Visa

You must have a specific type of visa to enter the U.S. For most students, this will be either an F-1 or a J-1 visa. If you enter the U.S. with a tourist visa (B-1/B-2) or under a visa waiver program that your country has with the U.S., you cannot attend school.

Each embassy or consular post has their own visa application procedures and processing times, but in general, to apply you will need to submit your I-20 Form (for F-1) or DS-2019 Form (for J-1), along with your passport, proof of financial support, SEVIS fee receipt, photos, visa application fee, and the appropriate visa application forms.

You can find guidance on applying for your visa and the list of application forms required for your situation at the links listed below. Be sure to read the web page for the post where you will be applying for the specific instructions for that location.

• List of U.S. consular post websites: http://usembassy.state.gov
• Information about F-1 visas: http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2013/04/how-to-prepare-for-your-visa-appointment
• Information about J-1 visas: http://j1visa.state.gov/participants/how-to-apply/

Check your visa for accuracy (name, date of birth, visa type – such as F-1 or J-1) before you leave the consulate, and request a correction immediately if you find any errors. Note: Canadian citizens do not need a visa, but they must present a valid passport, proof of finances, I-20 or DS-2019, and SEVIS fee receipt at the U.S. port of entry.

SEVIS Fee

SEVIS stands for ‘Student and Exchange Visitor Information System’. This system is used by the U.S. government to collect and maintain information about F and J status international students and their accompanying dependents during their stay in the U.S. All students who have an initial attendance I-20 Form (F-1 students) and most students who have a “begin a new program” DS-2019 Form (J-1 Students) must pay a SEVIS fee to the U.S. government before they can apply for a visa. Students currently studying in the U.S. usually do not have to pay the fee again. Find more information about the SEVIS Fee and I-901 form used to pay the fee at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm and about SEVIS in general at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/

Entering the United States

Immigration laws do not allow you to arrive in the U.S. more than 30 days before the reported date listed on Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.

When entering the U.S., you will need to show your passport, visa, and Ramapo College I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019 (J-1 students). Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival. Be ready to show proof of finances and your SEVIS fee receipt. You will be fingerprinted, photographed, and an entry stamp will be placed in your passport. You may be asked to go to another line where they will look at your documents and ask additional questions. Do not be scared. This is normal and it may take 2-4 hours or longer to conduct this secondary screening. Allow enough time between flights. U.S. Customs may search your bag for unauthorized items. Your arrival will be registered electronically. Afterwards you can log into the Customs and Border Protection website at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov to view and print a copy of your I-94, a document that verifies your legal entry. You will need information from your passport and your U.S. visa to access your record. For more information about Port of Entry, immigration status & what you can bring to the US, visit http://www.cbp.gov/travel and http://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/.

Transfer Students From Within the United States

All students in F-1 or J-1 status coming to Ramapo College from any school in the U.S. (high school, university, English language institute) are considered transfer students for immigration purposes. All transfers, both F-1 and J-1, will need to work with their previous school or program sponsor within 60 days (F-1) or 30 days (J-1) of finishing at the former school to establish a SEVIS transfer release date. Ramapo College cannot issue an I-20 or DS-2019 until after the SEVIS transfer release date. F-1 & J-1 transfer students must complete Ramapo College’s “Intent to Transfer ” Form, which can be found online here. Submit the appropriate form as soon as possible. You cannot get a Ramapo College I-20 or DS-2019 or maintain legal status without following SEVIS transfer procedures. It is your responsibility to maintain F-1/J-1 student status and complete the transfer process. Transfer students do not need to pay the SEVIS fee. If you are transferring from a U.S. institution and are traveling outside of the U.S. and your F-1 visa is still valid, you do not need a new visa to attend Ramapo College, but you should use your Ramapo College I-20 or DS-2019 to re-enter the U.S.

Arrival and Check-in

You should plan to arrive on or before the report date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019. Arriving later than your specified arrival date may not allow enough time to complete all necessary check-in procedures and enroll in your courses. The Roukema Center for International Education must report arrival and enrollment of international students to the U.S. Government. You must report to this office no later than 15 days after the report date shown on your I-20 or DS-2019 to complete the mandatory check-in processes. We strongly suggest that you arrive on or before the report date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019.

Staying Legal in Your Immigration Status

Each type of immigration status (F-1, J-1, etc.) has its own set of rules and regulations. It is the responsibility of all international students to know and understand the legal obligations for their status. The consequences of violating status can be very severe. Although most status types do allow enrollment, some categories such as B-1 and B-2 (tourist) usually cannot take classes. General information about maintaining legal status as an F-1 or J-1 student can be found at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/. If you have any questions about your status and staying legal, contact an advisor in the International Center.

Travel to Campus

If you arrive outside of this designated day, upon exit from the international arrivals at the airport, there is a transportation center, that can also assist you with options or you may choose the following options for transfer to campus:

Private Shuttle

AirBrook: http://www.airbrook.com/olltc/flights/index.htm (mention code CC5042 for 5% discount)

Train

You will first need to take the AirTran to the NJTransit station at Newark Airport. Next you will take the train to the Mahwah, NJ Train Station (with a transfer at Secaucus Junction where you will need to change trains). For schedules, please visit: http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=TrainSchedulesTo (Newark Airport to Mahwah). The estimated time is 80-90 minutes for arrival. Once you arrive, you will need to hire a taxi to arrive to campus. You may also contact the Roukema Center for International Education to inquire whether they can assist in your transfer from the train station to campus.

Taxi

Upon arrival at the airport, you can look for signs for taxis. You will wait online and someone will ask where you will be going. They will inform you of the rate and you may pay with cash or credit card.

For any public transportation needs, you can also visit our website here: https://www.ramapo.edu/about/transportation/

Money Matters

Exchanging Money

Before you leave your country, you should plan for your finances. After you arrive in the U.S. and set up a bank account, you may have your money electronically wired to a local bank. You should arrange to have enough money to cover your first month’s expenses AND your first semester tuition, books, insurance and housing. DO NOT under-estimate the amount of money needed. DO NOT carry a large amount of cash. It may be difficult to exchange money from your currency to dollars and there may be a fee. Bring your money in U.S. dollars or US traveler’s checks, have it electronically wired to your new U.S. account, or get a bank card to withdraw cash from your account through an automatic teller machine (ATM).

Banking in the US

Upon arrival in New Jersey you will want to open a bank account with a local bank. We have arranged a local bank to make a presentation at your orientation so that you may open an account soon after your arrival. This bank also has ATMs located across campus. However, you should research your banking options and choose the bank that best suits your needs. When choosing a bank you may want to consider: branch locations, monthly fees, international money transfer fees, and account options.

Paying for Ramapo College

The deadline to pay your tuition and fees can be found here: https://www.ramapo.edu/student-accounts/deadlines/. Ramapo College posts electronic bills to your account. If you do not pay by the deadline, you will be charged a late fee.

Payment Options

• Online by electronic debit or checking or savings accounts (ACH)

• Online by Master Card, Visa, American Express or Discover card (you will be charged 2.75%)*

• By mail with a check from a U.S. bank (write R# on check, made payable to “Ramapo College of New Jersey’)**

• In person by check (include R#, made payable to ‘Ramapo College of New Jersey’), money order or cash**

• Wire Transfer

For more information on methods of payment please visit: https://www.ramapo.edu/student-accounts/methods/. You may also contact the Office of Student Accounts (D-wing, 1st Floor; +1-201-684-7495 or studentaccts@ramapo.edu). Scholarships and other aid can be directed there and will be credited to your account.

On-Campus & Area Resources

On-Campus Student Life: https://www.ramapo.edu/students/

Off-Campus Resources (Hotels, Restaurants, Shopping, Things to Do, Services, etc.): https://www.ramapo.edu/about/communityinfo/