Issue 7: Campus Arrival Requirements and Transportation
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Today's Tip: Arrival to Campus |
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Today’s tip of the week highlights steps you should take to prepare for campus arrival.
- Fall 2021 Vaccination Requirements
- Arrival to the US and customs
- Transportation from the airport
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ENROLLMENT INTENT FORM COMING!
On July 14th ISSS will launch the “enrollment intent form” All students who have I-20/DS2019 with a fall arrival date are required to complete this form. The form will be added to your ISSS iTerp checklist. A separate email with instructions and deadlines will be sent to you.
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COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all students, faculty and staff returning to campus for fall 2021 semester. Please visit the health center website for international students to get vaccination details. This website is updated with new information, including any newly approved vaccines by the World Health Organization.
ISSS hosted a joint town hall meeting to explain the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for international students, you can view it until Jul 15, 2021.
The most important thing you can do now is to submit any proof of COVID-19 vaccination you have already received. Health Center Staff will review your submission and either approve your vaccination as meeting UMD requirements or give you further instructions for what proof is needed or if another vaccination is necessary upon arrival. |
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Students can visit https://return.umd.edu/ to track your progress on meeting your requirement for coming to campus.
Note: You will need to have an active directory ID and complete multi-factor authentication to access this (see Tip of the Week #1 for more info).
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For students not fully vaccinated before arrival, once you have completed your 7-day quarantine, tested negative for COVID, and received your first dose of a COVID vaccine you are permitted on campus provided you get tested twice weekly and wear a mask at all times until you reach full vaccination status: Final dose + 14 days.
International students who have NOT been fully vaccinated with a WHO or FDA authorized vaccine by the time they arrive in the US will have up to 30 days from the date of their first dose to complete their COVID vaccination requirement, with a final deadline of October 20. Do you have questions about your specific case? Please contact health@umd.edu.
All students who do not have an FDA or WHO-approved vaccines prior to arrival, will need to self-quarantine upon arrival. Students who need to quarantine should begin planning for where this will take place. Students who live off campus may be permitted to move in upon arrival and complete your quarantine in your off campus residence. Some students may have friends or relatives in the area that can host you during this 7 day period. If you are in need of a place to stay prior to your fall accommodation starting, this document from off campus housing can help you identify area hotels/motels where you could stay.
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Arrival To The US And Customs |
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Proof of negative COVID test before you travel |
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Remember, new F-1 and J-1 students may not enter the U.S. more than 30 days before the report date on the I-20 or DS-2019 from (August 23, 2021). SEVIS transfer students may arrive earlier. |
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Important Documents to Carry With You |
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- Your passport, valid for at least SIX MONTHS beyond the date of your expected stay;
- Your Form I-20 if you are an F-1 student or your Form DS-2019 if you are a J-1 student.
- Evidence of financial resources;
- Letter of admission;
- Receipt for paying the SEVIS fee;
- Phone number for International Student and Scholar Services: +001 301-314-7740.
- Proof of negative Covid-19 test
If you have a driver's license in your home country and are interested in obtaining a driver's license in the US, you should bring your home country license.
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Customs and Border Protection (CBP) |
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While on the plane, you will be given the Customs Declaration Form (CF-6059) to complete.
At the port-of-entry, an immigration officer will review your documents and ask you several questions about your stay in the US. If you have more than one visa, be sure to open your passport to the visa you will use for study when presenting it to the Customs officer. The officer will electronically enter the visa status you are admitted with (F-1, J-1) and how long your stay in the US is valid. If you arrive by plane, you may access this information by finding your arrival record using your passport and travel information. You will also receive an entry stamp in your passport. Exception: If you arrive by land, a paper I-94 is placed in your passport.
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Transportation From The Airport |
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There are three major airports that surround the Washington, DC area: Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI); Reagan National Airport (DCA); and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). |
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Shared Vans are an economical alternative where public transportation is not an option or if you are traveling with lots of luggage. Shared "Super Shuttles" can be booked in advance or directly at the airport. These services take you directly to your door but are cheaper than a taxi. If you travel in a group, you can save money by booking together. |
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Taxis or Rideshare are abundant but can be costly (at least $40 from Reagan National, $70 from Baltimore, and $90 from Dulles). Taxis are available outside the terminal at every airport. With the Uber or Lyft app, you can also arrange a rideshare that is slightly cheaper. |
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Connect with us
Ask your questions via our Live Chat, available on our website Monday-Friday from 9-11 a.m. ET.
Schedule a Virtual Appointment with an ISSS advisor. Appointments can be scheduled under newly admitted students Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. ET.
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Beyond Immigration Series |
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Wednesday, July 14
10am ET
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IOL Meet & Greet
Newly arriving students will have an opportunity to talk with International Orientation Leaders in small group virtual sessions. You will be able to ask questions about what it is like to study with UMD, where students live, get tips and advice on how to make the most of your time, and get to know current and newly admitted students ahead of the spring semester.
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Wednesday, July 14
11am ET
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Welcoming Big Ten: Enjoying and being comfortable with the food language in America
Food must continue to taste good away from home. The UMD Dietetics program is happy to share their nutrition knowledge, and provide you with tools and resources that will allow you to thrive on and off campus.
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University Health Center & Health Insurance
Health insurance can be intimidating. This session with representatives from the University Health Center and Insurance provider will demystify the process of signing up, explain how to use your student insurance; and all of the services and programs offered through the University Health Center.
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Learn about Working On-Campus with IOLs
Want to kick-start your preparation for an on-campus career but have questions? Join us on Friday, July 16th at 8 AM EST and learn the basics you need to know about on-campus employment at UMD. We will share real-life experiences and tips from current students. We will also leave time to answer as many questions as we can!
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Living in the U.S.: Learn Tips and Tricks from IOLs
An all-in-one student panel discussing topics pertaining to transitioning to the US such as - cultural adjustment, making friends, campus life, mental health, logistics of settling in, travelling and more! Tune-in for a resourceful How-To crash course with your friendly neighborhood IOLs, with a Q&A in the end (time permitting)!
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Thursday, July 15
9am ET
Thursday, July 22
3pm ET
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International Zoom Coffee Hour
Join us on Thursdays throughout the fall semester for an opportunity where UMD’s international students and scholars can meet and engage with staff and other students at the university. Everyone is invited!
Register for as many as you would like to attend.
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Missed a Tip of the Week?
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We hope that you find these emails informative and helpful. You are receiving them because you have been accepted to the University of Maryland for Fall 2021 semester or have been attending remotely and will join us in-person starting in Fall 2021. If you do not intend to enroll at UMD and would like to stop receiving ISSS emails, please inform ISSS via your iTerp checklist, your department, and either the Graduate School (graduate students) or the undergraduate admissions office (undergraduate students) that you decline your admission. |
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