Pre-Arrival Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I know which is the right visa for me?

A. Information about U.S. consulate policies, procedures and requirements can be obtained from the U.S. Department of State.

Q. I’m a Canadian citizen; do I need to apply for a visa?

A. Canadian citizens do not need to obtain visas before entering the United States. A Canadian citizen simply shows their I-20 or DS-2019 at the U.S. border with proof of Canadian citizenship. Upon entrance into the United States, Canadian students should make sure their I-20 or DS-2019 is properly processed and receive an I-94 card. Without the I-94 card, students may not be able to fully check in at Ohio State.

Q. What is the SEVIS Fee?

A. The SEVIS fee, implemented by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is a fee intended to defray costs associated with the administration of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This rule took effect on September 1, 2004.

Q. Who must pay the SEVIS fee?

• Students seeking an F-1 visa from a U.S. consulate abroad for "initial" attendance at a U.S. school
• Students seeking a J-1 visa from a U.S. consulate abroad to commence participation in a J-1 Exchange Visitor Program
• Persons applying for a change of status to F-1 or J-1
• Canadians exempt from the visa requirement who are seeking entry at a U.S. port of entry for "initial" attendance at a U.S. school or Exchange Visitor Program
• J-1 students applying for a change of program category within the United States.
• J-1 students transferring from fee-exempt federal government-sponsored programs (such as Fulbright) to other J-1 programs
• J-1 students transferring from reduced-fee J-1 programs to full-fee J-1 programs
• J-1 students applying for reinstatement
• F-1 students applying for reinstatement
• F-1 students who have been absent from the United States for more than five months and wish to reenter the United States to continue in the same course of study

Q. How do I pay the SEVIS fee if I'm required to?

A. Those required to pay the fee must do one of the following:

• File Form I-901 with DHS by mail with a check, money order or foreign draft drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. currency
• Electronically submit Form I-901 to DHS using a credit card or other electronic means of payment accepted by DHS
• Use Western Union Quick Pay
• Use any future DHS-approved payment services

Q. How do I know if I need to take placement tests?

A. Required placement tests will appear on your To Do List in Buckeye Link. Note that graduate students do not need to take the math placement test.

Q. Where can I find information about the math and English placement tests?

A. Learn about the Academic English Writing Assessment for undergraduate students and graduate students.

Undergraduate students can learn more about the math placement test, including reasons for exemption.

Q. When will my tuition and fees be due?

A. Tuition and fees are due seven calendar days before the start of the semester. You can view your statement of account and fee payment deadline through Buckeye Link. If you are a new international student, graduate or undergraduate, your tuition due date will be deferred to the second Friday of the semester. Upon reviewing your Statement of Account, if your due date has not been deferred after five business days, please contact Buckeye Link for assistance.

Q. How can I pay my tuition and fees?

A. There are three payment options:

• Electronic payment (online payment from a U.S. checking or savings account)
• Credit card (Discover, MasterCard, VISA and American Express only)
• Wire transfer of foreign currency

It is highly recommended that you pay electronically. To do so, you must set up a U.S. bank account upon arrival.

Please visit the Office of the Bursar for more information on payment methods. Note that you cannot pay your tuition and fees in cash.

Q. What is the Financial Responsibility Statement, and how do I complete it?

A. The Financial Responsibility Statement (FRS) is an acknowledgment you must make every semester that you understand the financial obligation of being an Ohio State student. By completing the statement in Buckeye Link, you are confirming you understand and agree to uphold your financial obligation to the university (i.e., to pay your tuition, fees and all other charges associated with being a student).

Students who do not complete the Financial Responsibility Statement before registering each term will have a Registration Lock Hold placed on their account, preventing them from registering, adding a course or moving off of a waitlist. Once you complete the statement for the term, the hold is removed.

Q. How do I view my Statement of Account?

A. Once you register for classes, your Statement of Account is created, which shows the tuition and fees you are responsible for paying and your payment due date. To see your Statement of Account, log in to Buckeye Link. Log in using the same username and password required for your Ohio State email account. Once you log in to Buckeye Link, click on the Statement of Account link in the "Outstanding Charges" box in the Finances section. Be sure you select the correct term by using the drop-down menu.

Q. I have questions about the mandatory health screening – who should I contact?

A. Please contact the Wilce Student Health Center at +1-614-247-2387 or visit the website for more information.

Q. I'm transferring from a university in the United States – do I need to complete the mandatory health screening?

A. Please contact the Wilce Student Health Center at +1-614-247-2387 or visit the website for more information.

Q. What is the vaccination requirement?

A. Ohio State requires verification that all new students are up to date on certain vaccines (immunizations). View the required vaccines and how to complete the vaccine requirement.

Q. I can't find some vaccinations in my country – can I get them at Ohio State?

A. If you cannot get, or verify that you have gotten, all of these vaccinations before arrival, you can receive them all at the Student Health Center once you are here, and your Ohio State health insurance will cover the cost. Email vaccination@osu.edu with questions.

Q. How do I register for for my first semester of classes?

A. The Office of International Affairs is not responsible for registering your courses. Course registration is conducted separately from International Student Orientation.

Undergraduate students: Your college or school’s academic advisor will contact you directly through your BuckeyeMail account to begin the process.

Graduate students: If you have questions regarding registering for classes, please contact your faculty advisor, graduate studies chair or graduate program coordinator. You may also contact the Graduate School’s Registration Services area at grad-schoolregistrationservices@osu.edu for course registration assistance.

Q. When can I move into my dorm?

A. Please contact Housing and Residence Education at housing@osu.edu.

Q. Which office can help with finding housing off campus?

A. The Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement provides a wide range of support and resources for students searching for and living in off-campus housing. Visit their website to search for housing, find a roommate, get safety tips, see rankings of local landlords and more.

Q. When should I arrive in Columbus?

A. F-1 and J-1 students entering the United States on an initial SEVIS record may arrive in the United States no more than 30 days before the start date on their I-20/DS-2019 (the same as the start date of classes for the term). The Office of International Affairs strongly recommends that you arrive more than two weeks before classes start to accomplish pre-semester tasks. F-1 students who have been issued a transfer I-20 form do not need to adhere to the 30-day entry requirement and may enter the United States earlier if using the transfer I-20 issued by Ohio State.

Q. How can the Office of International Affairs help me?

A. When international students first arrive at Ohio State, the Office of International Affairs is one of their initial contact points. The office provides a warm welcome to the campus community and supports their transition to help them comfortably adjust to their new life on campus and in Columbus. Students meet one-on-one with a representative from International Students and Scholars to get answers to questions about immigration regulations, cultural differences and financial matters.

Q. Are you open on weekends?

A. No. The Office of International Affairs, like most university offices, is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Q. What type of health insurance do I have to purchase?

A. All Ohio State students must have health insurance, and almost all international students are required to purchase Ohio State’s Comprehensive Health Benefits Plan. Learn more about Student Health Insurance and information for international students. Email shi_info@osu.edu with questions.

You can only waive Ohio State’s student health insurance plan if:

• You are fully financially sponsored by your government, and it has designated a health plan for you
• You are able to hold insurance through a U.S.-based employer (for example, if you are a dependent on the plan of a spouse who holds coverage through a U.S.-based employer)

Q. What is the difference between immigration check-in and orientation?

A. These are separate events, and you are required to attend both immigration check-in and orientation to complete your arrival requirements. During immigration check-in, you will meet with immigration coordinators from the Office of International Affairs, who will review your immigration documents to report your arrival to the U.S. federal government. This process is mandatory and should be completed as soon as you enter the United States. The U.S. federal government requires that you complete Immigration Check-In with the Office of International Affairs upon your arrival in the United States and before the start of the semester. If you do not check in, your student immigration record will be terminated, and you may be required to leave the United States immediately.

Orientation will introduce you to Ohio State and cover important topics such as campus resources, safety and health information. Undergraduate and graduate students are required to attend orientation but should refer to their academic advisors and departments for course scheduling.

Q. Who has to attend immigration check-in and orientation?

A. F-1 and J-1 students entering the United States on an initial SEVIS record and F-1 and J-1 students who have been issued a transfer I-20 form from another university in the United States. The Office of International Affairs strongly recommends that you register for immigration check-in and orientation early and check the deadline to register for an appointment. Registration for immigration check-in is required, and it is fills up quickly due to the large number of students that arrive at Ohio State each semester.

Students returning to Ohio State after a leave of absence are required to attend the mandatory check-in. It is highly recommended that returning students attend the orientation program.

Students who are not F-1 or J-1 students but are coming to the university from outside the United States are welcome to attend international student orientation if they would like to. Please contact global-engagement@osu.edu for more details.

Q. What is the orientation fee?

A. Students will be assessed a one-time $50 orientation fee, which covers the costs of both immigration check-in and orientation. The fee will appear on your statement of account, along with other tuition and fees, for your first semester of enrollment.

Q. What is BuckeyePass, and why do I need it?

A. BuckeyePass is a multi-factor authentication service provided by Ohio State, which is required when accessing your different Ohio State accounts. It helps protect your account even if your password is stolen. You must have BuckeyePass set up on a device that you will have with you during immigration check-in. You won't be able to complete the process without BuckeyePass. The easiest way to set up BuckeyePass is to download the Duo Mobile app on your mobile device. View instructions on how to set up BuckeyePass and download Duo Mobile.

Q. Can I do my immigration check-in any day I want?

A. No – please review the Immigration Check-in Process to learn more. If you do not have an appointment or you are encountering issues with the registration, the Office of International Affairs will help you to schedule for the next available time, which can take up to two days to plan and reschedule. Make sure to register in advance to avoid delays.

Q. I'm transferring from a university in the United States. Do I need to complete immigration check-in and orientation?

A. Yes – please make sure you requested to have your SEVIS record transferred to Ohio State, or you will not be able to complete immigration check-in.

Q. I am currently on OPT and starting a new degree program. Should I complete immigration check-in and orientation?

• Ohio State students on OPT: If you continue on the same SEVIS record, you are not required to attend immigration check-in.
• Students on OPT from another university in the United States transferring their SEVIS records to Ohio State: Yes, you are required to attend both immigration check-in and orientation.

Q. I did not get confirmation about my immigration check-in appointment. Can you confirm if I registered successfully?

A. Please check your email's "junk" or "spam" folder first. If the confirmation email is not there, please email iss@osu.edu with your first name, family name, SEVIS number or BuckID and email you listed in the registration.

Q. I have a spouse and/or children. Do my dependents need to do immigration check-in?

A. Not necessarily. However, you can bring their passports and I-20s/DS2019s when you come to complete your immigration check-in and we can keep copies of their documents with your record.

Q. Can I reschedule my immigration check-in appointment?

A. Only under extraordinary circumstances, including your flight being delayed, delays with visa or passport issuance or other emergencies. Please email iss@osu.edu.

Q. I have a Green Card/Permanent Resident Card. Do I need to register for immigration check-in and orientation?

A. No – you are not required to check in with the Office of International Affairs. Visit orientation.osu.edu to learn more about your orientation.

Q. What should I do if I have to arrive after check-in and orientation are over?

A. Please contact the Office of International Affairs immediately at iss@osu.edu.