“I am a visiting student spending 6 months in the US. What is the best way to get temporary cellular service with data? I am looking for a convenient, easy online plan that I can activate on my own without joining my host family's AT&T plan.”
This is straightforward: you can buy and activate a separate U.S. number yourself, with no change to your host family's account. The main work is confirming that your phone is unlocked and that coverage is good where you will live and study.
Your best route depends on whether your phone supports and whether Mint has usable coverage at your home and campus.
Best match if your supports and passes Mint's coverage and compatibility checks: the current new-customer offer is $90 upfront for six months ($15/month equivalent), even for the Unlimited plan, plus taxes and fees. Choose eSIM Delivery at checkout and activate it yourself through the Mint app or emailed QR code.
Use the same six-month offer if the phone is unlocked and compatible but does not support . Mint expressly says you can still join with a physical SIM; it is less immediate because instant eSIM activation is unavailable.
Use this fallback if Mint coverage is poor but your unlocked phone passes Visible's compatibility check. Visible's ordinary base plan is $25 per month with taxes and fees included, no contract, unlimited talk, text, data and hotspot; hotspot speed is up to 5Mbps and data may be slowed temporarily during network congestion.
You do not need to join your host family's AT&T account; each option gives you a separate account and number.
These steps get you an independent U.S. number and data while protecting you from a bad-coverage purchase or unwanted renewal.
Before buying
Confirm that the phone is unlocked
An can accept another carrier's service. Mint requires an unlocked, eSIM-compatible phone for eSIM activation; if your compatible phone lacks eSIM, use the physical-SIM route instead.
Requirements
Before paying
Run the Mint coverage and compatibility checks
Open https://www.mintmobile.com/how-it-works/compatibility/ and enter the host-home ZIP code, then repeat for the campus ZIP code. Continue only if coverage is usable at both places and the phone is reported compatible.
Requirements
After both checks pass
Buy the six-month Unlimited plan with eSIM
At https://www.mintmobile.com/plans/, choose the six-month new-customer Unlimited plan and select “eSIM Delivery” at checkout. The current upfront charge is $90, equivalent to $15 per month, plus taxes and fees; the offer is for the initial term only.
Requirements
On Wi-Fi
Activate a new U.S. number
Open the Mint app, choose “Activate Your SIM Card,” enter the 11-digit eSIM ACT code, choose “Get a new one,” supply the ZIP code, create the account password, and install the by scanning the emailed QR code or entering its details manually.
Requirements
Immediately after activation
Test service and use the refund window if needed
Make a call and test mobile data at the host home and campus. If service is not suitable, submit the refund request at https://www.mintmobile.com/return-policy within seven calendar days after activation; qualifying direct purchases receive the purchase price plus associated taxes and fees back.
Requirements
More than 24 hours before the term ends
Disable Auto Renew
In your Mint account on the website, open payment preferences and turn off Auto Renew. Mint's terms require this change at least 24 hours before the payment cycle ends.
Requirements
You are not the first to go through this. Here is how it went for others who asked the same thing.
u/bizizizizizizizizozr/NoContractJun 9, 2026
u/Balja_r/InternationalStudentsNov 10, 2025
u/SeaPriority2482r/InternationalStudentsJun 2, 2026
These facts come from Mint Mobile's official offer, activation guide, terms and return policy, plus Visible's official plan page.
Mint Mobile current offer
Mint's current offer exactly matches a six-month stay and includes the Unlimited plan, but the price is upfront and promotional.
switch to mint & get 3, 6 or 12 months of premium wireless for any plan. even unlimited. Upfront payment of $45 for 3-month plan, $90 for 6-month plan, or $180 for 12-month plan (each equiv. to $15/mo.) req'd. New customer offer for initial plan term only; then full-price plan options available. Taxes & fees extra. Unlimited customers who use over 50GB/mo. may notice reduced speeds for the rest of the monthly cycle in certain locations when our network is busy. Includes up to 20GB hotspot.
Mint Mobile eSIM guide
Mint requires an unlocked, eSIM-compatible phone for instant eSIM setup and sends activation material electronically.
Get activated in minutes with an unlocked, eSIM-compatible phone. Once you've verified that your phone is compatible, pick your plan and choose ‘eSIM Delivery’ at checkout. Activate your plan and install your eSIM in the Mint Mobile app or by scanning the QR code sent to your email (we'll walk you through it).
Mint Mobile activation guide
Mint's activation guide gives the self-service steps for activating a new number and installing the eSIM.
Connect to wi-fi and download the Mint Mobile app. In the app, select "Activate Your SIM Card." The app should detect if your phone is eSIM compatible. Then enter your 11-digit eSIM ACT code from your order confirmation email. Or, get a new number by selecting "Get a new one," and we'll assign one to you based on your Zip Code. Create a password to finish setting up your account on the Mint Mobile app. Select "Scan QR code" to have the app lead you to your phone settings and guide you through an easy installation.
Mint Mobile Terms §9.2
Auto Renew must be disabled at least 24 hours before the payment cycle ends to prevent another charge.
9.2
You may cancel Auto Renew or review your payment preferences at any time by (i) contacting our customer service department at (800) 683-7392, or (iii) managing your account preferences on the Mint Mobile website. You must change your Auto Renew preferences or cancel 24 hours prior to the end of your payment cycle in order for the change to go into effect.
Mint Mobile Return Policy
A direct Mint purchase can be refunded if the request is completed within seven days after activation.
For Mint Mobile Wireless Service Plans
Refund and cancellation requests can be made for any reason within seven (7) calendar days of activation. The full purchase price and any associated taxes and fees will be refunded, provided that: (i) the Mint Mobile purchase was made directly from mintmobile.com; and (ii) the refund request form ( located on this page ) was successfully completed.
Visible base plan
Visible is the month-to-month fallback, with a clear ordinary price and unlimited service.
Unlimited data, powered by Verizon’s 5G and 4G LTE networks, for $25/mo taxes and fees included. This Monthly Price does not require a contract. You’re getting unlimited talk, text, data and mobile hotspot, all on our 5G & 4G LTE networks. Visible includes mobile hotspot with unlimited data at speeds up to 5Mbps. When the network is experiencing heavy traffic, your data may be temporarily slowed.
Mint Mobile compatibility checker
Mint provides one checker for the two unknowns that matter: local coverage and phone compatibility.
Just enter your ZIP code to check our Mint Mobile coverage map and phone compatibility.
These are the official carrier terms available on 2026-08-25; prices, promotions, and service terms can change.
This is general information about official processes, not legal advice, and SettleKit is not a law firm.
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