Today's Tip: Arrival to the UMD Campus
Today’s tip of the week highlights steps you should take to prepare for campus arrival.
- Spring 2022 Vaccination Requirements
- Arrival to the US and customs
- Transportation from the airport
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Requirements to Enter the US
There are limited exceptions to the full vaccination requirement, please visit our
Individuals should work with their airline to find out the carrier’s proof of vaccination process.
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Proof of Negative COVID Test Before you Travel
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UMD Vaccination Requirements
COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all students, faculty and staff coming to campus for spring 2022 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.
Proof of vaccination is required before students will be allowed to register for spring 2022 classes.
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. |
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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). |
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Arrival in the U.S. and Customs |
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Do Not 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 from (F1: December 18, 2022/ J1: December 25, 2022). SEVIS transfer students may arrive earlier.
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Important Documents to Carry with you
- 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
- Proof of COVID vaccination
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
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. |
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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)
- 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.
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ENROLLMENT INTENT FORM COMING!
On December 15th ISSS will launch the “enrollment intent form” All students who have I-20/DS2019 with a spring 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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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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Wed, Jan 5th
9am ET
Thurs, Jan 6th
3pm ET
Wed, Jan 12th
3pm ET
Fri, Jan 14th
11am ET
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Meet & Greet with International Orientation Leaders
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. Register for as many as you would like to attend. |
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End of Year Holiday Closure
The University of Maryland and ISSS will be closed for the December holidays from Friday, December 24 through December 31. We will reopen with normal hours and services on Monday, January 3rd. Please plan accordingly.
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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 the Spring 2022 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.
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