The Pre-Arrival Checklist will help you prepare for your arrival at UW-River Falls (UWRF). You must complete the following steps:

1. Visa Process

Once you receive your admission package, make sure to review, sign and date your “Certificate of Eligibility” for non-immigrant status. You should receive either a form I-20 or a form DS-2019. These forms are very important documents that will be required to complete the visa process. You will need to apply for a visa to enter the United States (U.S.); if you have received an I-20 you will apply for an F-1 visa and if you have received a DS-2019, you will apply for a J-1 visa. Follow this visa process:

• Pay the SEVIS fee, Form I-901
• Complete the 'Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application, Form DS-160
• Pay the visa application fee
• Prepare for and attend your visa interview

Learn more about how to prepare for your interview on the Immigration Information webpage. Complete the visa process as soon as possible, but make sure your visa appointment is not more than 120 days prior to your program start date.

Please contact iss@uwrf.edu if you have any questions or concerns about the visa process.

2. Activate Your Falcon Account & UWRF Email

All UWRF students have a Falcon Account that gives access to important university resources. You need to activate your account online using the Password Service Center website.

Note: Your Username is your UW-River Falls Student ID number, also known as your "w number," and can be found on your admission letter. You will need to enter your 7-digit student ID preceded by a lower case "w", for example w2600000. Also, the Falcon Account instructions ask you to enter the "Last 4 digits of SSN (0000)" this refers to the U.S. Social Security Number or SSN.  If you do not have U.S. SSN, you need enter four upper case "X" in the corresponding box, just like this: XXXX.

After you have activated your Falcon Account, you can check your UWRF email. UWRF email accounts are the official means of communication for UWRF students. You need to check your email regularly.

Please contact dots@uwrf.edu if you have questions or concerns regarding your Falcon Account.

3. Pay Your Housing Deposit & Select Your Housing and Meal Plan

All first and second year undergraduate students, or those who are 21 years or younger, are required to live on campus. Those who live on campus must pay a housing deposit to secure on-campus housing and sign a housing contract for an entire academic year (9 months). This contract cannot be broken unless a student withdraws from UWRF, transfers to another school, is an exchange student at UWRF for only one semester, or has a documented medical need that Res Life is unable to accommodate.

Note: All international students using funds from outside the US should use Flywire to pay their housing deposit.

Additionally, most on-campus residences require students to choose a meal plan as well. Housing information can be found on the Residence Life webpage, while Meal Plans can be found on the Dining webpage. Please contact reslife@uwrf.edu if you have any other questions or concerns regarding housing. Please contact dining@uwrf.edu for questions about meal plans.

If you are not required to live on campus and chose to live off-campus, you do not need to complete this step.

4. Submit Your Travel Plans

To prepare for your arrival, all international students are required to complete the Travel Plan Form to International Student Services (ISS) no later than 10 days prior to the arrival date listed on the admission letter.  All new international students are required to attend International Student Orientation (ISO), for this plan to arrive in River Falls on the arrival date listed on your admission letter.

For transportation options from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to River Falls, refer to the Transportation page.

International Student Orientation (ISO) All new international students, both F-1 and J-1 visa holders, are required to complete ISO prior to the start of classes on the first semester. ISO is designed to help you meet other students and to familiarize you with campus resources and services. During ISO, you will learn more about your visa, how to maintain your visa status, you might also need to take the necessary placement tests, if required, your will have the opportunity to set up a U.S. bank account, register for classes, visit and register at the the local clinic, and much more. You will receive more details and the ISO schedule prior to arrival day. Please contact iss@uwrf.edu if you have any questions or concerns regarding ISO.

 

Health Insurance Coverage All F-1 and J-1 visa holders, and their dependents, are required to carry the University of Wisconsin International Student Health Insurance Plan. International Student Services, will enroll all F-1 and J-1 visa holders and their dependents in this plan. Premiums (cost) for this plan will be placed on the student's billing account. More information about this required health insurance plan, can be found here.

 

Recommended Steps

• Schedule a medical check up and update your immunizations (For a list of recommended immunizations, click here)
• Schedule a vision and dental check ups
• Are you an international student with a documented disability (ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Acquired Brain Injury, PTSD, Physical, Sensory, Psychological, or Learning Disability, etc.) who require academic accommodations for classes? Click here to learn more about the services provided by the Disability Resource Center.
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Optional Steps

• Get involved! Did you know that UWRF hosts over 150 student organizations? Browse for Organizations here
• If you drive, click here to learn more about obtaining a driver license in Wisconsin