University of Michigan - Flint

To study at the University of Michigan-Flint, you must apply to and be admitted to one of our programs of study through Undergradute or Graduate Admissions. Visit the International Admissions Page for more information.

Financial aid opportunities are limited for international students. The University of Michigan-Flint has an Office of Financial Aid which is the primary resource of information on scholarships/financial aid.

University of Michigan-Flint does NOT require any immunizations or health check in order for you to come attend school. Also, the U.S. government does NOT require you to have immunizations or tests in order to obtain your F-1 or J-1 visa.

As of Fall 2006, the University of Michigan does require certain entering international students to be screened for tuberculosis (TB) upon arrival to campus. Screening will be free, confidential and treatment will have minimal cost.

Please visit the Housing Website, to find up-to-date information regarding housing. You can also contact the International Student Center about help finding housing.

The Department of Homeland Security requires a fee of $100 for all new F-1 and J-1 program applicants to cover the costs of the operation of the SEVIS program. If you are issued a new I-20 or DS-2019 for “initial attendance” or “beginning a new program” you are required to pay I-901 SEVIS fee. Change of level to a new degree program, transfer, extension, or other updates do not require you to pay SEVIS fee. You can read more information on the official website for SEVIS fee information and payment. You can also pay the SEVIS fee online at the same web site. You should print a copy of the receipt and take it to your visa interview and when traveling to the U.S.

Upon your arrival to the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status, you are required to report to International Student Center for a mandatory Immigration Check-in. Make sure to contact our office to register for a check-in program immediately upon your arrival, as failure to check-in in a timely fashion may result in your loss of legal status.

If you are planning to travel outside the U.S., you should check that your I-20/DS-2019 will not be expiring soon, and that the I-20/DS-2019 has a travel signature dated less than a year from your planned date of re-entry to the U.S. If you need to obtain a new travel signature, stop by with your original I-20/DS-2019 and immigration documents to our office. You should also make sure your passport is valid more than six months into the future on your re-entry date, and that your F-1/J-1 visa will still be valid for your re-entry.

The U.S. visa (stamp or sticker in your passport) is a travel document which allows entry to the United States with a valid I-20 or DS-2019. You only need to have a valid F or J visa when you are re-entering the U.S.; you may remain in the U.S. with a valid I-20 or DS-2019, and maintaining your immigration status. If you plan to travel and re-enter the U.S. from abroad after your visa has expired, you need to apply for a new visa before you re-enter. You can only apply for the visa outside the country at a U.S. Consulate.

To obtain F-2/J-2 DS-2019 documents for your spouse and/or minor children under 21 years, please download and complete the I-20 request form for F-1 status holders. Once you have completed the form and attached the necessary documents as stated on the request form, you should schedule an appointment with an International Student Advisor. We will issue I-20/DS-2019 forms for your spouse/children to obtain F-2/J-2 status. Then, your family member will need to apply for and obtain the appropriate visa to enter U.S. (except Canadians) as your dependent. Your family will need official proof of your family ties, such as birth/marriage certificate.

Family members who are NOT children (under 21) or spouse of the F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor should apply for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa which allows eligibility visit the United States temporarily for tourism or business purposes. Family members from certain countries may be eligible to travel to the U.S. for visits of up to 90 days without a B-1/B-2 visa through the U.S. Department of State Visa Waiver Program. It is recommended that you give your family members a letter of invitation to document the purpose of their visit. Refer to Family Visitors to the U.S. for an invitation letter template and more details on the visa application requirements.

State of Michigan Driver's License and State of Michigan Personal Identification Cards are issued by the Secretary of State. In order to get a Michigan driver's license, you must pass a written test, a road sign test, a vision test, and a driving test. Please refer to “Getting a Driver's License” for detailed information including required documentation and Secretary of State office locations.

The closest Secretary of State office is located accross from the University Pavilion on Saginaw Street.

U.S. government regulations require F-1 students to be in the U.S. for the primary purpose of attending school. In general, employment in the U.S. is restricted for students. On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session and available full time during school vacation and holidays. On-campus employment is defined as work done on the premises of University of Michigan - Flint, providing service for the University and paid by the University. Under certain conditions you may be eligible for off-campus employment either in the form of practical training related to your academic program, or severe economic hardship employment authorization. You may not begin employment unless you have received official authorization. For more information, refer to Employment Options for F-1 Students

F-1 students are only eligible for a Social Security number (SSN) when employed on-campus or approved for off-campus work permission; eligible F-1 students and J-1 students must ask their hiring department for a social security letter and then apply to the Social Security Administration for the Social Security number. For more information on the procedures please refer to Social Security Information.

You can begin work (and be paid) while you are waiting for your Social Security number to be issued. However, you must have applied for a Social Security number if you are employed in the U.S. or if you have received and plan to accept an offer of employment in the U.S. For more information refer to Social Security Information.

International students in F or J status must maintain full time enrollment. For continuing students, Spring/Summer is generally considered the vacation term while the main academic year is Fall and Winter terms. During the academic year, Undergrad students must take 12 credits, Grad students must take 6 credits.

In some cases, international students may receive permission from the U-M International Center to drop below full-time enrollment, including reduced course load, full time equivalency for graduate students, and concurrent enrollment.

There are a few options for verification of student status. If you need proof of your enrollment, Office of the Registrar may issue an official enrollment certification for course registration. Your academic department may also be a helpful source to verify your program progress or academic standing. The International Student Center offers an “enrollment letter” that verifies your F-1 immigration status. You can request this by stopping by our office.

If you need longer than the end date listed on your current I-20 to complete your program, you must request an “Extension” of your I-20 to continue your studies. To do so, please submit a request form.

You should meet with an International Student Advisor to request extension before your current I-20 expires. For more information about maintaining legal status, see “Maintaining Legal F-1 Status” regarding I-20.

 

It is important to report your change of address to the University of Michigan-Flint International Student Center, as well as the Registrar's Office. F-1 students must also change their address with the Department of Homeland Security- Change of Address Page.

To request a transfer, you should submit our F-1 Transfer-Out Request Form following the instructions on the form. On your transfer release date, your SEVIS database record will be moved from University of Michigan-Flint sponsorship to your new institution. After that, your new school will be able to prepare an updated, “transfer” I-20 reflecting your new sponsorship. Once your SEVIS record has been transferred, you will no longer be affiliated with our institution from immigration perspective, so you should no longer work or study here.

If your immigration status is no longer sponsored by the University of Michigan (such as F or J) it is your responsibility to notify the University of any change of status. To officially record your new status, the Office of the Registrar will need a copy of the approval form(s) you received from USCIS. You can get this information to the Registrar's Office in one of the following ways:

• Visit the office, 266 University Pavilion with your M-Card and your documents.
• Write a letter that includes your name, your current status, your UMID number and your signature asking for an update on your Visa status and include with the letter a copy of the documentation you received from USCIS. Mail or fax to University of Michigan-Flint, Office of the Registrar, 266 UPAV, 303 E Kearsley Street, Flint, Michigan 48502-1950 USA Fax: 810.762.3346

It is important for you to keep the International Student Center informed about any changes to your immigration status in the United States.

The U.S. Department of State Diversity Immigrant Program (green card lottery) enables 50,000 randomly chosen people to obtain permanent residence in the United States. The DV entry registration period, runs from October through December each year. For future Diversity Visa information updates, please check the U.S. Department of State's Diversity Visa Program page.

The UM-Flint International Student Center offers immigration advising services to F-1 students, and dependents. Our immigration advisors can respond to all issues relating to F  immigration regulations and relevant immigration documents and respond to issues related to adjusting to the UM-Flint environment and U.S. culture.

You can also contact us by phone 810.762.0867, or by email

Peter Hendricks peterch@umflint.edu

Patriece Campbell patriecc@umflint.edu