Pre-Departure Marketplace
Everything you need before you leave India. Forex cards, SIM cards, insurance, GIC accounts, accommodation, and flight booking — all in one place.
✅ Pre-Departure Checklist
Check off items as you complete them
💳 Forex Cards
Load money before you go — save on currency conversion fees
Niyo Global (SBM Bank)
Best for beginners
0% forex markup on international transactions
The most popular forex card for Indian students. Zero markup on international purchases. Get a free virtual card instantly online.
- ✓Zero forex markup
- ✓Free ATM withdrawals (up to limit)
- ✓Works in 150+ countries
- ✓No minimum balance
HDFC Multicurrency Platinum ForexPlus
Best for multiple currencies
Load 22 currencies on a single card
Hold up to 22 currencies. Lock in today's exchange rate before your trip. Available from HDFC Bank branches and netbanking.
- ✓22 currencies on one card
- ✓Fixed exchange rate (lock-in)
- ✓Chip + PIN security
- ✓Insurance benefits
Thomas Cook One Currency Card
Best for simplicity
Simple single-currency cards for major destinations
Easy to load, widely accepted. Good for students going to the US, UK, or Canada on a single-currency card.
- ✓Available nationwide
- ✓Easy to load at branches/online
- ✓Accepted at Visa merchants globally
📱 International SIM & eSIMs
Stay connected from the moment you land
Airalo eSIM
Best for eSIM-enabled phones
Buy before you fly — activate on landing
Airalo is the world's first eSIM marketplace. Buy a data eSIM for 200+ countries directly from your phone. No SIM card needed.
- ✓Buy before you land
- ✓Instant activation
- ✓200+ countries
- ✓Data-only or voice+data plans
Holafly eSIM
Best for unlimited data
Unlimited data plans for popular destinations
Unlimited data eSIM plans. Great for the first 1–2 months until you get a local SIM. Available for US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany.
- ✓Unlimited data option
- ✓Easy app-based management
- ✓No top-up needed
- ✓Customer support in English
Airtel International Roaming (India)
Best for short trips / first few days
Keep your Indian number active while abroad
Activate Airtel/Jio international roaming before departure. Good for the first few days before you get a local SIM.
- ✓Keep your Indian number
- ✓Call/SMS back home easily
- ✓Data available
- ✓Activate from app
🛡️ Travel & Student Insurance
Protect yourself before, during, and after your journey
Care Health (formerly Religare) Student Travel Insurance
Best overall for students
Medical + baggage + study interruption cover
Comprehensive student travel insurance covering medical emergencies, baggage loss, study interruption, and personal liability.
- ✓Medical emergency cover up to $500K
- ✓Baggage and documents cover
- ✓Study interruption reimbursement
- ✓Cashless hospitalization network
Bajaj Allianz Travel Insurance
Best for US destinations
USCIS-compliant health coverage for F-1 students
Bajaj Allianz student insurance is widely accepted for US university health requirements. Covers OPT period too.
- ✓USCIS-compliant
- ✓Covers OPT period
- ✓Quick claims settlement
- ✓Available in app
HDFC ERGO Travel Insurance
Best for families buying group cover
Group and family plans available
Competitive pricing for students going abroad. Covers medical, dental emergencies, trip cancellation, and more.
- ✓Affordable premiums
- ✓Family/group discounts
- ✓Dental cover
- ✓24/7 assistance
🏦 GIC & Blocked Accounts
Mandatory financial proof for Canada and Germany study visas
CIBC Student GIC (Canada)
Best for Canada study permit
IRCC-approved GIC — released in installments
Guaranteed Investment Certificate required for Canadian student visa (SDS route). CIBC is one of the approved banks. Deposit CAD $10,000+, released in biweekly installments.
- ✓IRCC-approved
- ✓Earns interest
- ✓Released bi-weekly after arrival
- ✓Online process
ICICI Bank Canada GIC
Best for Indians — familiar bank
Apply from India via ICICI's international division
ICICI Bank has a partnership that lets Indian students open a GIC for Canadian study visa through familiar Indian banking.
- ✓Apply from India
- ✓IRCC-approved
- ✓NRI relationship manager support
Deutsche Bank Blocked Account (Germany)
Best for Germany student visa
€11,208/yr blocked account for German visa
Germany requires a blocked account (Sperrkonto) to prove financial capacity. Deutsche Bank and Fintiba are the most common options for Indian students.
- ✓Required for German visa
- ✓Released monthly (€934/month)
- ✓Online setup from India
- ✓Account stays after graduation
🏠 Accommodation
Find your home away from home
University Housing Portal
Best for safety and convenience
Apply immediately after admission for guaranteed housing
Most universities have on-campus housing for first-year graduate students. Apply immediately after receiving admission — spots fill fast.
- ✓Safest option for first year
- ✓Bills often included
- ✓Community of students
- ✓Close to campus
Amber Student Housing
Best marketplace for off-campus
Verified student apartments near universities worldwide
Amber is India's largest platform for booking verified student accommodation in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany.
- ✓Verified properties
- ✓Book from India
- ✓Flexible cancellation
- ✓24/7 support
University Facebook / WhatsApp Groups
Best for roommate search
Find Indian or international roommates before you arrive
Search "[University Name] Indian Students [Year]" on Facebook. Join the admitted students WhatsApp group to find roommates and share apartments.
- ✓Free
- ✓Find co-students going to same university
- ✓Share costs
- ✓Community support
✈️ Flight Booking
Get the best deals on your international flight
Google Flights
Best for price tracking
Set fare alerts 3–4 months before departure
Use Google Flights' "Track prices" feature. Book 6–8 weeks before departure for the best price on US, UK, Canada routes from Indian metros.
- ✓Free price tracking
- ✓Flexible date search
- ✓Compare airlines
- ✓Price guarantee
StudentUniverse
Best for student discounts
Exclusive student fares on international routes
StudentUniverse offers exclusive student fares. Verify with your university ID to access discounts of up to 20% vs. standard booking sites.
- ✓Exclusive student pricing
- ✓Flexible booking terms
- ✓Valid for F-1, M-1 visa holders
📋 First Week Survival Tips
Open a bank account on Day 1–3
In the US: Chase, Bank of America. Canada: TD, RBC. UK: Monzo, Starling. Needed for direct deposit and rent payment.
Get your university ID and email
You'll need these to access campus resources, libraries, student discounts, and health services.
Find the nearest Indian grocery store
Indian stores exist near every major university. Stock up on familiar ingredients to ease the transition.
Join your university's Indian Student Association
ISA/SISA events are the fastest way to make friends, get local tips, and feel at home.
Not started your study abroad journey yet?
Find a verified consultancy to help with your university applications and visa.