Welcome to FIU!

Access the U.S. Department of State Welcome Brochure to learn about the program and get useful information as you prepare to travel to the United States.

If you are entering the U.S. for the first time on a J-1 visa, you must pay the SEVIS Fee.

• When you receive your DS-2019 visit the FMJFEE site to pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee online or to get information about other payment options.
• Print your receipt as proof of payment.

Schedule an appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country to apply for a J-1 visa. You will need to present these documents:

• Your DS-2019 issued by your agency sponsor or FIU
• Passport (must be valid at least 6 months into the future)
• Financial documents to prove the availability of funds to support your education (includes bank letter, sponsor’s letter, etc.).
• Proof of payment of SEVIS I-901 Fee (see above)
• Please see your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for other requirements.

WHEN YOU ENTER THE COUNTRY, MAKE SURE YOU USE YOUR J-1 VISA.

ISSS cannot make housing arrangements for you. Please make such arrangements before your arrival.

Off-campus housing

For information about off-campus housing, please check

• Off-Campus Housing
• Off-Campus Classifieds

Many websites to search for rentals in the local community exist. FIU is not responsible in any way for the accuracy or availability of information on such sites and ISSS is not recommending or endorsing any of these companies but merely giving examples of the type of information that is available online. Please use caution when giving out personal information or payment to avoid internet scams, identity theft, and fraud.

• Apartment Guide
• Apartments.com
• Zumper
• Zillow
• Abodo
• Doral View

When searching by zip code, keep in mind that zip codes for areas near the Modesto A. Maidique Campus include 33172 and 33174; zip codes for areas near the Biscayne Bay Campus include 33181 and 33160.

Short-term housing

If you arrive before your On Campus Check In time or have not secured housing before your arrival, you may need to stay in a hotel. Average hotel rates per night run from $105 – $160 and they may not be in easy walking distance to campus. It is a good idea to make reservations before you arrive. Please see the listing of hotels near each campus.

Which airport?

• The primary airport is Miami International Airport (MIA).
• Students at the Biscayne Bay Campus may also want to consider Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

IMPORTANT: FIU has several campuses. Please determine which of the FIU Campuses you are going to before you arrive.

When to arrive?

• You should arrive before the semester begins but, remember that you may NOT enter the United States more than 30 days prior to the start of classes.
• Exchange Visitors should check with their academic department for any arrival requirement that the department may have.

What to bring to the U.S.?

In your carry-on luggage:

• Immigration Documents: Make sure to take all your immigration documents ( DS-2019, valid passport with J-1 visa stamp, and original financial documents) and that they are packed in an accessible place. Do not pack these documents in your checked luggage.
• A change of clothes and essentials in case your luggage is lost or delayed
• Medication you may need right away
• Contact information for someone in the U.S. and for FIU

Other things to consider

• Place clear labels with your name and address both inside and outside each piece of luggage.
• Make several copies of your important documents and pack them in different places in case one bag is lost.
• Consider pre-arranging your transportation from the airport (see Arrival in the U.S. below).

Please have the following documents ready:

• Passport with your J-1 Visa Stamp
• FIU DS-2019
• It is also recommended that you carry with you:
  • Evidence of financial resources
  • Paper receipt of SEVIS I-901 Fee
  • Contact information of the FIU ISSS Office

IMPORTANT: Make sure your passport is stamped J-1 (according to your visa) and length of stay is indicated as “D/S” (duration of status) instead of a specific expiration date.

You MUST NOT enter the U.S. using a B-1/B-2 visa or W-T (Visa Waiver)

IMPORTANT: FIU has several campuses. Please determine which campus you are going to before you arrive. Refer to the list of all FIU Campuses on FIU’s main site.

For airport-specific transportation information please visit:

• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL)

You may also reserve a Super Shuttle (shared van service) prior to your arrival.

The Office of International Student and Scholar Services at FIU welcomes you and requires that you check in with us so that we can enter your information in our records. The documents and items that you need to have are:

• Valid passport
• J-1 visa stamped into passport
• DS-2019 (please sign and date your DS 2019 prior to upload)
• Form I-94 Arrival Record (an electronic form that you must access online after arriving in the U.S.). Enter your information to retrieve your I-94 record and then print it out
• Local U.S. Address (PO Boxes are not acceptable)
• Foreign Address
• Name and Phone # for an Emergency Contact

You must check-in within 15 days of your program start date. This includes all J-1 scholars (paid or unpaid by the university). If your SEVIS record is not activated within 30 days of the program start date, you are out of status and must leave the country. This start date is found on your Form DS-2019.

IF YOU ARE AN FIU SPONSORED J-1 STUDENT (Exchange or Full-Time)
Access the ISSS Panther Portal and upload the required documents. You will be directed to a sign in page, where you will need to use your FIU User Name and password to sign in. Additional instructions are on the F-1 & J-1 Check-in page. 

IF YOU ARE A J-1 SCHOLAR (researcher, short term, specialist, non degree student researcher)
Access the ISSS Panther Portal and upload the required documents. You will be directed to a sign in page, where you will need to sign in using either your FIU User Name and password, or TempID to request temporary login.

Note: If you are unable to make the arrival date listed on your DS-2019, the host department must contact ISSS so that your entry date can be deferred in the SEVIS system. If this is not done, and you check in beyond the 30 day grace period, there will be no way to activate your record in SEVIS. It is, therefore, critical for you to be in contact with your host department and ISSS to confirm your arrival date.

IF YOU ARE A FULBRIGHT J-1 STUDENT (Exchange or Full-Time)
Access using this link: FULBRIGHT Sponsored Student Check in Area

This is a courtesy check in that FIU provides to our Fulbright sponsored students to make sure we have them accounted for and we can invite them to all our functions/events and send important announcements as needed. YOU MUST CONTACT YOUR AGENCY AS SOON AS YOU ARRIVE TO GET SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR OFFICIAL CHECK IN. Please stop by the ISSS office on campus to introduce yourself and make sure you are entered on the university records.

ISSS International Student Sessions: You will be notified of the date, time, and location of these sessions.

• This card will be your student ID and can be used for a variety of purposes.
• It can be linked to a Checking Account (with Wells Fargo Bank) if you wish.
• You will need to bring identification and proof of registration to the Card Office.
• For more information, visit Shop FIU.

• All FIU communications, including from ISSS, will be sent to your FIU email address.
• Set up/activate your e-mail address here
• You may set up your account online and if you have problems, you may contact the Division of Information Technology Support Center.

You will need to bring some money with you for your immediate expenses upon arrival. These will include temporary and permanent housing, food, transportation, utility deposits, and miscellaneous expenses. We recommend that you bring with you at least $3,000 for yourself; if you are accompanied by dependents, you will need more. If you are relying on funding from FIU, you will not receive a check for several weeks after you arrive, so you cannot depend on your salary to pay these immediate arrival expenses. Miami banks usually require several business days before checks drawn on U.S. banks will be paid, and checks drawn on foreign banks will take even longer. Therefore, you should bring the funds for your arrival expenses in cash. Please open a bank account immediately for your cash and also for any checks you may be carrying. Banks located on or near the FIU Modesto A. Maidique campus include:

It is not advisable for you to carry large sums of money with you. We recommend that you open a bank account as soon as possible.

FIU has partnerships with the following banks (although you may join any bank):

• University Credit Union
• Wells Fargo