Dear students,

This email is for international students who are starting a program at UConn starting in the Fall 2016 semester. Please read these important reminders as you prepare for your arrival to UConn. If you have already arrived, welcome!

Check In

All new international students must check in through the ISSS website after arrival to the United States. Go to: http://isss.uconn.edu/check-in/ and follow the step-by-step instructions for check in. Do not check in online in your home country; you must wait until after you have arrived in the U.S.

If you are a student who has applied to change from one visa type to another inside in the United States, wait until your change of status has been approved before completing check in.

The check in process requires that you have electronic copies of your immigration documents. If you are on Storrs campus, you may use the scanner in the ISSS office, or in the UConn library (Level 1). If you take a picture of your documents on your phone, you must make sure they are clear.

ISSS Orientation

All new students are required to attend an ISSS orientation about the F-1 or J-1 visa rules. This session is held as part of your academic orientation program. For more information about orientation, please visit: http://isss.uconn.edu/orientation/which-orientation-should-i-attend/

Students with Graduate Assistantship or On Campus Job

If you have a Graduate Assistantship or On Campus Job, and don’t already have a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) from past employment in the U.S., then you will be required to apply for an SSN in your first weeks at UConn. On August 31^st, students with employment may apply for an SSN at the ISSS office, Storrs campus, as part of “Services Day”. More information about Services Day will be posted on our website and presented at orientation.

If you cannot attend Services Day, you may also apply for an SSN at your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. However, you must complete “Check In” with ISSS AND your SEVIS record must have been activated by ISSS before you will be issued an SSN. Therefore, please allow at least two weeks after completing Check In with ISSS before going to a local SSA office. If you will apply at ISSS Services Day, then you do not have to wait two weeks after completing Check In. If you do not have paid employment, then you are not eligible for an SSN.

Driving

Some new students may want to drive or purchase a car upon arrival. You may drive in the U.S. with your valid home country license used together with an official International Driver’s Permit (IDP) obtained in your home country. If you do not have an IDP, then you are at risk and we advise you to apply for a CT state license. If you purchase a car, you must have a CT state license or ID to register your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles. The process to get a CT state license or ID can be long, therefore please research the entire process before purchasing a car.

In order to apply for the CT state license or ID you must have either: 1) A Social Security Number (see above) or 2) Proof that you applied for a SSN and were denied because you are not eligible for an SSN. Please take this into account when determining how long it will take to get a CT license or State ID.

If you are not eligible for an SSN, you can still apply at your local SSN office or at ISSS Services Day for a denial letter, which you can use when applying for your CT state license or ID. http://isss.uconn.edu/drivers-license/

If you already have an SSN, and you have an U.S. license from a different state that you need to transfer to a CT license, then you must have already completed Check In with ISSS and your SEVIS record must have been registered with ISSS before you can transfer your license. Therefore, we advise you to wait at least two weeks after completing Check In before you apply to transfer your license.

Delays, Defers and Cancellations:

International students are required to arrive by the program start date on the I-20/DS-2019. If you are delayed in coming to UCONN for any reason please contact both ISSS ([log in to unmask]) and your academic program. You may be required to defer your admission to a later semester.

If you will not be able to begin your academic program this semester but still want to start in a later term, contact your academic program (graduate students) or admission office (undergraduate) or education abroad office (incoming exchange students) to inquire if it is possible to defer your start date, or whether you must cancel your admission and reapply to your program for admission.

All students who will cancel their admission and do not plan to come to UCONN at a later date must notify ISSS ([log in to unmask]) and safely discard (shred) your Form I-20/DS-2019. Do NOT use this form to enter the U.S. with an F-1 or J-1 visa.

For more information, remember to review the pre-arrival information on our website: http://isss.uconn.edu/students/newstudents/new-students-pre-arrival-information/

We look forward to meeting you this fall and enjoy the rest of summer!

The ISSS Team

International Student and Scholar Services

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

GLOBAL AFFAIRS