TRAVEL HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD AND FIND A SECOND HOME. Information for New International Students

Transcription

1 TRAVEL HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD AND FIND A SECOND HOME Information for New International Students

2 WELCOME HOME Welcome to the University of Notre Dame! With more than 900 international students from nearly 90 countries, international students are an integral part of Notre Dame s unique campus culture. The staff members at International Student Services & Activities (ISSA) understand that the transition to a new university and culture can be challenging, which is why we offer a variety of support services and programs to help you make the most out of your time at Notre Dame. This packet will guide you through the steps you should take as an international student prior to your arrival at Notre Dame. You should also complete the steps outlined in the other materials you will receive from the University. If you have any questions after reading through this information, please visit our website at or contact us at issa@nd.edu or

3 PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION Sign Your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 The University of Notre Dame issued you a Form I-20 or Form DS- 2019, which will allow you to apply for an F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant student visa. If you received Form I-20, you should read the Instructions to Students on page 2 very carefully and then complete section 11. If you received Form DS-2019, you should read page 2 carefully and then sign the bottom of page 1. If you will not enroll at the University during the semester stated on the form, notify the Immigration Services Office (ISO) immediately by ing undiso@nd.edu or calling Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) charges a Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-901 fee for students beginning a new F-1 or J-1 program. You must pay this fee prior to applying for your F-1 or J-1 visa. Most F-1 nonimmigrants must pay a fee of $200. Most J-1 exchange visitors must pay a fee of $180. For a list of people who must pay the SEVIS fee, visit: nd.edu/immigration/important-immigration-terms/sevis-fee-notice/. If you are a citizen of Canada, Bermuda, the Bahamas, or a British subject in the Bahamian, Cayman, or Turks and Caicos Islands, you will not need a U.S. visa to enter the country; however, you will need to present the SEVIS fee payment receipt at the U.S. port of entry. How do I pay the SEVIS fee? Complete Form I-901 online and submit payment using a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit card at fmjfee.com. Print the receipt. Pay via Western Union in your home country. For complete instructions, visit: htm. After three business days, check your payment status at and print your receipt.

4 You must take the I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt to the U.S. consulate or embassy for your visa interview. Secure a United States Visa (Excluding Students from Canada, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and British Subjects in the Bahamian, Cayman, and Turks and Caicos Islands) Visit to locate the nearest American embassy or consulate and for specific instructions about applying for a nonimmigrant student visa (F-1 or J-1 visa) in that country. At the visa interview, you will need to present: DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application receipt. You should complete and submit the application at genniv/ prior to your appointment; Your passport; A Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 issued by the University of Notre Dame; One passport-sized photo; SEVIS fee payment receipt; Visa application (MRV) fee payment receipt number (visit your embassy s or consulate s website for more information); Letter of admission from the University of Notre Dame; Proof of English language proficiency; Proof of financial support for your studies at Notre Dame; Proof of your intention to depart the United States after the completion of your studies; and Other documents detailed on the U.S. embassy s or consulate s website. For additional information about the visa application process, visit Please note that F-1 student visas cannot be issued more than 120 days prior to the program start date found in section 5, page 1 of Form I-20. Students admitted to the University of Notre Dame should not enter the country on a tourist visa (B-1/B-2 visa). Students who enter the country on a tourist visa will not be able to enroll at the University.

5 Reserve Transportation to the University of Notre Dame Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, about 2 hours east of Chicago, Illinois. The closest airport to Notre Dame is the South Bend Airport (SBN). If you fly to Chicago, Coach Bus Lines operates a bus service from Chicago-O Hare (ORD) Airport or Chicago Midway (MDW) Airport to the University of Notre Dame. You may purchase your ticket on the bus or in advance at If you arrive at the South Bend Airport or Coach Bus Lines Notre Dame Bus Stop, you may request a volunteer to pick you up and bring you to your destination. If you would like to schedule a pick-up, you must complete the Airport or Bus Pick-up Request Form at AirportBusPickUpRequestAugust2012 by Friday, August 3, You should plan to arrive on campus prior to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 13, 2012, to attend International Student Orientation. Get an International Driver s Permit (Optional) If you would like to drive during your stay at Notre Dame, you are allowed to do so for one year with your home country driver s license AND an international driver s permit. You must get the international driver s permit in your home country. You may find more information about driving in the U.S. at arrival/car-and-license/. Please note that not all countries offer international driver s permits.

6 Comply with University Health Services (UHS) Requirements Enter your vaccinations online at nd.edu prior to mailing in your Medical History and Physical Report Form. Complete the Medical History and Physical Report Form and return it to University Health Services (UHS) prior to leaving your home country. You may find the form at If you are unable to return the form prior to leaving your home country, bring it to International Student Orientation on Monday, August 13. If you are unable to provide proof of required immunizations, you will need to have a blood test at International Student Orientation to determine your immune status. Apply for ISSA s Programs (Optional) Visit for a complete list of ISSA s programs and services as well as online applications. Programs include the Family Friendship Program, International Speakers Bureau, and Conversation Exchange Partners Program.

7 ARRIVING IN THE UNITED STATES Arriving in the United States You must arrive in the United States no earlier than 30 days prior to the program start date listed on your Form I-20 (see section 5) or Form DS-2019 (see section 3) and no later than this date. If you attempt to enter the U.S. after this report date, you may be denied entry. Complete Form I-94 On the airplane or at the U.S. port of entry if you are driving, you will receive a Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record. Carefully complete the Form I-94 and make sure to write your name exactly as it appears on the visa stamp in your passport. If you are exempt from the visa requirement, write your name exactly as it appears on your Form I-20 or Form DS Write your date of birth in the order of day/month/year. Arrive at the U.S. Port of Entry At the U.S. port of entry, you will need to present the following documents to the inspections officer (do not pack these items in your checked luggage):

8 Passport with F-1 or J-1 Visa (unless you are exempt from the visa requirement); Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 issued by Notre Dame; Admission Letter; Evidence of Financial Resources; and Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record. The inspections officer will use the US-VISIT system and take a digital photograph of you and scan your fingerprints. The officer will mark your I-94 either J-1 and D/S or F-1 and D/S, depending on your visa. D/S means that you can remain in the U.S. as long as you remain a student in valid immigration status. If the officer does not mark your I-94 with the proper status or D/S, ask the officer to correct it immediately. The completed and stamped I-94 card serves as the official record of your legal entry into the U.S. and how long you may remain in the United States. Staple your I-94 card to your passport for safekeeping. Register Your Immigration Documents (Mandatory for all New International Students) Within one week of arrival on campus, you must register your immigration documents with the University of Notre Dame s Immigration Services Office (ISO). After registering your immigration documents with the ISO, you will be able to complete Notre Dame Roll Call, or online web enrollment. You may register your immigration documents: Mon., July 30 - Fri., August 3 Mon., August 6 - Thur., Aug. 9 Immigration Services Office 103 Main Building 9:00 a.m. - Noon or 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday, August 13, 2012 International Student Orientation Jordan Hall of Science Atrium 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

9 You must present the following documents during immigration registration: F-1 and J-1 Visa Holders: Passport, Visa, Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, 1-94 Card, and Local U.S. Address Other U.S. Visa Holders (H-1B, H-4, L-1, TN, etc.): Passport, I-94 Card, and U.S. Address Attend International Student Orientation (Mandatory for all F-1 and J-1 Visa Holders) Monday, August 13 - Wednesday, August 15, 2012 Orientation Registration On Monday, August 13 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., you may check-in, register your immigration documents, and complete a health screening in the Jordan Hall of Science Atrium. Health Screening Due to Indiana state law, all international students must complete a health and tuberculosis (TB) screening upon their arrival to campus. University Health Services (UHS) will provide this mandatory screening during International Student Orientation registration on Monday, August 13. If you are enrolled in the Aetna Student Health insurance plan, the health screening and required tests will be covered under the plan. If you are not enrolled in this plan, UHS will bill the cost of the tests to your student account. Orientation Program The formal Orientation program will begin with a welcome dinner at 5:30 p.m. on August 13 and conclude on August 15 at 2:00 p.m. Parents and spouses are welcome to attend International Student Orientation. For a complete schedule, visit Housing Undergraduate Students Living On Campus: If you are an undergraduate student who will live on campus, you may stay in conference housing from August 11 through August 15 for free. Undergraduate students may move into their permanent residence hall rooms on Wednesday, August 15 at 2:00 p.m. ISSA will provide more information about conference housing via in July. Graduate Students Living On Campus: If you are a graduate student who will live on campus, you should your rector to arrange a move-in time prior to the start of International Student Orientation.

10 Students Living Off Campus: If you plan to live off campus, you should contact your landlord to arrange a move-in time prior to the start of International Student Orientation. Temporary Housing: If you need temporary housing prior to moving into conference housing or your permanent residence, you may stay at Sacred Heart Parish Center for a fee by making a reservation with Paul Eddy at peddy@nd.edu or For more information about temporary housing or hotels, visit nd.edu/arrival/family-and-home/housing/temporary-housing. Health Insurance ADDITIONAL INFORMATION As an international student, you will automatically be enrolled in the Notre Dame health insurance plan, Aetna Student Health, unless you present proof of comparable coverage to Aetna and are permitted to waive out of the plan. Health coverage for new international students will begin on August 11. The deadline to waive out of the plan is September 15. The charge for this insurance will appear on your September 2012 statement. Please refer to for more details regarding the plan. Please know that health insurance plans in the United States do not cover all medical expenses. Because some services, such as dental and eye examinations are not always covered, you should take care of such needs before coming to the U.S. Other medical services may be paid in part by the insurance company, but you should be prepared to pay the balance. Information for New Transfer Students If you are a new F-1 or J-1 transfer student, the University will issue you a Transfer Pending Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 after the transfer release date set by your previous institution. Once you have completed immigration document registration and updated your U.S. address with the ISO, you will be issued a new I-20 or DS for Continued Attendance after which the transfer process will be complete.

11 International Students Changing Status If you will change your status to F-1 or J-1 within the U.S., you must file Form I-539, your original Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, and other required documentation with USCIS. Students are strongly advised to provide a copy of the entire application to the Immigration Services Office prior to submitting it to USCIS. For more information and Form I-539, visit Dependents If your dependent (spouse or child) plans to join you at Notre Dame, her or she will need a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 to apply for an F-2 or J-2 visa. To request a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 for a dependent, please undiso@nd.edu. If you receive an F-2 dependent Form I-20, you should sign page 1. If you receive a J-2 dependent Form DS-2019, your dependent should sign page 1. Make sure that you and your dependent read page 2 of the I-20 or DS-2019 carefully before signing. At the U.S. port of entry, the officer should stamp your dependent s I-94 card and I-20 or DS with F-2 or J-2 status and return them to your dependent. Please note dependents in F-2 status are not permitted to engage in employment or study while in the United States. Health insurance for dependents is significantly more expensive than health insurance for students. If you plan to get health insurance for your spouse or children, please research insurance plans prior to your arrival in the U.S. For information about dependent insurance through Notre Dame s Aetna Student Health plan, visit QUESTIONS? For answers to a variety of frequently asked questions, as well as more information about Orientation, please visit: nd.edu/arrival/international-studentorientation/orientation-frequently-asked-questions-faq-s/. For general questions, issa@nd.edu or call For immigration-related questions, undiso@nd.edu or call

12 issa.nd.edu