Congratulations on your admission to the University of California and welcome to the Riverside ...

36 Pages·2016·1.85 MB·English

by  Adan Alvarez

Congratulations on your admission to the University of California and
welcome to the Riverside campus!
Please plan to arrive in Riverside by
to Wednesday, September 7, 2016

The Mandatory Freshman
International Student Orientation will
take place on Tuesday, September 13,
2016 in Pentland Hills Bear Cave
B107/C101. Check-in at 8:30 AM.

Register via the Highlander Orientation
Database!

Continue to check your email
account for further updates.

International Students and Scholars Office
el. 951.827.4113
Fax.[phone]
www.internationalcenter.ucr.edu
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The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)
The ISSO is on campus
to help make your
experience in Riverside
as rewarding as
possible.

Please read everything in this letter carefully so that you can arrive better prepared
for life at UCR as an international student. Any further questions that you have can
be directed to our office by email. Please send your message to
[email protected].
The UCR International Students and Scholars Office and the University of
California, Riverside campus will be closed on Monday, September 5, 2016 in
observance of Labor Day. No one will be here to assist you during this period.
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Arrival Date

You should arrive in Riverside by
Wednesday, September 7, 2016.

If you are in F or J status and entering from
outside the United States, regulations allow you
to arrive up to 30 days in advance of the
program start date on your initial attendance
I-20 or DS-2019 form.
Please do not try to arrive earlier as you will be
refused entry.

Caution!
Plan your arrival carefully! Public transportation from the
airports and bus terminals can be limited, especially at night and on
weekends. Please refer to the Transportation pages for more information on
how to get to Riverside from LAX International Airport or from Ontario
International Airport. Also, please note that we will not accept any packages
delivered due to space limitations.

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Table of Contents
5  Important Dates for Freshman International Students
7  Pre-departure Orientations
8  Applying for a Visa & Entering the U.S. – Important Facts
10  SEVIS Fee Information
11  SEVIS Transfer for F-1 and J-1 Students
12  Housing in the U.S.
13  On Campus Housing
14  Early Residence Hall Move-in for International Students
15  Temporary Housing
16  Heath Insurance
17  Immunization Information
18  Pre-Orientation Module for Undergraduates
19  Class Registration
21  Expenses
22  Entering the U.S.
23  Shuttle Transportation to Riverside
24  Required International Student Online Check-In
25  Mandatory Freshmen International Student Orientation
26  Required Lecture for First Year CHASS Students
27  Highlander Orientation for Incoming Freshmen only
28  Mandatory Testing Requirements for Freshmen
29  Climate in Riverside
30  Tobacco Free Policy
31  Child Care
32  School –Aged Children
33  International Peer Advisors (IPAs)
34  Programs for International Students
35  Student Organizations
36  Useful Links
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Important Dates for Freshmen International Students
Wednesday, September 7 Early Residence Hall Move-in Day (additional fees required for early move-in)
Medical insurance begins

September 7-25 First Year Student Activities and Welcome Events

Thursday, September 8 Mathematics Advisory Exam (MAE), Location TBD (To be determined), check-in at
1:00 PM

Friday, September 9 Analytical Writing Placement Exam (AWPE), MSE 104 (Materials Science and
Engineering), check in at 9:30 AM

Saturday, September 10 Shuttles to area stores for groceries, sheets and other necessities

Tuesday, September 13 Mandatory International Student Orientation for Undergraduate Freshmen
9:00 AM; Check-In at 8:30 AM
Pentland Hills Bear Cave, B107/C101

Wednesday, September 14 Required Lecture for First-Year CHASS (College of Humanities, Arts & Social
Sciences) Students, Location TBD (To be determined), 10:00 AM

September 7-25 Settling-in Trips and Activities with the International Peer Advisor
Team

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*Further details to be announced.
Important Dates for Freshmen International Students

Monday, September 19 Fall 2016 Quarter begins

September 19-Oct. 1 Deans’ Mandatory Orientations (Your college will contact you with details.)
CHASS (College of Humanities and Social Sciences)
CNAS (College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences)
COE ( College of Engineering)

Thursday, September 22 Instruction begins

Friday, October 14 All fees must be paid in full. DO NOT WAIT until October 14 to pay your fees.
Please make sure to pay them as soon as possible.
(Note: Late fee payment only allowed for international students in their FIRST
term. You must make sure to pay your fees in full by the date listed on the UCR
calendar each subsequent term in order to avoid your classes being dropped
and/or being subject to late fee charges.)

You may view more important dates on the UCR Schedule of Classes Calendar!

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Pre-Departure Orientations
EducationUSA is an organization
sponsored by the U.S.
Department of State.

The International Students and Scholars Office suggests attending a Pre-Departure
Orientation Program to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have
about the departure from your home country to the United States.

Find out when and where Pre-Departure Orientations will be held in your home
country!

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Applying for a Visa & Entering the U.S. – Important Facts
• You must use the appropriate forms (I-20 for F-1 visa or DS-2019 for J-1 visa) from UC Riverside to obtain
your visa and to enter the United States.

• If you have an initial attendance I-20 or DS-2019 Form, you must enter the United States in the 30-day
period before the program start date on your Form. You will not be allowed to enter if you arrive earlier.

• If you are entering the United States with an initial attendance I-20 or DS-2019 Form, you will be required to
pay the SEVIS Fee before you apply for your visa. F-1 applicants pay $200 and J-1 visa applicants pay a $180
SEVIS fee. Please see the next page for further information.

• Do not enter the U.S. using a B-1/ B-2 (tourist) visa or visa waiver. You will not be able to change your status
to F-1 or J-1 in the U.S.

• F-2 students are not able to pursue full time degree programs in the United States. Do not enter in F-2
status if you plan to be a full time degree-seeking student. If you are currently in the United States in F-2
status, you must file and be approved for a change of status to F-1 before the quarter begins in order to
pursue a full time degree program. Please contact the International Students and Scholars Office at
[email protected] or [phone] for further information.

 Consulates require an in-person interview for most visa applicants. We recommend that you apply for a visa
as far in advance as possible since visa issuance can sometimes take up to 3 months depending on the
required security clearances. Please review the following information designed to assist you with the visa
application process.
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Applying for a Visa and Entering the U.S.–Important Facts
You will need to apply for a visa at the United States
Consulate in your home country.

Please review the information about visa applications and fees at
the Department of State’s website.

You will be required to present your Admissions Letter, your I-20
or DS-2019 Form, proof of financial support and a receipt for the
SEVIS Fee (if applicable) when applying for a visa. Other items
may also be requested. Be prepared to show that you have
significant ties to your home country and that you will return
there after completing your studies in the United States.

If you are preparing to study in a field that the consular officer
may consider sensitive to the national security of the United
States, please plan to apply for a visa well in advance and be
prepared for potential delays. Students in fields such as
biochemistry, cell & molecular biology and electrical engineering,
for example, are sometimes subject to these security clearances.
In our experience, students from the People’s Republic of China,
India, and Iran are often subject to such clearances.

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SEVIS Fee Information
For students in F or J status and those
changing to F or J: How do I pay the SEVIS Fee?

You must complete and submit Form I-901 with the
Who has to pay the SEVIS fee?
appropriate payment.

If you are entering the United States with an initial attendance
The easiest way to pay the SEVIS Fee is online with a credit
I-20 or DS-2019 Form, you will be required to pay the SEVIS
card at www.fmjfee.com. You must print out and keep
Fee ($200 for F-1 students; $180 for J-1 students) before you
your receipt. This proves that you have paid the SEVIS
apply for your visa or before you enter the United States (if a
Fee.
visa is not required).

You can also pay the SEVIS Fee by mail with a check or
If you are a non-immigrant transfer student with a transfer
money order drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S.
pending I-20 or DS-2019 Form, you do not have to pay the
dollars.
SEVIS fee.

In some locations, you may be able to pay the fee through
If you are changing levels from one-degree to another at
Western Union in local currency. You may find instructions
UCR, you do not have to pay the SEVIS Fee.
here.

If you are changing status to F or J, you will be required to
Questions? Ask us or review the frequently asked
pay the SEVIS fee.
questions online.

If you are out-of status and reentering the United States with
Take your receipt with you when you apply for a visa and
an initial attendance I-20 Form, you will be required to pay
when you enter the United States. You cannot pay the
the SEVIS fee.
SEVIS fee at the border or at the airport when you arrive.

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