College Baseball

Preparing to Study in the U.S.

Health Insurance

• Contact your local OHIP office to ensure you have continuous coverage while you are away.
• If you have medical coverage through your employer, check to see if you will continue to be covered while studying in the US. Are there any conditions that apply in order to maintain your eligibility for insurance.
• If the school you will be attending offers medical insurance verify that the company will do the coordination of benefits.
• If none of the insurers offer coordination of benefits, consider other travel insurance options such as Blue Cross, RBC Travel Insurance, etc.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

• Obtain your I-20 from your school.
• File your I-901 form online and pay the fee.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

If you have questions about the border crossing process, contact the port of entry where you will be crossing into the U.S.

• New York Ports of Entry

Going to School

• Allow extra time to cross the border. Depending on where you cross, it could possibly take more than an hour.
• When you arrive at the border and tell the Border Officer you will be studying in the U.S., the Border Officer will direct you to go into the US CBP Office. Ensure you have the following:
  
  
  • Your passport, valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected stay;
  • SEVIS Form I-20 which was sent to you by the school you will be attending.
  
  In addition, it is strongly recommended that you also carry the following documentation:
  
  
  • Evidence of financial resources;
  • Evidence of student status, such as recent tuition receipts and transcripts;
  • Paper receipt for the SEVIS fee, Form I-797, and
  • Name and contact information for your “Designated School Official”, including a 24-hour emergency contact number at the school.

Your I-20 will be processed and and I-94 will be stapled to your passport. You must carry these with you whenever you cross the border.

When you arrive at school, you must report your arrival to the office responsible for assisting international students. They will report your arrival in the SEVIS system. If you do not report, you may be in violation of your status in the U.S.

Other Resources

• Arriving at a U.S. Port of Entry … What a Student Can Expect
• What happens when I arrive in the U.S.
• I-901 FAQs

If you have any questions, please contact us at knights@ottawaknightsbaseball.com.