Welcome to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute! Fellow students, professors, and staff at Rensselaer join in wishing you a pleasant and rewarding stay in the United States!
The International Services for Students and Scholars (ISSS) Office has put together this pre-arrival guide to help you prepare for your stay in the United States. This provides important information regarding travel arrangements, immigration regulations and other helpful tips to help you during your time here. Please review the information carefully before your visa appointment and entry into the United States.
Remember, you are REQUIRED as an J-1 exchange visitor to check in with our office within 7 days of your arrival to campus.
We look forward to meeting you and wish you a safe and pleasant journey to Troy!
- The Staff of International Services for Students and Scholars
Pre-Arrival Checklist
You must complete each of the following steps prior to your arrival in the U.S.. Be sure to allow yourself enough time to complete each item.
What is SEVIS and the SEVIS I-901 Fee?
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, or SEVIS, is a database used by the United States government to collect and monitor information about all exchange visitors who enter the U.S. on the J visa.
Your Form DS-2019 was created in SEVIS, and ISSS maintains your SEVIS record during your time at Rensselaer. To maintain your legal immigration status, all the information in your SEVIS record must be accurate and up to date.
SEVIS I-901 Fee
Payment of the SEVIS I-901 Fee is required. You must pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee at least three business days before your appointment at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy. You must bring proof of payment of the SEVIS fee with you to your visa appointment.
The SEVIS I-901 Fee is $220 for J-1 exchange visitors.
J-2 dependents do not need to pay this fee.
Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the U.S. but must pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee and present proof of this payment to the immigration inspector upon entry into the U.S..
Visa Information
All exchange visitors must obtain a passport and visa* to enter the United States. It is advised to apply for your visa at the U.S.. Consulate in your home country. For more information, please visit the website of your nearest U.S. Consulate found at: http://usembassy.gov/.
* A J-1 visa is not required for Canadian citizens with a valid passport.
Visa Instructions
First, please review all of the information on your DS-2019 to ensure that it is correct. The name on your DS-2019 must match your name as it appears in your passport. If there is an error, please contact the ISSS Office via email immediately at ISSSOffice@rpi.edu.
For the visa interview, please bring the following documents with you, along with any other documents your consulate or embassy requests:
- Complete visa application - Form DS-160
- Form DS-2019 issued by Rensselaer or your program sponsor
- Appointment letter from Rensselaer (if applicable)
- Valid Passport
- Proof of payment of SEVIS I-901 Fee (from FMJfee website)
- Proof of financial support
- Training/Internship Placement Plan, Form DS-7002 (ONLY if applying for J-1 Student Intern category)
- For more information for J-1 visa: http://bit.ly/DOS-EV-visaguidance
IMPORTANT
- The Technology Alert List (TAL) describes critical fields by the Department of State. Individuals planning to undergo research in these fields should be prepared for longer wait times.
- There is no current TAL list on the Department of State website. For general information, click here.
- Applicants from Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria are required to undergo security clearances. Security clearances can cause long delays.
Was Your Visa Denied? You should request a written reason for the denial. You can re-apply if denied, but should have new or updated evidence to overcome the denial. For more information on why you might be denied, see the common reasons from the Department of State (DOS): http://bit.ly/DOS-visadenial. If your visa is denied, please contact ISSS immediately.
Image Credit: Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash
Arrival: Date Options & Issues
J-1 exchange visitors may enter the U.S. up to, but no more than, 30 days prior to the start date listed on your Form DS-2019.
If you will not be able to arrive to the U.S. by the start date listed on your DS-2019, you must contact your host department as soon as possible to ask for a change to the dates in your offer letter.
ISSS may need to update your new start date in SEVIS and issue a new DS-2019.
Arrival: Port of Entry
When you enter the U.S., you will go through primary inspection with an officer from Customs and Border Protection (CBP). You need to provide them your documentation in order to enter the U.S. – your passport, visa, Form DS-2019, proof of finances, appointment letter from Rensselaer (if applicable) and proof you paid the SEVIS I-901 Fee. DO NOT pack any of these items in your checked baggage.
After you provide your documents, the CBP Officer will stamp your passport with an entry stamp. Then they will return your documents to you. Review your documents carefully. If there are any errors ask them to be corrected there. This is your responsibility.
If you are stopped at the border or denied entry, please contact the ISSS Office for assistance.
- During normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM -5:00 PM), please contact ISSS by phone at +1-518-276-4966.
- During nights or weekends, please contact Rensselaer’s Public Safety Office by phone at +1-518-276-6656, and they will help connect you to a representative from our office.
Image Credit: Hanson Lu on Unsplash
Your I-94 Record
The I-94 Record is proof of legal entry to the U.S.. The Most Recent I-94 Record is a record of your most recent entry. The I-94 is digital and can be accessed online at: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov. There is also an Event History that keeps track of your arrival and departure to the U.S..
It is important to make sure that the information of your arrival is correct. This includes your “Class of Admission” (J-1), your “Admit Until Date” (D/S, or Duration of Status), and other identifying information (Name, Passport Number, Country of Issuance, Date of Entry).
If you are incorrectly admitted into the U.S., this could cause you serious problems and result in a loss of your status. Check your Most Recent I-94 Record after you enter the U.S. and inform ISSS immediately if anything is incorrect.
Travel Arrangements
You are responsible for making all of your travel arrangements. Please make these arrangements in advance to find the most affordable prices.
The nearest airport to RPI is the Albany International Airport (ALB), which is approximately 15 minutes from campus: http://www.albanyairport.com/.
Other major airports in New York State are John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) - www.jfkairport.com - and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) - www.laguardiaairport.com. If arriving at either of these airports, there is a company which provides shuttle service between either JFK/LGA and Albany called Premiere Transportation. You can find more information here: https://ridepremiere.com/airport-shuttle.
Other majors airports within 1-2 states of New York include Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey - www.newarkairport.com, Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Connecticut - www.bradleyairport.com, and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in Massachusetts - www.massport.com/logan-airport/.
There are a number of coach bus services from New York City and Boston to Albany, including Greyhound - greyhound.com/north, Megabus - us.megabus.com, Trailways - trailwaysny.com/, Peter Pan bus lines - peterpanbus.com/, and OurBus - https://www.ourbus.com/.
Amtrak is a national train service. The nearest station is the Albany-Rensselaer Train Station, which is approximately 15 minutes by car from campus. Please be sure to review baggage regulations before travelling: www.amtrak.com.
Car Service: Taxi - A taxi from the Albany International Airport or the Albany-Rensselaer Train Station to Rensselaer costs approximately $45. Carry a few extra dollars to tip the driver for your baggage. Always verify the total cost of your taxi before you go anywhere. If traveling in a group, make sure that you are not being overcharged for each additional person.
Car Service: Ride Share Apps - There are two major services in upstate NY where you can use an app to hail a driver: Lyft or Uber. Both services require you to use your cell phone to request a driver and permit you to enter your final destination. There also may be surcharges if you are picked up at the airport or the train station.
Where to go on campus - The main address for the campus is 110 8th Street, Troy, NY -- but this might not be the best place to get dropped off with your luggage, as it is at the bottom of the hill.
Use the Rensselaer Campus Map to find a building on campus: bit.ly/RPI-campusmap
Image Credit: Eric Nopanen on Unsplash
Check-In with ISSS
Immigration regulations require you to check-in with your Responsible Official/Alternate Responsible Official (RO/ARO) to maintain your immigration status. All new exchange visitors are required to complete a check-in with ISSS after arrival to the U.S..
Please prepare the following documents for check-in:
- Form DS-2019
- Passport, valid at least 6 months into the future
- J-1 visa
- Copy of Most Recent I-94 Record (get this after arriving in the U.S. online at http://bit.ly/formI94)
- Proof of health insurance for yourself (and dependent(s), if applicable)
- Completed New Scholar Arrival Form (get online at https://rpi.box.com/v/newscholararrivalform)
Your check-in documents can be submitted to ISSS by email at ISSSoffice@rpi.edu.
J-1 Scholar Orientation
You are required to attend a J-1 Scholar Orientation session held by ISSS. This orientation is mandatory per Department of State regulations.
After your arrival, contact ISSS to schedule your scholar orientation session at ISSSoffice@rpi.edu.
This program will feature important information about your time at RPI, especially your immigration status and obligations as an exchange visitor in the United States.
Insurance Requirements
Department of State (DOS) regulations require all individuals in J status (J-1 or J-2) to carry health insurance meeting these minimum levels:
- $100,000 per accident/illness
- $50,000 medical evacuation
- $25,000 medical repatriation
- Deductible not to exceed $500 per accident/illness
If you do not have health insurance that meets these requirements from your home country you must purchase adequate insurance immediately upon your arrival to the U.S. Your health insurance must be purchased for the entire duration of your stay in the U.S.
Failure to do so could result in your termination at Rensselaer.
Image Credit: Hush Naidoo Jade Photography on Unsplash
Housing Accommodations
Off Campus Housing: You should be prepared to pay a deposit and perhaps buy or rent furniture and household items. Do not sign any lease or contract for off-campus housing unless you fully understand the terms of the lease. Leases or contracts cannot be broken without financial loss to you.
The Office of Student Living and Learning (SLL) has gathered a list of places to search for off-campus housing (sublets, home rentals, and apartments), along with tips. See this link for more information: https://sll.rpi.edu/off-campus-housing-resources.
Exchange Visitors who do not have housing arrangements prior to their arrival can choose to stay in a local hotel while they look for permanent housing. The following hotels are the closest to the Rensselaer campus. We recommend that you book a hotel room early as these hotels can get busy and may be sold out.
- Links in alphabetical order
- AirBnB: www.airbnb.com (search Troy, NY or Albany, NY area)
- Apartment Home Living: https://www.apartmenthomeliving.com/troy-ny/apartments-for-rent/furnished-short_term_lease (short term rentals)
- Best Western Plus Franklin Square Inn: http://www.franklinsquareinn.com/ (hotel)
- Corporate Housing: https://www.corporatehousing.com/find/ny/metro-albany/troy (temporary short term rentals)
- Hilton Garden Inn Troy: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/albtygi-hilton-garden-inn-troy/ (hotel)
Image Credit: Brandon Griggs on Unsplash
Financial Arrangements
Upon arrival, you will need to use cash for a variety of important things, such as taxi transportation. It is important that you have U.S. currency available for these transactions. Money is often given in large units, such as $20 bills. When exchanging money, be sure to ask for some smaller bills, such as $5 and $10 bills.
As a precaution, we recommend you have easy access to enough money to last a month upon arrival. If you are being financed by your home country, or another source that is not personal funds, the deposit time can be lengthy.
Make sure to inform banks and credit card companies that you are planning to study outside of your country. They may deactivate your cards when they see suspicious charges.
If you do not have a bank account with an international bank it is important to inquire about fees for withdrawing money in the U.S.. Be sure to find out what conversion fees, if any, are involved. Many credit card companies often charge “Foreign Transaction Fees” or “International Transaction Fees”. It is important to inquire about these fees prior to leaving to avoid charges for using a credit card.
Banks
For a list of banks and credit unions that are near to campus, see this listing from Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Banks+%26+Credit+Unions&find_loc=Troy%2C+NY&ns=1.
You may be asked to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) when trying to open a bank account. You may not have a SSN at the time you need to open an account. In that case, ask the bank what other documentation they need from you in order to open an account.
Cell Phones
ISSS partners with a cell phone provider called StudentSIMS to offer you a free SIM card and plans with low rates. You can find out more about this company and the plans they offer here: https://www.studentsims.com/.
A great benefit to this is that you can order the free SIM card and have it shipped to you directly -- wherever you are, free of charge -- so that when you land and step off the plane, you can already have the SIM card ready and activated.
Image Credit: Jason Leung on Unsplash
Helpful Tips
Things To Do
- Make sure you have access to at least one month’s worth of money for initial expenses. You should also bring some smaller U.S. currency for food and taxi services upon arrival.
- Make sure to carry your immigration documents with you (not in your suitcase).
- Mark all of your bags with your name and Rensselaer’s address. Be sure each bag is tagged to your final airport destination and immediately report any lost or damaged baggage to an airline official.
- Call your bank/credit card companies to let them know you are traveling and living outside of your country for a period of time. This is very important so that they do not block your cards. You will also want to ask about international transaction fees and ATM fees.
- Bring an adaptor for U.S. plugs, as U.S. plugs will be different from your home countries plugs.
- Know the address of your final destination after you get to the Troy area.
- Check-in with ISSS after you arrive.
- Get excited to join the Rensselaer community!
Things to Avoid
- Do not bring electrical appliances. U.S. domestic voltage levels and outlets may not be compatible with those at home.
- Do not bring food. Most foreign foods are available in specialty stores in this area or in New York City. Some foods cannot be brought into the U.S. legally.
- Do not leave your bags unattended! This includes wallets and purses. Be extra careful in airports and getting out of taxis.
- Do not send/ship additional baggage to Rensselaer. The campus cannot accommodate luggage.
- Do not carry large amounts of cash. Carrying cash is ok, but large amounts of cash may not be able to be brought through customs. See this link from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for more information. Again, check with your bank/credit cards about traveling and living abroad.
We look forward to having you join us!
Credits:
Emilie Buse Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash Hanson Lu on Unsplash Eric Nopanen on Unsplash Hush Naidoo Jade Photography on Unsplash Brandon Griggs on Unsplash Jason Leung on Unsplash