As an international student in the USA, it is important to have a reliable mobile connection as soon as you arrive. This allows you to quickly get in touch with your family, new roommates, and university staff, and stay reachable at all times. However, choosing the right SIM card or mobile plan can be complicated, as the conditions differ from those in Europe.
In this guide, we explain the options available to you and what you should look out for. We also provide a clear recommendation to make your start easier.
Our clear recommendation is to use a prepaid SIM card for international students in the first year. This has several advantages:
No long-term contract: You do not commit to long-term mobile contracts and can switch providers flexibly if needed.
Lower costs: You only pay for the data and minutes you actually need, and you always maintain control over your monthly expenses.
Full flexibility: Since prepaid cards do not require a social security number (SSN) or credit check, activation is immediate and without excessive bureaucracy.
Ideal for campus use: As most students spend most of their time on campus, where free Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere, an expensive mobile flat rate is usually not necessary.
Tip:
Use the campus Wi-Fi for calls via WhatsApp, iMessage, or other messenger services to save your mobile data.
If you decide on a prepaid SIM card, there are several providers that are specifically geared towards international students and travelers. The most popular options include:
T-Mobile Prepaid: T-Mobile offers flexible prepaid tariffs with various data packages. The "Simply Prepaid" plan in particular offers unlimited calls and SMS as well as various data options.
AT&T Prepaid: AT&T also offers a wide selection of prepaid plans that you can adjust as needed. AT&T's network coverage is particularly good in rural areas.
Mint Mobile: An affordable prepaid option, but with limited coverage in rural areas. Ideal for students who mainly stay in larger cities.
Verizon Prepaid: Verizon offers the best network, but is also the most expensive provider. Particularly recommended if you study in remote regions.
Tip:
Compare the network coverage of the various providers at your future university and choose the provider with the best coverage.
Purchase SIM card in Europe: There are various international providers that offer special SIM cards for travelers to the USA. You can order these before your departure and activate them immediately upon arrival. This saves you the stress of having to find a store after a long flight.
Purchase SIM card after arrival in the USA: Most mobile providers have sales outlets at major airports, in supermarkets, shopping malls, or directly on campus. You can purchase a SIM card at stores like Walmart, Best Buy, or the official stores of the providers (e.g., T-Mobile, AT&T).
Activating the SIM card: Activation is done either online or through the provider's customer service. You only need your passport and a US address (e.g., the address of your dormitory).
Note:
Check before purchasing which tariffs and data packages are available and whether they meet your requirements (e.g., unlimited calls to Europe, international roaming, etc.).
A mobile contract may initially appear to offer cheaper tariffs and additional services (such as subsidized smartphones), but it is often associated with numerous restrictions:
Long contract terms: Many mobile contracts in the USA run for 12 to 24 months, which can be disadvantageous for international students who may only be in the country for one or two semesters.
Social security number required: In most cases, mobile providers require a US social security number (SSN) for a credit check. As an international student, you normally do not have this.
High termination fees: Early termination often incurs high cancellation fees.
Limited stay in the USA: As an international student, you are often only in the USA for 8 to 9 months a year and spend the summer and Christmas vacations at home. It makes no sense to pay a monthly base fee for these months if you cannot use the contract during your absence.
For these reasons, we recommend using a prepaid SIM card in the first year. If you later obtain an SSN (e.g., through a campus job), you can switch to a regular contract if needed.
Utilize unlimited Wi-Fi availability: Since you usually have access to free Wi-Fi on campus, choose a prepaid plan with limited data volume and save money. Use Wi-Fi for video calls, emails, and streaming videos.
Check international call packages: Some providers offer special packages for international calls. Check in advance what options are available to stay in cheaper contact with your family and friends in Europe.
Take the SIM card on trips: If you travel within the USA during semester breaks, keep your SIM card and just change the plan if necessary to add more data volume or special roaming packages.
Smarthlete clearly recommends the use of a prepaid SIM card in the first year of your studies. This is the best option to remain flexible and avoid unnecessary costs from long-term contracts. Especially for students who spend most of their time on campus, an inexpensive prepaid plan is perfectly sufficient, as Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere.
If you plan to study for a longer period or obtain a social security number later, you can always switch to a mobile contract that may then offer you better conditions.
If you have any further questions or need support in choosing the right SIM card, our team will be happy to assist you!