Navigating Your Journey: An International Student Orientation Guide
Embarking on an academic journey in a new country is an exciting yet challenging endeavor. This guide aims to provide international students with essential information and resources to facilitate a smooth transition into university life. This guide is designed to ease your transition to a new city and to help you learn more your responsibilities as an international student.
Pre-Arrival Preparations
Before setting foot on campus, several crucial steps must be completed to ensure a seamless arrival.
Passport Validity
You must have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of your entry.
Obtaining Your I-20 or DS-2019
All admitted students will receive instructions from the Graduate or Undergraduate Admissions office (or ISSS for non-degree students) about how to request their I-20 or DS-2019. Newly admitted students will receive a Form I-20 or DS-2019 from admissions or from Rutgers Global-International Student and Scholar Services (Rutgers Health) if an Rutgers Health (formally RBHS) student.
Important note regarding specific programs: Please note that, due to the structure of the Master of Science in Nursing program (MSN), we are unable to issue a form I-20 for study in the F-1 status. The MSN program cannot accommodate full-time enrollment, as required by the federal regulations pertaining to F-1 students. Foreign nationals wishing to be lawfully enrolled while pursuing the MSN at Rutgers Health must have an alternate nonimmigrant classification that allows them to legally engage in studies.
Read also: PIC: Your Path to Higher Education
Paying the SEVIS Fee
Once you’ve received your I-20 or DS-2019, you will need to pay a SEVIS fee. The SEVIS fee must be paid at least 3 business days prior to a visa interview or the filing of the change of status application in the US. Learn more about the SEVIS fee. If you have paid the fee in the past but never entered the US, you might be eligible for a fee transfer.
Visa Acquisition
Once you have received your F-1 or J-1 visa, you can travel to the US with your valid passport and your I-20 or DS-2019.
Immunization Records
Submit your Immunization Records at the designated university health portal. Review the immunization requirements.
Arrival and Initial Steps
Upon arrival, specific procedures must be followed to activate your student status and integrate into the university community.
Attending International Student Orientation
The International Student Orientation is a mandatory program for all new international students. It is designed to help incoming students adjust to life in the United States and at the university.
Read also: USA Degree Programs
Northeastern University provides orientation for new degree-seeking students and non-degree exchange students on J-1 visas. This orientation will provide important information about maintaining your J-1 status during your program here, along with other important logistical information such as taxes, social security numbers, and employment. The asynchronous orientation is a course in Homebase which you were automatically added before the first day of classes. Through this course, you can go through each orientation module on your own time. You must complete the orientation within 30 days of your program start date.
Rutgers University's International Student Orientation (ISO) is a program for graduate and undergraduate international first year and transfer students. Through presentations and interactive activities, students will learn more about the Rutgers campus, connect with Rutgers departments, resources, and staff, and get guidance from current Rutgers students. ISO is also an opportunity for students to make friends as they begin their Rutgers journey. All new students must complete required online modules. Undergraduate students must also complete an asynchronous online orientation where they will hear from current students, learn more about the campus, resources available, and ways to connect with the campus community.
Check-in with International Student Services
After receiving your new university I-20 or DS-2019, you must complete an online check-in process in the RGlobal portal before classes begin. Use your university NetID and password to login to your RGlobal account to submit the check-in form (available under “Orientation” in the RGlobal portal). As an international student, you are responsible for maintaining your F-1 or J-1 legal status throughout your studies by understanding and complying with the rules, regulations and restrictions associated with your student status.
You will be asked to upload scans or photos of your passport biographical page, visa page, your I-20/DS-2019, and I-94. This is a legal requirement of your F-1 or J-1 status, and your status will not be legally activated until you have successfully completed this process.
Student ID Card
Students with on-campus housing will pick up their ID card when they check-in at their residence hall. All other students can at obtain their ID cards at One Stop Student Services Center. Students with on-campus housing can expect to receive their ID cards when checking in to their residence hall. Students not living on-campus can pick up the IDs during orientation (if available) or at IDCard Services Centers.
Read also: Undergraduate Admissions at Oxford
Registering Additional Devices for DUO
It is recommended that you register MULTIPLE devices for DUO. This way if you change your phone number, you can still access your netID by verifying your DUO on another device (computer, tablet, iPad).
Navigating Campus
Students are encouraged to use mobile map applications to help navigate campus, such as Apple or Google Maps. Explore university campuses.
Academic Orientation
Students will be invited to their respective school's academic planning Canvas course or mandatory academic orientation. Each school has a unique registration process and curricula, so you want to make sure you get correct information directly from your school, NOT from your peers.
Paying Your Term Bill
Pay your term bill by the posted date.
Maintaining Your Legal Status
As an international student, maintaining your legal status is of utmost importance.
Full Course of Study
You must register for a full course of study.
Staying in Legal Status Workshop
Complete the Staying in Legal Status workshop.
Updating Contact Information
Ensure your contact information is updated on your myRutgers Portal.
Health Insurance
F-1 and J-1 students must have adequate insurance coverage each semester of enrollment. Rutgers requires all enrolled F and J nonimmigrants who hold a Rutgers I-20 or DS-2019 to have health insurance that meets or exceeds the university's minimum required level of coverage. Registered F-1 and J-1 students are automatically billed for the Student Health Insurance Plan premium on their term bills each semester. Alternatively, you may elect to have other insurance coverage rather than the Student Health Insurance Plan and would need to complete steps to Waive the Health Insurance Fee.
Restrictions
Individuals in F-2 status are eligible for part time study. Refer to F-2 Dependents page for details. However, once your change of status to F-1 is approved, you are required to be enrolled full time. However, you are not allowed employment under F-1 status until after your application is approved.
Changing Your Status
Changing to F-1 or J-1 Status
- Schedule an appointment with an International Student Adviser to discuss your plans.
- Submit a New International Profile request form so we can create a record for you in our international student database.
- Receive your certificate of eligibility for F-1 status (form I-20) or J-1 status (form DS-2019).
- Once your change of status is approved, you must check in with Rutgers Global - ISSS to activate your SEVIS record. Please note that you will need to prepare additional documentation for the change of status application you submit to the USCIS.
Important Note: On Form I-797 Notice of Approval, pay special attention to the “Valid from” date as the date indicates when your new status (F-1 or J-1) takes effect. From this date on, you should stop your previous status related activities (e.g.
Transferring Your SEVIS Record
Request your current international services office to transfer your SEVIS record to the university.
Additional Resources
R Family Hub
All Parent and Family Members are also encouraged to join the R Family Hub, our parent communications platform.
Late Arrival
Arriving on time for the first day of the semester is mandatory.
Premium Processing
Premium Processing is now available to students trying to switch to the F or J status.
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