Dear New International EAP Reciprocity Exchange Student,
Fall 2009
The staff at International Scholar and Student Services (ISSS) would like to offer a warm welcome to University of
California, Santa Cruz. We look forward to meeting you this coming Fall Quarter 2009.
The INTERNATIONAL SCHOLAR AND STUDENT SERVICES office provides advice to non-immigrant students
on immigration and visa issues.
We are located in Room 107, Classroom Unit Building, near the Bay Tree Bookstore. Maps and directions can be found
at: http://maps.ucsc.edu.
MANDATORY International Student Orientation - Attendance Required
SEPTEMBER 22nd 2009
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Classroom Unit I
Bring clear photocopies of the following documents with you to the meeting
(copy them AFTER you have entered the U.S. and have the F1/DS stamp)
1.
2.
3.
4.
photocopy of both sides of your I-94 card (small white card in your passport)
photocopy of your F-1 stamp in your passport (valid dates of visa and your photo)
photocopy of the 1st page of your I-20 Form showing the F1/DS stamp
photocopy of your passport identity page (valid dates of passport and your photo)
IF YOU DO NOT ATTEND OR ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT, YOU WILL NOT BE
REGISTERED IN SEVIS AND THIS WILL AFFECT YOUR LEGAL STATUS IN THE U.S.!!
THIS ORIENTATION IS SEPARATE FROM YOUR COLLEGE’S ORIENTATION.
At the orientation, information will be presented to help you stay legally in the U.S. This includes SEVIS registration,
enrollment regulations, and academic requirements. Further information about the Student and Exchange Visitor
Information System (SEVIS) can be found at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/index.htm
We will do our best to assist you with your transition and adjustment to Santa Cruz and look forward to meeting you. If
you have additional questions, contact ISSS by e-mail at fvisa@ucsc.edu or call 831-459-3550.
Sincerely,
Hayat Succar and Holly Nigorizawa
International Student and Scholar Advisors
ON BACK: INFORMATION TO HELP PREPARE YOU FOR ARRIVAL IN SANTA CRUZ
HOW TO OBTAIN A STUDENT VISA:
The documents necessary to obtain a visa are enclosed. Most students enter the U.S. on the F-1 visa. You will receive the
proper form needed to apply for your visa.
F-1: Form I-20: U.S. Department of Justice Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status
Or
J-1: Form DS-2019: U.S. Department of State Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor/Student (J-1) Status
CHECK YOUR I-20 or DS-2019 TO MAKE SURE ALL INFORMATION ON THE FORM IS CORRECT
If you are outside the U.S, you must apply for the F-1 or J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. You will be required to
submit a valid passport, I-20 or DS-2019 Form issued by UCSC, receipt of payment of the SEVIS fee
(http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm) and financial certification (bank statement or other financial documentation).
Go to http://oie.ucsc.edu click on New Students for more information about applying for the visa, SEVIS fee and other
pertinent information.
For further information about the visa application process, please check your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate
http://www.usembassy.gov/. You may apply for the visa up to 90 days prior to the begin date on your Form. For those
applying on-line, please have working printer to print out the receipt required for your application. To avoid delays, apply
for the visa as early as possible.
You may not enter the U.S more than 30 days prior to the begin date on your form. As you enter the U.S., the inspector
at the port of entry will stamp your documents F-1 D/S. D/S means "duration of status." Check that you have received the
correct stamp.
TRANSPORTATION: Information regarding transportation from San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland and Monterey
Airports to and around Santa Cruz be found on the ISSS web site at: http://www2.ucsc.edu/taps/airports.html
HEALTH INSURANCE AND RECORDS: University of California policy requires nonimmigrant students to acquire
UC health insurance in order to register for classes. You will be automatically enrolled and charges a fee for UC health
insurance. A waiver may be granted if the student presents evidence of comparable health insurance coverage to the
Student Health Insurance Office. A separate application and fee are required for dependents (spouses or children) of
foreign students. For more information about health insurance go to:
http://www2.ucsc.edu/healthcenter/billing/insurance.html
California mandates UC enrollees who are 18 years of age or younger, provide proof of immunization against Hepatitis B
prior to their enrollment. Further immunization information can be found at the UCSC Student Health Center website:
http://www2.ucsc.edu/healthcenter.
ADVISING SERVICES: Undergraduate and EAP Students are assigned to an Academic Adviser affiliated with a
College as well as Major department. Academic advisors will assist you with course selection. Contact your academic
advisor regarding questions about courses, degree requirements, and course prerequisites. Graduate Advisors:
http://www.graddiv.ucsc.edu/
HOUSING: You will receive a packet for on-campus housing in the mail. On-campus housing has specific move-in dates
and if you arrive early, you will be responsible for finding temporary housing. Students with families may apply for a
limited number of campus apartments, which currently have a long waiting period. If you plan to live off-campus, we
suggest you arrive early since it can take time to find housing. Housing information can be found site at:
http://www.housing.ucsc.edu/
FEES AND EXPENSES: UC fees and living expenses may fluctuate for a variety of reasons. Be prepared for your actual
expenses to vary considerably from the minimum expenses estimated for international students. We strongly recommend
you provide additional funds for your stay including funds for unexpected fee increases, summer costs or an emergency
trip home.