New Student Guide: Lehigh University Fall Arrival and Packing Guide
As Lehigh University’s official recruitment partner in China, HYP Global has prepared this guide to help incoming students understand the enrollment, visa, health, travel, and packing procedures associated with beginning their studies in the United States.
As Lehigh University’s official recruitment partner in China, HYP Global has prepared this guide to help incoming students understand the enrollment, visa, health, travel, and packing procedures associated with beginning their studies in the United States.
Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Before traveling to campus for the fall semester, international students should complete several essential tasks, including accepting their admission offer, creating their Lehigh credentials, obtaining Form I-20, applying for an F-1 Nonimmigrant Student Visa, completing health and immunization requirements, and preparing their luggage.
The information below reflects the requirements and guidance available when the original article was prepared. Students should confirm current deadlines and regulations with Lehigh University, the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and their airline before traveling.
1. Four Steps Before Enrollment
After receiving an Offer Letter from Lehigh University, students should complete the following tasks according to the deadlines established by their admissions office and the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS).
Pre-Enrollment Process
Step | Process | Instructions |
Step 1 | Accept the Offer and Pay the Deposit | 1. Log in to the ApplyWeb application system and complete the Decision Form.2. Follow the instructions in the offer email to create your Lehigh credentials.3. Log in to the Lehigh Portal, enter the E-Bill Suite, submit the required non-refundable deposit, and save the electronic receipt. |
Step 2 | Apply for Form I-20 | 1. After paying the deposit, check your email for instructions from OISS regarding your iHome account.2. Log in to iHome, verify your personal information, and upload a valid passport and proof of financial support.3. After OISS approves the application, the electronic Form I-20 will be sent to your email. Print the form and sign it by hand.Students were advised to submit complete materials at least 60 days before the program start date. The guidance in the source recommended applying by June 22 for fall enrollment and May 5 for summer enrollment. |
Step 3 | Apply for an F-1 Student Visa | 1. Complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application.2. Pay the visa application fee and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System I-901 Fee, also known as the SEVIS I-901 Fee.3. Schedule a visa interview and bring the original passport, signed Form I-20, Offer Letter, and financial documents to the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate. |
Step 4 | Complete Health and Immunization Requirements | Follow the instructions provided by the Lehigh University Health Center and the Lehigh Student Health Portal. Students in China may complete the required physical examination, vaccinations, and health forms through a local International Travel Health Care Center. |
2. Documents to Carry During Entry
All original documents should be placed in a carry-on bag and kept with the student throughout the journey. They should never be placed in checked luggage.
Students are also advised to prepare two or three photocopies of important documents.
Passport: The passport should have at least six months of remaining validity. If a valid U.S. visa is attached to an expired passport, carry both the old and new passports.
Form I-20: Print the electronic form and sign it by hand. Carrying two additional copies is recommended.
Admission and scholarship documents: Bring the Offer Letter and any Scholarship Letter issued by the university.
Official academic documents: Bring the graduation certificate, degree certificate, or certificate of current enrollment, together with English translations where applicable. Students should also carry official transcripts and available TOEFL, IELTS, GMAT, GRE, or SAT score reports.
Financial documents: Bring a bank statement and documentation of the parents’ employment and income when applicable.
Health and immunization records: Bring the International Travel Health Examination Certificate, commonly known as the red booklet; the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, commonly known as the yellow booklet; the university’s immunization form; and any required Tuberculin Skin Test or other tuberculosis screening results.
Money and personal identification: Carry a limited amount of U.S. currency and an international Visa or Mastercard credit card. Cash or other monetary instruments totaling more than USD 10,000 must be declared to U.S. customs. Students may also bring passport-style photographs, a Chinese driver’s license, and an English translation of the license.
3. Packing Checklist
Students should prioritize essential items and avoid packing products that are easily available in the United States. All luggage must comply with the restrictions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the operating airline.
Recommended Items and Restrictions
Category | Recommended Items | Restrictions and Items to Avoid |
Carry-On Bag | Black or blue pens, disposable slippers, a travel neck pillow, an eye mask, earplugs, a warm jacket, travel-size toiletries, a mobile power bank, and charging cables | Liquids carried into the cabin must comply with the airline’s security rules. Individual containers should generally not exceed 100 milliliters. |
Clothing and Bedding | One or two sets of business attire, particularly for business school students; a limited selection of everyday clothing; and one set of cotton sheets if needed. A standard U.S. Twin mattress is approximately 99 × 191 centimeters. | Everyday clothing is widely available in the United States, so students do not need to bring excessive quantities. |
Electronics and Eyewear | Spare eyeglasses or contact lenses, U.S.-compatible plug adapters, a multi-outlet power strip, and additional phone charging cables | Avoid bringing appliances that are incompatible with the U.S. 110–120V electrical system. Hair dryers, curling irons, and similar appliances can be purchased after arrival from retailers such as Target or Walmart. |
Medicine and Health Supplies | A limited supply of regularly used cold, stomach, allergy, and other personal medications | Do not carry prohibited or restricted medications. Check the ingredients of every product, particularly for substances such as ephedrine or codeine. Certain formulations of cold medicine, compound licorice tablets, medicated oils, and cough syrups may be restricted. Keep medicines in their original packaging and carry supporting documentation when necessary. |
Food and Kitchen Supplies | Commercially packaged dry foods or seasonings may be considered, provided the packaging is intact and the products comply with CBP rules. | Avoid bringing meat products, fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, seeds, or other restricted agricultural products. Pots, pans, and other kitchen supplies can be purchased from local supermarkets and Asian grocery stores such as H Mart. |
Official Information
4. Frequently Asked Questions
When should students apply for Form I-20?
Students were advised to submit all required materials at least 60 days before the program start date to allow sufficient time for Form I-20 processing, SEVIS fee payment, and visa appointment scheduling.
The guidance referenced in the original article recommended completing the application by May 5 for summer enrollment and June 22 for fall enrollment. Students should confirm the deadline for their specific intake with OISS.
Which items should students avoid bringing through U.S. customs?
The source guidance advised students not to bring meat products, including fresh, canned, or processed meat; fresh fruits and vegetables; plant seeds; eggs; or medications containing restricted ingredients such as ephedrine or codeine.
Examples may include certain formulations of Contac cold medicine, compound licorice tablets, medicated oils, and cough syrups. Because product formulations and import restrictions may change, students should review the ingredients and confirm current CBP requirements before packing.
Travelers carrying cash or other monetary instruments totaling more than USD 10,000 must declare the amount to U.S. customs. Failure to declare may result in penalties or confiscation.
What are Lehigh credentials used for?
Creating Lehigh credentials gives admitted students access to their official Lehigh account, including Lehigh email and the Lehigh Portal.
Students need these credentials to access the E-Bill Suite and pay the enrollment deposit, enter iHome to apply for Form I-20, and use the Lehigh Student Health Portal to submit health and immunization records.
What rules apply to mobile power banks on flights?
Mobile power banks must be placed in carry-on luggage and must not be packed in checked baggage.
Under the aviation guidance referenced in the source:
Power banks rated at no more than 100 watt-hours may generally be carried without prior airline approval.
A 20,000mAh power bank operating at 3.7V is typically approximately 74Wh and therefore below the 100Wh threshold.
Power banks rated between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval.
Power banks exceeding 160Wh are prohibited.
Devices without a clearly marked capacity or watt-hour rating may not be accepted.
Students should confirm the latest rules with their airline before departure.
Where can students complete Lehigh’s health examination and vaccination requirements in China?
Students may visit an International Travel Health Care Center operated through China Customs in their province or city.
After the physical examination and required vaccinations are completed, the center may issue an International Travel Health Examination Certificate, commonly known as the red booklet, and an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, commonly known as the yellow booklet.
A physician may also assist with completing and signing Lehigh University’s Health and Immunization Form.
