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Check-in/Orientation

Please note that the following information is meant to be used only by Florida State University faculty, staff, students, and potential students of Florida State University and only in the context of international visits to FSU specifically. It is not intended to be used and should not be construed as general legal advice.

Exchange Visitors (J scholars) must check in at the International Center within a week of their arrival and no later than 30 days from their original program start date as noted on the DS-2019 form. They must report a U.S. address to the International Center within 10 days of their arrival. Federal regulations require the International Center to terminate the program of scholars who have not properly reported address changes. The International Center wishes to avoid this action whenever possible by alerting scholars and departments of this requirement.

If scholars do not check-in within 30 days of their program start date as reflected on the DS-2019 form (regardless of their date of entry), the program is automatically terminated by the immigration database. If scholars encounter problems obtaining their visa and/or entering the U.S. before the end of this 30 day period, the department should verify with the International Center their approval of the scholar’s delayed start date. In these cases, the International Center will update the immigration database to amend the start date, and the scholar’s delayed arrival will then not be problematic.

Upon the scholar’s arrival to the U.S., they should plan to attend the next regularly scheduled weekly orientation session. Orientation is normally conducted every Friday at 11:00am at the International Center. It is important that scholars attend in order to get a brief overview of the visa regulations that govern their stay. We also provide other information to assist the scholar and his or her family in settling in and getting involved in the community.

Scholars should bring the following information for themselves and their dependents to check-in and orientation:

• Passport;
• Visa;
• I-94 (arrival/departure card);
• Stamped DS-2019 form; and
• Insurance certification (if already obtained).

If scholars have not purchased health insurance by the orientation date, they will need to plan to do so immediately thereafter. The International Center will need to receive proof of insurance, which may be faxed to 645-2112, before we can validate the scholar’s immigration record. Validation is required in order to keep the immigration record active and in order for the Social Security Administration to find the immigration record and issue a number (if applicable).