New International Students

Initial Status Student

A New or Initial Status student is someone who has been newly admitted to Monmouth University and will be enrolled in a designated program of study for the first time. An Initial Status student can also include those transferring their immigration record to Monmouth from another institution, students returning from a personal leave of absence, or a student pursuing a new level of education at Monmouth.

Upon completing the admissions process as a new or transfer student, our office will generate an I-20 within three to five business days, placing the individual in Initial Status. The “Initial” or in some cases “Transfer Pending” I-20 will show a designated SEVIS ID number as well as important information about the student and their program.

Obtaining the initial I-20 is a vital requirement needed to apply for a visa.

Admissions

New or Transfer students must first work with their appropriate admissions unit to formally be accepted into the University.

Pre-Arrival

Before beginning your academic program at Monmouth University, there is much to prepare and consider. We are here to help! Below is a checklist to complete before starting your program.

1. Obtain a passport with your local consulate or embassy. If a passport is old or soon to expire, consider renewing it before arrival into the country, especially if the passport photo is from childhood.
2. Receive the form I-20 and pay the I-901 SEVIS fee. For every SEVIS ID that is created, a student must pay the government I-901 SEVIS fee. Our office recommends paying the SEVIS fee immediately to avoid any issues in receiving a visa or entering the country. Our office cannot register the immigration record on campus until the fee is paid. To pay this fee please use the Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-901 website.
3. Schedule a student visa appointment to obtain an F-1 visa. The visa (via document or stamp) is placed in the student’s passport and is used in coordination with the I-20 to enter the country. This does not apply to Canadian or Bermudan citizens who are exempt from needing a physical visa. For everyone else, a visa appointment will be required for proper immigration status. A student will not be able to schedule a visa appointment until they have received a SEVIS ID number located on the initial I-20. Every consulate/embassy operates independently. This means visa wait times and required appointment documentation will vary depending on each office. We recommend reaching out to the local consulate/embassy in advance to confirm specific policies and requirements. In case of an emergency, a student may be able to expedite their appointment by contacting their local consulate or embassy directly, but this is never guaranteed. Visa wait times at consulates or embassies can be viewed at Global Visa Wait Times (state.gov).
4. Complete the Pre-Arrival Information and Questionnaire form. Completion of the Pre-Arrival form is mandatory and will inform our office of a student’s intent to study at Monmouth and confirm their arrival date. This form will also be used to RSVP for the mandatory International Student Orientation. Around early to mid-June, any student who has had an I-20 created for them will be emailed to complete this.
5. Enroll in Health Insurance Coverage. Monmouth University currently requires international students to enroll in a health insurance plan. The ISS office recommends students are enrolled in a local or international health insurance plan before arriving in the U.S. The health system in the United States can be costly and difficult to navigate. Health insurance eases the logistical and financial burden when the unexpected happens. Contact our office for health insurance recommendations if needed. Proof of medical insurance coverage will need to be provided to our office during the “immigration check-in” process.
6. Submit all Immunization Requirements to the Health Center. Universities in our state need to comply with NJ Higher Education Immunization laws. Our office highly recommends documentation confirming necessary vaccinations be submitted to the Student Health Portal prior to arrival in the country. If this is not taken care of by the start of classes, the Health Center will place a hold on a student account preventing them from any future registrations. More detailed information regarding immunizations and other health requirements can be found on the Health Services webpage:  www.monmouth.edu/health-services/health-requirements/.  If you have questions, call 732-571-3464 or email health@monmouth.edu. 
7. Take advantage of the “New Student” Whatsapp community. After submission of the Pre-Arrival Form, students will be added to the new student WhatsApp community hosted by our International Student Ambassadors. This chat is a helpful resource before arriving on campus. New students can voice concerns or ask any nonimmigration questions to the ambassadors. It is also a place for new students to connect with one another.
8. Arrival to the U.S. Students entering the U.S. for the first time can arrive in the country up to 30 days before the start date listed on the I-20, and not earlier. Attempting to arrive any earlier may result in secondary inspection, not being able to enter on F-1 status, and potentially being turned away. Students will be able to pass through Customs and Border Patrol by showing all necessary documentation (valid passport, Visa, I-20). Once through customs, students will then be able to make their way to campus.
9. Traveling from the airport to campus. Students should arrive at Newark International Airport. Airport pickups are not available. The ISS office recommends taking public transportation from Newark Airport via the NJ Transit NJCL to Long Branch. Train schedules can be checked in advance. Once at the Long Branch Station, a taxi or a car service such as Lyft/Uber can be called for transport to campus or the surrounding area. Taxi and car services (Lyft/Uber) are also available outside of the Newark airport and will run between $100-$150 to campus and surrounding areas. Make sure to check the rate before entering a taxi. Students should arrive on campus via the Monmouth University Police Department building at 400 Cedar Ave., West Long Branch, N.J. 07764.

Post-Arrival

You have successfully entered the country and are ready to begin your studies! Here are your next steps:

1. Confirm Full-Time Enrollment. By the start date listed on the I-20, international students should be enrolled as full-time students in classes. All undergraduate students must enroll in at least 12 credits to meet this requirement, and graduate students must enroll in at least nine credits. Full-time enrollment during the initial semester is a requirement regardless of which semester international students begin their studies at Monmouth (summer, fall, or spring). All students are allowed one online class for up to three credits that can be counted towards maintaining status. Should a student fail to enroll full-time by the start of the semester, they would be putting themselves and their immigration record at risk.
2. Complete the Immigration Check-in form. Once the student has confirmed full-time course enrollment, the form I-20 is registered in SEVIS by the (P)DSO. Registering an I-20 officially confirms a student’s physical attendance at the University and begins their F-1 status as an “ACTIVE” student under SEVP. Students must submit the following information via the Check-in form: passport, visa, I-20, and I-94. An I-94 confirms arrival into the country in F or J status. This form is marked by a U.S. Customs and Border Control (CBP) representative after successful entry into the United States. International students can locate their most recent I-94 at I94 – Official Website (dhs.gov). A student is not eligible for SEVIS registration until the check-in form is fully submitted with the necessary documentation included.
3. Attend Mandatory International Student Orientation. Attending the International Student Orientation is mandatory for all incoming students. During the orientation session, students will receive education on the immigration rules and regulations that they must abide by while staying in the country. Students are ultimately responsible for their immigration status and need to have a thorough understanding of their obligations under the F-1 visa status for academic success. During the orientation, students will also complete the check-in form and get registered in the government platform SEVIS.

Common FAQs