Scholar Arrivial on Campus

Setting an Arrival Date

UI Departments specify a program beginning date for the incoming scholar on the ISAF form. The date requested by the department is placed on form DS-2019 which the scholar uses to apply for a visa and enter the U.S. Departments should notify the OISS as soon as possible if a scholar will arrive later than the requested start date on Form DS-2019. By doing this, OISS can change the program start date in SEVIS, thus facilitating an easier entrance to the U.S. for the scholar.

Upon Arrival in the United States

The scholar must "check-in" with the OISS within 30 days of the start date listed on Form DS-2019 otherwise the record will be terminated by SEVIS. It is cumbersome process to have a scholar re-activated in the SEVIS system and the scholar will not be able to travel until their record is re-activated by immigration.

Checking in involves giving the OISS the opportunity to validate the J-1 scholar's program participation in SEVIS, the U.S. government's real time informational database on foreign scholars. It also provides time to take some information from the scholar’s immigration documents, to be included in the scholar’s records in the OISS. In addition, the scholar receives several pieces of printed information, including a copy of the Handbook for Foreign Students and Scholars, maps of the campus and the town, a list of "do-it yourself" orientation suggestions, and others. Scholars who are female or have a female spouse receive information about the International Women’s Club. Scholars with school-age children receive a Handbook for International Students and Parents from the Iowa City Community School District.

Scholars checking in at the OISS receive instructions concerning social security numbers and UI staff identification documents.

In addition, the OISS tries to answer whatever questions the new scholar might have.

The OISS organizes periodic educational and social events for visiting scholars, including attendance at concerts and athletic events, visits to people’s homes for pot-luck dinners, trips to local sites of interest, etc. These activities are organized with the generous assistance of a group of volunteers from the Iowa City community, a group which includes many retired UI faculty members.

After their arrival here, many visiting scholars contact the OISS if they need additional information about their immigration situation, compatriots in Iowa City, or other matters.

Scheduling a Check-In Appointment at OISS

The scholar should contact OISS at 335-0335 immediately after arriving and ask to schedule a "check-in" appointment with Melissa Zuroff. The scholar should bring all immigration documents to the appointment.