Before
You Arrive

• Schedule a free visa information and preparation session with your personal Enrollment Advisor.
• Check that the details on your I-20 are correct (including your date of birth), and make sure that your name is the same as it appears on your passport.
• Prepare the documents that you will need to take to the embassy when attending your visa interview.

• Complete your visa application.
• Pay your I-901 (SEVIS) fee.
• Visit usembassy.gov to learn more about scheduling your visa appointment, what to expect when you arrive and the documentation that you need to take with you.
• Notify your personal Enrollment Advisor of the date and Embassy where you have scheduled your visa appointment.
• Watch these videos to help you apply for your visa and prepare for your interview:

Other links that international students find useful:

• Visa appointment and processing wait times
• Visa photo requirements
• Studying in the U.S.

Making your payment in full two weeks before you arrive will help avoid delays with enrollment.

• Flywire by Peer Transfer: Please visit UMB International Direct flywire portal to complete the transfer process. Please note that you cannot use a U.S. credit card or U.S. bank account.
• Please be aware that if you do not pay your balance as indicated on your statement of fees by the payment deadline, the following may occur:
  • Late payment fees may be charged.
  • You may have your scholarship and/or waivers rescinded. In such cases, you will be responsible for the full cost of your program.
  • You may encounter delays or other issues enrolling and registering for classes.

Access UMB Student Portal

Undergraduate International Direct students ONLY: You will need to access your Student Portal in order to complete your required pre-arrival assessments. You should receive an email titled “Welcome to UMass Boston”.

NOTE: Undergraduate International Direct students should gain access to their portal 2-5 days after I-20 has been issued.

Please email us at undergrad.admissions@umb.edu if you do not receive your student portal email within the time lines listed above

Please see Student Portal access guide “here”

Please access your Student Portal to upload your immunization forms and records.

Under the “Admission Status” tab, please follow the link for “Health Services”

DEADLINE TO COMPLETE: TWO WEEKS BEFORE PROGRAM START DATE

All first-year students are required to complete a pre-arrival math assessment and a writing assessment pre-arrival. These are very important to ensure that students are placed in the appropriate-level class.

To access both assessments:

1. Log into your Student Portal
2. Click the “Admission Status” tab
3. Find the following links:
   1. Writing Assessment
   2. ALEKS Math Placement test

Please sign up for orientation by accessing your Student Portal.

Under the “Admission Status” tab please find the “Register for New Student Orientation” Option.

Graduate and ESL students – be on the lookout for an email from your department with orientation information.

On-campus housing is available for International Direct and ESL students. Students need to access the Student Portal to submit their housing confirmation. Graduate students can utilize the resources below to secure off-campus housing.

Off-Campus Housing

Shared off-campus housing is available to both undergraduate and graduate students. Students looking for a safe community, just 35 minutes to the UMass Boston campus, have the option to live at the International Guest House (IGH).

Founded in 1985 amongst historic brownstones, International Guest House sits in Back Bay, one of Boston Proper’s most esteemed areas. IGH employs a full-time staff member who is available 24-hours per day as well as a night watchman. Common areas including a study room, TV room, laundry room and social room are provided for our visitors to enjoy and mingle.

To reserve your room email mail@intlguesthouse.com with code “Shorelight”
– For any questions about rooms, pricing, or details, please email mail@intlguesthouse.com

Amenities:

• Breakfast and dinner
• Fully furnished room
• Wifi
• TV and study rooms
• Shared bathroom
• Linens and towels
• Daily bathroom cleaning service
• Weekly linen/towel cleaning service
• Telephones with free local calling
• 24/7 security
• On site laundry (coin operated)

Other off-Campus Housing resources

• Boston-Area Housing Resources

Please be sure to book short-term housing for when you first arrive if you are not able to move into your apartment/home immediately. Boston hotels are very strict about ages.

Most hotels in Boston will not permit a student under the age of 21 to check into a room without a parent/guardian (even if the student is over 18 and someone over 21 made the reservation) and virtually no hotel will allow someone under the age of 18 to check into a hotel alone (even if the parent made the reservation, or if a member of our staff is with them when they check in).

If you are 16-17  years old: Contact the International Guest House to see if they have vacancies and are able to accommodate you based on your age.

If you are 18-21 years old: Contact HI Boston Hotel to see if they have vacancies and are able to accommodate you based on your age. Information about their age restrictions.

More off-campus housing resources can be found here. Email offcampus@umb.edu with any questions!

We are so excited for you to join us on campus! To ensure a smooth transition to your new home, plan to arrive on or before your official move-in day.

Once you book your flights, you must fill out the student arrival form, this helps us to plan for your arrival and know when to expect you to arrive.

Important Dates

For all application and payment deadlines as well as move-in and program start dates, please visit the Important Dates page.

We are looking forward to meeting you in person!

You can set up a US bank account and sign up for a US phone plan before leaving your home country with our trusted provider, Ellis.