Dear Future Ohio State Student,

Greetings from the Office of International Affairs at The Ohio State University! We are looking forward to meeting you this summer. Over the next few months we will send you weekly emails to help you plan for your arrival to Ohio State.  In case you missed an email, an archive of emails sent is available  online .

We look forward to sending you more detailed information in our upcoming pre-arrival emails. In the meantime, please explore our  website and answers to  frequently asked questions, and you are always welcome to email us at  iss@osu.edu.
What to Pack
It is very important that you carry your immigration documents on your person when you travel to the United States. Do not pack them in your suitcase!

The documents you want to make sure to keep with you include:
  • Admission letter to Ohio State
  • Current Passport
  • Current U.S. Visa
  • Form I-20 or Form DS-2019
  • SEVIS fee payment receipt
  • Proof of funding (financial documentation as listed on your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019)  
Do not pack fresh fruit, produce, meat, prepared food, spices or plants. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers will not allow you to bring these items into the country.

Do pack photos or items that remind you of home, but not those that are irreplaceable.

Weather in Columbus

Summer (June - August) high temperatures are usually between 75 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 35 degrees Celsius). Winter (December - February) low temperatures usually range from 0 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 17 to 7 degrees Celsius). Spring (March - May) and fall (September - November) temperatures are in between.

The summers tend to be humid with occasional thunderstorms. During the winter, Columbus can get a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain. 

Additional weather information is available from The Weather Channel. Enter "43210" into the "ZIP" search bar.
 
Entering the United States
Prior to traveling from your home country to the United States, it is important that you prepare for your inspection at the port of entry (first place of arrival in the U.S.).

Upon your arrival, an immigration official from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will review a variety of your immigration documents before allowing you to officially enter the United States. This official must be satisfied that you intend to attend the school specified on your F-1 or J-1 visa and/or Form I-20 or Form DS-2019. The immigration official will inspect the documents you present to ensure their authenticity. 

Visit the Customs and Border Protection website for a complete overview of what you can expect upon arriving at a U.S. port of entry. 

Make sure that your passport is stamped at the port of entry, showing the date and place of entry, non-immigrant status (F-1 or J -1) and the 'admitted to' notation (D/S). This information is recorded electronically by CBP, but instead of being given a paper I-94 at the time of entry, you will later be able to print the form yourself by visiting the CBP website at   i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/homePlease make sure that your passport is stamped appropriately. You want to see "F-1 D/S" if you are an F-1 student, and "J-1 D/S" if you are a J-1 student. This is a necessary step to confirm your legal immigration status. 
 
Remember to print your I-94 before coming to your immigration check-in appointment and each time after reentering the United States

Secondary Inspection Requirements 

If the inspector cannot automatically verify your information or you do not have all of the required documentation, you may be escorted to an interview area known as "secondary inspection." Secondary inspection allows inspectors to conduct additional research in order to verify information. Verifications are done apart from the primary inspection lines so that an individual case will not cause delays for other arriving passengers. 

In the case your admission/participation needs to be verified, we strongly advise that you have readily available the contact information of the Office of International Affairs (OIA) at Ohio State. Immigration Coordinators at OIA may be reached Monday through Friday at 614-292-6101 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., (Eastern Standard Time), except during university holidays when our office is closed. 

For more information about secondary inspection requirements,  visit www.cbp.gov

US-VISIT 

US-VISIT is a comprehensive entry-exit registration system in place at all international airports throughout the United States, pre-clearance inspection facilities and designated seaports servicing cruise ships. All nonimmigrant visitors holding visas (including students and exchange visitors) will participate in the program that involves obtaining a scan of two index fingerprints and a digital photograph. Race, national origin, and religion are not factors in the US-VISIT program, as it applies to all nonimmigrant visa holders. For more information, go to the  US-VISIT web site.
Arriving at Ohio State
Ohio State is located 11 miles from the John Glenn Columbus International Airport. There are few transportation options that you should consider when making your transportation arrangements.

Taxi Cab

Make sure to follow signs for taxis when you land at the airport and wait for the cab at the Taxi Line. Once a taxi arrives, provide the driver with an address.

COTA Bus

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), operates a bus that runs from the airport to campus on select days. For more information and to see if this bus will run on the day you arrive in Ohio, please visit the COTA website.

Uber/Lyft

If you choose to use a smart-phone rideshare app, both Uber and Lyft operate in Columbus. When you are ready to request a ride, exit the airport on the baggage claim level. Follow the rideshare signs to the center aisle and look for your driver in the center aisle.
Additional Resources
Visit our  website to review information from previous emails and/or answers to frequently asked questions. If you don't find what you're looking for, contact  iss@osu.edu.    

-    Pre-Arrival FAQ
-    Global Engagement   
-    Office of International Affairs Facebook
-    Global Engagement Facebook   
-    Ohio State International Affairs Twitter   
-    OSUGlobal Instagram   

We are looking forward to seeing you here in Columbus! Please allow us to join the other offices on campus in congratulating you on your acceptance to The Ohio State University.   

Kind regards,   

Office of International Affairs 
Quick Links
Global Engagement Calendar of Events
Global Engagement Night International Students
Global Engagement Facebook Ohio Union Events
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