobile — AUD 20–30/month; large Indian-calling minute packages available
- Germany: ALDI Talk, Congstar, Lebara Germany — EUR 8–15/month; buy at any Aldi or DM store on arrival day
- Airalo: eSIM app — excellent for the first 7–10 days before you get a local SIM; buy India-to-destination data pack from India before flying
Health Insurance — Country-Specific
- Australia: OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) — mandatory for student visa; usually purchased through university (Medibank, Bupa, nib) before CoE is issued
- UK: IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) paid during visa application — covers NHS access; no additional insurance needed
- Canada: Provincial health insurance (OHIP in Ontario, MSP in BC) has a 3-month waiting period — buy supplementary insurance (Blue Cross, StudentCare) for the first 3 months
- Germany: Public health insurance (TK, AOK, BARMER) — mandatory and affordable (~EUR 120/month); sign up within 3 months of arrival
What to Pack — Indian Students
- Clothing for the destination climate — especially warm clothing for Canada/UK winters (thermals, heavy jacket, gloves)
- 1-2 month supply of Indian spices, instant dal/rice mixes, pressure cooker (if allowed in accommodation)
- Universal power adapter (Type G for UK, Type B for North America, Type I for Australia)
- Laptop and phone chargers + extension cord
- Medications (3-month supply) in original labelled packaging
- Traditional Indian clothing for festivals and events
- Photographs (passport-size — needed for transit cards, university ID, etc.)