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 you are eligible. 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 to your home country, you will need to bring documentation to prove the ties, such as a letter to continue employment upon your return, documentation of economic, social and/or family ties to your homeland, and/or post graduation plans for the 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 $200 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 (item 5 on I-20 and item 3 on DS-2019). Be sure to check the Transportation Security Agency’s (TSA) website for current travel regulations.
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.
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, if known. 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 click here.
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 a week prior to mandatory orientation. 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, until the change of status is applied for and approved.
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 2009-2010 (subject to change anytime):
Tuition (24 credits) $26,870 (30 credits) $23,745
Books/Supplies 990 990
Room/Utilities (Off Campus) 6,500 6,500
Food (Off Campus) 2,640 2,640
Personal 1,190 1,190
Computer*** 1,040 1,040
Health Insurance (Mandatory)** 1,343 1,343
Between Term Expenses 1000 1000
TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENSES $41,573 $38,448
The total minimum estimated cost of one year’s study at the University of Florida is $41,573 for graduate and $38,448 for undergraduate students. These figures are based on the assumption that a student is careful in the use of his/her money, does not plan to purchase an automobile and has no dependents.
Health and accident insurance is required for attendance at the University of Florida. The annual average cost (premium) is $1,343**. It is estimated that the living expenses for an accompanying spouse will add $6,000 to the above annual costs and $2,500 should be added for each accompanying child.
* THESE FIGURES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME. THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS HAVE ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL FEE REQUIREMENTS, SO PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR DEPARTMENT: DENTAL, MEDICAL, PharmD, PHYSICAL THERAPY, VET MED AND ALL UPPER DIVISION PROGRAMS IN THE COLLEGE OF LAW.
** Insurance premiums are based on student’s age ($1,162-$1,343). Additional insurance for F-1’s family is optional, but highly recommended. It is not possible for a spouse to obtain work permission with an F-2 visa. Insurance is required of all J visa holders.
*** Budgets for upper-division students in certain colleges will be adjusted upwards to accommodate higher computer costs.
It will be necessary for the student to have approximately $16,000 available for immediate use on arrival, in order to pay initial deposits, buy books, pay tuition, insurance, apartment and utility deposits, etc. NO DEFERMENT OF FEE PAYMENT IS AVAILABLE.
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 click here.
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.
- 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-Tyson (cdebose@ufic.ufl.edu) or Katrina Koenig (kkoenig@ufic.ufl.edu) at the UF International Center immediately.
Spring 2010
| December 7th–January 5th |
CHECK-IN |
Monday, January 4th |
REGISTRATION |
Tuesday, January 5th |
CLASSES BEGIN |
Friday, January 15th |
TUITION AND FEES |
Monday, January 4th |
GRADUATE ORIENTATION (Mandatory) |
TBA |
UNDERGRADUATE ORIENTATION (Mandatory) |
Summer A/C 2010
April 12th - May 10th |
CHECK-IN |
Friday, May 7th |
REGISTRATION |
Monday, May 10th |
CLASSES BEGIN |
Friday, May 21st |
TUITION AND FEES |
Monday, August 16th & |
GRADUATE ORIENTATION (Mandatory) |
TBA- Fall 2010 |
UNDERGRADUATE ORIENTATION (Mandatory) |
Summer B 2010
May 31st - June 28th |
CHECK-IN |
Friday, June 25th |
REGISTRATION |
Monday, June 28th |
CLASSES BEGIN |
Friday, July 9th |
TUITION AND FEES |
Monday, August 16th & |
GRADUATE ORIENTATION (Mandatory) |
TBA – 2010 |
UNDERGRADUATE ORIENTATION (Mandatory) |
July 26th - August 23th |
CHECK-IN |
Thursday, August 19th & Friday, August 20th |
REGISTRATION |
Monday, |
CLASSES BEGIN |
Friday, September 3rd |
TUITION AND FEES |
Monday, August 16th & |
GRADUATE ORIENTATION (Mandatory) |
TBA |
UNDERGRADUATE ORIENTATION (Mandatory) |
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.
You are invited to click the following links and learn more about UF.