Data Loading...
Students_PreArrival_Guide_Final Flipbook PDF
Students_PreArrival_Guide_Final
125 Views
68 Downloads
FLIP PDF 870.09KB
F-1/J-1 Student Pre-Arrival Guide Everything you need to know about being an international student at Johns Hopkins University (JHU).
WELCOME TO JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY! We are excited you chose Johns Hopkins University for your student experience, and hope you find your time with us rewarding. Whether this is the first time you are traveling to the U.S. for an academic activity, or you have been here before, the Office of International Services welcomes you! We are here to assist you with all your immigration concerns and questions. In this brochure you will find information regarding your student status. We hope it will answer any questions you may have. We invite you to explore our website, or email us directly, if you need further assistance. THE OIS TEAM
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome
1
Pre-Arrival Information The Ambassador Program SEVIS Fee Visa Appointments Transferring SEVIS Record Late Arrivals
4
Arrival checklist
Entering the U.S. Travel to JHU Checking your I-94 Health Insurance Housing Financials Drivers License SSN Maintaining your Status OIS contact information
3
7
13
2
The Johns Hopkins University F-1/J-1 Student Pre-Arrival Checklist
Hello and welcome to Johns Hopkins! Please take a moment to look over the checklist to your right, and the Pre-Arrival Guide emailed to you. In these resources you’ll find lots of helpful information about the international student process!
Review I-20 or DS-2019 for accuracy and sign
Pay SEVIS/I-901 fee
Schedule your F-1 /J-1 visa appointment
Read the Student Pre-Arrival Guide
I-20
Go to your U.S. Consulate for your visa interview
Make your travel arrangements Enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before program start date
Check in with the OIS at ihopkins.jhu.edu Questions? Comments? Concerns? Check the back to see the e-mail associated with your campus!
OIS Ambassadors The OIS Ambassadors program is a student leadership opportunity through which current international students on all JHU campuses can assist, engage and educate our international student population at JHU. Ambassadors assist students with the OIS pre-arrival process, international orientation, social programming, and discussions throughout the academic year. Pre-Arrival Webinar Join OIS and our Ambassadors during our pre-arrival webinar to ask questions on life as an international student on your campus! Dates and times of Webinars are on our website. Connect with an OIS Ambassador Do you want to connect with your classmates before you arrive to JHU? Reach out to an OIS Ambassador about Hopkins and life in the United States! Please visit our website and fill in the OIS Ambassador Mentor Form and send it to [email protected]
OIS will then partner you with an OIS Ambassador who will help answer all the questions you have about JHU.
*You will be automatically enrolled in our Weekly Update emails. The Weekly Updates will provide you with important immigration and event information throughout your time at JHU.
Review the I-20/DS-2019 Form(s) Be sure your name, other identifying information, level of study, academic program and entry date are correct. If you find any discrepancies, contact OIS immediately to make any necessary corrections. Name and Program of Study on Your Documents The way your name appears on your immigration document follows U.S. government rules, using your passport as the official source. OIS cannot use hyphens and non-English characters such as ß, ñ, or ü. If you have only one name, it is listed as your primary name, even if it is a given name. If the name on your I-20/DS-2019 seems incorrect, check these rules before you contact OIS. It is important that you enter your name on all U.S. government forms exactly as it appears on your I-20/DS-2019. The major listed on your I-20/DS-2019 reflects a government classification system, and may not be the same as the JHU name of the program. SEVIS/I-901 Fee In addition to other visa fees, you need to pay a SEVIS fee prior to your visa application. The fee for an F-1 is $200; the J-1 fee is $180. The SEVIS fee is only required for the student and does not apply to dependents. Visit FMJfee.com, pay the fee, and print a receipt to carry with your I-20 and passport when you enter the U.S. If you had your SEVIS record sent to JHU (as a transfer) you do not need to pay the fee again. Visa Appointments and Wait Time
You may apply for a U.S. visa as soon as you have received your I-20/DS-2019; however, you will not receive a visa more than 120 days before the reporting date on your immigration form. OIS recommends that you apply for your visa at the earliest opportunity. 5
*Citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not need a visa but must pay the SEVIS fee and provide evidence of finances to cover cost of school at the port of entry. Transferring from Another U.S. Institution
Immigration regulations require that you check-in with OIS no later than 15 days after the arrival date on your JHU I-20/DS-2019. Failure to do so may invalidate your transfer. If you transferred your SEVIS record and you have a valid visa from the previous institution you do not need to apply for a new one. Late Arrivals If you will not be able to arrive before the program start date on your I-20/DS-2019, you should let the OIS and your academic program know as soon as possible. You can email [email protected] to let us know your estimated arrival date.
6
ENTERING THE U.S.
N
ow that you have your visa, let's talk about how you can get to Baltimore, or Washington D.C.
You may enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the reporting date on your I-20/DS-2019 form. Do not attempt to enter earlier because you may be denied entry to the U.S.
Items to keep in your carry-on Luggage: • Passport (valid for at least 6 months into the future) • I-20 or DS-2019 • SEVIS fee receipt • Supporting financial documentation • Emergency OIS Contact number: Regular OIS Office: +1-667-208-7001 After Office Hours: +1-443-240-1938
Make sure that when your passport is stamped by the immigration officer at the border, it has the proper classification of F-1 (I-20) or J-1 (DS-2019). It is important that you are not inadvertently admitted to the U.S. as a tourist or business visitor (B1/B2 status).
7
8
Validating Your Arrival in the U.S. You MUST complete the REQUIRED OIS electronic check-in process within one week of arrival to the U.S. OIS will verify your status with U.S. immigration authorities after you complete this process. Failure to complete the electronic check-in could result in the LOSS of your legal immigration status. You will receive an email about the electronic check-in process a month prior to your scheduled arrival. Travel to Johns Hopkins There are three airports that service the Baltimore/Washington DC area. • Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI) • Dulles International Airport (IAD) • Reagan National Airport (DCA) BWI is the closest airport to the Baltimore Campuses and DCA is the closest to the Washington DC campus.
Refer to the following websites for fares and information on how to get from the airport to your JHU campus:
• Amtrak • Baltimore Light Rail • BWI Airport • Dulles Airport • Go Airport Shuttle
9
• MARC Train • Metro Rail • Reagan Airport • Super Shuttle • BWI Taxi
The University's Health Insurance Requirement It is policy of JHU that all full-time students maintain adequate health insurance coverage to provide protection against unexpected accidents and illnesses. As a full-time student, you will be automatically enrolled in the university’s student-sponsored health benefits plan, and the plan premium will be charged to your university student account. In most JHU schools, international students with an F1/J1 visa status are required to purchase the university plan. Do not purchase a non-JHU insurance policy with the expectation of a waiver. Housing Information Undergraduate Students All first and second year students at Homewood and Peabody campuses are required to reside in university housing. You will receive information about on-campus housing as part of the admissions process. Undergraduate exchange students will be provided information on housing options by the Study Abroad Office.
Students who plan to live off-campus, whether you are with Homewood, Peabody Institute, Carey Business School, School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), or with Medical Institutions can learn about the various housing opportunities through this presentation.
All students can visit our housing website for various housing searches in the region.
Graduate Students JHU does not have on-campus housing for graduate students. However, there is an office at each campus providing many resources to assist you.
What You Should Expect to Pay for Rent
As with any city, you will find apartments vary considerably in quality and cost. In addition to rent you may also need to pay various utilities such as electricity, gas, and water. The typical monthly rents below should be used only as a general guide.
10
Financial Information There are a number of expenses you will have to pay for up front when you arrive in the U.S. If renting an apartment, security deposits tend to be the equivalent of 1-2 months of rent. It's good to have $4,000 to cover the cost of initial expenses. When choosing a U.S. bank consider: • Bank location and ATM services • International Services (wiring money) • Banking fees (smart phone check cashing, ATM fees, additional services)
As banking is based on personal needs, you should visit the bank and learn more details about their accounts. Banks will ask for a U.S. Social Security Number, of SSN; if you do not have an SSN, inform the teller that you are an international student and they will walk you through the process. For more banking information visit the OIS page on banking. Driver’s Licenses A driver’s license is issued by the state in which you reside. Each state has dedicated
offices that issue driver’s licenses and specific application procedures and requirements. Please make sure to read the state agency’s website carefully to learn the rules regarding eligibility for license and permissibility of driving with a license issued by another state or country. It is highly recommended that you wait a minimum of ten business days from your check-in with OIS before applying for a driver’s license. Information can be found on our OIS website. Social Security Numbers You are required to have a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) if you become employed in the U.S. If you received an SSN from a previous visit to the U.S., that number remains with 11
you for life; you do not have to apply for a new SSN. If you receive employment and need to request an SSN, you may begin the process after you check-in with OIS. For more information on SSN visit the OIS website. Please note: you may be provided with a temporary 9-digit ID number that begins with the number “9.” This number is used at JHU in lieu of an actual U.S. Social Security Number. This is not a SSN and cannot be used outside of JHU. Maintaining Your Status
1. Complete an electronic check-in with OIS within one week of arrival: You will receive an email from OIS with specific instructions on how to complete the eCheck-in. If you fail to complete the check-in process, your F-1/J-1 immigration status may be automatically terminated. 2. Maintain your program of study: Report any change of education level, major, leave of absence, school withdrawal, intent to transfer, or study abroad to OIS. You must contact OIS in advance to ensure that the change is permitted.
3. Maintain your health insurance: You and your dependents are required to maintain health insurance for the entire period of your stay in the U.S. International students will be automatically enrolled in JHU’s health insurance.
4. Maintain a valid I-20/DS-2019: Do not allow your I-20/DS-2019 to expire. Work with your department and OIS to request an extension if neccessary. Extensions must be completed before your current form expires. 5. Update your U.S. address: You are required to update your address to OIS within 10 days of moving. 6. Only accept authorized employment: Students may work on-campus up to 20 hours per week without special authorization. All other employment or reimbursements for services must be pre-approved by an OIS advisor.
Check out our website for more information about maintaining your F-1 or J-1 status.
12
The Office of International Services The OIS has locations available for advising at each of its five main campuses. Specific services, contact information, and walk-in hours can be found on our website: ois.jhu.edu. JHMI 1620 McElderry St Reed Hall, Suite 405
Homewood 3400 N Charles St Garland Hall, RM 358
Peabody 1 East Mount Vernon Place Peabody Living Center
Washington D.C. (AAP, Carey, SAIS) 1717 Massachusetts Ave, NW RM 331, 323, 325
Harbor East (Carey Baltimore) 100 International Drive Carey Business School, 5th Floor
OIS Emergency Telephone Number The OIS emergency telephone number is +1 (443) 240 - 1938 and is available to assist international students who encounter problems when attempting to enter the U.S. after regular business hours.
This number may be used when University offices are closed to clarify an
individual's legal status, JHU affiliation, or otherwise answer questions from Customs and Border Protection officers or similar government officials.
@JHU.OIS