Documents to bring with you when flying to study abroad (no deposit)

🔄 Cập nhật lần cuối: 08/10/26

You can buy clothes and a rice cooker abroad, but missing an important piece of paper at the immigration counter can cause you to be detained for a long time, or even denied entry. This article summarizes the documents you need to bring with you when flying to study abroad - things that must be in your carry-on baggage or handbag, absolutely not checked in - along with how to arrange them for quick presentation.

Why can't I deposit documents?

Documents need to be presented at many points on the journey: check-in counters in Vietnam, exit, boarding gates, transit points, and especially Immigration counter in the destination country – where you go before picking up your luggage. If the documents are in a checked suitcase, you cannot take them out when needed. Not to mention suitcases can get lost or arrive late (see Missed flight, lost luggage: how to handle it).

Universities in the US such as West Virginia University recommend that F-1 students bring their passport, visa, I-20 and should have additional financial proof, admission letter, and SEVIS fee receipt. In the UK, the University of Sheffield instructs new students to bring printed proof of finances, accommodation and invitation letter with CAS in their carry-on luggage.

Checklist of documents to bring with you when flying to study abroad

Documents such as I-20, CoE, CAS are explained carefully in the article What are CoE, I-20, CAS; A complete list of documents when applying for admission is included Complete study abroad application checklist. About cash, see Exchange foreign currency, bring cash and cards when studying abroad.

Specific documents according to destination country

the USA

Passport, F-1/J-1 visa, I-20 (or DS-2019) with signature, SEVIS fee receipt, proof of finances. After entering the country, look up your I-94 file online to check the information is accurate.

You

Passport linked to eVisa, visa decision letter, CAS, financial proof, and accommodation. Do not enter the country before the visa validity date. If going through the eGate, keep your boarding pass as proof of entry date.

Australia, Canada

Australia: passport, visa letter, CoE, OSHC insurance. Canada: passport, letter of introduction for study permit (Port of Entry Letter), LOA, proof of finances - study permit is issued at the border gate.

Japan, Korea

Passport with visa, certificate of eligibility (CoE) or corresponding admission documents; Prepare your residence address to make a residence card. Detailed information for each country is in the article Immigration to Australia, USA, Canada.

How to organize and save copies

1. A waterproof document bag containing all originals, arranged in order of presentation: passport - visa - admission letter - finances - insurance - accommodation.
2. Passport and boarding pass can be kept in your bag for easy access.
3. Photocopies of important documents should be kept in a separate compartment, separate from the originals.
4. Scanned copies are saved on email or cloud storage and shared with parents.
5. An emergency information sheet: residential address, school phone number, pick-up person, family, Vietnamese embassy/consulate.

Other items such as backup chargers, laptops, and medicines must also be carried on hand. Regulations on identification documents when flying in general are in the article Identification documents for air travel. When booking tickets through VeDuHoc, Booker will remind you of the documents you need according to your itinerary, check transit visa requirements at connecting points and advise on optimal luggage of 40–46kg so that your checked suitcase does not "hug" the entire document bag. See more items Documentation questions.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to bring original diplomas when flying?

You should bring the original or notarized copy in your carry-on luggage, because the school may require it when completing admission procedures and they are very difficult to redo.

Is saving documents on the phone enough?

Don't just rely on your phone. The phone may run out of battery or be lost; Please bring printed copies of important documents.

Will I be asked for financial proof when entering the country?

Maybe. Not everyone will be asked, but bringing it along helps you respond quickly if the staff asks.

What to do if you lose your passport abroad?

Report to the local police to get a report, contact the Vietnamese embassy/consulate to get replacement documents, and report to the school.

A carefully prepared document bag is the "ticket" for you to enter the country smoothly. Need help choosing an itinerary and preparing flight documents, contact VeDuHoc via hotline/Zalo 090.1800.918.

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