To avoid expensive roaming fees, it is a good idea to purchase a U.S. based cell-phone plan upon arrival in the U.S. You have three choices for cell phone plans:

1. Using an unlocked cell phone from home and purchasing a new SIM card in the U.S. (NOTE: ISS offers free SIM cards to our international students. Incoming students can find their SIM card in their welcome bags. If you need one, please contact ISS.)
2. Buying a new phone and setting up a pre-paid plan to pay as you go
3. Buying a new cell phone and setting up a contract plan to pay monthly

• Option 1: Using an unlocked cell phone from home and purchasing a new SIM card in the U.S.
• Option 2: Buying a new phone and setting up a pre-paid plan to pay as you go
• Option 3: Buying a new cell phone and setting up a contract plan to pay monthly

<aside> ☝ Look for a plan with international calling options

If you’re an international student, you likely have friends and family back in your home country who you’re going to want to talk to. That’s why we recommend thinking carefully about the international calling options of any phone plan before signing up. Even if you are getting a great deal on calls, texts, and data in the United States, calling internationally still might end up getting expensive quickly. The cheapest and easiest way to call overseas are mobile and desktop messaging apps like WhatsApp, Viber, Skype or WeChat. Any of these options can be downloaded for free and used within the U.S.

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<aside> 🚨 Disclaimer: The ISS staff will provide regulatory and practice information related to F and J status, as it stands at the time of the consult. Regulatory content is designed for SEU students, and is not intended to constitute legal advice and is not a substitute for legal counsel.

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