Coming to UND

We look forward to meeting you.

Now that you are admitted to the University of North Dakota, we want to provide you useful information to help you navigate the U.S. immigration system, obtain a U.S. visa, travel to the U.S. and feel comfortable once you arrive at UND.

For a quick guide to immigration terms and questions, check out our International Student FAQ.

Prepare for UND

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Pre-Departure

1. Acquire the I-20 Certificate of Eligibility

Admitted students must provide a scan of the passport and completed Certificate of Finances in order to be eligible for a SEVIS Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status for Academic and Language Students.
By signing this form, you accept the terms and conditions specified on page 3 of the I-20.
Students are responsible for requesting shipping of the form I-20. Once the form has been dispatched, the International Center retains no responsibility for delivery.
J-1 students will receive your DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. Sign the bottom of page to accept the terms and conditions specified on page 2 of the DS-2019.

Student Visas

2. Pay the SEVIS Fee

The SEVIS fee must be paid before your visa interview. You may pay the SEVIS fee by credit card, check or bank draft from a U.S. bank, by international money order, or through Western Union

3. Get your U.S. Visa

In order to ensure that you have your visa in time to travel to the U.S. and begin school, you should apply for your visa at the earliest possible time. The U.S. Department of State website has valuable information about applying for your student visa. To find the embassy nearest to you, go to the U.S. Embassy website.

4. Arrange Housing

Please make your housing arrangements before you arrive. The Office of International Programs (International Center) does not have the resources to help you in finding off-campus housing. If you would like on-campus housing, contact UND Housing directly.
If you plan on living in residence halls, you need to register for early arrival housing in order to attend Orientation. Registration for early arrival housing is available on the Housing & Residence Life Office website prior to each term. Instructions on how to apply for early arrival housing will be sent to you about a month before the term starts, but you still need to apply for housing before this time.
Brannon Hall is the only residence hall that is open year round. If you think you will need housing during the winter break, it is recommend you request Brannon Hall for your housing assignment.

5. Submit Required Immunizations

The North Dakota University System policy requires all newly admitted students to provide evidence of required immunizations.

To submit your immunization records, log into your UND Health Portal.

6. Get in Touch with Your Mentor

As part of our International Peer Mentor Program, we will pair you with a current UND student who will contact you shortly before your arrival.

7. Prepare for Living in the United States

Education USA (a division of the U.S. Department of State) offers a pre-departure guide for students planning to study in the U.S.

8. Make Arrangements to Arrive in Grand Forks

In order to ensure that you can participate fully in the orientation, we recommend that you arrive on campus no later than the day before it begins. Please communicate with your mentor about your arrival plans.

Travel to UND

When to Arrive

You may enter the United States a maximum of 30 days before the program start date listed on your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.
We recommend that you arrive at least 1-2 days before the beginning of orientation so that you have a little time to get settled and begin to recover from jet lag.

How to Arrive

The University of North Dakota is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. You can reach Grand Forks by airplane, by train or by bus

Arriving by Airplane

Grand Forks is served by Delta Airlines and Allegiant. Delta flies several flights each day from Minneapolis/ St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to Grand Forks International Airport (GFK). Allegiant has flights from Mesa, AZ, Las Vegas, NV, and Orlando, FL (seasonal)

Arriving by Train

Grand Forks is served by Amtrak. We recommend that you make reservations in advance. There are two trains that arrive in Grand Forks daily-around 1:00 a.m. from the West Coast and around 5:00 a.m. from Chicago.

Arriving by Bus

Grand Forks is served by Jefferson Lines and Greyhound Bus (in cooperation with Jefferson Lines). There are only one or two buses that arrive in Grand Forks each day. You will need to plan your schedule accordingly.
Pick-Up Service
In order to ensure that you can participate fully in the orientation, we recommend that you arrive on campus no later than the day before orientation begins.
There are ride sharing services such as Uber and Lyft as well as taxis at Grand Forks Airport, Grand Forks Train Depot, or Grand Forks Bus Depot. Please communicate with your mentor about your arrival plans.

Arrival Housing

You should make advance arrangements for a place to stay on at least your first night in Grand Forks.
If you have arranged a residence hall room or campus apartment:
Find out from the Housing & Residence Life Office when you will be able to move in
Request Early Arrival Housing from the residence halls if you will be arriving before the regular move in date

If you are unable to stay in campus housing the first night make a reservation in one of the local hotels. There are several hotels located near campus:

Best Value Inn
1000 North 42nd Street
Grand Forks, ND 58203
1.701.775.0555

Ramada Inn
1205 North 43rd Street
Grand Forks, ND 58203
1.701.775.3951

EconoLodge
900 N. 43rd St.
Grand Forks, ND, 58203
1.701.746.6666

Select Inn
4001 Gateway Drive
Grand Forks, ND 58203
1.701.795.9960

Hilton Garden Inn
4301 Dartmouth Drive
Grand Forks, ND 58203
1.701.775.6000

Super 8 Motel
1122 N 43rd Street
Grand Forks, ND 58203
1.701.775.8138

Holiday Inn
1210 N. 43rd St.
Grand Forks, ND 58203
1.701.772.7131

Post-Arrival

Upon arrival, you will have many things that you will need to take care of before the semester begins.

1. Secure Housing

It is best if you can make your housing arrangements before you come to campus. If you were not able to do this, you should make your arrangements as soon as possible after you arrive.

Arranging On-Campus Housing: We recommend that students try to live on campus, especially during the first year here. For information on applying for housing on campus, visit UND Housing.
Arranging Off-Campus Housing by checking the following resources:
- Check bulletin boards around campus
- Facebook groups
- Grand Forks Herald
- Check with friends or classmates

2. Attend Orientation

If you are beginning in the fall or spring semester, you will be expected to attend the International Student Orientation. Check the date and time for the next international student orientation international student orientation.

Orientation is mandatory and will benefit students by educating them on the many restrictions and obligations they face in maintaining F-1 status. Loss of F-1 status can incur many consequences, from additional fees and applications, to being removed from the United States.

3. Complete Required SEVIS Registration

Complete the SEVIS Registration Process.

4. Meet with An Academic Advisor

Check the Advisor Contact page if you do not know who your assigned advisor is.
It is important to meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss your class registration and your program of study.
You should be in contact with your Academic Advisor before you come to campus.

5. Activate Your UND Email Account

You will need your UND email account for all official university communication. To claim your account and activate your email, visit UIT for instructions.

6. Register for Classes

Register online using Campus Connection.
Remember that you must be a full time student:
- Undergraduate students: Minimum 12 credits
- Graduate students without assistantship: Minimum 9 credits
- Graduate students with an assistantship: Minimum 6 credits
If you have been in contact with your academic advisor, you may register for your classes before you come to campus.

7. Get a Student ID Card (UCard)

You must request your UCard your U Card online prior to arriving on campus.
The U Card is a multiple purpose identification card that you will need for many activities on campus including eating in the Dining Centers and checking out books from the library.

8. Buy Books

Textbooks for your classes may be purchased at the UND Bookstore.

9. Pay Tuition and Health Insurance

For information on how to pay your UND bills, contact:

One-Stop Student Services
701.777.1234
UND.onestop@UND.edu

10. Apply for a Social Security Card

Students with campus jobs only. See information on Social Security Numbers.

11. Open a Bank Account (optional)

Speak with an advisor at the International Center for more information on opening bank accounts.

Late Arrival

Defer Admission

Students who will arrive after orientation should defer their admission to the following semester. Undergraduate students can contact admissions@und.edu. Graduate students can contact their department to complete the Move Admission Request Form.

Program Dates

The University of North Dakota determines program dates by the North Dakota University System's Academic Calendar. The initial session start date will be the first day of classes as listed on the Academic Calendar. The program start date will be the date of orientation, typically 1-5 days before classes begin.

Once program dates pass, they cannot be changed except to defer to the next semester. A student may not enter the United States more than 30 days after the program start date.

Late Arrival Permission

Only faculty and academic advisors can determine if it is possible for a student to arrive late and still enroll full-time. Faculty are not obligated to assist students in catching up with coursework or to allow them to take incomplete grades.

If faculty and academic advisors can guarantee a student will be able to enroll full-time as required by federal law, and agree to provide additional support for a late arriving student, which may include amending deadlines, allowing incompletes, scheduling additional one-on-one meetings, assisting the student with tutoring, etc., the student should get written documentation of the agreement and carry it with them through the port of entry.

This permission does NOT mean students do not need orientation. During orientation students are provided with important information they need regarding the regulations and restrictions of F-1 status. Students who arrive late are still subject to all the same regulations and responsible for knowing them and following them.