IT'S JUST THE BEGINNING
READY FOR ADVENTURE
Port of Entry
Visa Info
EVIS Fee
mmigration
re-Arrival Booklet
UIW SPONSORED STUDENTS
Congratulations! You have been admitted to the University of the Incarnate Word for the Fall 2017 semester. We here at the office of International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) are looking forward to meeting you personally, guiding you through the orientation process and helping you start your academic goals. Since you are sponsored by a foreign government , you will be considered a
UIW SPONSORED STUDENTS
Pre-Arrival
Sponsored Student throughout your stay at UIW. Certificate of Eligibility Verify the information is correct on your “Certificate of Eligibility” (called a I-20 for F-1 or DS-2019 for J-1 visa), as you will present this document to your nearest U.S. Embassy/Consulate when you apply for your student visa. You will need your “Certificate of Eligibility” to pay the SEVIS fee and then make an appointment at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. Visa Appointment: (Not Required for Canadian Citizens): Contact your nearest U.S. Embassy/Consulate for an appointment. It can take quite some time to receive an appointment and, in certain cases, may take additional time until a visa is granted. To better prepare you for your visa appointment, please review the “Visa Info” enclosure in this packet. For information about the procedures and the list of documents you will need to bring with you when you apply, you can visit the U.S. Department of State’s website at: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html If you have any questions about the visa appointment process, please feel free to contact the International Student & Scholar Services at intl@uiwtx.edu or 210805-5705. Visa Approval (Not Required for Canadian Citizens): Contact our office as soon as you receive your visa from the US Embassy/Consulate. If you are denied a visa, please let us know so that we can help you reapply at a later date. Email mjjonas@uiwtx.edu regarding the results of your Visa Approval or Denial
Questions Housing & Class Registration: MaKailey Jonas - mjjonas@uiwtx.edu skype: uiw.intl.admissions Kakao Talk: UIWTX Immigration, Visa Issues, Orientation & Arrival Jose Martinez, Sheena Connell or Priyangana Risal intl@uiwtx.edu skype: intl.UIW
SEVIS/ I-901 Fee: All students must pay the SEVIS fee before going to the U.S. embassy or consulate for their visa interview. You should pay the fee within the first week of receiving your “Certificate of Eligibility.” Please review the “SEVIS Fees” insert for further instructions and visit: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee Housing Arrangements If you would like to live on-campus, contact mjjonas@uiwtx.edu once your visa is approved to receive housing information. We are unable to arrange offcampus housing for students. Student living on-campus should arrive in San Antonio before 4pm on August 18 Travel Arrangements All Sponsored students are required to arrive in San Antonio, Texas, between Thursday, August 17, 2017 to Friday, August 18, 2017. If you arrive in San Antonio before August 17, you should arrange for a hotel and transportation at your own cost. Arriving in San Antonio after August 18 is not allowed. Always visit www.uiw.edu/iss for travel updates & warnings before booking your ticket. Driving: If you are driving please e-mail intl@uiwtx.edu to confirm which day and time you will arrive. Request Airport Pick-up If you are living on-campus, we will gladly arrange for transportation from the San Antonio Airport on August 17-18. To confirm your arrival & request transportation, email intl@uiwtx.edu and include: date & time of arrival, airline & flight number, and departure city of your last flight segment arriving in San Antonio. To guarantee airport pick up & a place to stay your first night in the US, email your flight info by July 31st, 2017
When to arrive All new students are required to arrive in San Antonio, Texas, between:
Immigration
Thursday, August 17, 2017 to Friday, August 18, 2017. Immigration Check-In All new sponsored students are required to report to ISSS by August 18, 2017. Failure to Check-in by August 18, will result in the cancellation of your Immigration record & will require that you depart the U.S. immediately. Late arrivals will not be accepted into the US.
International Orientation You are also required to attend the UIW International Student Orientation on August 19 – 27, 2017 held at the ICC (address below). You will receive the detailed orientation schedule when you check-in by August 18, 2017.
Bring your documents Passport, Visa, Form I-20 Any other documents given to you upon arriving the U.S. UIW Admission Packet We will assist you in printing your form I-94 upon check in.
Location University of the Incarnate Word Dr. Burton E. Grossman International Conference Center (ICC) International Student & Scholar Services 847 E. Hildebrand Avenue, Room 200 San Antonio, Texas 78212
UIW SPONSORED STUDENTS
Reminders Port of Entry (POE) Information Please read the enclosed “U.S. Port of Entry Information” to ensure you have all the necessary documents and forms as you enter the U.S. If you encounter any difficulties at the US Port-of-Entry, contact our emergency line at 210-805-5705 or 210829-6030. Academic Records If you did not submit your official university transcript and transcript for admission, be sure to bring your official transcript with you to turn in upon arrival. Contact ETS to have your official TOEFL or TOEIC score sent to UIW (institution code 6303). U.S.-Based Insurance Requirement All international students are required to participate in the “UIW Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan” provided through our school. Each student will be automatically enrolled and charged health insurance fees along with tuition and other fees to their student account. Sponsored students may be eligible for a waiver of the health insurance fee for other health coverage. However all waivers must be submitted upon the first week of class or you will be responsible to pay for UIW insurance fees.
Cancelling I-20, Transfer –Out & Reporting Requirement: If you received a visa with UIW’s I-20 and you decide to attend another SEVPapproved school, please contact 210-8053051 or e-mail intl@uiwtx.edu before you enter the U.S. and before the Program Start Date listed on your I-20. We understand that your decision to attend UIW may change and we will advise you based on your new plan. However, once you enter the U.S. with the UIW I-20, you are REQUIRED to report to UIW, even if you plan to attend another school. Before you are eligible to transfer to another institution, in order to maintain a valid visa and immigration status, you are required to 1) contact our office immediately upon entry 2) complete the SEVIS reporting requirement, which includes providing our office with evidence of your I-94, visa and other check-in documents. Please contact intl@uiwtx.edu or 210-805-5707 for more information regarding the reporting requirement and immediate transfers. Students who fail to follow published reporting policies with UIW are subject to SEVIS termination of their immigration status for negative reasons and will be required to depart the U.S. immediately
How to Pay the SEVIS FEE I-901 SEVIS Fee for F and J Nonimmigrant Students and Exchange Visitors F-1 & J-1 students are issued a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 which has their SCHOOL CODE or PROGRAM CODE for UIW and their unique SEVIS ID starting with N00.
WWW.UIW,EDU/ISS
EVIS Fee
You are required to pay the fee because it is used to link your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 with the online Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Payment of the I-901 fee will be recorded and tracked in SEVIS, the web-based system for collecting, maintaining, and managing information about F-1 & J-1 students in the United States. When do prospective students or exchange visitors pay the SEVIS fee? Applicants who require a visa to enter the United States must pay the SEVIS fee before going to the U.S. embassy or consulate for their visa interviews. Applicants who are citizens of Canada, Bermuda, Bahamas and residents of certain other islands in the Caribbean wishing to apply for F-1 or J-1 status at a Port of Entry into the United States must pay the SEVIS fee before appearing at the Port of Entry. Nonimmigrants currently in the United States on another valid visa status who apply for student or exchange visitor status must pay the fee prior to filing their change of status application. How will the payment be verified? The payment will be recorded in the SEVIS system. However, it is recommended that the paper I-901 receipt or Internet-generated receipt be brought to the visa interview. Individuals who file electronically will be able to print an electronic receipt immediately at the time of payment and do not need to request mailing. Individuals, who are paying by mail, may request Express delivery service for the I-901receipts at an additional cost of approximately $35 (fee subject to change).
Fee Prices: For students (F-1) with Form I-20: $200 USD Exchange visitors (J-1) with Form DS-2019: $180 USD Spouses & dependent children (F-2) or (J-2) do not pay this fee. How is the fee paid? www.FMJfee.com by using a credit or debit card and completing Form I-901 online OR Through the mail by submitting a completed Form I-901 and a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. currency
When must the fee be paid? The fee must be paid in time to ensure that the payment can be deposited and recorded in SEVIS prior to the scheduled visa interview. The interviewing consular officer will confirm that the fee has been paid by checking SEVIS. To allow for adequate processing time, the fee must be paid: At least 3 business days prior to the visa interview date if paying electronically OR at least 15 business days prior tothe scheduled visa interview if submitting payment though regular mail.
Questions https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/faq.
How to Apply The Department of State issues visas at U.S. embassies and consulates. A visa allows you to travel to the United States for a specific purpose. To identify the U.S. embassy or consulate that is most convenient for you to visit, go to the website of the embassy or consulate and follow the instructions on the site to do the following: Pay your visa fee Obtain acceptable photographs Complete your on-line DS 160 visa application Schedule an appointment for your visa interview
WWW.UIW.EDU/ISS
Visa Info
You should make your appointment for your visa interview as soon as possible after receiving your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 and paying the I-901 SEVIS fee. When you come for your appointment, a consular official will electronically scan your fingerprints. You must bring the following documentation to the interview: Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued by UIW Printed Form DS-160, “Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application,” confirmation page Passport valid for at least six months after you plan to enter the United States Two-inch by two-inch photo of yourself (learn more about photo requirements) Receipt for your $160 visa application fee payment Receipt for your I-901 SEVIS fee payment
VISA Interview FAQ Question: How should I prepare for my visa interview? The best way to prepare for your interview is by relaxing and just being yourself! Do not memorize your presentation or rely on stories from others about what they think you should say and how you should say it. Simply be prepared to tell about yourself, and why you wish to study in the United States. Question: The school that accepted me is not Harvard or another Ivy League school. Will this affect my interview? The consulate is not looking for specific institutions, and do not consider university rankings; but you should be able to explain why you chose a particular college, university, or program of study. Question: My sister is in the U.S., will that affect my chances? Having family in the U.S. does not necessarily signify that you have the intent to remain in the U.S. While it is important that you accurately document all family members in the U.S. on your application, they consider your intention to return to your home country at the conclusion of your studies and your ability to finance the education. Question: What if my visa is denied? Email MaKailey at mjjonas@uiwtx.edu as soon as you find out your visa application has been denied. If denied will receive a “Denial letter” or “Denial Brochure” from the consulate. Email the letter to our office and we will help you understand why you were denied and how you should try again.
The visa interview is your opportunity to tell the consular officer about your plans while in the United States and what you will do when you have completed your studies. You should be prepared to show the following: Your UIW acceptance letter & form I-20 or DS2019 You have the financial ability to pay for program expenses (the amount shown on Form I-20 or DS2019). You may want to bring copies of financial documents you provided UIW for admission. You are prepared for your program academically Bring copies of any standardized test scores, academic transcripts, diplomas or certificates from previous study you provided to UIW for admission Your stay in the United States is temporary (i.e., you are not permanently immigrating). The interviewing official may be interested in how you intend to use the education you receive in the United States when you return home. Check with the consulate, as some countries require additional documents.
Reminders Proofread all of your travel-related documents (i.e., Form I-20 or DS- 2019, Form I-901 SEVIS fee receipt and visa) to ensure they are correct. Make sure your name and birth date are written exactly the same way on all of your documents. If you find an error in a document, have it corrected by the people who completed the document before you apply for the next document in the process. Proofread your visa when the consular official returns your passport to you – mistakes in the visa information cannot be corrected once you travel. If you find a mistake in your biographical data or your visa type, contact the embassy or consulate to ask officials to correct the error. Be skeptical of anyone who claims the ability either to provide a document that you need or to get you a visa other than as this guidance suggests. Do not pay any other fees than the ones covered in this packet. For more information on submitting a student visa application, visit Travel.State.Gov, the official Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website. For more detailed information on becoming an international student in the United States, visit EducationUSA.
information from https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov
Before You Travel
WWW.UIW,EDU.ISS
Port of Entry
US-VISIT is a comprehensive entry-exit registration system at all international airports throughout the United States, preclearance inspection facilities and designated seaports servicing cruise ships. All F-1 & J-1 students and their dependents will need to provide a scan of two index fingerprints and a digital photograph. Race, national origin, and religion are not factors in the US-VISIT program. Anyone could be subject to additional scrutiny and should politely follow directions of the Custom and Border Protection Officer if additional information regarding itinerary, length of stay, or other security questions is required. If you are an initial student or exchange visitor entering to attend school for the first time, you cannot enter the United States more than 30 days before the program start date indicated on your I-20/DS-2019. Before leaving your country, confirm that your passport and visa are still valid for entry in the United States. The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected stay. Also, check to see that your visa accurately reflects your correct visa classification. When you receive your nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, the consular officer will seal your immigration documents in an envelope and attach it to your passport. You should NOT open this envelope! The Customs and Border Protection Officer at the U.S. port of entry will open the envelope. BE sure to read this ENTIRE Port of Entry Information Sheet
When you Travel Do not check these documents in your baggage! If your baggage is lost or delayed, you will not be able to show the documents to the Customs and Border Protection Officer and, as a result, may not be able to enter the United States. Here are the documents you should carry with you onto the plane: Passport with F-1 or J-1 visa stamp SEVIS Form I-20/DS-2019 and Evidence of financial resources Evidence of Student Visitor Status: school acceptance letter, proof of financials, proof of enrollment in classes (if available) Name and contact information for the UIW International Student Office (see acceptance letter) and pen
Secondary Inspection Whether traveling by sea, land or air, if your information cannot be automatically verified by the inspector or you do not have all the required documentation, you may be directed to an interview area known as “secondary inspection.” Verifications are done apart from the primary inspection lines so that an individual case will not cause delays for other arriving passengers. We strongly advise that you have readily available the name and phone number of our UIW International Student Office, 210.805.5705. In the event you arrive during nonbusiness hours (evenings, weekends, holidays), your phone call will be forwarded to the UIW Campus Police, they will then contact our office. Failure to provide proper documentation and to comply with entry/exit procedures is cause to refuse the student or exchange visitor admission into the United States.
If you are traveling by aircraft, the flight attendants on board will distribute CF-6059 Customs Declaration Forms and I-94 ArrivalDeparture Record Forms for immigration, before you land at your initial point of entry in the United States. Complete these forms while you are on the aircraft and submit them to Customs and Border Protection Officer upon your arrival. If you do not understand a form, ask the flight attendant for assistance. Upon arrival at the port of entry, proceed to the international arrival terminal for inspection at one of the Department of Homeland Security stations. As you approach the inspection station, have your: passport, I-20/DS-2019, Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record, and CF-6059 Customs Declaration Form . The form I-94 should reflect the address where you will reside: On Campus – University of the Incarnate Word 4301 Broadway St. San Antonio, TX 78209 or Off Campus: Address of Hotel or Home you are staying in.
If you are entering through a land or designated sea port, the Customs and Border Protection Officer will provide the necessary CF-6059 Customs Declaration Forms and I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Forms at the port of entry. If you do not understand a form, ask the Customs and Border Protection Officer for assistance. Like all entering visitors, you will be asked to state the reason you wish to enter the United States. . It is important that you tell the Customs and Border Protection Officer that you will be a student or exchange visitor. Be prepared to include the name or address of UIW. Once your inspection is complete, the inspecting officer will: Stamp your SEVIS Form for the duration of status for F and J visa holders and Stamp the I-94 and staple it in the passport.
The Day You Arrive F-1 & j-1 Students should report to the International Student Office before their for Immigration Briefing and Orientation to confirm their arrival and immigration record.