Arrival at UIW

Once you recieve your I-20 and your visa, email adestefa@uiw.edu to confrim you are coming to UIW.

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All new students are required to:

• Check In with the UIW International Student and Scholar Services office as soon as they arrive in San Antonio.
• Attend the UIW International Student Orientation Week. 

Where:

University of the Incarnate Word Dr. Burton E. Grossman International Conference Center (ICC) Room #200847 E. Hildebrand Avenue San Antonio, Texas

When:

• Spring II 2013 admits: Monday, March 11, 2013
• Summer 2013 admits: Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Included in your admission letter are your required arrival dates. All students should arrive in San Antonio, Texas, during the arrival date. Late arrival is not allowed; arriving late will place you at an academic disadvantage as well as complicate your visa status. If you arrive before thearrival date, you may need to arrange for hotel and transportation at your own cost.  Campus housing and Airport pick up options are not usually available before arrival dates.

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THING TO REMEMBER BEFORE ARRIVAL:

Please keep in contact with our office throughout your visa and arrival process.

Visa Approval – Contact our office as soon as you receive your visa from the US consulate using the UIW issued “Certificate of Eligibility”.   If you are denied a visa, please let us know so that we can help you reapply at a later date, they may require that you request we defer your admission to a later semester. Email adestefa@uiw.edu regarding the results of your Visa Approval or Denial.

Housing Arrangements & Meningitis Vaccine Requirements – All international students are strongly encouraged to live on campus in order to experience and contribute to our global campus environment. Sister School Exchange students are required to live on campus. However, the Meningitis Vaccine is required for all new or transfer students who plan to reside on campus. Please visit www.uiw.edu/housing for more information on prices, selection and vaccination details.  Entering the U.S. without a Meningitis Vaccination may delay your ability to live on campus.  Confirm your on-campus dormitory room by contacting Residence Life at housing@uiwtx.edu.  Throughout Orientation Week, we will periodically provide transportation to stores so you can purchase sheets/linens, comforters and other necessities, however be sure to have funds to make these purchases.    If you have trouble with the on-line Housing application, please email intladmis@uiwtx.edu

Travel Arrangements -  All students should arrive in San Antonio, Texas, on designated ARRIVAL DATES included in your Admission Packet.  Late arrival is not allowed; arriving late will place you at an academic disadvantage as well as complicate your visa status. If you arrive before the designated arrival dates, you may need to arrange for a hotel and transportation at your own cost.   If you are driving to San Antonio, please email intl@uiwtx.edu to confirm which day you will arrive. If you encounter any difficulties at the US Port-of-Entry, contact our emergency line at 210-805-5705. 

Request Airport Pickup – If you plan to live on-campus, we will gladly arrange for university transportation to pick you up from the San Antonio International Airport on the arrival dates only. To confirm your arrival and request transportation, email us at intl@uiwtx.edu  and include:

• full name and UIW student ID (can be found on your admissions letter)
• date & time of arrival
• airline & flight number of each segment of your flight from your home country to San Antonio.

Port of Entry -  When you enter the United States, please be sure you have all of your documents (I-20/DS-2019, Passport, Visa, I-94) readily available for the Immigration Inspector stamp. Read the “U.S. Port of Entry Information” sheet to ensure you arrive safely in the US. You will receive the Form I-94 on the airplane. Always safeguard these documents and carefully read the enclosed “U.S. Port of Entry Information” section below.  Remember, once you enter the US with an I-20 or DS-2019 from our university, you are required to attend our university for one semester before you are eligible to transfer to another institution.

Immigration Check-In and International Student Orientation - All new students are required to Check-in to the International Student Office immediately upon arrival in the U.S.   You are also required to attend the UIW International Student Orientation Week.  Check-in will take place at the Grossman International Conference Center on the campus of the University of the Incarnate Word.  Be sure to bring all of your immigration documents with you to Check-In.

Location:   University of the Incarnate Word

                   Dr. Burton E. Grossman International Conference Center (ICC) Auditorium

                   847 E. Hildebrand Avenue

                   San Antonio, Texas

 

For information about the SEVIS fee, questions about the Visa interview process, and U.S. port of entry procedure please read:  New Student Info Sheet