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Visa, Pre-Departure Checklist and FAQs

Checklists

  • ☐ Apply for visa

    Be sure to complete all applicable steps before your arrival at Macalester and before any deadline required by specific Macalester offices. If you do not plan to attend Macalester, email International Student Programs (ISP) immediately.
    Contact ISP with any additional questions at  or call +1 (651) 696-6992.

    Applying for Visa (and I-20)

    Note: if you will be studying in the U.S. in a visa category other than F or J, please contact ISP immediately to discuss your situation.

    Obtain a Valid Passport

    Passport must be valid 6 months beyond your period of stay in the U.S. If it will expire while you are at Macalester, you should renew it 6 months before it expires.

    If you intend to graduate from Macalester, your passport should be valid for 6 months beyond the program end date on your I-20.

    For exchange students, passports should be valid 6 months beyond the program end date on your I-20 (or DS-2019).

    Obtain your I-20

    Degree-seeking students should follow instructions from Admissions for submitting required documents to obtain an I-20 for visa application. Non-ISEP exchange students will receive instructions from ISP.

    Necessary documents include, but are not limited to, copy of passport, and copies of recent bank/financial statements and International Student Certification of Finance (CoF) form that are no more than 6 months old.

    ISEP exchange students should communicate with their ISEP program coordinator for their DS-2019 and J-1 visa.

    Apply for a visa

    Apply for a student (F-1) or exchange visitor (J-1) visa from a U.S. embassy/consulate.

    Don’t apply for your visa too early, or it may expire before your campus arrival. Check visa reciprocity agreements for the expected validity period.

    Starting October 2025, you must apply for your visa in your country of legal residence or citizenship. If your country does not issue nonimmigrant visas, use the alternate designated location.

    Use a non-high school email for visa applications, as you may need future access.

    Note: students from Canada and the Bahamas generally do not need to apply for a visa, but must present the I-20 (or a DS-2019 for the J-1 visa category) in order to enter the United States.

    After receiving an I-20, pay the required I-901 SEVIS fee and print the payment receipt required before the interview (unless instructed differently by Macalester Admissions).

    Learn about Visa Appointment & Processing Wait Times at specific U.S. embassies and consulates.

    Learn about how to apply for your visa and prepare for your interview with these 10 tips. Bring any supporting documents with you, including acceptance letter, Macalester financial aid award (if you have aid), bank and other financial statements, academic records, etc.
  • ☐ Prepare your departure

    These steps must be completed BEFORE your arrival at Macalester.

    Transferring?

    If you attended a school in the United States immediately prior to Macalester, fill out the SEVIS Transfer Form. If you will attend a summer program in the U.S. before coming to Macalester, please  immediately so we can discuss your visa situation.

    Bring important documents

    Copies of your admission letter, financial documents, previous school transcripts, and medical prescriptions.

    Payment

    Complete payment through wire transfer or another method for any tuition, room & board balance, and other fees.

    Student Employment

    Submit the student employment application form, which will be sent to you from Macalester’s Human Resources Office. This application is only for students with employment awards in their financial aid package. Consult the Human Resources Website for more information.

    Registration

    Submit your registration form on the Orientation website.

    Visitor Visa

    Obtain visitor (B-2) visas for family members coming with you.

    Check out our family travel page for more visa application information and accommodation suggestions.

    Finalize your travel plans

    And finish your Arrival Form for PO4IS/Ametrica.

    Read the information on the Ametrica Program and, if you wish to join, applications will be available in the near future. Application for Ametrica and other programs are available on the New Student Portal.

    Read the ISRB (International Student Resource Book)

    Read ISP’s International Student Resource Book before you arrive.
  • ☐ Complete your medical requirements

     Get a physical exam and complete your Health and Medical Forms through your Macalester Patient Portal by specified date.

    Complete required immunizations. Please refer to Laurie Hamre Center for Health & Wellness for more information.

    No extra cost will occur if you are under the United Healthcare for Student Resources insurance plan (provided through Macalester); otherwise, your student account will be charged based on the costs listed in the HWC Charges document.

    Refer to the International Student Resource Book for more helpful information (pp. 19-25).

FAQ

  • When should I apply for my visa?

    Timing depends on your situation, but consider these factors:

    • Visa validity. Some countries issue visas valid for only 3 months. For 3-month visas, we recommend scheduling your appointment 89 days or less before your planned arrival (see your I-20 for earliest admission date). Check your country’s visa reciprocity for expected validity here.
    • Appointment and processing time. US embassy appointment availability and processing times vary. Check the next available dates for your location here.
    • Location requirement. You must schedule your visa appointment in your country of legal residence or citizenship; appointments elsewhere may be denied or canceled.
    • Email. Use a long-term, non-high school email address when applying.
  • Can I mail packages to ISP?

    New students are welcome to send luggage or packages to ISP for arrival after August 8. ISP will hold packages until students arrive for PO4IS. After PO4IS starts, however, all packages must be addressed directly to the student at Macalester College and not include ISP in the address.

    Your Name (Legal/Passport)
    C/O: International Student Programs
    1600 Grand Avenue
    Saint Paul, MN 55105 USA

     
  • Can you pick me up from the airport?

    You are strongly encouraged to arrive between regular, working hours 8 am and 5 pm on August 19th (Tuesday). If you arrive after 5 pm, we will pick you up based on availability. Please inform ISP if your flight will be delayed.

    On the day of the arrival, ISP offers airport pickups to all incoming international students and Ametrica participants. We shuttle Macalester vans to and from the MSP airport during Pre-Orientation for International Students (PO4IS). To be eligible for a pickup, you must arrive on the designated date and preferably during the day, allowing you more time to settle in. Fill out the Arrival Form and keep ISP updated with any changes to travel.

    Fill out Arrival Form 2025 by August 1st. 

    NOTE: PO4IS is a required pre-orientation program for international students on F-1, J-1, or other visas, as well as domestic participants of Ametrica. NO housing nor airport pickup is available before August 19th (Tuesday). You are responsible for finding a place to stay (refer to Places to Stay). Depending on availability, ISP may offer hotel pickups on August 19th.

     
  • How do I buy a U.S. cell phone plan?

    There are several factors to consider when choosing a cell phone and/or a cellular plan, including cost, carrier, coverage, compatibility and options for minutes, texting and data.

    This guide to buying a phone in the US, as well as this guide to phone carriers or networks and SIM cards can help you make an informed decision. Options and pricing are subject to change.

    We ask that you share your US phone number with ISP as soon as you have one.
  • How do I open a bank account?

    During Pre-Orientation for International Students (PO4IS) you will have an opportunity to open a bank account with either U.S. Bank or Wells Fargo; although you are welcome to use any other bank.

    Learn more about banks in the US and differences between U.S. Bank or Wells Fargo through our guide: Banking in the US Guide.

    Generally, banks require you to be there in person to open a bank account.
  • How do I obtain health insurance?

    All international students are required to enroll in the Macalester-offered insurance plan, United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR).

    For more details, visit Health and Wellness Center (HWC) website. If you have questions about obtaining health insurance, contact , the Insurance & Referral Specialist at HWC.

    Please note that health care and insurance in the U.S. will be very different from what you’re used to in your home country.

    Learn more about the US healthcare system through this short video:

    This video teaches international students how to prepare for their arrival in the US, how the US healthcare system works and how students should seek medical care appropriately if they become sick or injured.
    Please visit www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/explained/ for more information.

    For additional information, watch US health insurance.
  • What should I get for my room? Where can I shop ?

    Your dorm room comes furnished with a bed, Twin XL-size mattress, desk, chair, dresser, and closet. However, you will need to bring or purchase your own pillow, beddings, hangers, laundry basket, lamp, and other personal items. Residential Life provides a suggested packing list, and you’ll find more helpful information in ISP’s International Student Handbook. See the section below for ISP’s recommended places to shop for (winter) gear.

    During Pre-Orientation for International Students (PO4IS), depending on driver and van availability, ISP might offer a shuttle service to Target, a department store that sells a wide range of goods. Macalester Free Swap and 1550 Summit Avenue are also good resources to find room essentials and decorations.

    We strongly recommend purchasing items online before your arrival. You can order from Target, Amazon, or other retailers, and have packages mailed to:

    (Note: Do not have anything shipped to ISP before August 8)

    Your Name (Legal/Passport)
    Macalester College
    International Student Programs
    C/O: Luyen Phan
    1600 Grand Avenue
    Saint Paul, MN 55105 USA
  • How to prepare for winter?

    Minnesota summers and early fall are usually mild, so you won’t need to worry about cold weather right away. As temperatures begin to drop, you’ll want to be prepared for winter.

    To help you get ready, ISP has put together a Shopping Destination Guide featuring a variety of stores and price ranges.

    For tips on how to stay warm during the colder months, check out these helpful resources: