Pre-Arrival Checklist
Step 1: Confirm or Defer your Admission
Now that you’ve been accepted, let UNC Greensboro know you’re coming! This is an important step in securing your spot at the University and receiving important pre-arrival information. Undergraduates can provide their admission response via their Student Portal account. Graduate students should login to their Graduate School Application to do the same.
For questions regarding deferring your admission, Undergraduates should contact [email protected] and Graduates should contact [email protected].
Step 2: Apply for Your Visa
Applying for your student visa is a complex process. To better assist you, we have outlined the steps to apply, what to expect at the Consular interview, and documents needed to enter the U.S. at the Obtaining and Renewing your Visa webpage. Should you have any questions throughout the process, please do not hesitate to contact the International Student & Scholar Services Office (ISSS).
Step 3: Make Travel Arrangements
We recommend that you wait until after you have received your student visa before purchasing your plane tickets. You can enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the program start date listed on your Form I-20 or DS 2019. The earlier you arrive, the more time you will have to find housing and complete other processes such as obtaining a Social Security Number (SSN). Also keep in mind that mandatory International Student Orientation will take place prior to the start of classes each semester. Contact [email protected] to verify orientation dates so that you can plan your arrival accordingly. We recommend that you fly in to the Piedmont Triad International Airport when coming to Greensboro. From there, you will have access to affordable and reliable ground service transportation to your hotel, apartment, or home.
There are also community resources to aid you in your process of transportation from the airport:
- Triad Transportation taxi service: You may visit the Triad Transportation counter on the lower baggage claim level of the airport where you will reserve and pay for the service (approximately $50 from the airport to UNCG). For more information, visit flyfrompti.com/ground-transportation or call 336-668-9808.
- Uber and Lyft are two ride sharing services available, but please be aware that your cell phone may not work when you first arrive to the US.
Step 4: Activate your UNC Greensboro Accounts and get your PIN
By activating your UNCG student accounts, known as iSpartan, you will gain access to your UNCG gmail account, Canvas (learning management system), and more. Read through the instructions found on this webpage to activate your accounts. You will also need to get your PIN for UNCGenie. UNCGenie provides access to complete a number of critical tasks such as viewing and paying your student bill, registering for classes each semester, updating your personal information.
Step 5: Register for Orientation and Complete Pre-Arrival Modules in Canvas
All international students on F-1 and J-1 visas are REQUIRED to attend orientation. In addition to face-to-face sessions designed to help you meet other students and get acquainted with campus, you will also be required to complete a series of online modules on Canvas. To access Canvas, your iSpartan student accounts must be activated.
Visit Orientation for New International Students for more information.
Other Considerations
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides a comprehensive checklist for navigating the U.S. immigration system.
- It is recommended that you review the UNCG academic calendar to be prepared for the upcoming semester.
- Transfer students should also review the instructions for transferring their SEVIS record in to UNCG here.
- Students who are interested in on-campus housing are encouraged to apply early as housing options are limited and in high-demand. Visit UNCG’s Housing and Residence Life website for more information.
- The University maintains an Admitted Freshman Checklist. If you will attend UNCG as a first-year, undergraduate student we advise you to read through this checklist carefully.
- If you are a graduate student offered an assistantship by the Graduate School, we suggest contacting your department to register for classes as early as possible. This will help expedite hiring processes once you arrive to UNCG.
We’re excited to welcome you to campus!! Please review all below steps to make sure that you’re visa compliant and ready to start your semester at UNCG!
Arrival Checklist
Step 1: Check In with a DSO and Attend Orientation
An in-person check-in with an International Student Advisor/DSO at the Global Engagement Office (GEO) is required by law for all new F-1 and J-1 international students, including transfer students. Most new international students will check in during their orientation session. Other non-immigrant students (E-2, H-4, F-2, etc.) are NOT required to check in. Your documents will be collected and information to get settled in Greensboro will be provided in the New Student Check-in Request within the ISSS Student Portal. Those unable to attend an in-person orientation session must contact the ISSS office.
Remember that as an international student you must attend the International Student Orientation (ISO) and all other university required orientation sessions. For information on ISO, please review the pre-arrival orientation course for your incoming term in Canvas. For information on the undergraduate Spartan Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) session, visit the SOAR website. For orientation requirements for graduate students, contact the Director of Graduate Studies for your academic program.
Step 2: Register for Courses
Course registration according to full-time enrollment requirements is necessary to have your SEVIS record activated. Undergraduate students will register for classes during SOAR.
Graduate students will register with the help of their academic advisor. If you are unsure of who your academic advisor is, start by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies of your academic program. We encourage graduate students with assistantships to register for courses as early as possible (even prior to arrival) as international students cannot get a social security number (SSN) or complete the I-9 process without course registration.
Note: within 30 days of registering for at least one (1) credit hour, you are required to be compliant with UNCG’s immunization policy (see Step 5 below for more information).
Step 3: Get your Spartan ID Card
Your SpartanCard is your official UNCG ID that will allow you to access transportation, check out books and materials from the library, swipe in to events, and maintain your meal plan. The SpartanCard center is located at 106 Moran Commons (bottom floor of the UNCG Dining Hall), and can be accessed during normal business hours, Monday-Friday 8:00A.M.-5:00 P.M. Get your SpartanCard here. Note: you must be registered for classes in order to get your SpartanCard.
Step 4: Get an SSN and Complete the I-9 Process
This step is only applicable to students granted an assistantship or other on-campus job prior to your arrival.
All students offered on-campus positions must complete the I-9 process before starting work. Students who already have an SSN will receive a yellow, permanent I-9 card from the Career Services Center. Students who need to apply for an SSN must wait 14 days after arriving in the U.S. and will use their receipt from the Social Security Administration to begin their I9 process.
For a full list of requirements, see the International Student Employment Checklist, and visit our webpage on Training and Employment.
Step 5: Complete All Student Health Requirements
All students must comply with the University’s mandatory health insurance and immunization requirements. You will need to choose to waive or enroll in the University’s Student Blue insurance plan, and submit your immunization records and medical history form (in English) to the immunization clinic. Note: you must be incompliance with all immunization requirements within 30 days of registering for at least 1 credit hour.
In addition to these steps, you must also report to the Gove Student Health Center to receive a tuberculosis (TB) test. TB tests must be completed and submitted from a location in the U.S. TB test results from other countries will not be accepted.
Step 6: Pay Your Student Bill
It is very important that you work closely with UNCG’s Cashier’s Office (151 Mossman Building) to understand bill payment procedures to ensure that the balance posted to your student account is paid on time. Failure to make a timely payment can result in your courses being dropped, and, therefore, loss of status. If you anticipate any issues in paying your student bill, make sure to communicate that early and clearly to the Cashier’s Office and your International Student Advisor!
The Cashier’s Office does offer payment plans, so be sure to check into this option, if needed.
Step 7: Get Involved on Campus
- Check out current student groups on Spartan Connect! And download the Corq app to stay connected once you’re on campus.
- Rawkin’ Welcome Week is an exciting series of events designed to welcome all new students to campus. Apart from IPC’s Chancellor’s International Welcome Reception that is always held the first Tuesday of classes, we encourage you to check out other events to get to know other students and get connected on campus.
- Get involved with IPC to learn about our featured events and other ways to connect with IPC staff and other international students.