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OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

International Student Check-In and Orientation

Autumn 2022

Dear future Ohio State student,

Greetings from the Office of International Affairs (OIA) at The Ohio State University. While information surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, please know that our highest priority is the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. We are monitoring the global outbreak and are taking appropriate steps to ensure the well-being of the campus community.

The Office of International Affairs will conduct International Student Orientation through a hybrid format and Mandatory Immigration Check-In virtually. International Student Orientation and Mandatory Immigration Check-In are two separate processes, and students are required to complete both.

The Office of International Affairs encourages all students to arrive 2-3 weeks before classes start on August 23 in order to complete Mandatory Orientation and Immigration Check-In. We know students may face issues securing visa appointments as U.S. consulates work through significant backlogs, but it's important that students continue to try and schedule a visa appointment as soon as possible. We understand that this is a challenging time, but please know that the Office of International Affairs is here to assist you in any way possible.

Visit our Autumn 2022 Updates page for more information.

Over the next few months, we will send you weekly emails to help you plan for beginning your academic journey at Ohio State.

These emails are designed to:

Address the most important topics for incoming international students.
Prepare students for the transition to campus.
Introduce future Ohio State Buckeyes to what awaits them on campus!

We look forward to sending you more detailed information in our upcoming pre-arrival emails. In the meantime, please explore our website and answers to frequently asked questions. You’re always welcome to email us at iss@osu.edu with any immigration questions and global-engagement@osu.edu with general orientation and arrival questions.

Learn more

What to pack

It is very important that you carry your immigration documents on your person when you travel to the United States. Do not pack them in your suitcase!

The documents you want to make sure to keep with you include:

Admission letter to Ohio State
Current passport
Current U.S. visa
Form I-20 or Form DS-2019
SEVIS fee payment receipt
Proof of funding (financial documentation as listed on your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019)

Do not pack fresh fruit, produce, meat, prepared food, spices or plants. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers will not allow you to bring these items into the country.

Do pack your favorite non-perishable foods or snacks that will not be available or hard to find in North America. There are several international markets in Columbus, but this is often what international students crave most in the first few months of being away from home.

Do pack sufficient prescription medicine. We recommend bringing a list of your medications prescribed and signed by a doctor. Over-the-counter medications can be purchased in the United States, but it's okay to bring a small amount if you need it for immediate use.

Do pack photos or items that remind you of home, but not those that are irreplaceable.

Do pack your technology or electric devices. Everyday electrical appliances, such as desk lamps and hair dryers, can be purchased cheaply in Columbus. Keep in mind that plug points and voltage may vary from what is used in your country. Consider packing an international converter and cords or adapters you'll need. In the United States, the power plugs and sockets are type A and B.

Do pack extra face masks or coverings. Masks are required in clinical health care settings and COVID-19 testing locations.

Weather in Columbus

Summer (June-August) high temperatures are usually between 75 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 35 degrees Celsius). Winter (December-February) low temperatures usually range from 0 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 17 to 7 degrees Celsius). Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) temperatures are in between. The summers tend to be humid, with occasional thunderstorms. During the winter, Columbus can get a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain. Additional weather information is available from The Weather Channel. Enter "43210" into the search bar.

Entering the United States

Prior to traveling from your home country to the United States, it is important that you prepare for your inspection at the port of entry (first place of arrival in the United States).

Upon your arrival, an immigration official from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will review a variety of your immigration documents before allowing you to officially enter the United States. This official must be satisfied that you intend to attend the school specified on your F-1 or J-1 visa and/or Form I-20 or Form DS-2019. The immigration official will inspect the documents you present to ensure their authenticity.

Visit the Customs and Border Protection website for a complete overview of what you can expect upon arriving at a U.S. port of entry.

Secondary inspection requirements

If the inspector cannot automatically verify your information or you do not have all of the required documentation, you may be escorted to an interview area known as "secondary inspection." Secondary inspection allows inspectors to conduct additional research in order to verify information. Verifications are done apart from the primary inspection lines so that an individual case will not cause delays for other arriving passengers.

In the case your admission/participation needs to be verified, we strongly advise that you have readily available the contact information of the Office of International Affairs (OIA) at Ohio State. Immigration coordinators at OIA may be reached Monday through Friday at 614-292-6101 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT, except during university holidays when our office is closed.

Requirements to board a flight to the United States

Air passengers are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and will need to provide written documentation of their COVID-19 vaccinations in order to board a flight. As of June 12, passengers are not required to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight. Those who do not provide the required documentation, or choose not to comply with the requirements, will be denied boarding by the airline.

Learn more about the requirements to board a flight to the United States.

COVID-19 requirements

COVID-19 vaccine requirement

Ohio State requires every student, faculty and staff member to be vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are not fully vaccinated and have access to a World Health Organization (WHO)-approved vaccine, we strongly encourage you to get vaccinated and submit your documentation through My BuckMD.

All Ohio State students should use My BuckMD to report their vaccination information and upload documentation or request an exemption. Please note that it takes 3-4 weeks to process your documentation upload.

The COVID-19 vaccination series and boosters are available to students on campus, and appointments can be made through MyChart.

Please monitor Safe and Healthy Buckeyes for the most up-to-date COVID-19 information.

COVID-19 testing

Students are not currently required to complete a COVID-19 before moving into on-campus housing.

Ohio State offers free COVID-19 testing for all students, faculty and staff members. Asymptomatic testing must be scheduled in advance using MyChart. Students experiencing COVID-19 symptoms must schedule their test through My BuckMD.

You will receive an activation email from MyChart_DoNotReply@osumc.edu. If you have difficulties activating your account, call 1-614-366-6975 and press 3 to set up an account. For any questions related to testing, please email shs-covidtesting@osu.edu.

Additional resources

Visit our website to review information from previous emails and/or answers to frequently asked questions. If you don't find what you're looking for, contact iss@osu.edu with any immigration questions and global-engagement@osu.edu with general orientation and arrival questions.

Please allow us to join the other offices on campus in congratulating you on your acceptance to The Ohio State University.

Kind regards,
Office of International Affairs

2009 Millikin Road, Columbus, OH 43201

oia@osu.edu

oia.osu.edu

Office of International Affairs

The Ohio State University

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