Admitted International Students at UF
Please read the following information. It is VERY important for you.
The US consulates will not issue a visa more than 120 days before the start of your program (see item 5 of I-20 and item 3 on DS-2019 ). Consulates will allow you to apply prior to this, but may not issue your visa until the 120 day time frame occurs. You should make an appointment to obtain the visa as soon as possible. There are two fees involved with obtaining a visa. One is the application fee for the F-1/J-1 visa and the other is the I-901 SEVIS Fee. Please keep in mind these are separate fees and you will need to pay both to apply for the visa. You will need a valid passport, admission letter, proof of funds, I-20/DS-2019 and the receipt for the I-901 (SEVIS Fee)*. Make sure your surname and given name match on all your documentation and that all other information is correct and up-to-date. You should be prepared to prove that you do not intend to immigrate. If you have ties back to your home country, bring them as well (i.e. letter to continue employment upon your return, documentation of economic, social and/or family ties to homeland, and/or immediate plans for your future in your homeland).
Note:
- If you need to reschedule an appointment for the visa, you must make a request prior to the date of the interview and show good cause for rescheduling.
- Use the I-20/DS-2019 for the school you will attend, because regardless of how many I-20s/DS-2019s you are issued; only the I-20/DS-2019 used to obtain the visa will be activated. The consulate should seal this I-20/DS-2019 (and sometimes proof of finances) in an envelope for the port of entry. If they do not, inquire if they should.
*To obtain the I-901 receipt, you will need to pay the SEVIS Fee (I-901). This is a $100 fee that can be paid using one of three methods:
- Online with a credit card http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/faq4.htm#credit_card
- By mail with a check or money order http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/faq4.htm#_Toc81222058
- At a Western Union http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/wu_instr.htm
- To transfer a payment made on one SEVIS ID to another SEVIS ID http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/faq7.htm
(Note: Canadian students are not required to obtain a visa but need to receive a stamp on the I-20 to verify F-1 status at the port of entry. Contact your local US consulate for details)
ARRIVING AT THE PORT OF ENTRY :
If you are entering the US on an Initial Attendance I-20/DS-2019, you may not enter the US more than 30 days before the start of your program.
Carry your admission letter, I-20/DS-2019 (should be sealed in an envelope by the consulate), I-901 receipt, passport (valid for at least 6 months), proof of funds (may be sealed in the envelope with the I-20) and visa with you. It would also be useful to have names and contacts for the UF International Center and your department.
Make a full declaration using the Customs Declaration Form (obtained during your flight). If you are bringing more than $10,000 in cash, you must fill out a report with the customs official. Remember that certain articles are forbidden or restricted. Visit the Transportation Security Agency’s website for a list of prohibited items: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1012.shtm
Obtain and fill out an I-94 card during the flight (or in some cases from the immigration officer at the port of entry). It is recommended to use the address where you will reside. Make sure your I-20/DS-2019 and I-94 card are stamped with the date, period of admission (usually D/S for Duration of Status), port of entry and correct visa status is written on the stamp. Be prepared to have your photograph and fingerprints taken. If you receive a form I-515, bring it to the UF International Center right away.
For more information see: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/factsheet/100104ent_exchng_fs.htm
You may arrive 30 days before classes begin (item 5 on I-20 and item 3 on DS-2019). Be sure to check the Transportation Security Agency’s (TSA) website at http://www.tsa.gov/ for current travel regulations. It is your responsibility to locate housing, bus lines, stores, laundries, post office, libraries, banks etc…and complete required paperwork. It is recommended you arrive no later than August 21 st. If you have been awarded an assistantship contact your department to discuss when you should arrive. Students with an Assistantship are required to obtain a Social Security card once they arrive in the United States. You must be in the United States at least ten days before going to the Social Security Administration office. Remember only students with valid F-1, J-1 or J-2 visa status may be permitted to obtain an Assistantship/Fellowship. Immigration (USCIS) does not allow B-1/B-2 or F-2 visa holders to be degree-seeking students.
There are more than 50 ,000 students at the University of Florida, many of whom fly into the Gainesville airport. Airline reservations need to be made EARLY! Gainesville Regional Airport is located at 3400 NE 39th Avenue. When making reservations we suggest you fly all the way to Gainesville. (For example, a ticket to Miami or Atlanta without a connecting flight to Gainesville will leave you eight hours by car from Gainesville). Bus service to Gainesville is very limited. If possible, try to arrive on a weekday (Monday through Friday) because UFIC and other University offices are closed on the weekends (Saturday and Sunday).
Gainesville has a semi-tropical climate, with hot summers and cool winters. During a normal winter the days are sunny and warm (60 ◦ to 70 ◦, Fahrenheit (F) or 16 ◦ to 21 ◦ Centigrade (C), nights are cool (30 ◦ to 50 ◦ F. or -1 ◦ to 10 ◦ C.) There are occasional freezing temperatures but it does not snow. A winter jacket is necessary. The summer days are hot (80 ◦ to 95 ◦ F or 27 ◦ to 35 ◦ C) with high humidity; brief rain showers are frequent.
The first week in Gainesville will be the most expensive because you are required to pay deposits on an apartment, electricity/gas, telephone ( http://www.bellsouth.com) and cable television (optional). Be prepared to cover these expenses, it may take some time to process your financial award(s) if applicable.
Typical expenses for 2007-2008 (subject to change anytime):
Hotel (3 nights at $70 per night) |
210 |
Meals (5 days at $20 per day dining out) |
100 |
First and last month’s rent (off campus housing) |
800 |
Damage deposit (off campus housing) |
320 |
Electricity/gas and water (http://www.gru.com) |
300 |
Tuition (approximately) |
11,302 See Below * ** *** |
Books |
350 |
Health Insurance (mandatory) ($1,058-$1,197/yr. depending on age) |
465 Average Single Student
|
Computer (mandatory) |
910 |
$ 14,957 |
* Graduate students - 12 credits x $ 941.79 per credit hour = $ 11,301.48
** Undergraduate students - 12 credits x $ 622.86 per credit hour = $ 7,474.32
*** Business, Dental, Law, Medical Related, Pharm D, Public Health, and Vet. Med. programs are considerably higher (please check).
CONSIDERATIONS WHEN TRANSFERRING MONEY:
- All transactions must be made in U.S. currency!
- Money Order or Cashier's Check may take six weeks to clear; these should be purchased from a recognized company (check with your local bank) and this is the quickest way to access your funds
- An Official Bank check, in U.S. currency made payable through an international bank in the U.S. typically takes a month to be collected from the bank clearinghouse by a local Gainesville bank and may have processing fees
F-2 dependants are forbidden by Immigration (USCIS) from engaging in employment of any kind. If you are entering on a J-1 visa, your spouse (J-2) may apply for permission to work through the Immigration (USCIS) office.
ON/OFF CAMPUS HOUSING (All University of Florida students must make their own arrangements for housing):
For information regarding off campus housing please visit the website: http://www.offcampushousing.dso.ufl.edu.
The University of Florida Housing Office is located on the corner of SW 13th Street and Museum Road. Hours of operation are 8am-12pm and 12:30pm-4:30pm Monday through Friday. Please visit their website at http://www.housing.ufl.edu/housing/
- Single Student On-Campus Housing in residence halls is almost impossible to obtain at the University of Florida because freshmen get priority placement. All correspondence concerning applications for residence hall space may be submitted to the Housing Office at any time after an application for admission to the University has been approved. You may obtain application information from the University of Florida Housing Office website at http://www.housing.ufl.edu/housing/apply_main.html
- Graduate/Family Student Housing is very popular; however there is a long waiting list. If you would like this type of housing, you may obtain application information from the University of Florida Housing Office website at http://www.housing.ufl.edu/housing/apply_grad.html . Although it is unlikely that you will obtain Graduate/Family Student Housing initially, you should apply.
If you are coming to UF from another school in the US, your UF I-20 should state the issue reason in item 3 as "Transfer Pending from…" It should contain the same SEVIS ID number (in the upper right-hand corner) as the I-20 from your previous school. If your I-20 states the issue reason as “Initial Attendance,” you need to contact Candice Debose (cdebose@ufic.ufl.edu) (surname A-L) or Ethel Porras (eporras@ufic.ufl.edu) (surname M-Z) at the UF International Center immediately.
Summer A/C 2008
April 14th - May 12th |
CHECK-IN |
Friday, May 9th
|
REGISTRATION |
Monday, May 12th |
CLASSES BEGIN |
Friday, May 23rd |
TUITION AND FEES |
Monday, August 18th |
GRADUATE ORIENTATION (Mandatory) |
Wednesday, August 20th |
UNDERGRADUATE ORIENTATION (Mandatory) |
Wednesday, September 3rd |
RECEPTION |
Summer B 2008
June 2nd - June 30th |
CHECK-IN |
Friday, June 27th |
REGISTRATION |
Monday, June 30th |
CLASSES BEGIN |
Friday, July 11th |
TUITION AND FEES |
Monday, August 18th |
GRADUATE ORIENTATION (Mandatory) |
Wednesday, August 20th |
UNDERGRADUATE ORIENTATION (Mandatory) |
Wednesday, September 3rd |
RECEPTION |
July 27th - August 25th |
CHECK-IN |
Monday, August 18th |
GRADUATE ORIENTATION (Mandatory) |
Thursday & Friday, August 21st & August 22nd |
REGISTRATION |
Wednesday, August 20th |
UNDERGRADUATE ORIENTATION (Mandatory) |
Monday, August 25th |
CLASSES BEGIN |
Tuesday, September 5th |
TUITION AND FEES |
Wednesday, September 3rd |
RECEPTION |
International Student Organizations may also provide you with information and may assist with travel and housing arrangements. Please click here to see the Volunteers for International Student Affairs (VISA) website.
UF Tours
You are invited to click the following links and learn more about UF.