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UPON ARRIVAL

Immigration Essentials spring 2011

Upon admission to UAHuntsville, each F1 student will receive an admission packet filled with a variety of documents and resources. Read the information that is sent to you fully to be sure that you are the most prepared upon your arrival to UAH. Each year UAH departments work together to ensure programs, services, and other specialized assistance is provided for new international students upon arrival to the U.S. Programs include new student orientation, immigration processing, immunizations and social and fun activities to provide opportunities to get to know other students.

1. Required Immunizations
UAH requires all students to have two doses of MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella) prior to attending classes. F1 students are encouraged, whenever possible, to obtain both MMR vaccinations in your home country. Students are also required to be tested for Tuberculosis (TB) prior to being cleared for registration. The University Health Center will ONLY accept TB tests administered in the U.S. within the last 12 months. DO NOT get tested prior to your arrival as the evidence will not be accepted by the Health Center.

The immunization form included is included with the admission packet and available on the UAH Student Health Center website http://www.uah.edu/SHC/immunizations.php The completed form can be submitted to the Health Center on the day of the TB skin test. All vaccination information must be documented in English or submitted with an English translation. Students able to obtain the MMR vaccinations in the home country MUST have the second MMR dose administered at least 30 days prior to arrival in the U.S. This will ensure that the UAH Student Health Center is able to perform the required TB (Tuberculosis) skin test for each new international student upon arrival to Huntsville. New students will not be permitted to enroll in classes until;

• The immunization form has been submitted to the Student Health Center showing at least one MMR dose has been administered,
• A TB skin test is administered by UAH Student Health Center and a nominal fee is charged to your university student account
• Students who have had only one MMR dose must have scheduled to receive the 2nd MMR dose within the first 45 days of the start of classes. Students who need a 2nd MMR dose must make arrangements with the Student Health Center to obtain the MMR vaccination and will be charged a nominal fee for the cost of the vaccination.

There are other immunizations that are recommended by the CDC and UAH for college students. It is recommended that you also be up to date with the additional immunizations: Hepatitis B, Meningicoccal, Tetanus/Diptheria, Pertussis, Varicella, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Please refer to the Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/ or contact the Student Health Center for more information at 256-824-6775 or http://www.uah.edu/SHC/index.php

2. Immigration Processing and International Student Orientation
The International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO) advisors need to meet with each and every new F1 student prior to enrollment in classes at UAH. We set aside a few days at the beginning of each semester for the sole purpose of meeting each of you and helping you get started on the right foot! In addition, immigration laws require that the ISSO obtain copies of your passport and other immigration documents that were used to enter the U.S. All new students are blocked from enrolling in classes and ineligible to begin assistantship duties until some preliminary processes are taken care of (SEVIS hold). The dates for international student orientation and immigration processing are included in your admission packet and also emailed to you approximately 30 days prior to the start of the new semester. If you will not arrive until after the report date listed on your I-20 then you will need to email visahelp@uah.edu to let us know you will be arriving late and to make arrangements to meet with an international student advisor upon your arrival.

3. English Language Placement Test (ELPT)
All new non-native English speakers must take the English Language Placement Test administered at UAH. This exam occurs multiple times prior to the start of each semester. The exam is coordinated with immigration processing and International Student Orientation. Non-native English speakers are blocked from registering for classes until they have taken the ELPT exam. For more information, see http://esl.uah.edu/ELPT.htm