Current International Students
This is your starting point for all things international.
Find your way around
See Maps and Directions to get familiar with UM’s campus and the surrounding Dearborn area.
Learn about the various modes of transportation in and around Dearborn.
Learn about employment in the US
You must have approved work authorization, such as CPT or OPT before getting a job off-campus.
See what it takes to work in the U.S. as an international student and find a great job.
Get immigration and Visa support
Know the rules and regulations for keeping your visa current during your stay. The Office of International Affairs (OIA) can help! Get immigration and visa support.
Find your community
International students are welcome in any of the 150+ student organizations at UM-Dearborn. These groups are a great opportunity to connect with other students over shared interests, such as culture, religion, volunteerism, and academics.
- Learn about all UM-Dearborn student organizations at VictorsLink, including the Graduate International Student Organization (GISO). The GISO is a diverse and inclusive group that helps international students grow professionally and personally.
- Explore the Office of Student Life's resources for student organizations, leadership, inclusion, and service.
- Interested in sports? Workout, play, or cheer on a team with the UM-Dearborn Wolverines Athletics!
International student and scholar programs and resources
Conversation Circles are made up of small groups of current students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Circles focus on a new theme, and are hosted by a new Session Leader, each week.
University Unions and Events (UUE) has compiled a list of local Dearborn restaurants providing food delivery and take out options. We hope that this list, with location and contact details, will be helpful to international students and scholars living near campus.
Transfer to another institution
If you would like to complete your studies elsewhere, the OIA can help transfer your immigration documentation to another college or university.
Travel
Take advantage of your time here to explore the country! Refer to these travel resources for helpful information and to register your travel plans so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency. Check for State Department travel advisories before you go to avoid unnecessary delays.
When traveling within the United States, be sure to carry your:
- Form I-94, used by U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to track your arrival-departure record. This is sometimes called your “registration document.”
- Passport
- I-20 or DS-2019
If you plan to travel outside of the United States:
- Visit the OIA first. You will need to meet with an international advisor to get an endorsement (travel signature) on your SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019. Upon your return, you will need this document to show that you are active and in good standing with UM-Dearborn.
- To obtain your travel endorsement, please complete the OIA Travel Signature Form.
- You must ensure that your passport and visa stamp have at least 6 months of remaining validity at the time of your return.
For up-to-date information on traveling outside the U.S. and re-entry, please visit the Immigration and Customs Enforcement travel website.
To re-enter the country, your dependent spouse or child who is on an F-2 or J-2 visa must also have:
- A valid travel signature
- 6 months remaining validity on their passport
If your spouse or child needs an F-2 or J-2 visa, follow the procedure for obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019).
Your family members who are not your children or spouse must apply for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa to visit the U.S. Family members from certain countries may be eligible to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without obtaining a B-1/B-2 visa through the U.S. Department of State Visa Waiver Program.
Additional recommended documents
To help strengthen your B-1/B-2 visa application, we recommend that you provide additional documents to clarify that:
- The visit is temporary and/or is for a specific occasion (e.g., graduation ceremony)
- The visitor will be supported financially while visiting the U.S., and
- They have ties to their home country.
Examples include:
- Proof of employment – a letter from the employer indicating that this individual is currently employed and taking time off, but is due back at their job on a specific date.
- Proof of property ownership – house, apartment, or a business.
- Proof of contact with other family members in the home country.
- Proof of finances – bank statement, stocks, property.
- A formal letter of invitation (written by you as the F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor) indicating the specific reason for the visit (e.g., graduation, wedding, illness, birth of a child). The letter should include information about the purpose of travel and planned itinerary or schedule. It may also include information about your U.S. immigration status as an F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor.
For more information about B-1/B-2 visas, refer to the U.S. Department of State Visitor Visas.