Pre-Arrival Information for International
Students and Scholars
INCOMING INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
The Capstone International Services (CIS) office is excited you have been admitted to the University of Alabama (UA). We look forward to welcoming you to UA and Tuscaloosa. Fall classes are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, January 9, 2008. However, there are a number of pre-registration requirements international students must fulfill before classes begin.
OFFICIAL ARRIVAL DATE FOR Spring 2008: Friday, January 4, 2008. You should plan to be on campus by the date indicated on your immigration document, USCIS Form I-20 or DOS DS-2019, by Friday, January 4, 2008. If your department has requested that you arrive earlier, please be sure to do so. Persons in F-1/F-2 and J-1/J2 status may arrive in the United States no earlier than 30 days prior to the official arrival date indicated on their immigration document, I-20 or DS-2019.
UNDERGRADUATE ORIENTATION: Undergraduate students must attend the mandatory Admissions Orientation program in order to register for classes. Our office highly encourages all undergraduate students to register for orientation online at http://orientation.ua.edu, prior to reporting to UA, however if you are unable to register online, you may register on-site once you report to UA. This orientation is scheduled for Monday, January 7, 2008 with check-in beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Ferguson Center on campus. Events are scheduled throughout the day as part of Orientation so you should plan to be on campus all day.
REPORT TO CAPSTONE INTERNATIONAL SERVICES-135 BB COMER HALL: In order to comply with US immigration requirements, ALL international students must report to Capstone International Services (CIS). A hold is placed on each international student’s record, preventing course registration, and is not removed until after check-in.
Check-in: Friday, January 4, 2008 beginning at 9:00 a.m. in Room 109, B.B. Comer Hall. Bring your passport, I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, and any other immigration documents you have. We will photocopy your immigration documents, give you an international student orientation schedule, additional information about registration and academics, activities on campus and in the Tuscaloosa community. Expect check-in to take approximately an hour.
CAPSTONE INTERNATIONAL SERVICES ORIENTATION: Friday, January 4, 2008. This orientation is mandatory for initial attendance, readmitted, transferring and exchange students. CIS Orientation will take approximately four hours. Students not attending will be unable to register for the next semester of classes.
I-901 (SEVIS) FEE: This fee must be paid prior to your visa interview. We have attached information on how to file and pay this fee. Please review it and let us know if you have any questions. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the staff at the CIS.
INCOMING INTERNATIONAL SCHOLAR
We look forward to welcoming you to The University of Alabama in the near future. The following is information that may be helpful when making your travel arrangements to Tuscaloosa.
The Department of State Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Form DS-2019, will be issued by CIS and will be necessary to obtain your visa and also to enter the U. S. Take the DS-2019 with your passport, UA letter of invitation, and proof of financial support to the American Embassy or Consulate to apply for the J-1 visa. You must be granted a J-1 visa in order to enter the United States. If you do not use the DS-2019, please return it to our office.
In accordance with Department of State regulations, you must check in with our office upon arriving to campus. You will need to schedule an appointment with an advisor in our office for check in and a brief orientation concerning immigration matters and maintaining your J-1 status during your visit. Please bring all immigration documents that you and accompanying dependents have. This includes your current DS-2019, I-94 Departure Record, and passport. We are located in Room 105 of B.B. Comer Hall, at the corner of McCorvey and Stadium Drive.
CONTACT OUR OFFICE WITHIN TEN DAYS OF YOUR ARRIVAL
HEALTH INSURANCE
US Department of State regulations for the Exchange Visitor Program state that medical insurance is mandatory for all J-1 visitors and their dependents (J-2). J-1/J-2s must be insured for the duration of the exchange program.
If you have medical coverage in your home country that meets or exceeds these requirements and will continue to cover you while in the U.S., please bring proof of such with you. This documentation must meet the following requirements to be acceptable as proof of the required coverage:
1. Documents must be in the English language;
2. Must include the beginning and ending dates of insurance coverage;
3. Must specify that coverage is valid in the United States;
4. Must specify coverage amounts for illness, accident, medical evacuation, repatriation;
5. Must meet or exceed the minimum standards set by the Department of State: (see Insurance Requirements for more information)
- US$50,000.00 per illness or accident;
- US$10,000.00 expenses associated with medical evacuation;
-
US$ 7,500.00 repatriation of remains;
- Deductible not to exceed US$500.00
Willfully failing to maintain insurance coverage while participating in an exchange visitor program or making a material misrepresentation to the sponsor concerning the coverage in violation of J-1/J-2 regulations. The exchange visitor will be subject to program termination.
Employees who are covered by UA Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance please note: This insurance does not include coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation. Since this coverage is required for those in J-1/J-2 status, an application for a supplemental policy covering only medical evacuation/repatriation will be provided to you by CIS or you may choose your own.
HOW TO REACH TUSCALOOSA
From the Atlanta Airport**
Airport Express, Inc. Shuttle Service departs four times daily from the international airport in Atlanta, Georgia. The trip to Birmingham takes approximately two and one-half hours. Service is by reservation only. Between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST, the telephone number is 770-736-1558. After 5:00 p.m. EST, call 205-591-7770. You may also make reservations online: http://www.theairportexpress.com.
From the Birmingham Airport
Birmingham Door-to-Door Shuttle Service departs from the Birmingham Airport and drops off at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel or to any other hotel you request. Service is available by reservation only and must be confirmed with a credit card. Reservations are taken between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. CST by calling 1-888-349-1544. The Shuttle Service waits for its passengers outside the baggage claim area at the designated time.
**Please note that you must contact both Airport Express, Inc. and Birmingham Door-to-Door Shuttle Service for reservations to travel from Atlanta to Birmingham.
Greyhound Bus Lines serves the Tuscaloosa area. Transportation from the Birmingham Airport to the Birmingham Greyhound bus station, as well as from the Tuscaloosa Greyhound bus station to campus will be needed. For bus schedule and fare information, call 1-800-231-2222 extension 0 or 205-758-6651.
Taxi Services
Druid Cab Service - (205) 758-9011
Radio Cab Service - (205) 758-2831
Southern Air Limousine Service (cab) - (205) 750-8763
CAMPUS AREA LODGING
Four Points by Sheraton Tuscaloosa Capstone Hotel
(205) 752-3200
320 Paul Bryant Drive
US$84.00 to US$135.00, plus taxes and fees
Hampton Inn University
(205) 553-9800
600 Harper Lee Drive
US$80.00 to US$100.00, plus taxes and fees
HELPFUL CAMPUS TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Capstone International Services
Phone: (205) 348-5402, Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Department of Public Safety (University)
Phone: (205) 348-5454, Hours: 24 hours/day
HOUSING IN TUSCALOOSA
A lease is typically signed for 12 months and requires at least one monthís rent as a deposit. Housing costs range widely from $225.00 per month for a one-bedroom efficiency to $1,175.00 per month for a two to four-bedroom apartment. Utilities (gas, electric, and water) vary per apartment and can also range widely in monthly costs, from $30.00 to $50.00 per month. Also, deposits are required to have the utilities connected. More information on the housing available in Tuscaloosa and the surrounding areas can be found at the following websites:
http://www.apartmentsnationwide.com
http://www.tuscaloosaapartmentguide.com
http://www.showcasemag.com
http://www.sealyrealty.com
http://www.duckworth.com
http://www.hamnerrealestate.com
http://www.haedwards.com
http://www.colonialprop.com
For additional information about the city of Tuscaloosa, visit the following websites:
http://www.alabamainfo.com
http://www.dbtech.net/tuscaloosa
http://www.tuscaloosachamber.com