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VISA & TRAVEL INFORMATION
General Guidelines
Prepare for Arrival in Fairfax
Welcome to George Mason University! We are very pleased that you have chosen to make George Mason University the place you will live and study in the near future. This page and the links below provide pre-arrival information to plan your travel and prepare for life in Fairfax and surroundings. Students who have made arrangements to live on campus should plan to arrive a few days before the start of the semester. For students who plan to live off campus, it is a good idea to arrive at least ten to fourteen days before the start of the semester to allow time to find housing See the following schedule for important Mason dates.
Admissions
Your first step is to get an application from the Admissions office and then submit all the properly filled out paper work to be accepted into a program of study here at George Mason.
How to Get Here
Airports
There are three airports in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area: Dulles International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI), and Reagan National Airport.
Located about 20 miles west of Fairfax, Dulles is the closest airport to GMU. At the airport there are information desks and travelers' aid desks to assist with directions. The currency exchange desk is also open daily.
The easiest way to get from Dulles Airport to Fairfax is by taxi, the cost is approximately $35. There is also a shuttle bus service, called "the Washington Flyer Express Bus," which runs between the airport and the West Falls Church Metro station, and also to downtown Washington, D.C. From West Falls Church, take the Metro train (orange line) two stops to Vienna Metro station (make sure you get on the train that has Vienna signs on it). From Vienna, take the CUE bus to GMU. The total cost for bus and metro train is approximately $12. To travel directly to the Arlington campus, take the orange line metro to the Virginia Square station, which is a three-minute walk from the campus.
BWI is located in Maryland, approximately 55 miles from Fairfax. There are information desks, travelers' aid desks, and currency exchange at the airport; all are open daily. From BWI, take a bus or train to Washington, D.C., and then connect to Fairfax with a taxi or Metro train.
Alternative 1
The bus service "Super Shuttle" operates 24 hours a day between BWI and 1517 K Street, in North-West Washington, D.C. (approximately $40). From K Street, catch the orange line Metro train from McPherson Square or Farragut West station to Vienna Metro station (approximately $4). Continue on the CUE bus to GMU.
Alternative 2
Amtrak and MARC provide train transportation from BWI to Union Station in Washington, D.C. Amtrak operates 7 days a week, and the cost is approximately $14. MARC commuter trains run Monday through Friday and the cost is approximately $5. From Union Station, take a taxi to Fairfax (approximately $40 - 50), or take the red line Metro train (towards Shady Grove) to Metro Center station. Then transfer to the orange line to Vienna (approximately $4). From Vienna take the CUE bus to GMU.
Reagan National handles mostly domestic and some Canadian flights. It is located on the Virginia side of the Potomac River, about 15 miles east of Fairfax. The airport has traveler's aid, information desks, and currency exchange open daily. Reagan National is on the Metro line. Take the yellow line to L'Enfant Plaza or the blue line to Roslyn, and transfer to the orange line to Vienna (approximately $4). From Vienna, take the CUE bus to GMU. Alternatively, a taxi from Reagan National to Fairfax is approximately $40.
About the Metro System
The Metro is the subway train system of the Washington Metropolitan area. The closest Metro train station to Mason's Fairfax campus is the Vienna station, at the end of the orange line. Mason's Arlington campus is located a couple of blocks from the Virginia Square station.
The Metro train runs weekdays between 5.30 a.m. and midnight, and weekends between 8.00 a.m. and midnight. The train runs until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. To get around the city of Fairfax, there is a bus service called the CUE bus. It connects the GMU campus with the City of Fairfax and Vienna Metro station. GMU students ride the Cue bus for free with a GMU ID card, or each trip is 50 cents.
For more information on the Washington Metro area and what it has to offer, visit the Washington Post's Visitor Information. For a Metro map and information, visit www.wmata.com.
GMU Campuses
George Mason University has 3 campuses is located Virginia.
The largest Campus is the Fairfax campus which is approximately 20 miles West of Washington D.C. The Fairfax campus is accessible by public transportation and the closest Metro station is the Vienna Metro station where a bus service connects to the campus. Mason also has a campus in Arlington, accessible by Metro (Virginia Square station, approximately a 20-minute ride from Fairfax), and a new campus in Prince William County, accessible by car and shuttle service (approximately a 20-minute ride from Fairfax).
http://www.gmu.edu/welcome/Directions-to-GMU.html
What to Bring
Since Fairfax experiences all aspects of the East Coast climate, you will need clothing for hot summers as well as cold winter weather. If you are from a country that does not have such a wide range of temperatures, you may find it easier to buy seasonal clothing once you are here. Dress for school is usually casual and jeans, skirts, shorts, sweaters, and shirts are acceptable. GMU has a large and active international community, and we encourage you to bring some traditional clothing to wear at cultural events when you wish to share your heritage. It is also a good idea to bring your favorite music, some photos, and books in your language to help you feel at home and to share with your new friends at Mason. Don't forget bed sheets, a blanket, and a pillow (on-campus housing does not provide sheets and blankets).
Remember to bring personal documents such as:
- Proof of immunizations (you will be required to present these documents)
- Driver's license
- Copy of marriage certificate (if any)
- School records for children (if you are bringing your family)
- Medical and dental records, and medicines if necessary
- Eye glass prescriptions (an extra pair is always useful)
- Academic transcripts or letters that you may need
- A record of all prior trips to the United States (this will be needed if you plan to work on campus)
A note to students who plan to work on campus during their first year at Mason:
You will need to present an identity document which is at least one year old to the Social Security Administration in order to obtain a Social Security Number, which is needed in order to get paid. If your passport, driver's license, ID card, etc. are all issued within the past twelve months, you should bring a copy of your birth certificate, or some other document that establishes your identity, which is more than one year old.
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Arrival Information
SEVIS Fee Rule: A $100 fee will be collected by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from those individuals seeking F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant status who receive SEVIS Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 with an issuance date of September 1, 2004 or later. The purpose of this fee is to cover the costs for the continued operation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This fee will apply to the following people:
- those who will apply to the Department of State (DOS) at a U.S. embassy or consulate for an F-1 or J-1 visa,
- those who will travel to the U.S. for initial attendance as an F or J nonimmigrant (even if the individual is visa exempt, e.g., Canadians),
- those already in the U.S. that will apply for a change of status to F or J classification,
- those already in the U.S. that will apply for a change of status to F or J classification,
those current J-1 nonimmigrants who will apply for a J-1 change of category on or after 9/1/2004.
Procedures for payment of the SEVIS fee:
- the fee may be paid to DHS by mail, using Form I-901, with a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. currency,
- the fee may be paid electronically to DHS by completing Form I-901 via the internet (www.fmjfee.com) and using a credit card,
- the fee may be paid using Western Union Quick Pay. For detailed instructions on this payment method, visit http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/wu_instr.htm.
DHS will provide a receipt for each fee payment, which must be shown when applying for a visa and upon entry to the U.S. If payment was made electronically, an automatically generated receipt will be accepted by both DOS and DHS. If payment was made by mail, a receipt will be sent by DHS.
For more information, please contact OIPS at (703) 993-2970 or oips@gmu.edu
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is committed to facilitating your stay in the United States while you take advantage of our nation's academic, educational, and cultural offerings. To enhance security without slowing legitimate travel, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has instituted some changes in U.S. entry and exit procedures. Careful planning and preparation by international students can ensure that any delay based on these procedures is minimal.
Plan Your Arrival
You may be refused entry into the United States if you attempt to arrive more than 30 days before the program start date listed on your SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 form.
Always Hand Carry Your Documents
Do not check the following documents in your baggage. If your baggage is lost or delayed, you will be unable to present the documents at your port of entry. As a result, you may not be able to enter the United States.
- Your passport, valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected stay
- SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019
In addition, it is strongly recommended that you hand carry the following documentation:
- Evidence of financial resources
- Evidence of student status, such as recent tuition receipts and transcripts
- Paper receipt for the SEVIS fee, Form I-797
- Name and contact information for the Office of International Programs and Services: (703) 993-2970 and emergency contact number at the school: (703) 993-2810.
For comprehensive information on procedures for traveling and arriving in the United States, visit: http://educationusa.state.gov/predeparture/travel/customs.htm
Complete Your Entry Paperwork
If Arriving By Air:
Flight attendants will distribute Customs Declaration Forms (CF-6059) and Arrival Departure Record Forms (I-94). These must be completed prior to landing.
If Arriving By Land or Sea:
The CBP Officer at the port of entry will provide the necessary Customs Declaration Forms (CF-6059) and Arrival-Departure Record Forms (I-94) to be filled out upon your arrival.
As You Arrive at the Port of Entry
Proceed to the terminal area for arriving passengers. Have the following documents available for presentation: your passport; SEVIS Form (I-20) or DS-2019; Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94); and Customs Declaration Form (CF-6059). The Form I-94 should reflect the address where you will reside, not the address of the school or program.
All visitors entering the United States must state their reason for wishing to enter the country. You will also be asked to provide information about your final destination. It is important that you tell the CBP Officer that you will be a student if you are coming for a degree program and the purpose of your visit if you are coming in J-1 status. Be prepared to include the name and address of the school program where you will enroll/participate.
Once your inspection is successfully completed, the inspecting officer will:
- Stamp your SEVIS Form for duration of status ("D/S")
- Stamp the Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94) and staple it in the passport
Following Admission Into the United States
Students and scholars should report to their school within 30 days of the date that appears on the SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 form to register for courses or to validate their intended participation. Failure to do so may result in serious consequences.
Additional Information
Secondary Inspection Requirements
If the CBP officer at the port of entry cannot initially verify your information or you do not have all of the required documentation, you may be directed to an interview area known as "secondary inspection." Secondary inspection allows inspectors to conduct additional research in order to verify information without causing delays for other arriving passengers.
The inspector will first attempt to verify your status by using the Student and Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS). In the event that the CBP Officer needs to verify information with your school or program, give the officer the following contact information:
Office of International Programs and Services
4400 University Drive, MS 4C3
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: (703) 993-2970
Failure to comply with U.S. government entry-exit procedures may result in your being denied entry to the United States. Under certain circumstances, the CBP officer may issue a "Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor" Form (I-515A), which authorizes temporary admission into the United States. Work with your school to submit the proper documentation without delay.
US - VISIT
The United States Department of Homeland Security has incorporated a program referred to
as US-VISIT. This program aims at enhancing the security of citizens and visitors, facilitating
legitimate travel and trade, ensuring the integrity of the immigration system and protecting the
privacy of visitors to the United States. This program begins overseas at the U.S. embassies
and consulates when a visitor obtains a visa and continues through a visitor's arrival
and departure from the United States. International students and scholars are also subject
to the requirements and procedures of the US-VISIT program and this publication gives you
a brief overview of the process.
More information can be found on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
website: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/content_multi_image/content_multi_image_0006.xml.
Who is required to enroll?
All visitors (with limited exceptions) holding non-immigrant visas (including all F and J visa
holders), irrespective of country of origin. Children under 14 years and persons over the age
of 79 are not subject to the US-VISIT requirements. Effective September 30, 2004, it also
includes visitors seeking admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
What is the US-VISIT system?
In most cases, the US-VISIT system begins overseas when you obtain a visa from the U.S.
embassies and consulates in your home country. Biometrics (digital finger scans and photographs)
are collected and checked at the embassies when a visa is issued. When the visitor enters
the United States, the digital finger scans and photographs are taken and matched with
the information collected overseas, in order to ascertain the identity of the visitor and to
help U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers make better admissibility decisions.
What do I need to do when I arrive in the U.S.?
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer at the U.S. port of entry will still review
your immigration documents and may ask you questions about your stay in the United States.
In addition, an inkless digital finger scanner will take a print of your left and right index
fingers. The officer will also take your digital photograph. These procedures add only seconds
to the overall processing time. Using these tools, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Officer will then either admit you or conduct additional inquiries based on the verification
results.
What do I need to do when I depart the U.S.?
US-VISIT exit procedures are being tested at many airports, including Baltimore-Washington
International Airport and at some land and sea ports, as well. Currently, if you leave from a
designated port, you are required to confirm your departure using US-VISIT exit procedures.
Generally, you are required to scan your visa or passport and repeat the simple inkless finger
scanning process. An exit attendant will be available if you need assistance. The exit
confirmation will be added to your travel records to demonstrate compliance with the terms
of your admission.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please inquire from the airport personnel when you are departing to
ascertain if the airport has a US-VISIT exit system.
What happens if a visitor checks in at an airport where the entry procedures are operational,
then tries to leave the United States from an airport where the exit processing is not yet in place?
Checking out of the country using the US-VISIT exit procedure is mandatory where an exit
solution is in place at the port of departure. If visitors fail to check out through these
facilities, it could affect their ability to re-enter the country. Eventually, all airports and
seaports may contain exit stations or other alternatives. People will not be penalized if an
exit solution is not yet installed at their point of departure. U.S. Customs and Border
transportation companies are distributing cards that provide instructions for the exit requirements
and procedures at those ports of departure.
For students who are subject to the National Security Entry Exit Registration System (NSEERS)
Registration requirements only NSEERS, also known as "Special Registration," established a national
registry for temporary foreign visitors (non-immigrant aliens). This registration system requires
visitors from these countries to go through the special registration process upon arrival in
the United States and to report to immigration officials before leaving the country.
Foreign nationals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria and Sudan are required to register at ports
of entry. Foreign nationals from all other countries are registered if Customs and Border
Protection deem it necessary based on initial questioning upon arrival.
When the US-VISIT program is fully implemented, it will provide the information necessary for
nearly all temporary foreign visitors in the United States. Any remaining elements of NSEERS,
such as port of entry arrival registration, will become part of the US-VISIT program.
However, for the moment, the NSEERS registration process is independent of the US-VISIT system
and all students and scholars who have been subject to the NSEERS registration need to do both
of these on departure.
For more information about obtaining an F-1 or J-1 visa, visit the following websites:
http://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/index.htm http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html
For more information about the immigration policies and regulations, please review the Immigration section.
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Travel & Visa Renewals
Travel and Visa Renewals for F-1 students
Students who plan to travel outside of the United States must bring their I-20s or DS-2019 form to OIPS for endorsement. The endorsement validates your immigration form and verifies that you are "in status" and returning to GMU to continue your studies. For this reason, you should be registered for the upcoming term before getting your I-20 or DS-2019 signed when you get it signed close to the end of the semester. Always check your entry visa before leaving to see whether it will need to be renewed. You should verify your visa expiration date and the number of entries on your visa before making travel plans. Please go to OIPS for advising if you are unsure of the visa renewal process or expect visa renewal difficulties. To re-enter the United States after a trip, students will need a valid passport with a valid visa, and a valid I-20 or DS-2019, endorsed by your international student advisor. The I-20 should be endorsed every semester that you travel. (Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the U.S.) Please check http://travel.state.gov/links.html for links to U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world.
If your visa has expired, you will need to apply for a new entry visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country you are visiting. Visas cannot be renewed in the United States. Take your immigration documents, proof of financial support, proof of full-time enrollment, and strong proof of ties to your home country when you go to renew your visa. There are special provisions for automatic visa revalidation for travel to Canada, Mexico, and Islands adjacent to the South Eastern Coast of the U.S. Please consult an advisor in the OIPS office if you are planning on traveling to one of these places and your visa is not valid.
Also, please consult an advisor in OIPS before you consider applying for a U.S. visa in a contiguous territory or adjacent island. Students from some countries will need a visa to enter Canada and Mexico, while some can enter without a visa. Contact the embassy of the country to which you are traveling to find out about visa requirements. Please check www.embassy.org for the embassy of the country you would like to visit. Also please note that many U.S. embassies and consulates around the world have longer processing times than they may have previously had in the past, and more forms are required now than in the past.
Staying in the U.S. with an Expired Visa is OK
The visa is the stamp in your passport that allows you to enter the United States. It does not determine your length of stay here, your I-20 or DS-2019 form and the I-94 card do. A student visa can only be obtained at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of the United States. If your visa expires and you maintain your status, there is no need to travel outside of the United States for the sole purpose of renewing your visa.
Travel While on OPT:
You may travel while on OPT. However, please keep in mind that you are still in F-1 status and that you will need the following in order to re-enter the U.S.:
- Your I-20 signed for travel within the past five months
- Your EAD Card
- A letter from your employer indicating that you have a temporary job in your field of study and are returning to your employment - This requirement becomes more essential the later you are into your OPT
- Your valid passport (passport should be valid six months into the future)
- A valid F-1 visa to return to the U.S. from overseas. Different rules apply for travel to adjacent Islands and contiguous territories. Please see an international student advisor for more information.
*If your visa stamp has expired, you have not yet received your EAD Card, or you are not working and more than a few months have passed since the beginning of your OPT, then please see an advisor in OIPS.
After OPT:
As indicated as the end date on your EAD, you will be allowed another 60-day grace period. You may not work at this time, but can remain in the U.S. to get ready to return home, get into a new degree program, or change your visa status.
Please note that full-time study at the next higher degree level automatically cancels Optional Practical Training (Also a provision of the new regulations as of January 1, 2003).
Also Important!
You are still an F-1 student while on Optional Practical Training, you must notify OIPS if you change your address, e-mail or telephone number in the U.S. or address abroad. You must also notify us if you discontinue your OPT and change to another visa status or leave the U.S. before the end date on your OPT. Top of the section
Guidelines for Travel In and Out of the United States While in J Status in the U.S.
Under the current political immigration climate, we recommend that you please check with OIPS before you make international travel plans. Please make sure that you have all documents related to your immigration status in order. A critical document is the U.S. visa stamp in your passport. It is important to remember that obtaining a new visa stamp is never guaranteed. It is possible that you may experience delays at a U.S. embassy or consulate, regardless of your country of citizenship. Please contact the U.S. embassy or consulate at which you plan to obtain the visa stamp ahead of time to confirm its hours of operation, application procedures, and to see if any changes in operations have been implemented. For a list of U.S. consulates abroad: http://usembassy.state.gov/
Passports: You must carry a passport that will be valid for reentry to the United States. Your passport should be valid for six months beyond your anticipated stay in the United States.
Valid U.S. Visa Stamp: Citizens of all countries except Canada are required to have a valid U.S. visa stamp in their passports to reenter the United States. If the visa stamp in your passport will not be valid at the time of your reentry to the U.S., you will need to apply at a U.S. consulate or embassy for a new visa stamp.
Travel to Canada and Mexico: You should not plan to travel to Canada or Mexico to obtain a visa stamp without first speaking with an advisor in OIPS. In the past, it was routine for students and scholars to return to the United States from Canada and Mexico (and in some cases from the Caribbean) with an expired visa stamp after a visit of no more than 30 days to any of these adjacent countries. This process is known as "Automatic Visa Revalidation". The DOS rule that became effective on April 1, 2002. This benefit is no longer available to some foreign nationals. Specifically, citizens of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, North Korea, and Cuba are ineligible for Automatic visa Revalidation. In addition, any third country National 0a person applying at a U.S. consulate/embassy in a country other than his/her own) who applies for a visa in Canada or Mexico, must have the application approved before returning to the new visa application (in Canada or Mexico), she/he will not be permitted to reenter the United States. This may necessitate a trip to the individual's home country directly from either Canada or Mexico to obtain the visa stamp in order to renter the United States.
Visiting Countries Other Than Your Own: Some visa applicants are prohibited from obtaining a visa stamp at a U.S. consulate or embassy in a third country. If you will need to obtain a visa stamp for your return to the United States and are planning to apply in a country other than your home country, please visit the web site of the U.S. consulate in which you plan to apply for the visa for the operating procedures. In addition, you may be required to obtain a visa stamp for permission to enter the third country. You should contact the appropriate foreign consulate in the United States to see whether you are required to have a visa.
Family Members Traveling: family members who hold the J-2 dependent visa when traveling outside the United States and returning must have their own dependent visa documents (DS-2019 for J-2 dependent). Please check with an advisor in OIPS several weeks in advance to confirm what visa documents will be needed.
Change of Visa Status within the United State: In case you have recently completed a change of visa status in the United States through the U.S. BCIS (formerly INS), you will still be required to obtain a visa stamp for your new visa status in your passport at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Documents for Travel and Reentry:
- A valid DS-2019 or IAP-66 signed by a Responsible Officer/alternate Responsible officer RO/ARO) in OIPS. After August 1, 2003, only SEVIS DS-2019 forms will be accepted.
- A valid J-1 visa stamp in the passport
- Evidence of the financial support listed on the DS-2019 or IAP-66
- If your DS-2019 was issued by OIPS, an advisor in OIPS must sign it. If your form was issued by another Exchange Visitor Program, e.g. Fulbright, you should contact that organization directly regarding travel signatures.
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