University of Michigan
International Center

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F-1/J-1 International Students
Frequently Asked Questions

New/Prospective Students

Immigration/Travel/Visas

Family/Life in Ann Arbor

Employment/Taxes

Enrollment/Student Status

Other Questions


How do I become a student at University of Michigan?
To study at the University of Michigan, you must apply to and be admitted to an official program of study through one of our Admissions Offices. If you are a prospective undergraduate you should find Undergraduate Admissions web site helpful. To ask a question of Undergraduate Admissions Staff, you may use this web site to inquire. Simply click “Ask us”. If you would like to find more information on available programs of study at the graduate level, you should examine the list of Graduate Schools and Colleges. The Rackham School of Graduate Studies is the largest graduate level unit, to which most doctoral programs require admission.
Where can I find information on financial aid?
Financial aid opportunities are limited for international students. The University of Michigan has an Office of Financial Aid which is the primary resource of information on scholarships/financial aid.
Do I need to have a health check/immunizations before getting my visa or coming to the United States?
University of Michigan does NOT require any immunizations or health check in order for you to come attend school. Also, the U.S. government does NOT require you to have immunizations or tests in order to obtain your F-1 or J-1 visa. However, University Health Service does recommend certain immunizations. As of Fall 2006, the University of Michigan does require certain entering international students to be screened for tuberculosis (TB) upon arrival to campus. University Health Service has detailed information on this requirement. Screening will be free, confidential and treatment will have minimal cost. For more information, please email tbscreen@umich.edu.
How do I find housing?
The University Housing Office is an excellent resource for information about off-campus (privately owned) and on-campus (University owned) housing. Refer to Life in Ann Arbor, Housing for more information about these and other housing options.
Am I required to pay I-901 SEVIS fee?
The Department of Homeland Security requires a fee of $100 for all new F-1 and J-1 program applicants to cover the costs of the operation of the SEVIS program. If you are issued a new I-20 or DS-2019 for “initial attendance” or “beginning a new program” you are required to pay I-901 SEVIS fee. Change of level to a new degree program, transfer, extension, or other updates do not require you to pay SEVIS fee. You can read more information on our web site and go to the official website for SEVIS fee information and payment. You can also pay the SEVIS fee online at the same web site. You should print a copy of the receipt and take it to your visa interview and when traveling to the U.S.
What should I do if I apply for my visa and it is denied or delayed?
The University of Michigan is committed to assisting our international students and scholars when possible, through our Visa Assistance Program. You should go to the Visa Assistance Web Form and complete all the information including your contact people at the University. The information gathered in this form will be sent to a U-M email group. The members of this group will take all possible steps to assist you with U-M related matters such as admission, enrollment, and employment. The U-M can also assist with suggestions and recommendations about best practices regarding visa requests and will advise on next steps.
How do I “check-in” when I arrive to begin my program?
Upon your arrival to the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status, you are required to report to International Center for a Mandatory Immigration Check-in. Make sure to contact our office to register for a check-in program immediately upon your arrival, as failure to check-in in a timely fashion may result in your loss of legal status.
I'm planning on traveling outside the United States. What do I need to do to re-enter the United States?
If you are planning to travel outside the U.S., you should check that your I-20/DS-2019 will not be expiring soon, and that the I-20/DS-2019 has a travel signature dated less than a year from your planned date of re-entry to the U.S. If you need to obtain a new travel signature, you should submit the I-20 Travel Signature form or DS-2019 Travel Signature request form with your original I-20/DS-2019 and a photocopy of both sides of your I-94 card to our office. You should also make sure your passport is valid more than six months into the future on your re-entry date, and that your F-1/J-1 visa will still be valid for your re-entry. Refer to our Travel Advisory for additional information.
How can I renew my F or J visa?
The U.S. visa (stamp or sticker in your passport) is a travel document which allows entry to the United States with a valid I-20 or DS-2019. You only need to have a valid F or J visa when you are re-entering the U.S.; you may remain in the U.S. with a valid I-20 or DS-2019. If you plan to travel and re-enter the U.S. from abroad after your visa has expired, you need to apply for a new visa before you re-enter. You can only apply for the visa outside the country at a U.S. Consulate. Please read the detailed information on our web site about Travel Outside the U.S. for further details.
How does my spouse/child under 21 join me in the U.S. as my F-2/J-2 dependent?
To obtain F-2/J-2 DS-2019 documents for your spouse and/or minor children under 21 years, please download and complete the I-20 Request Form to Add F-2 Dependents or DS-2019 for J-1 status holders. Once you have completed the form and attached the necessary documents as stated on the request form, you should schedule an appointment with an International Student Advisor. We will issue I-20/DS-2019 forms for your spouse/children to obtain F-2/J-2 status. Then, your family member will need to apply for and obtain the appropriate visa to enter U.S. (except Canadians) as your dependent. Your family will need official proof of your family ties, such as birth/marriage certificate.
How do I invite family members to visit?
Family members who are NOT children (under 21) or the spouse of the F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor should apply for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa. The B1/B2 visitor visa allows the individual to travel to the U.S. temporarily for business or tourism purposes. Family members from certain countries may be eligible to travel to the U.S. for visits of up to 90 days without a B-1/B-2 visa through the U.S. Department of State Visa Waiver Program. It is recommended that you give your family members a letter of invitation to document the purpose of their visit. Refer to Family Visitors to the U.S. for an invitation letter template and more details on the visa application requirements.
Can I get a driver's license?
State of Michigan Driver's License and State of Michigan Personal Identification Cards are issued by the Secretary of State. New changes have taken effect on January 22, 2008. Please refer to “Michigan Driver's License or State Identification Card” for detailed information about the new requirements.
I'm interested in finding a job. Can I work?
U.S. government regulations require F-1/J-1 students to be in the U.S. for the primary purpose of attending school. In general, employment in the U.S. is restricted for students. On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session and available full time during school vacation and holidays. On-campus employment is defined as work done on the premises of University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, providing service for the University and paid by the University. Under certain conditions you may be eligible for off-campus employment either in the form of practical training related to your academic program, or severe economic hardship employment authorization. You may not begin employment unless you have received official authorization. For more information, refer to Employment Options for F-1 Students or Employment Options for J-1 Students.
How do I get a Social Security number?
F-1 students are only eligible for a Social Security number (SSN) when employed on-campus or approved for off-campus work permission; eligible F-1 students and J-1 students may apply at the International Center for a social security letter and then apply to the Social Security Administration for the Social Security number. For more information on the procedures please refer to “Applying for a Social Security Number and Card”.
Do I need a Social Security number before I begin working?
You can begin work (and be paid) while you are waiting for your Social Security number to be issued. However, you must have applied for a Social Security number if you are employed in the U.S. or if you have received and plan to accept an offer of employment in the U.S. For more information refer to "When a Social Security Number is Required".
How can I find assistance regarding taxes?
International Center staff members are not authorized to give advice regarding taxes. We do have some helpful information about taxes, tax preparation, ITIN, or tax treaty questions on our web site. Internal Revenue Service is the U.S. department in charge of taxes; paper forms and information can be found on their site. CINTAX tax preparation software is available free of charge to any international student or scholar with a U-M uniqname and password. Assistance is available via CINTAX online help (click on Online Help at the bottom of any screen) or by emailing the CINTAX Support Center at support@cintax.us. Some tax information, assistance in filling out tax forms, and W-2s for UM employees and students may be obtained from the U-M Payroll Office; their web site includes information on reporting scholarship/fellowship and tax treaties/taxation.
What is the International Student full-time enrollment requirement?
International students in F or J status must maintain full time enrollment. For continuing students, Spring/Summer is generally considered the vacation term while the main academic year is Fall and Winter terms. During the academic year, Undergrad students must take 12 credits, Grad students must take 8 credits, Grad students holding GSI/GSRA appointments during the semester may take 6 credits (all are minimum). Courses that you visit or audit do not count towards full-time enrollment for immigration purposes. Doctoral candidates should either be registered full-time or be approved by Rackham for Certification of Dissertation Research/Writing in the U.S. or full-time Detached Study. In some cases, international students may receive permission from the U-M International Center to drop below full-time enrollment, including reduced course load, full time equivalency for graduate students, and concurrent enrollment.
How do I get verification of my enrollment or proof of my student standing?
There are a few options for verification of student status. If you need proof of your enrollment, Office of the Registrar may issue an official enrollment certification for course registration. Read about this, under category “Enrollment Certification” on the Office of the Registrar web site. Your academic department may also be a helpful source to verify your program progress or academic standing. The International Center offers an “enrollment letter” that verifies your F-1/J-1 immigration status. You can request this by completing our Enrollment Letter Request Form following the procedures listed.
What should I do if my I-20/DS-2019 will expire and I am not finished with my academic requirements?
If you need longer than the end date listed on your current I-20 or DS-2019 to complete your program, you must request an “Extension” of your I-20/DS-2019 to continue your studies. To do so, you should submit the I-20 Request Form for Extension to Complete Program Requirements or SEVIS DS-2019 Request Form. Section V of the request form must be completed by your academic advisor and you are required to submit recent financial documentation to support your student expenses. You should meet with an International Student Advisor (ISSA) to request extension at least two months before your current I-20/DS-2019 expires. For more information about maintaining legal status, see “Maintaining Legal F-1 Status” regarding I-20 or “Maintaining Legal J-1 Status” regarding DS-2019.
I moved. How do I report my change of address?
If you need instructions on how to use Wolverine Access to update your address, you should follow our Address Notification Guidelines. F-1 and J-1 status holders must report two personal addresses (current and permanent) in Wolverine Access within 10 days of a move. The “current” address must be your residential address in the United States. The “Permanent” address must be your home country residential address.
I will go to a different academic institution in the United States. What is the procedure to move/transfer to a new school?
To request a transfer, you should submit our F-1 Transfer-Out Request Form or J-1 Transfer-Out Request Form following the instructions on the form. On your transfer release date, your SEVIS database record will be moved from University of Michigan sponsorship to your new institution. After that, your new school will be able to prepare an updated, “transfer” I-20 or DS-2019 reflecting your new sponsorship. Once your SEVIS record has been transferred, you will no longer be affiliated with our institution from immigration perspective, so you should no longer work or study here.
I've changed my immigration status and am no longer F-1 or J-1. How should I report this?
If your immigration status is no longer sponsored by the University of Michigan (such as F or J) it is your responsibility to notify the University of any change of status. To officially record your new status, the Office of the Registrar will need a copy of the approval form(s) you received from USCIS. You can get this information to the Registrar's Office in one of the following ways:
  • Visit the office, either 1207 LSA Building, 500 S. State St. (Central Campus) or B430 Pierpont Commons (North Campus) with your M-Card and your documents.
  • Write a letter that includes your name, your current status, your UMID number and your signature asking for an update on your Visa status and include with the letter a copy of the documentation you received from USCIS. Mail or fax to University of Michigan, Office of the Registrar, Student Services, 1207 LSA Building, 500 S. State St, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1382 USA Fax: 734.763.9053.
Where can I find information about the “green card lottery”?
The U.S. Department of State Diversity Immigrant Program (green card lottery) enables randomly chosen people to obtain permanent residence in the United States. For Diversity Visa information updates, please check the U.S. Department of State's Diversity Visa Program page.
I have some more questions. How can I meet with an advisor?
The U-M International Center offers immigration advising services to F-1 students, J-1 students, and dependents. Our immigration advisors can respond to all issues relating to F and J immigration regulations and relevant immigration documents and respond to issues related to adjusting to the U-M environment and U.S. culture. Call 734.764.9310 to schedule an appointment with a student/scholar advisor. Appointments are usually available within 1 to 3 business days. You may also email questions to icenter@umich.edu.

Last reviewed: 7/08