Getting Started at UNO
Ready to get started? Here is what you need to know and need to do.
SEVIS Requirements
After you are admitted and have your Form I-20, go here to learn about the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and pay the SEVIS fee to the U.S. government. This is required before you go for a visa appointment.
Obtain a Visa
As soon as you pay the SEVIS fee, schedule an appointment with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
- Check with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate about specific requirements for obtaining your visa.
- F and J students must print their I-901 SEVIS Fee payment receipt and present it as proof of payment at their visa interview and when entering the United States at a U.S. port of entry.
- You may not use an email notice as proof of payment.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html
COVID-19 Vaccination, Testing, and Quarantine
Effective Monday, December 6, 2021, all air passengers regardless of vaccination status must show a negative COVID-19 test that was taken no more than one day prior to travel to the United States. If you recently recovered from COVID-19, you may instead travel with documentation of recovery from COVID-19 (i.e., your positive COVID-19 viral test results on a sample taken no more than 90 days before the flight's departure from a foreign country and a letter from a licensed health care provider or a public health official stating that you were clearned to travel).
Effective November 8, 2021, nonimmigrants, including international students and scholars, traveling to the United States by air from any part of the world must establish that they are fully vaccinated, with some limited exceptions.
Be sure you have both the negative COVID viral test taken no more than one day prior to travel to the United States and documentation that you are either fully vaccinated or are eligible for an exception to the vaccination requirement.
All international students and scholars, whether living on or off campus, are expected to follow current guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and UNO.
Be sure to review this information carefully.
COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing Requirements for Entry to the United States and Quarantine Guidelines Upon Arrival to UNO from Abroad
International Student Online Orientation
All new international students, including those transferring from another U.S. school and those moving from ILUNO to UNO, must participate in International Student Orientation. International Orientation features two parts: 1) an online orientation course in your Canvas account and 2) a zoom orientation event. Please register for orientation in MavLINK.
Note: If you plan to study from your home country, please register for orientation so that you have access to the online orientation course but disregard information pertaining to the in-person event.
How to Register for International Orientation
- In MavLINK, click on the "Undergrad Orientation Signup" link found on the left-hand side of the home page in the Admissions drop-down menu. The orientation registration form will pop up in a separate window.
- Review your personal information before completing the form.
- Follow the instructions for international orientation registration.
Zoom Orientation Event - The orientation event will take place Friday, January 21 starting at 9:00 A.M. Check your email for more information.
For Questions about Orientation, email orientation@unomaha.edu
Additional Events:
21 January - 1 PM - 4 PM - open a bank account with First National Bank at the Milo Bail Student Center (MBSC) Ballroom, 2nd Floor. Bring your Form I-20 or DS-2019, passport, and visa and know your U.S. address and cell phone number. No deposits will be received. Sign up required - check your email for sign up information.
21 January - 4 PM to 7 PM - shopping trip to a discount shopping center. Bus will pick up students at the Scott Village Clubhouse at 4:00 P.M. and at at the University Village Clubhouse at 4:15 P.M. Meet at 6:00 or 6:30 P.M. to leave the shopping center.
For help navigating Dodge Campus, view this map.
Health & Safety Reminders
These events are in compliance with UNO’s current COVID-19 health and safety measures. Please maintain 6-foot physical distancing while participating. Masks are required per the UNO campus mask policy.
22 January - The trip to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo has been postponed until later in the spring. You will receive more information when a date has been set.
If you are an ILUNO student, please go to Getting Started in ILUNO for your Orientation information.
Enroll in Classes - Academic Advising
All international students are now able to enroll in classes in MavLINK. Before you enroll, however, you should connect with your academic advisor. Your academic advisor will be able to tell you which classes you should enroll in for your first semester and help create a plan for success during your time at UNO. Advisors are currently offering appointments via phone or video conference.
If you are an undergraduate student, you will need to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor. View this website to find the contact information for academic advisors from your program or area of study.
If you are a graduate student, you should contact your graduate program advisor or the Office of Graduate Studies for advising assistance.
After contacting your advisor, you should enroll in classes as soon as possible to ensure that you get your first choices. Please remember that you must enroll in twelve (12) credit hours per semester as an undergraduate student and nine (9) credit hours per semester as an undergraduate student.
J-1 Exchange Students should contact Education Abroad for course enrollment.
Placement Exams
Undergraduate Students - English and math placement exams are required for all new undergraduate international students, unless students have credit at another U.S. college or university. If you have English or math transfer credit from another U.S. institution, please contact your academic advisor to see if you need to take the placement exams.
Learn more about Math course placement here. Your advisor will also provide guidance on Math course selection.
This webpage provides instructions for how to register and take the English Placement and Proficiency Exam (EPPE).
Graduate Students - Taking the English Placement and Proficiency Exam (EPPE) is required for all Master of Business Administration (MBA) students. Other graduate students should check with their academic advisors for program requirements.
Arrange your Housing
UNO has many options for on-campus housing on both the Dodge and Scott campuses. More information about housing can be obtained on the UNO Housing and Residence Life website.
If you wish to apply for on-campus housing, do not delay. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Apply for housing through your MavLINK account.
If you wish to look for off-campus housing, learn about other housing options.
Transportation from Eppley Airfield Omaha (OMA)
UNO Sponsored Airport Pickup
UNO can only offer airport pickup for those students living on the UNO campus. We are unable to provide service to other parts of the Omaha area. Airport pickup assistance is available for students on January 18th from 8:00 - 22:00 (CDT) and January 19th from 8:00 - 22:00 (CDT). Sign up here before January 7.
Questions about airport pickup can be sent via email to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at unoadmissions@unomaha.edu.
Omaha Taxi Service
If you live off-campus, or arrive on a day other than the designated date for airport pickup, there are options available to you such as Uber, Lyft, and taxi services to get you between the airport and your housing.
Health Insurance Requirement
Waiver Information:
Waivers are difficult to obtain. They are only available to students who are eligible and the non-UNO policy must contain the following:
- Must be U.S. based carrier that pay for care in Nebraska
- Deductible must be $500 or less
- Unlimited major medical coverage including pre-existing conditions
- Unlimited medical evacuation and repatriation coverage
- Meets or exceeds Affordable Care Act requirements
- Coverage premium must be paid in full for the entire semester.
Policy Review:
Each policy will be individually reviewed before a waiver is granted and must be submitted through the portal on MavLINK. Note: Please disable pop-up blockers and check your UNO email to ensure that your transmission has been successfully sent.For more information, please visit Nebraska Medicine - UNO Health Center.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: ILUNO students on F and J visas pay for UNO-required health insurance each session. Since health insurance coverage starts on the first day of orientation, students should purchase their own medical insurance to cover travel and dates before orientation begins.
Proof of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) Immunization and Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Requirements
UNO requires all students, including international students and scholars, to provide immunization records in English from your doctor or hospital showing two Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) shots or a blood test report from a laboratory or doctor showing you are immune. A measles titer is a blood draw that measures the presence and amount of antibodies in the blood, which can indicate immunity to the disease. We recommend getting these immunizations in your home country. If you do not bring these immunization records signed by your home country physician, you must have the first dose of the immunization immediately upon arrival (after quarantine). The second dose must be given 30 days later. You will not be allowed to continue taking classes if this requirement is not met. This policy includes all UNO students, intensive English students in the ILUNO program and IPD students.
In addition, UNO requires all international students and scholars to complete a tuberculosis (TB) test at the Nebraska Medicine - UNO Health Center upon arrival (after quarantine).
To visit the Nebraska Medicine - UNO Health Center in 102 Health and Kinesiology (H&K) on UNO's Dodge Campus for the MMR vaccines or the measles titer or the TB screening, an appointment is required. Call 402.554.2374 to schedule an appointment. There will be charges for your visits, which are covered under the UnitedHealthcare StudentResources plan.
For more information about these health requirements, visit Nebraska Medicine - UNO Health Center.
Navigating Technology
All students enrolled at UNO are given a UNO email account. Access Microsoft's Home Page to begin using your UNO MS365 Account which includes your student email and calendar, and MS365 applications such as OneDrive and Microsoft Office. Learn more here. Log in using your NetID and password.
For help finding your NetID or setting your password, view this video or follow the steps in this tutorial.
It is important to check your UNO email account regularly. Important academic and billing information as well as emails from International Programs and advising information will be emailed to your UNO email account.
How to Report to International Advising upon Arrival
Let us know that you arrived in Omaha by completing the Check-In and New Student Compliance e-forms in iGlobal: https://iglobal.nebraska.edu. This is where you will upload a copy of your I-20 or DS-2019, passport, visa, and I-94 for International Advising to review before activating your SEVIS record. Update your local/current address in MavLINK.
Students transferring from another school in the United States should do the e-form requesting a transfer I-20 and students changing programs at UNO should do the e-form to request an I-20 showing their change of educational level. These should be done before the semester starts or within the first two weeks of classes.
As we approach the fall semester and the return to campus, please make note that our office requires scheduled appointments and follows social distancing guidelines. Please check your email regularly for important updates and requirements. We look forward to welcoming you to UNO and Omaha!
How to Get your MavCARD
Your MavCARD can be used for accessing parking garages, checking out items at the library, purchasing food or copy services, and receiving discounts at merchants that cater to students.
Learn more about MavCARD Services.
For Students Planning to Work on Campus
If you are enrolled full-time, hold an F-1 or J-1 visa, and have an on-campus employment offer, you can apply for a Social Security number.
You may request a letter from our office for the Social Security Administration by completing the appropriate letter request e-form in iGlobal. You will need to upload an offer letter signed by your employer and on university letterhead. An advisor will give you next steps.
New international students who recently entered the U.S. with an "initial" form I-20 must wait at least 10 days from the date of entry to apply for a number. A receipt from the Social Security office is required to begin work. In addition, new students must be registered in SEVIS for at least 48 hours before going to the Social Security office.
For Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities may request accommodations to ensure equal access to courses, programs, and activities. Please contact UNO's Accessibility Services Center (ACS):
Phone: 402.554.2872
TTY 1.402.554.3799
Learn more Accessibility Services and Requesting Accomodations