Greetings from the Office of International Affairs at The Ohio State University!

While information surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, please know that our highest priority is the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. We are monitoring the global outbreak and are taking appropriate steps to ensure the well-being of the campus community.

Ohio State will continue to be open in the new year, and classes will take place through a mix of in-person, online and blended teaching during Spring 2021. The Office of International Affairs will conduct International Student Orientation and Mandatory Immigration Check-in virtually.

International Student Orientation and Mandatory Immigration Check-in are two separate processes, and students are required to complete both.

Over the next few months we will send you weekly emails to help you plan for your arrival to Ohio State. You may access the archived emails online. 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.

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)

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 United States).

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 cbp.dhs.gov/I94. Please 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.

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.

Ohio State is located 11 miles from the John Glenn Columbus International Airport. There are a few transportation options that you should consider when making your transportation arrangements.

Lyft (Free Transportation Option)

The Office of International Affairs has partenered with Lyft, a ride-share service, to provide incoming international students with a one-time free ride to the Ohio State campus. Learn how to create an account and download the Lyft App.

To request your unique Lyft code, email global-engagement@osu.edu with your arrival date.

Individual codes will be valid from December 11-January 18. There are no time restrictions on the code. Please note that the address you provide in the app has to be on the Ohio State campus or in the surrounding area, or else the free offer is invalid.

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.

Rides cannot be higher than $40. Typically, rides from the airport cost approximately $24. It is customary to leave a tip for the driver—we suggest leaving $4 for tip. On the app, tips are charged to the rider's primary payment method on file and will not be covered by your code.

Some students may have trouble downloading the app in your home country. For those students, you can connect to the free airport WiFi upon arrival to download the app.

Taxi Cabs

There are several taxi cab companies available to use. If you choose to use a taxi, the ride will not be covered by the Office of International Affairs. Make sure to follow signs for taxis when you land at the airport and wait for a cab at the Taxi Line. Once your taxi arrives, provide the driver with an address. It might be helpful to have the address written down on a paper. View taxis' rate structure to estimate how much your ride will cost.

Uber

Uber also operates in Columbus. If you choose to use Uber, the ride will not be covered by the Office of International Affairs. 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.

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