For International Students

• International Student Online Application – Choose “Exchange” as the type of application
• Arrival Information Form
• Immunization Form
• Obtaining a J-1 Visa

Applications for J-1 Visas require:

• Valid unexpired passport (valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay)
• Form DS-2019
• SEVIS fee receipt
• Evidence of Financial Support
• Visa Fee
• Passport-size photograph
• Additional forms and/or documents as required by the consulate at which you apply

What is the SEVIS Fee?

The SEVIS fee, implemented by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is a fee intended to defray costs associated with the administration of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This rule took effect on September 1, 2004.

Who must pay the SEVIS fee?

You are required to complete the I-901 form and pay the fee before making an appointment at the U.S. Consulate, applying for a change of status or entering the U.S.

How do I pay the required fee?

Go to FMJfee.com for instructions on the I-901 form and to pay the fee for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

Those who have paid the fee must print a copy of the I-901 SEVIS fee payment confirmation to take with them when applying for a visa to enter the United States. Showing a copy of it from a mobile device will not be accepted.

All  J-1 exchange visitors must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee on FMJfee.com prior to applying for a visa to study in the United States. To make the process easier, FMJfee is now accessible on mobile devices.

Users can now log in to the site on any mobile device to:

· Find recent news and updates related to the I-901 SEVIS fee;
· Check an I-901 SEVIS fee payment status;
· View and save a I-901 payment confirmation so you can print it later;
· Read answers to frequently asked questions; and
· Visit Study in the States and associated social media platforms.

Students are now required to print their I-94 form online. You can find out more information about this at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

Fees for Non-immigrant Visa Services: This fee is separate from the SEVIS I-901 fee.

DS-2019, also called “Certificate of Eligibility,” is required to obtain a J-1 visa at the U.S. consulate and is used to enter the U.S. It indicates your length of stay in the U.S. on your J-1 program, authorizes you to participate in the University of North Carolina Asheville J-1 Exchange Visitor Program and is used for travel outside, and reentry to, the U.S.

Form I-94, The I-94 is the Arrival/Departure Record, in either paper or electronic format, issued by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer to foreign visitors entering the United States. After April 30, 2013, most Arrival/Departure records will be created electronically upon arrival. Instead of a paper form, the visitor will be provided with an annotated stamp in the foreign passport. If provided a paper form, the admitting CBP Officer generally attaches the I-94 to the visitor’s passport and stamps the departure date on the form.

In both circumstances, an electronic I-94 or paper I-94, the visitor must exit the U.S. on or before that date stamped on the form or in the passport. If a visitor departs by a commercial air or sea carrier (airlines or cruise ships), their departure from the U.S. can be independently verified and it is not necessary to take any further action, although holding on to the outbound (from the U.S.) boarding pass – if they still have it – can help facilitate reentry when coming back to the United States. If a visitor departs by land and has a paper form I-94, the I-94 must be turned in to a CBP Officer at a land border when exiting the U.S. If it is not turned in to a CBP Officer at the land border, the visitor will be considered an “overstay” and they may be denied entry when they attempt to reenter the United States in the future. For more information on the I-94 automation process, visit CBP.gov.

The U.S. government rules allow a limited time to enter the U.S. based on the start date of your DS-2019 form. You must report in person to UNC Asheville after you arrive. You can enter up to 30 days before the start date on your DS-2019 form. You will notify Laura Dobson when you arrive on campus. To complete the government reporting requirement, you must attend the Orientation. Bring your visa documents with you (Passport, DS-2019, I-94 if you have it and Visa Fee Receipt) to the Orientation. These documents will be collected at the Orientation.

The U.S. government requires all J-1 students to have sufficient health insurance coverage that meets certain minimum requirements throughout their entire stay in the U.S.

Exchange students may purchase the UNC Asheville student health insurance or submit proof of their own insurance that satisfies the U.S. Department of State’s requirements outlined below:
• Medical Benefits:  $100,000
• Repatriation of Remains:  $25,000
• Medical Evacuation:  $50,000
• Deductible per Accident or Illness:  $500

All students attending UNC Asheville will be required to show proof of appropriate insurance coverage before coming to the U.S. Please submit your insurance to the Study Abroad Office at ldobson@unca.edu for review and approval. If you do not show proof of study abroad insurance from your home country that meets our guidelines above, you will be charged for the UNC System plan.

On-Campus housing is provided for you. Be sure you have applied online per the instructions you received with your acceptance packet. If you opt for off-campus living, you will need to secure your own housing arrangements.

Immigration and Travel Documents

• Passport, valid at least six months after your study abroad program ends
• Valid J-1 Visa – this visa is obtained through the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate
• Immigration Document – Form DS-2019
• Proof of Fee Payment
• Bring all of the above documents with you to the Orientation

Money

Studying in Asheville offers a significant cost advantage compared to metropolitan areas like New York or San Francisco. Essential expenses such as housing and meal plans are usually arranged before you depart. Now, it’s time to budget for day-to-day expenses like snacks and weekend travel.

You will need some money for groceries and personal items (plan on $500 a month) but the biggest expense is likely to be travel and entertainment. Many international students take weekend trips to destinations like Washington DC, Chicago, and Atlanta, so planning wisely is crucial. Your travel expenses will vary based on your spending habits and accommodation choices (hostels vs. hotels or Uber vs bus). By the end of your study abroad experience, you might spend between $2,000 and $5,000 on travel, depending on the frequency and nature of your trips.

If your goal is to explore and immerse yourself in new experiences, the investment in travel will be well worth it!

Important Numbers and Addresses

• Home Country address and phone numbers to call in case of emergency
• U.S. address and/or phone number of contact within the U.S. – See Information Sheet that was sent to you upon acceptance at UNC Asheville.
• Home Country Bank contact information in case of problems with funds

If you are visiting from a non-English-speaking country, please note the English language minimum requirements.

TOEFL minimum score considered:  550 on paper-based test, 80 on the Internet-based test

The UNC Asheville code is 5013

IELTS minimum score considered:  6.5

Create a new account at the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC). Exchange non-degree applications can be found here. All application fees are waived for International Exchange students. Please be sure to identify the Student Type: Exchange.

Provide a copy of your current bank statement to show proof of funds. The bank statement information must have the total funds noted within the past month showing you are able to cover housing and personal expenses during your studies. UNCA will need to verify that your bank statement has at least $1,700 USD per month of living expenses during your studies here. This amount includes any personal and travel expenses, medical insurance, etc. Please let us know if you will need a financial letter of support if you do not have the funds in your personal account and will have support from a family member during your studies.

After completing the online application and submitting your passport, bank statement, and transcript details, UNCA will be in touch regarding your acceptance status and will advise on the next steps.

A copy of your passport must be sent with your application; the application fee is waived.

Any time a new I-20 or DS-2019 is reprinted, it will require a signature from an authorized staff member (see below).

Reasons for reprinting:

• Damaged or lost
• Significant changes to information (program end-date, program of study, legal name changes)
• CPT or OPT authorization (F1 Students only)

If you travel outside the USA, you will need a travel signature. Travel signatures are valid for one year from the date of signature.

Staff on campus who can sign your I-20 (F1 Visa Students) & DS-2019 (J-1 Visa students):

• Douglas Rhein, Study Abroad Coordinator and International Student Adviser, drhein@unca.edu
• Laura Dobson, Director of Study Abroad, ldobson@unca.edu

Setting Up a Bank Account

For setting up a bank account, each bank has different requirements. However, generally speaking, international students will need the following documentation to open a bank account:

• Your passport with J-1 student visa
• Your DS-2019
• Proof of NC residency, such as an official letter or bill addressed to
  you with your US home address
• Verification of enrollment at your college or university (UNCA letter
  of acceptance)
• Second form of ID, like a driver’s license or government-issued ID
  card – check to confirm if your student ID card is acceptable.

Phone SIM Cards

• T-Mobile
• Verizon
• AT&T
• Walmart

Prices between contracts may vary, it is worth looking around to compare prices.

A wide variety of arts, theater, music, dance, food, and people

Your new favorite scenic drive

Beautiful Appalachian arts and crafts

The Orange Peel, Grey Eagle, Harrah’s Cherokee Center

Contra, Salsa, Swing

Fine Arts Theater, Asheville Community Theater, Diana Wortham Theater

Asheville Art Museum, Asheville Area Arts Council

White Duck Taco Shop, Wasabi, Farm Burger, Twisted Laurel, Chai Pani, Grind Asheville, Asheville Pizza and Brewing, Sunny Point Café

Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café, Asheville Mall, Grove Arcade, West Asheville, ASAP Farmer’s Market

Hiking, biking, kayaking, climbing, caving, rafting, backpacking, canoeing, skiing

Appalachian Trail, Great Smoky Mtns, Pisgah, Cherokee, Nantahala National Forests

Old-time train through the Great Smoky Mountains

Learn about the Cherokee culture

America’s largest home

Home of National Gingerbread competition