In order to come to the USA, you will be required to have a valid passport and an entry visa stamp in the passport. Students will most probably be coming to the United States on a student (F-1) visa or an exchange visitor (J-1) visa.
To obtain a visa at a US Embassy or Consulate, you must take your I-20 form or DS-2019 form, your valid passport, your MSU admission letter and your financial documentation.
If the Consular Official determines that you are eligible, an F-1 or J-1 visa will be placed in your passport.
Upon arrival at the Port of Entry in the U.S., you must present your passport with a valid visa, your I-20 or DS-2019, and financial documentation. When you arrive on campus, you must present the above documents at the Office of International Services.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU ENTER THE USA WITH A VISITORS (B-2) VISA OR A VISA WAIVER (W-T).
If you plan to drive in the US, you must obtain an international driver's license before you leave your country. That will allow you to drive here for a few months until you obtain a New Jersey driver's license.
We strongly recommend that you arrange your airline flights so that you arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport (the closest airport to the campus) between 7am and 6pm. Arrival at LaGuardia or JFK airports located in New York State will require a lengthy drive to the campus. Listed on the next page are directions by public transportation to the campus from Newark International Airport:
From the airport, take the New Jersey Transit bus No. 62 to PENN Station in Newark. Make sure you have single dollar bills and coins before boarding the bus (The bus fare is approximately $2.00 from the airport to Newark PENN Station). When you arrive at PENN Station in Newark, take bus No. 28 of New Jersey Transit to Montclair (The bus fare is approximately $2.00 from Newark PENN Station to Montclair). This bus will take you directly to Montclair State University. Be sure to keep close watch of your bags. You may want to consider bringing just what you will need and ask your family to ship the remainder of your belongings at a later date.
Although it will cost more money, we strongly suggest that you take a taxi from Newark Airport. Ask the taxi driver to take you to Montclair State University in Montclair (Valley Road Exit off Route 3 West). The cost will be approximately US $50.00 including the customary driver’s tip. Cost should be arranged with the driver before leaving the airport. Enter the University at the Normal Avenue entrance and proceed to either Russ Hall or the Village at Little Falls. Go to the Residence Hall Office and ask for assistance in getting to your assigned room. If you plan to live off-campus, give the taxi driver the address of your arranged housing.
If you must arrive at LaGuardia or JFK airport, we suggest that you arrange for a friend or family member to pick you up and bring you to campus. Do not take a taxi from these airports, as the cost will be very high. Or you may arrange to take the "Airporter", a ground shuttle bus from Kennedy Airport to Newark Airport. The "Airporter", runs from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm and the cost is $24.00. You should call in advance to reserve a seat on the "Airporter", (800) 385-4000.
If you have difficulty in
your travels, you may call us from anywhere toll-free by dialing 1-800-624-7780;
when you hear a recording, dial 0 - a campus operator will answer - then ask
for International Services at extension 6862. Our regular office hours are 8:30-4:30
Monday through Friday. During the months of June through August, the University
operates on a summer schedule, and our summer office hours are 8:00 a.m.—5:15
p.m. Monday through Thursday. The campus is closed on Fridays. After office
hours, you may contact the Campus Security at (973) 655-5222.
New Jersey has variable climate - cold winters with periodic snowfalls and hot, humid summers. Warm jackets, scarves, hats, gloves and boots are essential for winter (November - March). Waterproof outerwear and umbrellas are necessary in rainy weather.
International students transferring from another U.S. institution must have their I-20 processed by our office in order to maintain legal status.
You must submit the I-20 (or DS-2019) within 15 days after the first day of classes.
Failure to do the above procedure will result in the student being in violation of status and being ineligible for any benefits (such as on-campus employment or international tuition waivers).
Since you will be a new student at Montclair State, it is important that you receive correct advisement regarding your academic program. You should not attempt to register until you have met with your academic advisor. Read the following carefully to determine who your academic advisor is.
Graduate students and freshman who have declared their majors - must be advised by their department faculty advisors. Please contact your department as soon as you arrive to arrange a meeting with your faculty advisor. You may call (973) 655-4000 and ask the operator to connect you to your respective department.
Transfer Students - must attend a Transfer Day Session. To register for a session visit http://www.montclair.edu/transferdays. If you have a question about registration, call (973) 655-7114 to reach the Center for Academic Advising and Adult Learning.
Freshmen who have not declared
their majors - must be advised by the Office of New Student Experience. If you
are already in the U.S., you must contact the Office of New Student Experience
immediately to arrange an appointment for advising. Call 973-655-7609 to arrange
an appointment.
Registration takes place after the student has received academic advisement. Registration at Montclair State University can be done over the telephone using the Voice Response System (VRS).
Tuition and fees are payable in full for each semester at the time of registration. Please note that there are no tuition or fee deferments for students.
Students attending on F-1 or J-1 visa status must attend full-time - 12 credits for undergraduate students and 9 credits for graduate students.
For information on financial expenses at MSU, visit the Undergraduate Admissions for undergraduate tuition rates and the Graduate School for graduate tuition rates.
The cost of living in the US will depend on your lifestyle. International students are responsible for financing their education at MSU.
New Jersey State requires that ALL college students be immunized against measles, mumps, and Rubella (MMR). Students who do not meet this requirement will not be allowed to register.
All new incoming students requiring on-campus housing must also provide evidence of having received a Meningococcal Meningitis vaccination prior to arrival for the Fall or Spring semester. Students who fail to provide this information will not be assigned a space in campus housing. Complete the Immunization Information form and submit it to the Health Center.
In addition to the required immunizations,
Montclair State University also strongly recommends that you obtain the following
immunizations:
A negative evidence of Tuberculosis Test
Immunization against Tetanus, NOT older than 5 yrs
Immunization against Hepatitis B (3-dose series)
Immunization against Meningitis
Immunization against Varicella (Chickenpox)
For further information, you may call the Health Center (973) 655-4361.
ALL students are required to purchase health insurance, which is covered in your fees and payable through your tuition and fees payment if you register full-time. This provides quite minimal coverage. We strongly recommend that you have more comprehensive coverage. A variety of insurance plans for international students are available in International Services, Global Education Center at 22 Normal Avenue when you arrive on campus.
Exchange students possessing
J-1 visa status are required by law to have more comprehensive insurance coverage
than that provided by the University. Plans offering sufficient coverage will
be available at the Orientation Meeting or at International Services, Global
Education Center, 22 Normal Avenue.
TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND RE-ENTRY PROCEDURE
During your stay in the U.S. as a student, you may wish to leave the country for a temporary trip abroad. In order to return to the U.S. and continue your education, you must have a current I-20 form or a properly endorsed page 4 of your already processed I-20. The form or the endorsement are available from the OIS.
The following documents are required for re-entry into the U.S.:
1. Valid passport
2. Valid F-1 student visa stamp in passport
3. Complete form I-20 or properly endorsed (within last six months) I-20 page 3
If the date on your F-1 visa stamp has expired, if you do not have an F-1 visa stamp or if the visa is marked "single entry", and if you are visiting countries outside the U.S., Canada, or the Caribbean, you must renew your visa at the nearest U.S. Consulate in your home country.
If you are visiting Canada, or the Caribbean for less than 30 days, your visa does not need to be valid. If you changed your status to F-1 in the U.S., you will need to apply for a student visa at a U.S. Consulate in your home country before returning to the U.S.
The U.S. Consulate will require a currently dated I-20 form, current evidence of financial support, a current photograph, and may require proof that you plan to return to your home country after you complete your studies. Students who have applied for permanent residency (green card) should not travel abroad without consulting with the IS or an attorney.
We strongly recommend that you verify visa application procedures with the U.S. consulate at which you plan to apply for a visa before you leave the United States. In some cases, there may be lengthy security check delays before a visa will be issued to you, thus affecting your return in time to attend classes. You may access the website for the respective U.S. Consulate by searching online for the U.S. Consulate with the name and city it is located
TRAVELING TO CANADA
Students who wish to visit Canada should contact the Canadian Consulate regarding Canadian visa requirements. The address of the Consulate is:
Canadian Consulate General
1251 Avenue of the Americas (at 50th street)
New York, NY
Phone: (212) 596-1700