Prospective/New Students > Pre-Arrival Information
NOTICE: Under new U.S. Immigration Regulations, foreign students may be admitted to the U. S. for a period up to 30 days before the indicated report date or program start date listed on form I-20 or DS-2019.
F,M and J nonimmigrants are required to pay this fee authorized by Public Law 104-208, Subtitle D, Section 641. If you are subject to this fee and do not pay it, you will not be issued and F,M or J nonimmigrant visa for admission to the United States. If you are in the United States applying for a change of status and are subject to this fee, you must pay the fee or your application will not be processed. In order to determine if you are required to pay the fee, please read the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website https://www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml .
The SEVIS fee must be paid and fully processed before you arrive at the consulate for the visa interview.
If you do not need a visa to enter the U.S. as a student or rxchange visitor, the fee must be paid and fully processed before applying for entry at a U.S. port-of-entry. A receipt will be sent by mail to the address that you indicate with your payment. Further, for those that pay the SEVIS fee on-line, a payment confimation can be printed out immediately after the payment is made, and used as a receipt until the mailed receipt is received.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to bring a SEVIS fee payment receipt with them for the visa interview, or for those that do not need a visa, to the U.S. port-of-entry. Having a receipt for the SEVIS fee payment will facilitate the visa application process. However, if you are unable to print a receipt from an on-line payment and/or do not receiver your mailed receipt in time for your visa interview, you can still go to your interview as long as your fee hs been processed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
For more detailed information on the fee payment process, go to the SEVIS website at www.ice.gov/sevis
If you are applying for your first visa or are renewing a visa, these 10 tips are designed to help you achieve a better interview.
Foreign Student and Scholar Service prepares certificates or petitions for the Exchange Visitor J-1 visa and advises foreign scholars who need to change visa status, extend a visa, travel temporarily out of the United States or bring dependents to this country. Immigration Regulations and Federal Laws
Finally, the office serves as liaison to federal agencies dealing with foreign student and scholar concerns, such as the Departmenet of Homeland Security, Department of Labor, United States Informational Agency, and Internal Revenue Service.
You should plan to arrive in Missoula two to three days in advance of the Foreign Student Orientation date, in order to be here in time for the Orientation Programs. On those dates, temporary accommodations in the residence halls will be available to students who have applied for University residence halls (dormitories). Please note that you may have temporary accommodations if our office is notified in advance of your arrival plans. There will be a small per night charge until the dormitory officially opens. For a smoother adjustment, you are strongly encouraged to live on campus during your first year at The University of Montana-Missoula.
Serving Missoula, Montana are two major airlines with connections from many major U.S. cities: Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines. In addition several smaller airlines, such as Horizon Air, Alaska Air, Skywest or Bigsky Airlines, serve Missoula from other U.S. Cities You will be flying into the Missoula International Airport (MSO). Two bus lines, Greyhound and Rimrock Trailways, also serve Missoula. There is no train service to Missoula.
Airport and bus depot pickup is provided to students who have advised our office in advance of their arrival time. This service is available only 2-3 days before orientation. Students arriving at any other time may rent a cab or hire the Airport Shuttler (406) 543-9416 or 888-446-3107.
contact webmaster: Becky Maier becky.maier@umontana.edu
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