Upon Acceptance
- Review and Sign DS-2019
Your DS-2019 form will be mailed to your home school coordinator. The DS-2019 is issued for J-1 students. Examine each page of your new student immigration document, and sign your name at the bottom of page 1. Your DS-2019 shows details about you and your program of study, and must remain valid for the entire period of your time at UTEP. It is also an active computer record in the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
By law, you are required to report any changes in your status (i.e. change of address, temporary leaves, etc.) to the OIP who in turn is responsible for maintaining and updating your SEVIS record during your study at UTEP.
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee
Once you have your DS-2019, you should visit www.fmjfee.com to find out how to pay the required SEVIS I-901 fee. The easiest way to pay the fee is online with a credit card, at a computer with a printer, so you can print the receipt immediately after payment. You will need the receipt for your visa application.
- Apply for Your Entry Visa
Visit www.usembassy.gov to find the closest U.S. Consulate to you. The consulate is responsible for issuing your J-1 visa. The visa will be placed in your passport and it will allow you to enter the U.S. to become a legal student. Obtaining your visa can take some time, so please schedule your visa appointment as early as possible. You can get a sense of estimated wait times at your local consulate at https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/wait-times.html/.
Visiting http://j1visa.state.gov/participants/how-to-apply/interviews-documents/ can help you prepare for your visa interview. We recommend that you be prepared to answer questions about why you want to study in the U.S. and how this experience would help you when you return home after studying. Keep in mind that in the interview, the consular officer will be evaluating if you have a residence abroad that you will return to after completion of study, and that you have sufficient financial support to pay for your studies and living expenses.
- Get a Meningitis Vaccine
A Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination is required for all entering students under the age of 22. If you are 21 years old or younger, you will need to submit documented proof that demonstrates that you have received this vaccination. Vaccination documentation should be sent to meningitis@utep.edu.
The documentation needs to be in English, easy to read, and include your name and UTEP ID number. For more information visit: http://academics.utep.edu/?tabid=69943. In order to avoid course enrollment delays, entering students are strongly encouraged to receive the appropriate vaccinations early. If you are 22 years old, or older, you do not need to submit proof of vaccination.
- Packing
Students at UTEP generally wear casual clothes, such as blue jeans, shorts, T-shirts and tennis shoes. We recommend you bring a formal outfit for occasions such as presentations, interviews, etc.
El Paso’s desert climate is warm and dry for most of the year. The temperatures here will be between 35-40°C during summer, but can occasionally drop as low as 1-2°C during winters. You should bring or plan to buy a good jacket for winter.
We also suggest you bring a traditional dress, small items from your home country, and/or photos so you can teach your new friends about your culture!
- Money
You can set up a bank account upon arrival with your visa, DS-2019, and a UTEP identification card. There are ATMs located on campus.
Budget for a semester at UTEP
The costs for your time at UTEP will vary based on your housing and personal spending habits. The below offers an estimate for one semester at UTEP as of 2019:
Description |
Estimated Amount |
Tuition and Fees |
Waived per Exchange Agreement |
Housing |
$2,400 |
Meals |
$2,500 |
Books |
$700 |
Health Insurance |
$925 |
Personal/Miscellaneous |
$2,000 |
Total |
$8,525 |
Important notes on estimated costs:
- Some courses have additional required course fees. These are indicated in the course-specific information.
- For health insurance, see below in the Health Insurance and Medicine section for more information.
- Health Insurance and Medicine
As an international student, you are required to have health insurance coverage while you are attending UTEP. We strongly recommend students enroll in the insurance provided through UTEP. Information about cost and coverage can be found at https://www.utep.edu/human-resources/services/benefits/student-health-insurance-plan.html
At the beginning of every semester, you are automatically charged for the UTEP health insurance policy. Students may apply for a health insurance waiver by the 12th day of classes each semester if they have an alternative plan which meets the coverage requirements set forth by the U.S. government and the University of Texas System.
Waivers are often denied and will not be granted for travel insurance plans. If a waiver is denied, the student will be charged the premium for the UTEP insurance policy.
Our Office does not review, nor process waiver requests. If you have questions please contact the Office of Human Resources at hrs@utep.edu, which is the ONLY responsible office for this matter at UTEP. For more information on waiver coverage requirements, go to https://utep.myahpcare.com/
We recommend everyone have a health check-up before travel and that you arrive with written prescriptions along with a supply of any medications you regularly take.
- Entering the U.S.
You are allowed to enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the start date on your DS-2019. You should carry your DS-2019, passport with your J U.S. visa inside, admission letter, and financial documents with you when traveling (do not check them in your luggage).
When you first arrive at a U.S. port of entry, either an airport or land border crossing, an immigration official will examine your documents.
If entering through a land border crossing, you will be issued an I-94 form (a small white card called an Arrival/Departure Record). If entering through an airport, the officer will stamp your passport and write your immigration status on the stamp (be sure they have written J-1 and D/S). An electronic I-94 will be issued to you; you should download it later from https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov.