Getting to F&M
Obtaining an F-1 Student Visa
Planning Your Arrival at the Airport
How and When to Arrive at Franklin & Marshall College
Dining, Lodging, and Attractions for Visiting Relatives/Friends
Helpful Hints and Reminders
Visa & Travel Checklist
All international students must enter the United States with an F-1 student visa, with the exception of Canadian citizens. A visa is a stamp that is placed inside of your passport by the United States Consulate or Embassy in your home country, which enables you to request entry into the U.S. Procedures for applying for an F-1 student visa differ in every country so it is advisable that you contact the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in your country for details. You should start with the website for your consulate or embassy. Information about the closest U.S. Consulate can be found at http://usembassy.state.gov/
General information about the student visa process can be found at http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html
When applying and being interviewed for a student visa, be prepared to show:
- Your Official SEVIS Form I-20
- Proof of Payment for the $200 SEVIS Form I-20 fee (see SEVIS information)
- A completed non-immigrant visa application
- The appropriate visa application fee (consult the consulate)
- A valid passport
- Acceptance, scholarship, and/or fellowship letters from Franklin & Marshall College
- Transcripts and diplomas from previous schools
- TOEFL, SAT Scores
- Original evidence of financial ability (bank statements, affidavits, proof of income - not photocopies)
- Evidence of social and economic ties to home country
F-1 STUDENTS ALREADY IN U.S. TRANSFERRING FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL and CANADIAN CITIZENS please contact the Office of International Programs for assistance and instructions.
Do not pack the following documents inside your luggage. You will need to present them when you enter the United States:
- Passport
- SEVIS Form I-20
- SEVIS Fee Receipt
- Original evidence of financial ability (bank statements, sponsorship letter, proof of income - not photocopies)
- Name and contact information for your "Designated School Official" (DSO), Kate Ness: (717) 358-7187, and your 24-hour emergency contact number for F&M: (717) 291-3939
The Office of International Programs at Franklin & Marshall will be notified electronically about your arrival in the U.S. Students are required to report to our office within ten days of arriving in the United States. Bring your original passport, I-94, visa and Form I-20 with you to complete the check-in process, which will take place during International Student Orientation in late August.
Students should plan to arrive on campus on August 26, 2009 between 8:30 AM and 3:00 PM.
(This is the earliest date and time that the Office of College House Administration can permit move in for international students.)
Students should report to the Weis Hall upon arrival. Light refreshments will be available for you there. From there, you will be escorted to your House for check-in.
For student arrivals into Philadelphia Airport on August 26: F&M student volunteers will be there to meet you and escort you to campus using two trains - but ONLY if you send your airline name, flight number, departure city, and expected arrival time to int_students@fandm.edu, by August 14. You will receive a confirmation of the airport meeting via email by August 17. If you do not send this information, unfortunately, we will not able to meet you.
For students arriving into other airports and/or on other dates: So that we may know when to expect you on campus, please send your airline name, flight number, departure city, and expected arrival time to int_students@fandm.edu by August 14. Please note that you will be required to secure your own accommodations should you arrive to the Lancaster area prior to the designated arrival day.
Campus Address: 415 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA, 17603
Campus Emergency Contact Number (24 hours per day): (717) 299-3939.
Office of International Programs Contact Number (open between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm): (717) 358-7187.
Please see http://www.fandm.edu/x1984.xml for helpful information for visitors to F&M and Lancaster.
You should not travel with large sums of money, but keep about $200 USD for traveling costs and food. At the airport, you may wish to purchase an international calling card so that you can contact family members about your safe arrival.
SEVIS FORM I-20:
____ I have signed Section 11 on the first page of my Form I-20
____ I have paid the SEVIS fee and printed my receipt for payment of the SEVIS fee
F-1 VISA APPLICATION DOCUMENTS (needed for F-1 visa application at U.S. Consulate):
____ Official SEVIS Form I-20
____ Proof of payment/receipt for the SEVIS Form fee
____ Completed non-immigrant visa application
____ Visa application fee (consult the U.S. Consulate)
____ Passport, valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected stay
____ Acceptance, scholarship, and/or fellowship letters from Franklin & Marshall College
____ Transcripts and diplomas from previous schools
____ TOEFL, SAT Scores
____ Original evidence of financial ability (bank statements, affidavits, proof of income - not photocopies)
____ Evidence of social and economic ties to home country
TRAVELING FROM YOUR COUNTRY TO THE UNITED STATES:
____ I have remembered not to pack the following documents in my luggage: passport, I-20, SEVIS fee receipt, evidence of financial ability, and contact information for Franklin & Marshall College.
____ I am aware that flight attendants will distribute an Arrival Record Form (I-94 card) while I am en route to the U.S. and that part of this form will be stapled into my passport by a port of entry official. I will write my name clearly on this form exactly as it appears in my passport.
____ I understand that it's imperative that the first page of my I-20 also get stamped at the port of entry. The current date will be stamped with the following notation - F-1 D/S. Should I not have this stamp, I will not be able to obtain a Social Security number. Therefore, I will not be able to work on campus.
TRAVELING FROM THE AIRPORT TO FRANKLIN & MARSHALL COLLEGE:
____ If my flight is scheduled to arrive at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) on August 26, 2009, I have made arrangements with the Office of International Programs to be met and escorted to campus by sending my airline name, flight number, departure city, and expected arrival time to International Programs by August 14.
_____ If I will be arriving on a different date and time, or at another airport, I have made arrangements for ground transportation to F&M and have sent my airline name, flight number, departure city, and expected arrival time to International Programs by August 14. If I will be arriving to Lancaster early, I have secured my own accommodations and I understand that I can not move into my room on campus until August 26, 2009.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE ABOVE, PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS. WE WANT YOUR ENTRY TO THE UNITED STATES AND YOUR ARRIVAL TO FRANKLIN & MARSHALL COLLEGE TO BE AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE!
