Your US pre-arrival hub landing page
Your USA pre-arrival hub
From next steps and helpful resources to one-on-one support every step of the way, Kaplan is here to help you keep moving forward on your study journey.
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This page is for students with applications to — or offers from — the University of Connecticut, Pace University, University of Oregon, or Simmons University.
If your application is for Arizona State University (ASU), please visit our dedicated page.
Questions about your visa? Kaplan is here to help
Here’s what you need to know:
- If you have your visa, you can then book your student housing and register for orientation and classes, if you haven’t already.
- As of June 2025, there is some additional guidance to be aware of. Check out our advice below.
- Visa interviews have now resumed, so you should be able to book your appointment and keep your study plans on track.
Not sure what your options are? Kaplan will work with you to plan your next steps. Contact your advisor or email us at usprograms@kaplan.com. For students with applications to or offers from UConn, email uconn@kaplaninternational.com.
Rest assured, the USA is an excellent place to study, and we’ll do everything we can to support you.
Important visa guidelines
On June 17, 2025, the U.S. government shared new guidance for student visa applications. Here’s what you need to know:
- Social media settings: When you apply for a visa, you may be asked to set your social media profiles to public. This helps officials review your application more thoroughly.
- Application screening: U.S. embassies will now take a closer look at all applications to make sure they meet updated security guidelines.
- Visa interviews restarting: Student visa processing, which had been paused, is now restarting — so interviews are back on track.
These updates are part of a broader effort to improve safety during the visa process. We’ll keep you informed of any further changes, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Starting to prepare
When you’re about to study abroad, there is a lot to think about! Whether you are an undergraduate starting your first degree or about to start a post-graduate program, you’ll need to understand your next steps.
Getting your visa
Most international students will need to obtain an F-1 visa. See below for a step-by-step guide on what you need to do:
You must fill out every section carefully, but in particular:
Funding
You must show that you have enough money to study in the US for one academic year (9 months). This includes money for tuition and fees, living expenses (housing, food, etc.), health insurance, books and visa-related costs.
Important: The exact amount you need, for I-20 purposes, is listed on the university’s financial form — check it carefully. We recommend you show a little more than the minimum amount. This helps avoid problems if exchange rates change. If your documents show even $1 less than required, your I-20 will be delayed.
Source
- List all sources (family, scholarship, loan)
- A co-signed loan = family funding
If you’re not transferring, please select ‘No’ for “Do you have an active SEVIS ID?” — don’t leave this question blank.
Dependents
Fill if your spouse/children are joining you on F-2 visas.
*You can complete this step in the following portals:
Your next steps:
Undergraduate students often need to live on campus and should keep an eye on application deadlines. You can usually book accommodation after accepting your study offer, but check for any program-specific requirements.
Graduate students usually live off campus, but it’s still important to start thinking about housing well in advance. In most cases, you’ll need to pay your tuition deposit before applying for housing.
You can complete this step in the university portal:
Pace Undergraduate Application Dashboard
Pace Graduate Application Dashboard
While some tasks are unique to the university you’re attending, there are many tasks you’ll likely be asked to complete:
✔ Provide proof of immunization
✔ Register for orientation sessions
✔ Prepare for the immigration interview
✔ Arrange travel plans, such as flights, trains, or buses
✔ Join our pre-arrival sessions specific to your school hosted by experts
✔ Check your relevant portal for outstanding tasks
Before you set off, you’ll need to pack carefully! Remember to bring:
- Important documents
- SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019
- valid passport
- current visa
- copy of immunization records
- original supporting financial documents
- international travel coverage documents if applicable
- any dependents’ I-20 or DS-2019 and passports if your spouse or children are travelling with you
- Laptop with camera
- Suitable clothing
- Electrical adapter if applicable
- Any medication you need
- Mobile phone
Need additional support?
If you have any questions, concerns, or want to discuss your study options, we’re here to help every step of the way.
