University of Texas - Dallas

Visiting your child at UT Dallas means flying into Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), the nearest international gateway, about 16 km from the Richardson campus. Plan the US visitor visa well ahead - it is the single longest lead time in the trip.

Getting from DFW to campus

Visitor visa for parents

Indian parents need a B1/B2 visitor visa. First-time interview wait times are long and vary sharply by consulate, so the choice of city matters. You may book an interview at ANY US consulate in India, not just your home city.

• Plan 8-12 months ahead, especially for graduation - graduations do NOT qualify for emergency/expedited appointments.
• You can book at any consulate in India; many families fly to Chennai to save months versus Mumbai or Delhi.
• The dropbox (interview waiver) window shrank from 48 to 12 months in 2025 - most parents with older expired visas now need a full interview.
• Visitor stays are up to 6 months per visit, set by the officer at entry on the I-94.

Just admitted to UT Dallas? Here is the travel side of your move to Richardson, sorted before you fly.

Arrival checklist

• Book your flight into DFW early - fall intake fares climb through July and August.
• Confirm student baggage allowance with your airline; many allow an extra bag for students on US routes.
• Plan airport-to-campus: the DART Silver Line runs DFW directly to UT Dallas Station, or use Uber/Lyft (~$35-50).
• Arrange first-week housing before you land - on-campus move-in dates are fixed; off-campus areas near campus include Richardson and the new Northside development by the station.
• Carry admission and financial documents in hand luggage for US immigration at your port of entry.

Dallas-Fort Worth is affordable and a magnet for Indian students - about $1,300-2,000 a month all-in, with shared rooms at $600-1,000. Texas has no state income tax, which quietly helps once you work on-campus or move to OPT. DFW is spread out, so a cheap car or a place near DART rail matters; Richardson around UT-Dallas has the densest Indian-student housing market.

Monthly cost of living in Richardson (a student estimate)

That's roughly $15,000-24,000 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.

Finding accommodation

Dallas-Fort Worth is affordable with a huge Indian student population around UT-Dallas (Richardson). Most students share apartments near campus.

• Richardson (around UT-Dallas) has a dense Indian-student community and lots of shared-housing options.
• DART rail serves Richardson/Plano and downtown, but DFW is spread out - many students share or buy a cheap car.
• Texas has no state income tax, which helps if you work on-campus or do OPT later.

Working part-time

On an F-1 visa you can work on-campus up to 20 hours/week during term (full-time in breaks). Off-campus work needs authorization - CPT during study, OPT after (up to 12 months, +24 for STEM degrees). You cannot freelance or work off-campus without approval.

Safety & student support

The Dallas suburbs where most students live (Richardson, Plano, Irving) are generally safe and quiet; use normal big-city awareness in the urban core and at night.

• Campuses (UT-Dallas, UNT, UT-Arlington) run security escorts, shuttles and safety apps - use them after dark.
• Richardson and Plano are well-regarded suburban areas popular with Indian students and families.
• DFW is car-oriented and spread out - plan transport, and don't leave valuables visible in parked cars.

Indian community & food

Dallas-Fort Worth has one of the largest and fastest-growing Indian communities in the US, centred on Richardson and Irving - the 'MG Road' area on Richardson's Mahatma Gandhi Memorial corridor is a desi hub.

Indian grocery stores

• The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial corridor in Richardson - the DFW 'Little India' with grocers, sweets and restaurants.
• India Bazaar and Taj Grocers across Irving and Richardson.
• Patel Brothers (Plano, Irving) for a big monthly shop.

Student community

• UT-Dallas (one of the largest Indian student populations in the US), UNT and UT-Arlington have very active Indian/South Asian associations.
• Richardson/Irving host major Diwali and Holi events and several Hindu temples (e.g. the DFW Hindu Temple, Irving).

• Extensive Indian dining in Richardson and Irving.

Cost & living figures for Richardson last verified Jun 2026. Figures are estimates and change over time.