Reciprocity International Student

Webinar & Chat Session

Friday, December 19, 2014

Today’s Agenda1.Obtaining your COE & the SEVIS I-901 Fee2.Applying for your student visa3.Arrival in the United States4.All about Riverside5.Settling In6.Calendar of Events7.IPAs and International Student Resources8.Contact Information9.Question and Answer

Obtaining Your Certificate of Eligibility (DS-2019)

• The International Student Resource Center issues DS-2019s for incoming J-1 students (unless sponsored by Fulbright).

• Make sure to submit all required documentation to the appropriate office. Note that you may be required to submit original documents upon arrival.

• Your academic department will mail your DS-2019 to you.

SEVIS Fee/I-901•First time studying in the U.S. Must complete I-901 and SEVIS fee payment

•Complete the I-901 and pay $180 (J-1) fee at www.fmjfee.com AFTER receiving form DS-2019

•Print your receipt. You will need it for your visa interview. It is also recommended to bring a copy with you when you first enter the U.S.

Applying for Your Student Visa

• May view appointment wait times and general information at http://travel.state.gov.

• Complete the DS-160 application form. Use caution when completing interactive form.

• Contact your local consulate/embassy for an appointment.

• Follow the instructions provided to you from that specific consulate. Not all posts work the same way. You may have a separate biometric appointment.

• If you wish to change your status in the United States, please contact the ISRC at internationalcenter@ucr.edu.

Applying for Your Student Visa• Passport (at least 6

months remaining and 3 blank visa pages)

• DS-160 confirmation page• Visa fee receipt(s)• SEVIS fee receipt• Original form DS-2019• Passport photos• Proof of financial ability• Letter of admission• Documents showing

“ties” to your home country

If you have studied in the U.S. previously…

• Transcripts, certificates or good standing letters

• I-797 approval notice if you have changed your status in the U.S.

Make sure to review consulate/embassy website

for any specific requirements!

Education USA Pre-Departure Orientations

EducationUSA is an organization sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

The International Student Resource Center suggests attending a Pre-Departure Orientation Program to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have about the departure from your home country to the United States.

Visit this link to find out when and where Pre-Departure Orientations will be held in your home country:

http://www.educationusa.info/students-orientations.php

Arrival to the U.S.• International Student Check-In and Document

Review is Monday, January 5th at 5:00 PM. (Refer to your pre-departure PDF for further details.)

• If you have an initial attendance DS-2019, the earliest you may apply for entry to the U.S. is December 6th, 2014 (30 days prior to your start date).

• If you have a transfer pending DS-2019, you are not restricted to the 30 day rule.

What to expect at the Port of Entry•At a primary inspection booth, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will ask you questions to verify your documents, examine your luggage and determine whether to admit you into the United States.

•Some of the questions a CBP officer may ask include the following:• The purpose of your visit to the United States• How long you plan to visit• Where you will be staying• If you have the means to support yourself financially in the United

States• If the documents you present match the purpose and intent of your

visit

•If the CBP officer cannot readily verify your information or you lack the required documentation, the officer may direct you to secondary inspection. Secondary inspection is a detailed inspection to determine admissibility. It allows the CBP officer to conduct additional research to verify information.

What to expect at the Port of Entry (Continued)

How can I prepare for my entry?

There are a few ways you can prepare for entry into the United States:

Make sure you have a valid passport, a signed Form DS-2019, visa (if required) and evidence of financial support. Do not put these documents in checked baggage.

Do not bring any restricted items. (Please see CBP’s website for a list).

Carry the contact information for the International Student Resource Center.

Visit CBP’s website at http://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports to learn more about travel resources for international visitors.

Retrieving your I-94 cardWhat is an I-94?The I-94 is the Arrival / Departure Record, in either paper or electronic format, issued by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer to foreign visitors entering the United States.  The I-94 is very important, as it verifies the visa status in which you have entered the U.S.

To retrieve your I-94 you must go the CBP’s website at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html

You will need the following information to retrieve your I-94

How to Get to RiversideWe recommend that new students use Super Shuttle, as it is a convenient, easy and safe method of transportation. Super Shuttle: Toll Free: 800-258-3826 www.supershuttle.com

From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) •Super Shuttle provides a 24-hour service directly from LAX to UCR at a cost of approximately $77 for one person (shared ride van service at $9 each additional person). A reservation must be made 2-3 days before arrival. Super Shuttle requires payments with credit cards or cash.

•To call for your van, after claiming your baggage, go to the center island towards the orange sign that reads “Share Ride” and give your confirmation number to the Shuttle Representative wearing a blue cap and jacket.

From Ontario International Airport (ONT) •Super Shuttle provides a 24-hour service directly from Ontario Airport to the Riverside’s Campus at a cost of approximately $39 ($9 each additional person). A reservation must be made 2-3 days before arrival. Super Shuttle requires payment with credit card or cash.

•To call for your van, after claiming your baggage, you can use the courtesy phone to call #2897 to speak to a Super Shuttle agent or you can go directly to the right end of the center island. Look for the sign that reads “Transport Service” and give your confirmation number to the Shuttle Representative wearing a blue cap and jacket.

All About Riverside!Location• City of Riverside, about one

hour from Los Angeles

City Size• Population of about 303,871

Characteristics• Museums, concerts, dining

and outdoor activities

All About Riverside!Outdoor Activities• Hiking in Mt. Rubidoux and

the “C”• California State Citrus Park• Skydiving and other

activities in Lake Perris

Cultural Activities• Sweeney Museum of Art• Riverside County

Philharmonic Orchestra• California Riverside Ballet

All About Riverside!Seasonal Activities• Festival of the Lights (Winter)

• Restaurant Week (Fall and Spring)

• Riverside International Film Festival (Summer)

• Downtown Art Walk (1st Thursday of the month)

Housing in the U.S.• Contracts and leases are

binding documents. It is important to read and understand the details of a contract or lease prior to signing it.

• There may be strict penalties associated with cancelling a contract or lease.

UCR offers campus apartments and family housing options.

Spaces fill up quickly! You may view housing options at

housing.ucr.edu! Questions may be sent to

housinginfo@ucr.edu.

Health Insurance & Immunizations•Insurance coverage for incoming international students in J status will begin on January 2, 2015.

•We recommend you purchase short-term insurance to cover you prior to January 2nd if you will arrive early.

•Insurance is mandatory; your student account will automatically be billed unless you complete and qualify for a waiver.

•There are currently no other immunization requirements, however, we recommend you bring a copy of your immunization record with you to the U.S.

Health insurance waiver information and the UCR immunization form may be viewed at http://studenthealth.ucr.edu

Paying Your FeesYou must bring enough money to pay University fees (tuition, fees, and health insurance) move-in costs for housing and other expenses. You can find more information on university fees at http://classes.ucr.edu/fees/.

To pay online: To pay at Student Business Services:American Express Traveler’s checksDiscover Cashier’s check/money order (U.S. account)MasterCard Personal check (U.S. account)

We recommend bringing traveler's checks in U.S. dollars. For other expenses credit cards will be very useful. Do not bring a check or draft in foreign currency, even from a non-California bank, since access to your money will be restricted for up to one month until the check is cleared. This is also true for any wire transfers as you will not have immediate access to the money.

“Late” fees are not charged for your first quarter of enrollment. This is a one time occurrence.

Winter quarter fees must be paid in full by the end of the third week, or your student status will lapse and you will be dropped from your classes.

Settling In: Bank Accounts & Cell PhonesThere are three banks within 1 mile from UCR.

• Bank of America, 1680 University Avenue 951.686.2590 (ATM on Campus)

• Citibank West FSB, 1651 University Avenue, 951.787.0411

• Chase Bank, 1299 University Avenue, 951.782.8805 (ATM on Campus)

The Campus also has ATMs for the following banks:

• Wells Fargo• Schools First

There are three cell phone companies located within 1 mile from UCR.

• T-Mobile, 1200 University Ave, University Village, 951.684.5478

• Metro PCS, 1788 University Ave, 951.788.6300

• AT&T, 3977 Chicago Ave, Ste. 100 951.374.0270

The International Peer Advisor (IPA) Team will schedule trips to set up bank accounts and

cell phone service.

Settling In: Stores for Groceries & Personal Needs

Important DatesFriday, January 2 Insurance coverage begins

Sunday, January 4 Residence halls move-in day

Monday, January 5 Mandatory Student Check-in and Document ReviewMandatory Student Orientation5:00 PM – 8:00 PMInternational Student Resource Center, University Village

Suite 204

Your academic department may offer additional orientations and events. Make sure that you attend all mandatory events.

Check-In & Document Review

International Student Resource Center

University Village Suite #204

Monday, January 5, 20155:00 PM •International Student Personal

Record Form

•ORIGINALS & COPIES OF:• UCR DS-2019 (Make sure to

sign it!)• Any previous DS-2019’s• Passport• Visa Stamp• I-94 print-out or card

Refer to your pre-departure PDF for further

details!

International Peer Advisors (IPAs)

Every year we have a group of dedicated students volunteering to help you.

You will be able to meet our Peer Advisors at Orientation.

You may connect with the IPA team and other incoming students by joining the IPA Facebook page by looking up:

UCR International Students + IPAs

International Student Resources

Advising

•Regulations & maintaining status•Cultural adjustment•Intercultural communication•Employment options•Navigating governmental & campus procedures•Building positive relationships

Programs•International Peer Advisors •Global Connections Partners•Friendship Families•Exploring Southern California•International Game Night•International Spouse & Partners Program

Important Contact Information

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT RESOURCE CENTERinternationalcenter@ucr.edu

•International Student Orientation•Issuance of DS-2019 •J-1 Visa acquisition

UCR HOUSING SERVICEShousinginfo@ucr.edu

•Campus housing options•Housing contracts

YOUR ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT

•Class registration•Departmental Orientations•Mailing of your DS-2019

Questions?

Thank you for attending this webinar