Preparing to Enter the U.S.

Additional Resources
Orientation and Enrollment for International Students
Your First Month at UNO

Things to Know Before You Go

Now that you have been accepted to a UNO program, secured the appropriate F-1 or J-1 visa, completed the online portion of international orientation and completed enrollment, it is time to prepare to travel to the U.S.

UNO international students with an F-1 or J-1 visa can travel to the U.S. within 30 days of the official program start date on Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.

Review the information below:

Health Insurance
Travel Documents
Packing and Preparing to Leave
Communication
Arrival and Move-In Information
Transportation from Eppley Airfield Omaha (OMA)

Health Insurance

As you prepare to travel, it is important to know all international students and scholars on F-1 and J-1 visas must be enrolled in the UNO Health Insurance Policy.

The insurance cost will be added to your bill for tuition and fees.
Students sponsored by their home country's government with a current financial guarantee on file at UNO that extends through the end of the semester will not be assessed insurance fees and do not need to request a waiver.
Waivers will only be reviewed for students who have a US-based employer plan.

Health Insurance Waiver

Waivers are available to students with a non-UNO health insurance policy that meets specific criteria. Each policy will be individually reviewed and must be submitted through the portal on MavLINK. Waivers are granted if the non-UNO health insurance policy:

Is with a U.S.-based carrier that pays for health care in Nebraska
Has a deductible of $500 or less
Covers unlimited major medical coverage, including pre-existing conditions
Includes unlimited medical evacuation and repatriation coverage
Meets or exceeds Affordable Care Act requirements
Has a coverage premium paid in full for the entire semester

J-1 Visa Exchange Students Studying as Visiting Non-Degree Students: Review the email sent by the Education Abroad Office about health insurance policy information.

ILUNO students on F-1 and J-1 visas pay for UNO-required health insurance each session. Since health insurance coverage starts on the first day of international student orientation, students should independently purchase health insurance to cover travel and dates in the U.S. before orientation begins.

Travel Documents

Learning the difference between your three main travel documents before you leave will help during your trip and arrival.

Passport: Approval from your government to travel outside the country
Form I-20 and Form DS-2019: Permission to enter the U.S.
Student Visa: Permission to stay in the U.S. for the duration of your UNO program

Packing and Preparing to Leave

As you pack and prepare to leave on your flight to the U.S., remember to bring your travel documents and read the information about entering the U.S.

You must keep the documents below in your carry-on baggage, ready to be presented on request during your trip.

The documents include:
√	Valid passport
√	Valid F-1 or J-1 visa
√	Form I-20 or DS-2019
√	SEVIS fee receipt
√	Financial documents—the same documents used for your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019

Other items that could be helpful to pack in your carry-on bag:
√	U.S. currency/cash
√	A change of clothes in case of lost or delayed checked baggage or a delayed flight
√	Health insurance information
√	Prescription medication from a doctor/pharmacy, immunization/medical records, glasses/contact lenses

Communication

Please review how your phone plan will work internationally so you can use it upon arrival in the U.S. to communicate and arrange transportation. The Omaha airport also offers free public Wi-Fi."

Arrival and Move-In Information

UNO’s annual Holiday Closedown for 2025 will begin on December 24 and staff will return to work on January 5. In person orientation is scheduled for Thursday January 8 and all new international students must attend. Please make your arrival plans accordingly.

For those students living on campus, please contact UNO Housing about your arrival date and time so they can prepare appropriately. International students living on campus are encouraged to request early move-in to be here for orientation and arrive on January 6 or 7, 2026 during regular business hours. If you have questions about your arrival or where to check in during regular business hours or after hours, please contact:

Dodge Campus – unohousing@unomaha.edu

Scott Campus – leasing@scottcampus.com