We, at International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), at the University of Maryland, are excited to welcome you to our campus community! Over the next several weeks you will receive a weekly email from our office that will answer important questions about the University, explain processes you need to complete, and prepare you for coming to UMD.
Upon receiving the I-20 form from the University of Maryland (UMD), you should schedule a visa interview with the US Embassy in your area.* F-1 are often issued on the same day as or within 2-3 days of the visa interview, but this can vary by consulate, so please check with your consulate to find out the appointment wait times and processing times you should expect. Be careful before scheduling travel, since these are still just estimates and sometimes unexpected delays occur.
*Exception: You do not need to apply for a new visa if: (1) you are transferring your SEVIS number to UMD for your studies (2) your SEVIS number on your visa matches the SEVIS number on your UMD I-20/DS-2019 and (3) your current F-1/J-1 visa is unexpired. (If the school name on your visa is not UMD, it is OK as long as the SEVIS # remains the same!) Remember, visas are only entry documents so you can also remain in the US with an expired visa if your other immigration documents are valid.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A VISA INTERVIEW
Visa interviews take 3-5 minutes. During the interview, the consular officer will be asking you questions about your studies (i.e. "Why did you choose the University of Maryland?"). Since the F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa, you might also be asked about your ties to your home country. Answer the questions clearly and simply, always telling the truth. The consular officer will be evaluating your credibility.
Planning your arrival: Remember, the earliest date you can arrive in the US is 30 days prior to the program (August 19, 2019) start date on your I-20. *
*Exception: Transfer students meeting criteria above may arrive earlier.
More information on transportation, housing, and other planning issues will be coming to you soon in future Tip of the Week emails! Stay tuned.
You are receiving these emails because you have been accepted to the University of Maryland for the Fall 2019 semester. If you do not intend to enroll at UMD and would like to stop receiving these emails, please inform your department and the Graduate School (graduate students) or the admissions office (undergraduate students) that you decline your admission. You will also need to unsubscribe below.
