Planning for Arrival

F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors must arrive in the United States no later than the program start date listed on their Form I-20 or DS-2019.

Global Orientation is mandatory for all incoming F-1 and J-1 students. International Advising will provide the arrival and programming timeline during the summer. Be sure to review this information carefully before booking your flight.

Students may enter the United States up to 30 days before the program start date listed on their immigration document. Arriving early can give you time to settle in, become familiar with the area, and prepare for Global Orientation and the start of classes.

Please note: On-campus housing will not be available before your assigned move-in date. If you choose to arrive before your assigned move-in date, you are responsible for arranging and paying for your own accommodations until College housing becomes available. If you have questions about arriving early, please contact the Office of Residential Education.

Before booking your flight, make sure you know your Global Orientation dates and assigned housing move-in date. You must plan to arrive with enough time to complete all required orientation activities and move into your assigned housing.

International Advising will send a pre-arrival survey and a pre-arrival Homebase course via email a few weeks before arrival to Union to confirm your arrival details.

For information on how to pay tuition, please see the International Student Payment Option on the Bursar’s website.

You will not need to bring everything you will use during your time at Union. Many items can be purchased after you arrive to the U.S. Please review our International Student Packing List, linked here.

Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their own transportation from their arrival airport to Union College, regardless of which airport they fly into. Be sure to make a plan for your transportation to campus before booking your flight.

The closest airport to Union College is Albany International Airport (ALB), located approximately 20 miles from campus. Flying into Albany is generally the most convenient option for reaching Union. You will still need to arrange and pay for your own transportation from the airport to campus.

Many international students also fly into John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) because these airports offer a wider range of international flights. However, both airports are approximately a 3 to 4 hour drive from Union College, depending on traffic.

Students arriving at JFK or Newark may travel to Schenectady by train or bus. This transportation is arranged and paid for by the student and may require traveling from the airport to another transportation station before continuing to Schenectady.

No matter how you arrive, you are responsible for arranging and paying for your transportation to Union College. Remember that if you arrive before your assigned campus move-in date, you are also responsible for arranging and paying for your own accommodations until College housing becomes available. For more information about arriving early, please visit the Residential Education Early Arrival.

Information on transportation from airports/train stations to Union, as well as cell phones/SIM cards and other important pre-arrival information will be communicated closer to move in via email.

Before traveling to the United States, make sure you have:

• Reviewed your Form I-20 or DS-2019 and confirmed your program start date

• Confirmed that your passport and visa are valid

• Booked your flight for an appropriate arrival date

• Confirmed your campus move-in date and orientation schedule

• Arranged transportation from the airport or train station

• Arranged temporary accommodations if arriving before campus housing is available

• Packed your immigration documents in your carry-on luggage

• Reviewed any required arrival or orientation information from Union College

• Made a plan for accessing money and communicating after arrival

• Written down important numbers like the International Advising number, Campus Safety, and an emergency contact

We look forward to welcoming you to Union College!