By now you are aware that education at the University of Maryland this spring will involve a mix of in-person, online, and blended education formats; however, students should expect that many of their classes will be virtual. If the fall 2020 SEVP guidance is extended to spring, then newly arriving students will be expected to enroll in at least one face-to-face component if you plan on entering the U.S. ISSS is monitoring SEVP policy updates and will inform you when Spring 2021 guidance is issued.
The hybrid nature of course work may impact whether you decide to participate in UMD’s spring course offerings this semester or defer to a future semester. Some graduate programs will permit new students to start their program for the spring semester remotely, others will not be able to accommodate a remote start for a new student. Graduate students should work with their individual departments to determine what options are available for your program. Undergraduates should reach out to the Undergraduate Admissions office if you wish to defer.
ISSS will launch a Spring 2021 Enrollment Intent form as part of your iTerp checklist in early December to collect your enrollment plans.
The immigration, customs and travel information below will help you prepare for your trip to the U.S.
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Today's Tip: Arriving in the U.S. and at UMD |
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DON'T ARRIVE TOO EARLY!
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 form (Dec. 19, 2020).
Transfer Students ONLY
If you transferred your SEVIS record to UMD, you are not subject to the 30-day entry restriction (entering no earlier than 30 days before your program starts) and can enter the U.S. at any point before your program. However, you must have the University of Maryland I-20 to re-enter the U.S.
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IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS REQUIRED |
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As you prepare to depart your home country, make sure to keep the following items
with you on your flight:
- Your passport, valid for at least SIX MONTHS beyond the date of your expected stay
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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 from paying the SEVIS fee
- Phone number for UMD International Student and Scholar Services: +001 301-314-7740
If you have a driver's license in your home country and are interested in obtaining a
driver's license in the U.S., you should bring your home country license.
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ARRIVAL IN THE U.S. & CUSTOMS |
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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, a customs and immigration officer will look over your documents and ask you several questions about your stay in the U.S. 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 officer. The officer will electronically enter the visa status with which you are being admitted (F-1, J-1) and how long your stay in the U.S. is valid.
If you arrive by plane, you may access your electronic I-94 by finding your arrival record here, using your passport and travel information. You will also receive an entry stamp in your passport. Exception: If you arrive by land, a customs officer will staple a paper I-94 card into your passport.
Your entry stamp in the passport should say "F-1, D/S" if you are an F-1 student or "J-1, D/S" if you are a J-1 student. If you entered by land, the paper I-94 should have the same notation. Please check carefully to make sure that this is correctly noted.
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PLANNING TRANSPORTATION FROM THE AIRPORT |
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There are three major airports that surround the Washington, D.C. area: Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI); Reagan National Airport (DCA); and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
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From Dulles International Airport
You can connect to the D.C. Metrorail from IAD using Metrobus. For $7.50, the 5A bus takes you to Rosslyn Metrorail station on the Orange, Silver and Blue Lines with just one stop in between. To find out when the bus leaves the airport, see the 5A schedule PDF.
You can also take the Silver Line Express Bus to Wiehle-Reston East Metro station ($5), then take the Silver Line to L'Enfant Plaza Metro and transfer to the green line to travel the rest of the way to College Park Metro ($5 or less if not during rush hour).
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From Reagan National or Baltimore airports
Public Transportation (metro train or bus) is easy from Reagan National and Baltimore airports. Please see their websites for more information:
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Taxis are abundant but can be costly (at least $40 from Reagan National, $70 from Baltimore, and $90 from Dulles). Taxis in D.C. are required to accept credit cards, but if you travel from Virginia or Maryland, it is best to be prepared to pay cash. Taxis are available outside the terminal at every airport. With the Uber or Lyft app, you can also arrange a taxi alternative that is slightly cheaper.
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Pre-arrival Engagement with ISSS Webinar
Please join our staff for a webinar on pre-arrival engagement on Friday, Nov. 13! In this live session you will learn about the various ways ISSS will be communicating with you as you prepare for the spring semester.
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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 faculty staff and other students at the university. Everyone is invited!
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Race Relations in the U.S.: A Perspective Through the Experience of International Students
Join five international students as they engage in a thoughtful conversation about their experience entering the U.S. environment, navigating a new dynamic of social constructs around race, nationality and language.
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Intercultural Conversations: Reflections from English Conversation Partners
Join facilitators and participants from this semester’s ECP program to hear about their experience engaging in conversation on a wide range of topics while sharing their cultural perspectives.
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Upcoming ISSS Winter Webinar Series:
Leasing in the U.S.
Join us for a virtual discussion with William Zachariah Mundy, attorney and Director for the Graduate Student Legal Aid Office, to discuss best practices in leasing in the U.S.
Off-Campus Housing Webinar
Join us for a virtual walk-through on how to find off-campus housing at UMD. Presented by Jennifer Ruth Lindstrom, Manager for Housing Partnerships, Off-Campus Housing Services.
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Missed a Tip of the Week?
You can find previous Tips of the Week on our website by clicking here!
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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. 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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