BlueZone / Study abroad steps / Arrive and thrive
Arrive and thrive: the first 90 days abroad
Week-one paperwork, visa compliance, wellbeing and scams. Do these early and the rest of your degree is easier.
Last reviewed 30 September 2026. Figures are checked against the sources listed at the bottom of the page.
Talk to a counsellorThe first 90 days
| When | Priorities |
|---|---|
| First 72 hours | Reach your accommodation, contact family, buy a local SIM or eSIM, collect your keys and check the building safety basics. |
| Week 1 | Enrol with the university, collect your student card, open a bank account, register with a doctor or confirm your insurance, attend orientation. |
| Weeks 2 to 4 | Apply for the government tax or identity number you need for work. Find the library, academic support and the international office. Learn the attendance rules for your visa. |
| Months 2 to 3 | Join a society, meet your course rep, build a budget from real costs, look at part-time work within your limit, and check in with family. |
Government numbers and registrations by country
| Destination | What to get early | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | UKVI online account for your immigration status (eVisa); NHS GP registration; National Insurance number only if you work | Check GOV.UK for how to prove your status. Physical permits are being replaced by the online record |
| Australia | Tax File Number (TFN) before you work; OSHC membership card; bank account | Check your visa conditions in VEVO |
| Canada | Social Insurance Number (SIN) before you work; provincial or university health cover | UHIP for many Ontario universities |
| United States | Report to the DSO and keep I-20 and I-94 safe; SSN only if you get authorised employment | Check CPT and OPT rules with your school |
| Ireland | Register with immigration for Stamp 2 (fee €300); PPS number for work | Stamp 2 allows 20 hours per week in term |
| New Zealand | IRD number before you work; approved insurance | Check the visa label for work hours |
| Dubai and UAE | Medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID after arrival | The university guides you through each step |
| Italy | Permesso di Soggiorno within 8 days of arrival; tax code (codice fiscale) | Needed for work, bank and rent |
| France | OFII validation of your visa online; CAF housing aid account | Fee applies for OFII validation |
| South Korea | Alien Registration Card; National Health Insurance | Part-time work needs a permit first |
| Cyprus | Residence permit and biometrics after arrival | Renew each year |
| Lithuania | Temporary Residence Permit after arrival; declare your address | Renew each year |
| Malaysia | Complete medical screening and student pass steps through your university and EMGS | Work is tightly limited |
Processes change. Your university international office gives the current steps.
Stay within your visa conditions
- Attend classes and keep the attendance record your visa needs. Missing too many classes can lead to reports and visa cancellation in several countries.
- Work only within your hour limits, and only with permission where required. Term and holiday limits differ.
- Tell the university before you change course, campus or address. Keep a record of the date and reply.
- Renew your passport and visa early. Do not leave it to the last month.
- Keep your health cover active for your whole stay.
Wellbeing and community
Loneliness in the first weeks is normal. The best protection is routine, contact with family and one or two friendships built early.
- Use the university’s free counselling and welfare service. It is confidential and used by many students.
- Join a society linked to your course or a Pakistani students’ society, and one that is not, so you meet people beyond your own group.
- Plan a weekly call home and a weekly social plan for yourself.
- Know where to get urgent help: campus security, local emergency number and your embassy or high commission.
Scams that target international students
- Callers claiming to be from immigration, police or a courier company who threaten deportation and demand money or gift cards. Real authorities do not demand payment by phone.
- Flat listings with low rent that ask for payment before a viewing or contract. See accommodation.
- Job offers that ask you to pay a fee, or to receive and forward money. Lending your bank account can make you legally responsible for fraud.
- Fake scholarship or visa “fast-track” messages on social media.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do in my first week abroad?
Enrol, collect your student card, open a bank account, arrange health cover or registration, attend orientation and learn the attendance and work rules for your visa.
Do I need a bank account straight away?
Yes, within the first week or two. You need it for rent, for receiving funds from home and for part-time work pay. See banking.
Can I change my course once I arrive?
Usually only with approval, and sometimes with a new visa application. Talk to your international office first.
What if I feel homesick or overwhelmed?
Contact university counselling. Homesickness is very common in the first term and support is free at most universities.
Who do I call in an emergency?
Use the local emergency number first, then campus security and your university’s out-of-hours line. Save your embassy or high commission number too.
Sources and how we verify
Checked on 30 September 2026. This page is general information, not legal, immigration, medical or financial advice. Rules, fees and deadlines change, so confirm with the official body before you pay or apply.
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