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International Students

Pre-arrival Instructions

• Pre-arrival Instructions for F-1 Student Visa
• Pre-arrival instructions for F-2 Dependent Visa

Pre-arrival Instructions for F-1 Student Visa
If you are outside the U.S., the SEVIS I-20 is the necessary document to obtain an F-1 student visa, which permits you to enter the U.S.

Steps to Follow

1. If you do not have a passport, you must obtain one from the appropriate office of your government in your country. The passport must be valid at least six months into the future at all times.
2. Carefully read all information on the SEVIS I-20, especially page 2, which explains your legal responsibilities as an F-1 student in the United States.
3. Sign page 1.
4. With your passport and SEVIS I-20, go to the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate in your country. The U.S. Consular Officer will review your papers and, if all is in order, issue an F-1 Student Visa permitting you to enter the U.S. for the purpose of studying at the University of Connecticut Health Center.
5. When you arrive in the U.S., you will be required to present your passport (with a valid F-1 Visa stamp) and your SEVIS I-20 to a U.S. Immigration Inspector at the port of entry.
6. The Immigration Inspector will review your papers and give you Form I-94 (white card) “Arrival and Departure Record.” Fill in the Form I-94 and give it to the Inspector. The Inspector will stamp your SEVIS I-20 Form I-94 and return it to you. Both documents are important because they indicate how long you may legally remain in the U.S. All students should receive D/S (Duration of Status) meaning you may remain in the U.S. as long as you are pursuing a full course of study and have a valid SEVIS I-20 identification.

NOTE: Make sure that your SEVIS I-20 end date does not expire during your stay in the United States.

Please note that all new international students are required by SEVIS to report to the Office of International Programs at UCHC no later than ten days after registering for classes. This is a Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) requirement that will ensure notification of your proper enrollment at the University.

Transfer Student/New Program
If you are in the U.S. as an F-1 student completing your degree at another U.S. school and have been made an offer to study at the University of Connecticut Health Center, you have to meet the following conditions:

1. Be a bona fide F-1 non-immigrant student;
2. Have been pursuing a full course of study at the school you were last authorized to attend immediately preceding the transfer (or the last term preceding a vacation);
3. Intend to pursue a full course of study at either the school to which you will transfer;
4. Be financially able to attend the school and complete the degree program to which you intend to transfer.

In order to receive your SEVIS I-20 from the University of Connecticut Health Center, you must do the following:

1. Inform the Designated School Official at the school you are currently attending of your intention to transfer or move to the University of Connecticut Health Center and complete the 'Recommendation from foreign student advisor" form;
2. Your current school must authorize your transfer within SEVIS to University of Connecticut Health Center;
3. Provide UCHC with a copy of the following documents: current passport, I94, current visa, and current I20
4. Upon UCHC’s receipt of your SEVIS record, the Office of International Programs will issue you a new SEVIS I-20 "pending transfer". the transfer is only completed upon arrival to UCHC, registering for classes and SEVIS validation. Upon SEVIS validation, you will receive a new I20, completing the transfer.
5. Enroll in the new school in the first term after leaving the previous school or the first term after a vacation. A student changing degree programs must register for the new program in the first available term;
6. Within 15 days of the date of your registration and start of your classes at UCHC, you must present the SEVIS I-20 (pages 1 & 3) from UCHC to the Office of International Programs at UCHC.

Should you have any questions regarding the above information, please contact Ms. Jaishree Duggal in the Office of International Programs at 860-679-4430; email: duggal@adp.uchc.edu.

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Pre-arrival instructions for F-2 Dependent Visa
If you are outside the U.S., the I-20 is the necessary document to obtain an F-1 student visa, which permits you to enter the U.S.

Steps to Follow

1. If you do not have a passport, you must obtain one from the appropriate office of your government. The passport must be valid at least six months into the future at all times.
2. Carefully read all information on the Form I-20, especially page 2 which explains your legal responsibilities as an F-2 dependent in the United States.
3. Your spouse must sign page 1.
4. With your passport and I-20, marriage certificate and financial support letter, go to the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate. The U.S. Consular Officer will review your papers and, if all is in order, issue an F-2 Student Visa permitting you to enter the U.S. for the purpose of studying at the University of Connecticut Health Center.
5. When you arrive in the U.S., you will be required to present your passport (with a valid F-2 Visa stamp) and your I-20 to a U.S. Immigration Inspector at the port of entry.
6. The Immigration Inspector will review your papers and give you Form I-94 (white card) “Arrival and Departure Record.” Fill in the Form I-94 and give it to the inspector. The Inspector will stamp your I-20 Form I-94 and return it to you. Both documents are important because they indicate how long you may legally remain in the U.S. All spouses and dependents should receive D/S (Duration of Status) meaning you may remain in the U.S. as long as your spouse is pursuing a full course of study and have a valid I-20 identification.

NOTE: Make sure that your I-20 end date does not expire during your stay in the United States.

Please note that all new international students are required by SEVIS to report to the Office of International Programs no later than ten days after registering for classes. This is a Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) requirement that will ensure notification of your proper enrollment at the University.

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