Arrival & Post-Arrival

Notes on Port of Entry

Upon entering the U.S., you will go through a passport and document inspection at your first point of entry, which may be an airport, seaport, or land port. Allow ample time between arrival and connecting flights to clear immigration and customs. Have the following documents ready for the CBP officer and keep them in your carry-on luggage or personal item.

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months into the future).
• F-1 Visa (does not apply to citizens of Canada and Bermuda).
• SEVIS Form I-20 (F-1) for JU.
  • Ensure you have signed the “Student Attestation” portion and if you are under 18 years old, a guardian needs to sign as well.
• Evidence of financial resources – recommended.
• Paper receipt of SEVIS I-901 Fee – recommended.
• Contact information of the JU ISS Office – recommended.

Nearest Commercial Airports

• Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) - 30 minutes from campus
• Orlando International Airport (MCO) - 2.5 hours from campus
  • If flying into Orlando, students can choose to take a Amtrak Train or Greyhound Bus to get to Jacksonville.

Move-In Day (On-Campus)

Please check your emails regularly leading up to your arrival in the U.S. More likely than not, JU has sent you instructions for move-in, what to bring, where to be, times slots to sign up, etc.

Off-Campus Commuter Students

Students residing off-campus, commonly graduate students or those eligible for Residency Exemptions, are expected to secure their own accommodations while in the U.S. While JU is unable to directly aid in this process, our staff and fellow students may offer suggestions based on their personal experiences. It's important to maintain ongoing communication with your landlord or leasing office for a smooth transition.

Orientaton

Mandatory International Orientation Session on TBD for all incoming F-1 international students. During this meeting, we will review F-1 Visa regulations and other important information related to your status as an international student.

If you are on a different nonimmigrant visa/status (E-2, TPS, Asylee, etc.), you are not required to come to this session.

Important dates and orientation can be found here for future terms.

Post-Arrival Checklist

• The U.S. government requires all F-1 and J-1 students to officially “check in” with their university when they begin a new program of study in the U.S.
• No appointment or meeting is required — check-in at JU is 100% online. Complete this form and upload all your immigration documentation.
• Please complete the documentation link as soon as you have completed orientation upon arrival at JU.
• Enroll fulltime in JU courses before you complete the immigration check-in. You must have a valid U.S. address of residence as well. We cannot complete your SEVIS registration if you are not registered fulltime.
• If you do not check in with us, we cannot register you in SEVIS. At which point, your record will be auto-terminated.