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Pre-Arrival Information

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ENTERING THE UNITED STATES

We are looking forward to your arrival at Caldwell University and have prepared this information to help everything go smoothly! If you follow the instructions we have outlined below, you should arrive without difficulty and ready to begin a successful educational career here!

If you have any questions, contact us.

1. IMPORTANT! DO NOT come earlier than the EARLIEST ADMISSION DATE on your Form I-20.
You are not permitted to enter the U.S. earlier than that date. Arriving too early, you risk being denied entry or being charged a fee and admitted as a Visitor instead of a Student. Visitors are not allowed to study full time so this would be a problem for you.

2. READ THE “IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND DATES FOR NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS”.
This information tells you all the dates that apply to your arrival.

3. DO NOT COME LATER THAN THE INITIAL SESSION START DATE ON YOUR FORM I-20 WITHOUT OUR PERMISSION.
If you think that you won’t be able to arrive by that date, contact us immediately. You must have permission from the International Student Services Office to arrive later than your Form I-20 says.

4. DO NOT PACK YOUR IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS.

5. CONTACT US IN CASE OF EMERGENCY.
1 (973) 803-2372

6. HAVE YOUR DOCUMENTS READY TO SHOW THE U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION (CBP) OFFICER.
You will be asked to show your passport containing your F-1 Student visa, Form I-20, Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record (if coming by land), and proof of funding when you are going through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Inspection.

7. BE PREPARED TO EXPLAIN WHY YOU’RE COMING TO THE U.S.
The CBP officer may ask you a few simple questions about the purpose of your stay in the U.S. Be prepared to tell him/her why you are coming to study at Caldwell University.

8. CHECK THAT THE CBP OFFICER PROPERLY STAMPED YOUR PASSPORT “F-1 D/S”.
The CBP officer will look at your documents and stamp your passport and return it to you. It is important that this process is done properly, so check your passport to see that it shows you were admitted “F-1 D/S” before leaving the inspection area.

9. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR FORM I-20, OR IT IS NOT PROPERLY SIGNED, YOU WILL BE ISSUED A FORM I-515A AND GIVEN 30 DAYS TO BE IN THE U.S.
If for some reason you do not have your Form I-20 when you arrive, or if it was not properly signed, the CBP officer will give you a provisional entry of 30 days. You must bring the Form I-515A to the International Student Services Office as soon as you get to campus so we can help you extend your permission to be in the country.

10. YOU MAY BE ASKED TO GO TO SECONDARY INSPECTIONS.
If there are any questions about your documents, the CBP officer may ask you to go to secondary inspections. This is normal and no cause for concern.

11. MAKE TWO SETS OF COPIES OF YOUR IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS.
Copies of your immigration documents are important to safe-keep. The International Student Services Office also requires that you bring us a set so we can keep them safe and advise you in the future.

12. REPORT TO THE COLLEGE AND THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES OFFICE ON THE DATES INDICATED IN THE “IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND DATES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS.”

REMEMBER THAT THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES OFFICE IS YOUR OFFICE ON CAMPUS!! WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU EVERY STEP OF YOUR ACADEMIC JOURNEY WITH ANY QUESTION, CONCERN, OR CHALLENGE YOU FACE! WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING YOU!

CHECKLIST

You should be able to answer yes to all questions below. If you cannot, please take the time to read all the information under the  Accepted International Students section.

  • Have you received your I-20 and obtained your F-1 student entry visa?
  • Have you signed your I-20?
  • Have you made arrangements for temporary accommodations and housing at Caldwell if you are arriving previous to International Orientation?
  • Have you arranged your travel plans so that you will arrive in Caldwell early enough to attend the OISS orientation program for new international students?
  • Do you have a small amount of US currency to cover the initial expenses of your arrival, e.g. bus and taxi fares, meals, etc.?
  • If you plan to live off-campus, do you have enough cash or traveler’s checks in US dollars to cover any expenses of settling into an apartment in Caldwell, i.e. temporary housing, deposit on an apartment, telephone service, etc.? If you are bringing a large sum of cash to the United States, make sure you declare it on your customs form if it exceeds the limit allowed; otherwise, the Customs officials have the right to confiscate the money and charge a fee. For more information, inquire with your travel agency or airline company.
  • Have you completed any requirements to ensure your health insurance coverage while in the US? (This means either purchasing Caldwell University student insurance or supplying OISS with the appropriate documents to waive the health insurance fee)
  • Have you completed any requirements to ensure your health insurance coverage while in the US? (This means either purchasing Caldwell University student insurance or supplying OISS with the appropriate documents to waive the health insurance fee)
  • Have you packed a variety of clothes to keep you warm and cool during New Jersey’s changing seasons?
  • Have you packed all sharp objects, e.g. pocket knives, scissors, etc, in your luggage and not in your carry-on bag? If not, they will be confiscated at the airport.
  • Are you planning to drive in the United States? If so, consider obtaining an International Driver’s License from your home country. If your immigration documents are not valid for at least 1-year at the time of applying for an NJ Driver’s License, you will not be eligible to obtain one.