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Departure Checklist for Indian Students Going to Study Abroad

Departure Checklist for Indian Students Going to Study Abroad

Edited By Stuti Jain | Updated on Jun 26, 2024 04:35 PM IST

Every year, thousands of students travel from India to study abroad. Creating a departure checklist for Indian students going to study abroad is a difficult process due to tight airport security and changes in rules and regulations for student visa applications. Students are advised to make a study abroad packing list beforehand to keep a record of their luggage while moving abroad.

A packing list for international students contains a lot of items, including travel documents, financial documents, academic documents, clothes, electronics, personal belongings, self-care items, and other miscellaneous products. Following the international student packing list, all students can carefully pack their belongings to avoid last-minute hassles. This article details a departure checklist for Indian students, things to carry while travelling abroad from India, and more.

What to do Before Moving Abroad?

All Indian students, before moving abroad, must keep the following points in mind:

  • They must keep themselves updated about the travel restrictions and protocols for different countries.

  • While most nations have lifted COVID-19 test requirements, some still mandate a complete COVID-19 vaccination certificate for foreign students, especially for popular countries such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and others.

  • Additionally, check the airline luggage restrictions and arrange your travel and accommodation before moving abroad

  • Prepare a packing list or take help from several guides on internet on what to include in a departure checklist for Indian students going to study abroad.

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Things to Carry for International Travel

The departure checklist for Indian students going to study abroad can be divided into several groups. Here are the things to carry while travelling abroad from India:

  1. Documents

  2. Clothes

  3. Medicines

  4. Local currency

  5. Electronics

  6. Miscellaneous

Essential Documents for International Checklist

Important documents that should be included in the checklist for students abroad include visa, passport, and travel documents. Other essential documents are mentioned below:

  • Carry the flight tickets

  • Accommodation related documents

  • Academic documents

  • Bank statements

  • Financial proofs

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Clothes to Carry while Moving Abroad

Students must research about the weather conditions of the particular city/country before moving abroad. Carrying clothes from home will also help Indian students to save money. If students are moving to countries such as the USA, Canada, UK, they must pack warm clothes, and if they are moving abroad to Asian and African countries, students should pack light clothes. Here are some of the essential clothes that one must pack while travelling abroad:

  • Season-based clothing

  • Formal clothing (for events, interviews, presentations)

  • Comfortable everyday wear (based on local temperatures)

  • Variety of comfortable footwear -formal and casual

  • Protective clothing (rain or snow gear)

Medicines to Carry While Travelling Abroad from India

All students must have medicines in their international student packing list. Some of the medical items which one must include in their packing list are mentioned below:

  • Bandage

  • Savlon / Dettol

  • Painkillers

  • Sanitary napkins

  • Cough syrup

  • Paracetamol

  • Anti-allergy medications

  • Antacids

Local Currency

Carrying local currency while travelling is essential to pay for small expenses such as transportation, meals, shopping and more. As not all the places accept cards, having local cash will also help in avoiding international transaction fees, and other unforeseen expenses.

Electronic Items in Study Abroad Packing List

Electronics are one of the most important things which must be included in the packing list for international students, hence, it is better to carry your own devices. Here is a list of essential electronic items required during international travel from India:

  • Smartphone

  • Laptop/Tablet

  • Chargers and accessories

  • Powerbank

  • Earphones/headphones

  • Pen drive or hard drive

Miscellaneous products

Apart from documents, currency, medicines, clothes, and other items, some of the additional products that Indian students going abroad must carry include:

  • Books and stationery

  • Maps and travel guides

  • Small blanket

  • Essential Jewellery

  • Bedsheets

  • Water bottle

  • Sunglasses

  • Journals

Documents to Carry for International Travel

It is important to have the self attested academic documents, financial proof documents, and admission letters from the university to be included in the packing list for international student. All Indian students must have the following documents:

Admission-related documents.

Financial documents.

  • Proof of scholarship, if received by the university

  • Bank statements, proof of funds, and other financial documents such as affidavits

  • International credit or debit card

  • Emergency local currency

Other documents

  • Medical records

  • Travel Insurance

  • Health Insurance

  • Visa documents

  • Work experience certificates

Note: Some countries might require police clearance certificates and birth certificates as well.

Checklist for International Travel from India

Indian students going abroad are required to have the following documents while travelling from India to the university overseas:

  • Letter of acceptance

  • Letter of enrolment/acceptance letter

  • Flight tickets

  • Student ID card

  • Hard and soft copies of payslips and other fee receipts.

  • Bank statements, salary slips, and other financial documents

  • A rental agreement, if already arranged for accommodation

  • Attested copies of academic certificates starting from your high school marksheets

  • Scholarship certificate (if you received one)

  • Certificates related to your vaccination

  • Copies of medical reports and history

  • Blood group ID (not compulsory, but recommended)

  • Health insurance documents

  • Passport (with photocopies)

  • Visa (with photocopies)

  • Travel Insurance

Packing List for Canada 2024

Canada is a cold country, and hence candidates planning to study in Canada must keep the following items on their checklist:

Packing list for Canada for Indian Students

Product Type

Items

Clothing

  • Warm winter coat

  • Sweaters and hoodies

  • Thermal underwear

  • Long-sleeve shirts

  • T-shirts

  • Jeans and pants

  • Snow boots

  • Waterproof shoes

  • Sneakers

  • Warm socks

  • Gloves, hats, and scarfs

  • Raincoat or waterproof jacket

Electronics

  • Mobile phone and charger

  • Laptop/tablet and charger

  • Power bank

  • Travel adapter and voltage converter

  • Headphones

Documents

  • Passport and other travel-related documents

  • Academic records and documents

  • Admission offer and acceptance letter

  • Financial documents

Other items

  • Backpack or day bag

  • Reusable water bottle

  • Snacks for the journey

  • Travel guidebook and maps

  • Camera

  • Important contact information (embassy, emergency numbers)

  • Notebooks and pens

  • Travel insurance details

  • Prescription medications and first-aid kit

  • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, etc.)

  • Personal hygiene items

  • Sunglasses and sunscreen

  • Face masks and hand sanitizer

List of things to pack for USA from India 2024

The USA is a country with a mixed climate, students must thoroughly research the climatic conditions of the location around their university to pack accordingly. Here are a few things to carry from India to USA:

Essential Things for Travelling to USA

Product type

Items

Clothing

  • Seasonal clothing (light clothes for summer and warm clothes for winter)

  • Both casual and formal wear

  • Comfortable shoes (sneakers, formal shoes, sandals)

  • Undergarments and socks

  • Sleepwear

  • Raincoat or umbrella

  • Traditional Indian clothes (for Indian events held in USA)

Electronics

  • Mobile phone and charger

  • Laptop/tablet and charger

  • Power bank

  • Travel adapter and voltage converter

  • Headphones

Documents

  • Passport and other travel-related documents

  • Academic records and documents

  • Admission offer and acceptance letter from the university

  • Financial documents

  • Travel insurance details

  • Accommodation lease and other related documents

Other items

  • Indian spices and ready-to-cook food items

  • Bedding items

  • Backpack or day bag

  • Reusable water bottle

  • Snacks for the journey

  • Travel guidebook and maps

  • Camera

  • Important contact information

  • Prescription medications and first-aid kit

  • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, etc.)

  • Personal hygiene items

  • Sunglasses and sunscreen

  • Face masks and hand sanitizer

  • Small kitchen utensils

Hostel Packing List for Students

All Indian students must have the following essential items included in their hostel packing list:

  • Clothes

  • Self-care products

  • Electronic items

  • Belts

  • Shoes

  • Journals

  • Books (only a few)

  • Mobile phone

  • Chargers

  • Headphones

  • Laptop

  • Jewellery

Tips for Study Abroad Packing List

All Indian students planning to study abroad should keep the following points in mind while packing their stuff to have a safe and comfortable travel journey:

  • Carry only transparent liquid stuff, which is allowed only in your handbag.

  • Fold the clothes in such a way that you can save space and avoid wrinkles as well.

  • Use binder clips in wired items such as headphones, chargers, and more.

  • Keep self-care items in your small travel bags to save space and keep a lot of products within a compact space.

  • Keep all your travel documents in one place and other documents in another space to avoid mixing documents.

What not to include in the packing list for international students?

When travelling to study abroad, students must the hassle of bringing the following items:

  • Books

  • Lots of food and snacks

  • Luxury items or other valuable things

  • Many electric appliances

  • Bedding or other bullying material

  • Sharp objects such as knives must be avoided

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What to pack when going to study abroad?

When planning to study abroad, pack essentials such as travel documents, proper clothing for the climate, any required medications, a portable charger, and personal items that may be difficult to find abroad. 

2. What are the requirements for study abroad for Indian students?

Indian students planning to study abroad requires the following documents: 

  • A valid passport 

  • Student visa 

  • Acceptance letter 

  • Proof of financial documents 

  • Health insurance 

  • Standardised test scores 

  • Academic certificates 

  • English language proficiency certificates

3. What documents are checked at the airport for international students?

International students must provide their valid passport and student visa at the airport and an acceptance letter from their college or university. Immigration officers may require proof of financial sources, and medical insurance. Additionally, having copies of academic transcripts and accommodation can be useful for Indian students.

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