Arrival & Orientation

PRE-ARRIVAL

As an international student, there are a number of preparations that you will need to make prior to your arrival to the University. Please follow the checklist instructions based on your student type.

Also, please note that new F-1 and J-1 students may enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the start date indicated on their I-20 (in PROGRAM OF STUDY Section) or DS-2019 (Section 3).

Pre-Arrival Checklist

• Register for Orientation:
  • Undergraduate Students – Register for Bama Bound Orientation at orientation.ua.edu.
  • Graduate Students –  Register for Graduate Orientation and Welcome – http://graduate.ua.edu/about/our-students/grow/.  New Graduate Teaching Assistants must also register for the Workshop for New Graduate Teaching Assistants – http://graduate.ua.edu/events/gta/.
  • All International Students – You must complete the online International Student Check-in and Orientation with International Student & Scholar Services after your arrival to the U.S. in BlackBoard.
• Take care of your Immunizations, Medical History, and Insurance:
  • Submit your medical health history and immunization form.
  • All international students must have health insurance and will automatically be enrolled into the University student plan unless they submit a waiver form.  Be aware that some graduate students who receive UA Graduate Assistantships and Teaching Assistantships may be eligible for health insurance as part of their assistantship.  If you are a graduate student, you can find more information about this benefit on the Graduate School website.
• Additional Undergraduate Student Steps – Deposits, Housing, and Math Placement Test:
  • Undergraduate Students – Submit your $200 nonrefundable enrollment deposit (only applies to students admitted for fall semester). Check your Crimson email account for enrollment deposit instructions or visit gobama.ua.edu/deposit. This step must be completed before applying for housing on-campus.
  • Complete the residence hall housing contract and submit it with your $300 housing application fee and prepayment.
  • Complete the online math placement test. This will help your advisors place you in the proper level of math courses.
• Already in the U.S.? Transfer SEVIS Record to UA:
  • If you are currently in F-1 or J-1 status at a high school or another college/university inside the U.S., please be sure to have your SEVIS Record transferred to the University of Alabama within your grace period (60-days for F-1 students/ 30-days for J-1 students).  You will need to provide the DSO/ARO at your current school with a copy of your admission letter to UA and request that they transfer your record to The University of Alabama, F-1 School Code: ATL214F01174000; J-1 EV Program Number: P-1-03854.
• Diploma and Transcripts: Bring a certified copy of your diploma, final transcript/marksheets, and exam results for International Admissions or Graduate School Admissions.
• Need a SIM Card and U.S. Phone Number before arrival: There are a few companies which offer specialized no-contract plans that are specifically designed for international students, scholars, and dependents.  You can order a SIM Card for your U.S. plan to be delivered to you in your home country.
  • Campus Sims – https://www.campussims.com/student-sim-order-form/
  • StudentSIMs – https://mysimportal.com/order/studentsims/
• Pay and Confirm Schedule: Once you’ve received your eBill, pay your tuition and fees with Student Account Services.  For international transfer payments, The University of Alabama has partnered with two vendors to offer international student payments – TransferMate and FlyWire.
  • TransferMate, a leading cross-border payments provider, and TouchNet offer you easy, economical and secure international tuition payment options. Students and authorized users can pay by clicking the TransferMate link in TouchNet.
    • Students can login to their student account via myBama, then click on the link in the Announcements page next to the TransferMate logo.
    • Parents or students can also pay using this link.
    • TransferMate Payment Process Overview
  • FlyWire allows students to pay securely from any country and bank, generally in the student’s home currency.
    • To use FlyWire, use this link or go to http://www.flywire.com/pay/ua to make your payment.

Port-of-Entry Procedures

IMPORTANT NOTE: New F-1 and J-1 students may enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the start date indicated on their I-20 (Page 1 in Program of Study Section) or DS-2019 (Section 3).

Do not store the following documents in your luggage as you will need them at the U.S. port of entry:

• F-1 I-20 or J-1 DS-2019;
• Passport (valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected stay);
• F-1 or J-1 visa stamp (not necessary for Canadian and Bahamian citizens);
• You may also be asked to present the following documents at the port of entry:
  • SEVIS fee receipt;
  • proof of funding for 1 year (e.g., scholarship or sponsorship letter, bank statements); and
  • proof of student status (e.g., admission letter, tuition receipt).

You should also carry International Student & Scholar Services’ contact information:

• Address: 105 BB Comer Hall, Box 870254, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0254
• Phone: 205-348-5402

In the event that the office is closed, contact the University of Alabama Police Department at 205-348-5454 and they will contact an ISSS advisor.

On the Airplane/Boat – Customs Form
Crew members will distribute Customs Declaration Forms (CF-6059B). This must be completed prior to arriving in the U.S.  You can find out more about arrival procedures on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Site.

Port of Entry
After entering the U.S. at the airport, you will pass through a U.S. Immigration Port of Entry inspection. Your passport, visa, I-20 or DS-2019, and other documents will be officially reviewed. A digital photograph and a biometric scan of your index finger will be taken. You will likely have to answer a few questions and indicate your reason for entering the U.S. (to be a student); you may have to provide proof of admission. Please be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection official has authority to deny admission.

Once your inspection is successfully completed, the inspecting officer should stamp your passport with your date of arrival. The official should also note your non-immigrant status (F-1 or J-1) and D/S (duration of status— how long you are eligible to remain in the US). Please be sure that your passport is marked in this manner. If not, please bring this to the attention of a Capstone International Services advisor when you arrive on-campus and check-in with the office.

Additional information regarding Port of Entry procedures for students: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT I-94 ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE RECORD: Make sure you have a copy of your most recent I-94 Record. You will now go to a website and print the electronic record of your I-94 after arrival at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home. More information can be found at: www.cbp.gov/i94. This form should indicate your arrival date, your visa status, and the length of your stay, usually marked D/S (duration of status) for both F-1 and J-1 students. It will also include an 11-digit Admission/Departure Number; this number is your I-94 number and is the identification number with DHS.

TEMPORARY HOUSING

Hotels & Rentals

• Hotels
• Airbnb
• VRBO

Furnished Apartments with No Lease (extended stay hotels)

• Candlewood Suites
• Home2Suites
• Home Towne Suites
• InTown Suites
• WoodSpring Suites

Students should be aware that the greatest expenses will be incurred during their first weeks in the United States.

ON-CAMPUS HOUSING AND MEALS INITIAL EXPENSES
Students living on-campus in a residence hall or in an on-campus apartment must be prepared to pay the full amount of their full semester on-campus housing and meal plan plus dining dollars at the start of each semester.

On-campus housing and meal plans are billed for the full semester and cannot be billed monthly.

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING AND INITIAL LIVING EXPENSES
Students planning to live off-campus in an apartment or house should make a budget and prepare to bring money to cover their start-up expenses they will have upon arrival.

Also, before you sign any lease, please make sure to review UA’s Off-Campus Housing Resources and Before You Sign Info.

Your expenses at the time you sign your lease and during the first week in your apartment or house may be equal to 3 months of your monthly budget for the year.  We recommend students to bring or have available $2000 – $4000 for start up expenses during your first weeks.

Even those who are on scholarship or will receive stipends must keep in mind that your first stipend payment may not come until several weeks after the start of the semester.

Off-campus housing and initial start-up expenses include:

• Rental fees and deposits for off-campus apartments
  • First and Last month of rent paid at time of move-in (i.e. 2 months of rent).
  • Security deposits may also be required and can be equal to 1 – 6 months of rent depending on whether or not you have a co-signer or have established credit in the U.S.
  • Most apartments require other fees, including application fees, cleaning fees, and pet fees if you have a dog or cat.
• Utility deposits may be required for services that are not included with your property rental.  Check with your apartment to see what services are included with your rental and which services you will need to set up separately.  These utility services may include:
  • electricity,
  • water & sewer (Tuscaloosa or Northport),
  • gas,
  • internet,
  • garbage and recycling (Tuscaloosa or Northport),
  • and other services.
• Small purchases for bedding, utensils, cookware, etc.
• Large purchases such as furniture, computer, tv, etc.
• Initial groceries, toiletries, and supplies
• Transportation (whether purchasing a car, using public transportation, or using rideshares such as Uber or Lyft)