US Entry Checklist (After Acceptance)

**1. Documents

⑴ Admission Letter** (I-20; international F-1)

① Admission letter sent by the accepted school

② An I-20 is required to apply for the F-1 non-immigrant student visa, which is typically used by international students

③ The school usually includes the admission approval letter when sending the I-20

④ This document contains information about the school, program details, duration of study, school contact information, and signatures

⑤ The I-20 is usually sent to you by mail by the school

⑥ The SEVIS ID is printed on the left side of the received I-20

⑦ You need this SEVIS ID, starting with ‘N’, to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee on your visa interview day

⑧ Be sure to print the SEVIS I-901 payment confirmation for the visa interview

⑵ Visa and Green Card

⑶ Other Documents

2. Finances

⑴ Types of banks and opening an account

⑵ SWIFT Bank Identification Code (BIC) (swift code)

① The SWIFT Bank Identification Code (BIC) is a unique identification code assigned to a transaction bank’s intermediary bank or branch. It must be either 8 or 11 characters long.

② The structure of a SWIFT code: If you are unsure about the branch or head office code, you can omit it or attach ‘XXX’ when sending.

③ Kookmin Bank (ref)

○ English name of bank: KOOKMIN BANK

○ Address of bank headquarters: #26, Gukjegeumyung-ro 8-gil, Yeoungdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Korea

○ Bank SWIFT code (B.I.C.): CZNBKRSE or CZNBKRSEXXX

④ Industrial Bank (ref)

○ English name of bank: INDUSTRIAL BANK OF KOREA

○ Address of bank headquarters: IBK FINANCE TOWER FLOOR 16 JUNG-GU82 EULJI-RO

○ Bank SWIFT code (B.I.C.): IBKOKRSE or IBKOKRSEXXX

⑶ International Bank Account Number (IBAN, International Bank Account Number)

① Kookmin Bank (ref)

⑷ SSN (Social Security Number)

① Even international students can be issued an SSN.

② If you are on a fellowship, you cannot receive an SSN.

③ The process to obtain an SSN is complex and requires contacting the department office.

④ An SSN is required to obtain a credit card or loan.

⑤ One person cannot have more than one SSN.

⑸ ITIN

① Issued to foreigners who find it difficult to obtain an SSN, it’s a taxpayer identification number.

② Recommended to be obtained for tax processing in the U.S. for non-students as well, such as for Google AdSense.

③ Issuance methods:

○ By mail

○ Requesting through a U.S. accountant

○ In-person visit: You will be turned away if you don’t schedule an appointment in advance (ref)

⑹ Bank balance certification document

① Must be written in English

② The required amount for the financial certification can usually be found on the school’s website under “tuition and fee” or similar pages

③ You must have sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses

④ It must be in English, so it’s advisable to open a US dollar account

⑤ Types of financial certification: personal, government support, company support, school support (scholarships, RA/TA)

⑺ School finances

① Tuition fee: Many schools consider students by calculating and paying stipends after deducting tuition fees themselves.

② Stipend: In areas with a high cost of living (e.g., New York), stipends are relatively higher.

③ You can secure funds for self-funding your study abroad through internships, research positions, and job postings

④ The school requires students to enroll in mandatory insurance. If you have other insurance, you can apply for a waiver.

⑻ Tax filing

① Tax Reporting for Student Status (F-1)

② There are up to four tax filing periods in a year: many schools only file once on April 15th.

③ Must be done regardless of income status: A 14% reduction in ordinary taxes.

④ Schools usually provide free codes for tax services like Sprintax or other agencies

⑤ F-1, J-1 visa holders are eligible for FICA tax exemption and refunds

⑥ State tax refunds may also be possible in some cases

⑦ 2023 tax return (@ 2024 May)

⑧ Useful websites for graduate students regarding tax filing: https://pfforphds.community/4o7jihwn

⑼ Overseas Money Transfer Agent Registration

3. Lifestyle

⑴ Housing

① Housing contract is typical processed via online.

② Type 1. On-campus housing: It can be challenging for new students.

③ Type 2. Off-campus housing: It can be easily found by searching online.

○ Websites: Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com, rent.com, Trulia, Apartments.com, RentCafe, RentLinx, Movoto

○ Must meet one of the following conditions.

○ Condition 1: US Phone Number

○ You can obtain a U.S. phone number only after arriving in the U.S., so you may need to borrow one from an acquaintance.

○ If you borrow someone’s number, the homeowner should be understanding, and you will be able to change the phone number after registering.

○ Often, a phone number is only needed for account registration, but there are times when direct communication is necessary.

○ International calls can also be made using WeChat, WhatsApp, Free International Call app, Text Plus app, Dingtone, etc.

○ Condition 2: SSN/ITIN Number

○ Unlike SSN, ITIN can be obtained even if you’re not in the US, but it can be time-consuming (e.g. hiring an accountant)

○ It’s possible to proceed without SSN/ITIN: just input any value and move on

○ Condition 3: VISA Card or Travel Wallet

○ Typically, a reservation fee or deposit is required

③ Class 1. Dormitory

○ Most graduate schools offer dormitory support for about 2 years

○ Schools like WashU do not provide dormitory support

○ Some schools like Stanford and Weill Cornell offer dormitory support for the entire duration

④ Class 2. Personal housing

○ Many students opt for shared housing, typically with 3 people in 1 room

○ Roommates are often found through social media platforms like Facebook

⑤ Class 3. Sublease and Takeover

○ Offers related to this are usually available through Korean associations and cohort e-mails.

○ Subleasing is common when you are away for an extended period, such as for long trips or CPT.

○ There could be legal issues: Subleasing without the landlord’s consent is generally illegal.

⑥ Effect of contract

○ Unauthorized subletting or bringing in others without permission can result in the lease being terminated by the landlord.

○ Leases can be automatically renewed.

○ Good apartments offer access control, a pool, a gym, parking spaces, laundry facilities, air conditioning, and a refrigerator.

⑦ Address

○ The U.S. primarily uses street addresses.

○ In the case of Korea, refer to the internet post office when investigating the English postal code.

○ In the case of New York, addresses are assigned starting with E (East) or W (West) centered around Central Park.

⑵ Grocery Shopping

① Large Grocery Stores: Groceries are quite affordable in the U.S.

○ CVS Pharmacy

○ Kroger: The Kroger app offers discounts on the prices of items to be purchased.

○ Meijer: The Meijer app allows you to accumulate rewards that can be used for discounts later.

○ Fresh Thyme

② Asian Markets

③ Korean Markets

○ Hyundai HMM: Rice, kimchi, frozen foods, ramen, snacks, and beverages can be purchased.

○ trader joe’s: You can find items like pancakes, hotteok, japchae, tteokbokki, kimchi fried rice, and bulgogi frozen food

○ safeway: You can find kimchi, Shin Ramyun, Neoguri, and Yukgaejang

○ vons: You can find kimchi, Shin Ramyun, Neoguri, and Yukgaejang

○ Walmart: You can find kimchi, Shin Ramyun, Neoguri, and Yukgaejang

⑶ Purchasing clothing

① Buying Used Clothing: Salvation Army, Good Will, and More

⑷ Purchasing Appliances/Furniture

① Furniture: IKEA, Amazon, Wayfair

② Appliances: Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, Target

③ Secondhand Transactions: Facebook Marketplace, Habitat for Humanity

④ Transportation: Transport items yourself or pay an additional fee for delivery.

⑸ Barber Shop or Hair Salon

① Disadvantages of American hair salons: They are expensive, and the hairstyling techniques are not well-suited for the straight hair typical of Koreans.

② It is common to grow your hair out or purchase a clipper and manage it yourself.

⑹ Telecom Providers

① Types of Telecom Providers:

○ Verizon

○ T-Mobile

○ AT&T: Quite expensive

○ Mint: Affordable but with limited data usage

○ Sprint

② Telecom Plans:

○ It is usually cheaper if you sign up with friends.

○ Family plan: Get unlimited internet at a lower cost by bundling multiple lines.

○ If you have an unlocked phone, considering an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) can also be economical.

③ Internet

○ Xfinity is cheaper than AT&T.

○ The cost for using the internet is around $40–45 per month (after applying a $10 discount with automatic payment).

○ Xfinity offers a free modem rental for one year: After the first year, you can be introduced to another free modem.

⑺ Hospital

① Even without insurance, you can be charged around 300,000 KRW just for imaging tests; hospitals are so expensive that even drinking water can incur a fee.

② Even for pain relief, it’s common for hospitals to prescribe psychotropic medications.

③ If you find the billed amount excessive, you can negotiate with the hospital.

⑻ Korean community

⑼ Previous criminal record residence status

4. Military Service

⑴ If you go abroad for study without completing military service, you may need to return to fulfill your military obligations later

⑵ When fulfilling military service obligations while studying abroad

① You must report to both your department and the international center.

② Your F-1/J-1 SEVIS record will be terminated, and upon returning, you will need to obtain a new SEVIS record and I-20/DS-2019.

③ Returning students must spend at least one year before they can apply for CPT or OPT.

⑶ Military reserve

① Training that was scheduled before departure: postponed to the following year

② If you stay overseas for more than 1 year, training within 1 year before departure and after departure is exempt

③ If you stay overseas for less than 1 year

○ If you stayed in the country continuously for 14 days excluding the return and departure dates: training for that year is considered completed. Continuous overseas stay is acknowledged

○ If you stayed in the country continuously for 15 days or more excluding the return and departure dates: training for that year is considered incomplete and is postponed to the following year

○ Example: “USA → Korea for 14 days → Brief stay in the USA → Korea for 14 days → USA” - Training for that year is considered completed

5. Traffic

⑴ Driver’s license

① Serves as an official identification card in the United States.

② Secretary of State (SOS): It is recommended to make an appointment for your visit.

③ Required documents: Korean driver’s license, international driver’s permit, proof of address, passport, I-20, SSN or ineligibility letter.

④ On-site photo will be taken.

⑤ International Driver’s License: Valid for one year. Available for online issuance. To facilitate smooth operations, the number of licenses issued per day is limited to 350. A photo is required. Delivered by mail.

⑥ Unlike in California, if you already have a Korean driver’s license, you can obtain a U.S. driver’s license without taking an additional test.

⑵ Vehicle Purchase

① Used Cars are Commonly Purchased: In Texas, owning a vehicle is essential. However, in major cities like New York, where public transportation is well-developed, owning a car is not necessary.

② Many People Either Repair Their Vehicles Themselves or Opt Not to Repair Them at All.

③ When Purchasing a Used Car, It Typically Costs Around 6 Million Won, with an Additional Maintenance Cost of Half That Amount.

○ Maintenance Costs: Insurance (700,000-800,000 Won for 6 months), Property Tax (1 million Won per year), fuel costs, antifreeze, repair costs, and parking fees (rare).

⑶ Traffic Regulations

① They are generally quite similar to those in South Korea.

② Pedestrians have priority over vehicles, so vehicles must always stop for pedestrians.

6. Election

⑴ Subjective Requirements

① Overseas nationals eligible to participate in the election are categorized as follows into overseas voters and overseas absentees.

② Recently, restrictions on voting rights for permanent residents abroad have been discussed

⑵ Temporal Requirements:

① Overseas Voter Registration Deadline: Up to 60 days before each election day.

② Overseas Absentee Reporting Period: From 150 days to 60 days before each election day.

③ If impeachment is upheld by the Constitutional Court, the deadline for overseas voter registration is extended to 40 days before the election day, instead of 60 days (Public Official Election Act in Korea, Article 218-12). The presidential election is held within 60 days from the impeachment ruling, typically on the 60th day, which leaves approximately 20 days for preparation.

⑶ Procedural Requirements

① Application through a diplomatic mission visit or via traveling diplomatic staff: Korean citizens can submit overseas voter registration applications on behalf of their family members.

② Application by mail or email.

③ Online application (link).

Input: 2023.02.24 08:18

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