Arrival Information
for Incoming Students
Arriving in a new place is both exciting and challenging! For international students, this transition can become especially complicated by different systems & customs, new requirements, and greater uncertainy of what to expect. The ISO hopes that the information collected here will be a helpful resource as you take necessary steps to get settled in Rochester once you arrive and prepare for a successful start to your academic program at the University of Rochester! Find information on:
REMINDER: Pre-Arrival Information
Helpful information, resources, and reminders for incoming students are available in our Pre-Arrival Information. This booklet contains details on the visa application process, U.S. immigration documents, expectations when you travel to Rochester, and more!
Where To Live? - UR Residential Life, Local Housing, & Maps
Campus Housing: Many UR students are able to contract for on-campus housing through the Office for Residential Life. Availability and accommodations vary by division. Please contact the appropriate ResLife Office with any questions.
Off-Campus Housing: Students who will not live on campus have plenty of options to choose from in looking for convenient, affordable housing. The University's Off Campus Living Programs has several resources available to help you locate rental housing and understand the leasing process. Such services include:
Walk-In Hours for Off Campus Living Advising in 020 Gates Wing, SBA:
For guidance on off-campus housing options, lease issues, & more!
Tuesdays: 9:30 am-11:30 am
Wednesdays: 1:30 pm-3:30 pm
By appointment (call 585-275-3166 to schedule)Property Visits:
Free transportation & assistance in looking at local rental properties!
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 1:30 pm
You must reserve a space in advance by calling 585-275-1081, no later than 10:30 am that day. Tours depart from 020 Gates Wing, SBA Hall.
UR Campus Maps: Check out these interactive maps of the University's campuses, the Rochester area, and New York state!
Do you know where you'll be living? Use our online address form to notify ISO! Submitting this information ahead of time will speed processing of your registration in SEVIS after you arrive in Rochester.
Will you stay in a hotel when you first arrive? There are several hotel options in the area, many with convenient location and available shuttle service to the University. The closest hotel to UR's River Campus is the Staybridge Suites, located directly across the Genesee River within walking distance to campus. The hotel has offered a generous rate for our incoming international students! See the Staybridge Suite rate details.
U.S. Health Care? - University Health Service & MedeX Coverage
University Health Service (UHS): As a full-time student, you have access to health care services, information, and guidance through UR's University Health Service. Details and Information for Incoming Students are available on the UHS website.
Mandatory Health Fee & Insurance Requirements: All full-time students pay the mandatory health fee, which covers office visits at the University Health Service and the University Counseling Center. In addition, full-time students must have health insurance. Students can enroll in the Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance plan offered by UHS, or they can remain on their own (or their parent's or spouse's) insurance. Coverage is from September 1 through August 31, as long as the student remains a full-time student. For further details, please access the UHS website on Health Insurance for Full-Time Students.
Did you turn in your required Health History Form? The Health History Form is used to document immunizations, as well as the student's current and past medical history. All required immunizations must be documented on the form, which is due before the start of classes.
MEDEX Program: The MEDEX program offers critical coverage in case you are in need of international travel assistance, emergency evacuation, or repatriation services. All University of Rochester international students are automatically enrolled in this mandatory program, at a cost of $30 annually. A summary of MEDEX services and your enrollment identification card will be supplied when you arrive at the University and complete your Immigration Check-In with the ISO.
Life in Rochester? - Banking, Transportation, & Cell phones
Opening a U.S. Bank Account: Most students choose to open a US-based bank account during their studies here to make money management easier and more convenient. There are several options available on-campus, and many more in the surrounding areas of Rochester. Feel free to shop around for the best services, interest rates, and packages that will suit your needs! On-campus locations include:
Chase Bank: Branch offices are located on-campus in Todd Union, River Campus, and in the Medical Center. ATM terminals are also available behind the Rush Rhees Library and at 3 other locations within the hospital.
Advantage Federal Credit Union: ATM terminals are available in Susan B. Anthony Hall and DeKieiwiet Tower, as well as 2 others within the UR Medical Center. Their local branch office is at 1625 Mt. Hope Ave. (map)
HSBC Bank: An ATM is located on the 2nd floor of Wilson Commons, River Campus. A branch office is located nearby at 1475 Mt. Hope Ave. (map)
Eastman School of Music Campus: There are many banking options within walking distance of the ESM campus downtown. There is an ATM on the 1st floor of the Miller Center, which charges a small fee for each use.
Getting around Rochester: The Rochester community has a lot to offer and we hope that you'll take advantage of your time here to explore the city! Whether you choose to take the bus, drive a car, or borrow a bicycle, there is plenty to do and see.
UR Buses & Shuttles: The University runs several free shuttles between campuses and to popular entertainment and retail areas in the city. Please check online for up-to-date schedules and route information.
Public Transportation: Local services are also available by bus and taxi, along with connections to areas outside the region by plane, train, and coach. The city of Rochester offers an extensive bus system, operated through the Regional Transit Service (RTS). You can find links online for routes, schedules, and even a Trip Planner tool! Routes that service the University area are: 5 (South), 8 (Chili), & 18/19 (University/Plymouth).
Driving by Car: Some students choose to purchase a car during their time in Rochester, or to take advantage of the University's ZIPCAR car-sharing program. In any event, you must have a valid license to drive in the U.S. Your foreign driver's license will allow you to drive in New York, but it is helpful to have an International Driving Permit to serve as an official translation. You may only obtain this permit in the country that issued your license. Alternatively, some students prefer to apply for a New York State license through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). More information is available through their website on applying for a Learner's Permit, obtaining the license, and other traffic rules in New York. The ISO has also prepared a handout on licenses for international students.
Mobile Phone Options: Many students choose to purchase a US-based mobile, or cell phone. There is a wide variety of phones, service plans, tools & features to choose from! Some companies will require a valid U.S. Social Security Number in order to open an account, but there are other options available if you do not have one yet or are not eligible for the SSN. Please see our Mobile Phones flyer for more information.
Travel Plans? - Travel within the U.S. & Trips to Canada
Travel within Rochester, and beyond: As an international student, it is recommended that you always carry your university ID, current I-20 or DS-2019, and passport when traveling in the U.S., even within the Rochester area. These documents, including the I-94 card stapled to your passport when you enter the country, document your valid F-1 or J-1 student status. Since Rochester is so close to the U.S. border with Canada, a team of Border Patrol agents routinely check the immigration status of individuals in the community, especially near the airport, train and bus stations. If you are stopped and questioned about your status, the ISO may be contacted to help. When you arrive, you will receive a card with ISO Contact Information to carry with you.
Visits to Canada: Depending on your country of citizenship, you may need a Canadian visa to enter Canada. You may apply for this visa in your home country before coming to the U.S. However, if you do not have a valid visa to visit Canada, you can apply for one at the Canadian Consulate in Buffalo, New York. To apply for this visa, you must have a letter from the ISO certifying your status, your current passport, and two passport-style photographs. If you arrive before 11:00 AM, you can be seen that day and can often receive the visa by the same afternoon. For more details on visa requirements, fees, and even Canadian attractions, please visit the Consular website. Re-entry to the U.S. usually requires a valid F-1 or J-1 visa, as well. However, you may be able to return to Rochester with an expired U.S. visa, if your stay in Canada is less than 30 days. Additional travel information will be covered in detail during orientation!
Employment Issues? - Authorization, Social Security, & Taxes
Do NOT work without authorization! Employment without valid authorization is probably the easiest and most serious way to violate your F-1 or J-1 status. As an international student under UR's visa sponsorship, you are eligible to work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during annual vacation periods. J-1 students must report all on-campus employment to the ISO in order to receive written work authorization. If your immigration status is sponsored by another institution (Fulbright, AmidEast, etc.), all work authorizations must be requested through the program sponsor. All off-campus employment must be authorized and documented in advance, before you start working! Employment information will be discussed in greater detail during our International Student Orientation Program.
Social Security Numbers: A Social Security Number (SSN) is used to monitor wages and tax-reporting requirements for U.S. workers. For international students, eligibility is therefore often based on whether you will be employed. If you are eligible for the SSN, the ISO will provide a required verification letter and help you with the application process. Please see our SSN handout for application instructions and other details. If you are a student who has been awarded an on-campus fellowship, stipend, or assistantship, you should apply for a SSN as soon as possible upon your arrival at the University. Other students may be required to wait for orientation or another designated session to begin the process. More specifics will be discussed during ISOP!
U.S. Taxes and UR GLACIER tax software: As a student in F-1 or J-1 non-immigrant status, you will be subject to several tax reporting obligations, even if you do not earn any money in the U.S. However, to help you navigate the tax system and meet these requirements, the University offers a free software program called GLACIER. You will receive an email from "support@online-tax.net" with instructions to create your own account. This email is NOT spam! For students arriving during the summer and later in the fall, this email will be delivered within a few days of completing your Immigration Check-In at the ISO. For students whose programs start between August 20th & September 10th, please expect this email in early September, prior to our ISOP meeting on September 7th. The GLACIER system, required documentation, and U.S. tax information will be presented in great detail during ISOP! Other details are available on ISO's Tax Information page.
More Questions? - Orientation, Contact Info, & Check-In
International Student Orientation Program (ISOP): Monday, September 7, 2009 ISOP begins at 9:00 am, in Hubble Auditorium of Hutchinson Hall on the River Campus. Bus service will be provided for students at the Eastman School of Music. UR shuttle service is also available, though holiday hours apply. This program is mandatory for all new international students throughout the University's various schools and divisions.
The ISO is here to help! Please notify the ISO if you encounter any problems in obtaining your U.S. visa or traveling to Rochester. There is a lot of information available through our website, including access to Prearrival Information and ISO Orientation details. The ISO is open all year round and staff will be available to help you. We look forward to welcoming you to the University of Rochester!
International Services Office
209 Morey Hall (map)
585-275-2866
questions@iso.rochester.edu
Mandatory Immigration Check-In: When you arrive in Rochester, please visit the ISO to complete your Immigration Check-In. At that time, ISO staff will verify your valid entry to the U.S. and provide important information about your status, next steps, and other campus resources. You must bring your immigration documents, including your I-20 or DS-2019, passport, & I-94 card. Some UR divisions have scheduled special sessions for the Immigration Check-In this summer, which include:
- College Undergraduates: Monday, August 24th, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Report to ISO in 209 Morey Hall- Eastman School of Music: Tuesday, August 25th, 2:00 to 5:00 pm
ESM Annex, OSL 101- Simon School of Business: Friday, September 4th, 10:30 am
207 Schlegel Hall
