Today’s tip of the week highlights steps you should take to prepare for campus arrival.

Effective January 5, 2023, If you plan to travel by air to the United States from China, Hong Kong, or Macau, you will need to get a COVID-19 viral test no more than 2 days before your flight. You must show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight. Read more here.

Effective November 8, 2021 all travelers coming to the U.S. are required to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. 

There are limited exceptions to the full vaccination requirement, please visit our 

COVID FAQs for additional information. Individuals should work with their airline to find out the carrier’s proof of vaccination process. 

COVID-19 vaccinations (including boosters when eligible) are required for all students, faculty and staff coming to campus for Spring 2023 semester. Please visit the health center website for international students to get vaccination details. All students must be fully vaccinated with a WHO authorized COVID-19 vaccine and receive a booster of either Pfizer or Moderna in order to be compliant with the UMD's vaccine requirement. We understand that a Pfizer or Moderna booster might not be available to some students.

Students on F1/J1 status have been given until February 17, 2023 to receive their Pfizer or Moderna booster. Booster clinics will be available in late January/early February 2023. Booster appointments can be made at myuhc.umd.edu

The most important thing you can do now is to submit 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.

 

Students can visit https://return.umd.edu/ to track your progress on meeting your requirement for coming to campus. 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).

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.

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 sometimes placed in your passport.

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).

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.

 

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.

Public Transportation (metro train or bus) is available from Dulles, Reagan National and Baltimore airports. Please see their websites for more information From BWI and Dulles a direct connection is not available and several changes are required. 

UMD has multiple digital systems you will be navigating during your education. Please see the links below to familiarize yourself with some of the more common websites and portals. 

Wearing a mask is not required while indoors in most situations, including classrooms. However, wearing a KN95 mask is recommended while indoors for added protection during welcome activities.

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.

By email: isss-admissions@umd.edu

For important reminders and updates, and to keep aware of any upcoming events, please follow our office at our social media accounts. We've recently launched our new ISSS Instagram!

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 the Spring 2023 semester. If you do not intend to enroll at UMD, 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.