International Arrival & Orientation
What You Can Do Now
Getting here can take multiple steps: visa, academic records, etc. And we’re here
to help you through it all. But once you know you’re on board, you can take the following
steps to get yourself started and on your way to A-State.
- Book Your Visa Appointment: After receiving your I-20 or DS-2019, verify that your information on your form is
correct. If you find mistakes, notify our office immediately at international@astate.edu. If everything appears correct, please read your document carefully and then sign
your name and date on the front page.
Prior to applying for your visa, you must pay your SEVIS fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Once paid, schedule your visa interview with your nearest embassy or consulate. Check your wait time at the closest Consulate or Embassy. You can attend your visa interview 120 days before your program start date if you are applying for a F-1 visa. You can attend your visa interview any time prior to the program start date if you are applying for a J-1 visa. - Complete your Pre-Arrival Form: Check your myDen application status portal and complete your pre-arrival form to confirm your attendance at A-State. This information will be used to ensure transportation is awaiting (if you arrive at Memphis International Airport) for you upon arrival. You should have received an email with information regarding this. If not, please let us know at international@astate.edu.
- Pay Your Student Deposit: There is a $350 student deposit that all students must pay. This deposit is refunded to you upon graduation from a degree at A-State. If you withdraw from A-State at any point (including transferring to another school), this deposit is forfeited.
- Pay Your Student Insurance: Per the Board of Trustees for A-State, all students on a F-1 or J-1 visa with A-State must take A-State’s international insurance. The rate varies each term, so you want to make sure you are selecting the correct term that you are entering in to pay for your insurance. If you do not see your term appear in our link to pay, you can contact Leah Lewert-Taylor at llewerttaylor@astate.edu.
- Update Your Address: Once you know what your living address will be in Jonesboro, go ahead and update your address. This will be required for immigration once you check-in, so if you can do it early, it’s best.
Additional Documentation You’ll Need
Immunizations
We require two doses of the Measles, Mumps, & Rubella immunization. But if you do
not have any or all of these immunizations, do not worry: you can get them when you
arrive here.
If you have an immunization booklet, please send it before you depart. Information
should be in English and display your name, the name of immunization(s) and date(s)
received, and this must be signed by a doctor. If your immunization forms are not
in English, email us, and we will send you a form your doctor can fill out.
Regardless if you do or do not submit your MMR immunizations, you will be required
to take a skin or blood test for Tuberculosis upon arrival.
Academic Documentation
If you were admitted with scanned copies of admission documents, such as scanned transcripts or test scores, please bring the official copies in order to prevent any delay in registering for classes upon your arrival at A-State.
A more detailed explanation of official documents you will need can be found on our Admissions page.
Booking Your Housing
Anyone past their freshman year may live off campus, though we do encourage all students to live on campus to stay connected to campus and other students. We do not endorse any specific landlord or apartment complex; you are responsible for finding your own off-campus housing.
Find frequently asked questions, and more about housing at A-State, on our Campus Housing page.
Getting Here
Airport
The closest airport is the Memphis International Airport. The airport code is MEM. This is where our complimentary transportation is.
When you first enter the U.S., you will travel through a U.S. port of entry. To read about what you should expect at a port of entry, please visit Study in the States.
Transportation to Campus
International Student Services provides a complimentary shuttle from the Memphis Airport to campus on select days before the orientation period starts. Check the dates and times below to reserve your spot on the shuttle.
Should you choose to travel outside of the dates we offer the complimentary shuttle, you will need to arrange your own transportation to campus. Certain transportation methods that we are aware of from the Airport to Campus is: a Greyhound bus (comes to Jonesboro, but not campus); a taxi; an Uber; or you can contact our office at oips@astate.edu to see if a Community Partner can pick you up, if you are comfortable with that. Please note that the Community Partner is someone from Jonesboro that has signed up to help the International Student Services office, but does not work for A-State.
Airport Shuttle Schedule
The A-State Airport Shuttle transports students to and from Memphis International Airport at the beginning and end of semesters.
Dates:
- Returning students for Fall 2025: August 15th, 16th, and 17th
- New students for Fall 2025: August 08th, 09th 10th (Pick up will be confirmed based on majority)
- Airport pick up will be scheduled after Pre-arrival closes for new students.
Email oips@astate.edu to reserve your spot on a shuttle.
Once You’re Here
Arrival
The earliest that Customs and Borders allows a student into the U.S. is 30 days before their program start date. If you arrive before your dormitory or apartment is ready for move-in, you should be prepared to stay in a hotel in Jonesboro. Hotel reservations and costs will be the responsibility of the student.
If you are arriving the weekend directly before orientation, rest up! Orientation week is meant to help you acclimate to campus and to Jonesboro, but can also be very tiring to get everything done.
You do not have to report to the Office of International Student Services that you
arrived until the orientation day.
Orientation
International Student Services hosts a mandatory orientation for all incoming international students. Without attending orientation, you cannot register for courses, so attending orientation is a vital step in your transition to A-State.
Orientation is not just one day. Orientation can last up to the full week before the first day of class. During the orientation week, you will get officially checked in (for the government to tell them you’re here), attend orientation sessions to learn more about A-State, attend an immigration session to understand the federal immigration laws for your visa class, go through a health screening (if needed), pay fees, meet fellow classmates, get advised, etc.
Registration
All students must complete international orientation prior to being able to register for courses. Requirements are as follows:
- Undergraduate First-Year Freshman: You will take a placement exam during orientation week (unless you have official SAT or ACT scores that you want to submit prior—not required). The placement exam does not affect your eligibility to take classes. It just tells us which classes you should start off by taking. Once you take your placement exam, you will be placed in your first semester courses by our Transition Studies Office. Once registered, International Student Services will alert you of your registration and schedule.
- Undergraduate Transfer and Post-Degree: During orientation week, International Student Services will set up an appointment to meet with your advisor in your major/field of study. You will attend the meeting with your advisor at the given date/time and then receive a list of courses you should take for that term. Once you go to the appointment and receive that list, you will complete your registration through our online Self-Service Portal.
- Graduate (Masters and Doctoral): On your orientation schedule, you will find dates/times that your major/field of study advisor is hosting open advising. Please attend that session to receive your list of courses for you to take that term. (Exemption: Computer Science does a placement exam the Friday before classes start in place of open-advising that you will need to attend if you are a Computer Science major). Once you attend advising or the exam, you will have your list of courses to take and will complete your registration through our online Self-Service Portal.
- English as a Second Language: You will take a placement exam during orientation week to determine which level of the ESL program you should begin in based on your current level of English proficiency. Upon receiving your level placement, the Assistant Director for the English Learning Academy will meet with you to help you register in your courses for that term.
What to Pack
Knowing what to pack is always a problem, as the weather in Jonesboro will range from
freezing (less than 32 degrees Fahrenheit, 0 degrees Celsius) to hot (around 100 degrees
Fahrenheit, 38 degrees Celsius). When you are packing, ask yourself two questions:
“Will I need this item?” and, “Can I get this item in Jonesboro?” If you aren’t sure
about a specific item, you can contact us to find out if you will have access to that
item here.
Warm Clothes
As it does get quite cold here, you will want some warm clothes. However, as those items can be bulky, you may want to wait to buy some pieces until you arrive in Jonesboro.
Umbrella and Rain Jacket
While we recommend these items, you can purchase them once you arrive in Jonesboro.
Shoes
Good walking shoes will be a must while you are at A-State, as campus is somewhat spread out. Good shoes can range from $50-100 to purchase here.
Formal Attire
Bringing some formal wear, like a suit, might not be a bad idea, although a lot of potential uses will vary based upon your major and your level of study. At minimum, we would recommend bringing at least one dress shirt and tie for class presentations or interviews.
Connect With Us.
Email us, call us, or reach us on WhatsApp at 870-253-3403. Our postal address is:
International Admissions
P.O. Box 2230
State University, AR 72467