University Life

New Students

Before You Arrive
at George Mason University

Congratulations on your admission to George Mason University. We are looking forward to welcoming you when you arrive on campus to begin school. We know you have a lot to do and probably have many questions about preparing to leave home and travel to Fairfax. Please read the following information carefully. It will provide you with the information you need and answer most of your questions.

Pre Arrival Checklist

Getting Your F-1 or J-1 Visa

Express Delivery of Immigration Documents

Travel to the United States

Travel to George Mason University

Pre-Arrival Checklist

Printable .pdf Pre-Arrival Checklist

After Your I-20 or DS-2019 Arrives:

Review your Mason I-20 or DS-2019 for accuracy

Sign your Mason I-20 or DS-2019

Pay the SEVIS fee online at fmjfee.com

Schedule a visa appointment

Complete the visa application and pay the fee

Prepare for the visa interview

Go to your visa interview

After the Visa Interview:

Register for Mandatory International Student Orientation at http://oips.gmu.edu/orientation_form.php

Make airline reservations and travel arrangements

Make temporary housing arrangements for arrival

Get missing immunizations, including an English-language translation of the record

Consider prescription medications you may need with a copy of your doctor’s prescription

Put your I-20 or DS-2019, financial documents, passport, immunization records, admission letter and GMU pre-arrival guide in your carry-on luggage

On the Airplane:

Complete your I-94 and customs declaration form during the plane ride

At the U.S. Port of Entry (Customs area):

Give the immigration official your I-20 or DS-2019, passport and customs declaration form with the I-94 form attached

Before you leave, be certain that the immigration official stamped both your I-94 card and I-20 or DS-2019 with either “F1 D/S” or “J1 D/S”

Upon Arrival:

Check in at the OIPS Welcome Center! Bring your I-20 or DS-2019, passport and I-94 card

Sign up for OIPS Welcome Events

Find a place to live

Register for classes

Get your Mason ID card

Update your address on Patriot Web

Attend International Student Orientation

Open a bank account

Pay tuition and the health Insurance fee

Present immunization records to Student Health Services