College of St. Scholastica, International Student Services, Pre-departure Information and Checklist

Preparing for Your Arrival in the U.S.

Your preparation for arrival should comprise the following steps :

1. Wait to receive the Form I-20A/B and SEVIS receiptfrom the College. You will need both of these documents for your visa appointment. Please read the pre-arrival packet sent from the Director of International Programs. Transfer students who arrived in the U.S. prior to September 1, 2004 are not required to pay a SEVIS fee as long as they have no gap in studies more than 5 months. Transfer students (transferring from a U.S. high school and college) will only receive an I-20A.
2. Apply for a Student Visa (not required for Canadian Students)
3. Book Flights to the United States
   Check dates for Orientation first

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Canadian, Mexican and Bermudian students are required to carry a valid passport .

Checklist;
Once you have been approved for and received your F-1 visa (or do not need to apply for a visa), make your travel arrangements.

• For new students: when you make your travel arrangements, plan to arrive only on the dates stated above. We are unable to accommodate earlier arrivals on campus; housing and meals are not available. It is absolutely fine for you to arrive in the U.S. up to 30 days before your "program start date" - please do not expect to come on campus that early. The program start date is number 5 on your I-20 and visit/stay with family and friends. You may not arrive any earlier than 30 days before your Program Start Date. Once you have made your travel plans, please let me know.
• For transfer and Canadian students, please inform me of your travel arrangements as soon as they are known.

Please inform the Office of International Programs of the following information:

NOTE: If you are not flying to Duluth and are being driven to campus please confirm the day of arrival and the approximate time.