Pre-Arrival Information

To maintain your immigration status, you must complete the Mandatory Immigration Check-In with the Office of International Services (OIS) virtually through iHopkins as soon as possible after arriving in the U.S.  

Key Steps: 

• You will receive an email about the check-in process one month before your program start date and weekly reminders until OIS approves your check-in eForm. 
• Complete the check-in process promptly upon your arrival in the U.S. 
• Review the Step-by Step check-in instructions on our website.  

Who Needs to Check In: 

• If you transferred your F-1 or J-1 record to JHU, you must check in with OIS within 15 days of your program start date
• If you are a new initial student, check in as soon as you arrive and no later than 30 days after your program start date
• If you are beginning a second-degree program at JHU you are also required to check in no later than 30 days after the start of their program

What Happens Next: 

After submitting your check-in eForm:  

• OIS will review your check-in eForm, your local address, I-94, and SIS (Student Information System) record to confirm proper admission and enrollment 
• You will receive an email once your check-in is approved

Important Reminder: 

Failure to complete the check-in process could result in the loss of your immigration status. Complete your check-in immediately to ensure compliance. 

For any questions, contact OIS for assistance. 

Below are key resources for arriving in the U.S. and navigating transportation options from nearby airports to your destination. 

Arrival in the U.S. 

You can enter the U.S. through any city or state, but it is most convenient to arrive in Baltimore or a nearby city like Washington, D.C.  

Note that the Office of International Services (OIS) does not provide airport pick-up services; however, there are many transportation options available to consider.   

Airports Near Johns Hopkins 

• Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI):
  The closest airport to JHU’s Baltimore campuses, located about 20 minutes south of downtown Baltimore. While BWI offers limited international flights, most travelers will connect through another U.S. airport and transfer to a domestic flight to BWI. 
• Dulles International Airport (IAD):
  Located about 25 miles west of Washington, D.C., and between 1.5 – 2 hours from Baltimore’s Homewood Campus. Dulles offers many international flights.  
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA):
  Located in Washington, D.C., about 1 hour from downtown Baltimore and convenient for domestic flights. 

Transportation Options 

To Baltimore from BWI Airport: 

• MARC Commuter Train: Runs from BWI to Baltimore Penn Station. To catch the train, take the shuttle bus from any BWI terminal to the BWI MARC station. Trains run regularly during daytime and evening hours. Cost is $6 and avoids traffic. 23 minutes from BWI airport to Baltimore Penn Station. Travel from Penn Station to JHU Homewood Campus takes about 15 minutes using the free JHU shuttle service.   
• Taxi or Ride Sharing Apps (Uber/Lyft): Costs $40–$50 to JHU campuses. 
• Shuttle Services: Shared options like SuperShuttle and The GO Airport Shuttle. 
• MTA Light Rail: Connects the airport to downtown Baltimore but does not directly serve JHU campuses. This option is viable if you live near one of the train stops.  
• Hotel Shuttles: Many hotels in downtown Baltimore and Harbor East offer free airport shuttle services—check with your hotel. 

To Baltimore from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA): 

• Public Transit: You can take Metrorail Blue/Yellow and Red lines from DCA to DC Union Station, then take the MARC Penn Line train from Union Station to Baltimore Penn Station and then take JHU Shuttle Service or MTA buses to Homewood Campus. Total travel time is about 2 hours and cost is about $12 
• Taxi or Ride Sharing Apps (Uber/Lyft): Direct rides to Baltimore are expensive, starting at around $75.
• Shuttle Services: Shared options like SuperShuttle and The GO Airport Shuttle. 

To Baltimore from Dulles International Airport (IAD): 

• It is a very long distance from IAD to Homewood Campus, so if flights are available to BWI or DCA, this may save you time and money.  
• Public Transit: You can take Metrorail Silver Line from IAD to downtown Washington DC and then take the MARC Penn Line train from Union Station to Baltimore Penn Station, then take JHU Shuttle Service to Homewood Campus. Total travel time is about 3 hours and total cost is about $16 
• Taxi or Ride Sharing Apps (Uber/Lyft): Direct rides to Baltimore are expensive, starting at around $100. 
• Shuttle Services: Shared options like SuperShuttle and The GO Airport Shuttle. 

To Washington, D.C. from Dulles International Airport (IAD): 

• Metro Rail: The Silver Line connects Dulles to downtown D.C. 
• Shuttles: SuperShuttle costs around $30, with $10 for additional passengers. 
• Taxi or Ride Sharing Apps (Uber/Lyft): Fares to downtown D.C. can be as high as $75. 

To Washington, D.C. from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA): 

• Metro Rail: The most economical and convenient option. 
• Taxi or Ride Sharing Apps (Uber/Lyft): Cost approximately $15–$20 to downtown D.C. 
• Shuttles: SuperShuttle costs about $14. 

To Washington D.C. from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA): 

• Metro Rail: The most economical and convenient option. The cost starts at $2.25 (depending on time of day) and takes about 20 minutes.  
• Taxi or Ride Sharing Apps (Uber/Lyft): Cost approximately $15–$20 to downtown D.C. 
• Shuttles: SuperShuttle costs about $14. 

To Washington, D.C. from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI): 

• Train: Take the free shuttle from the terminal to BWI Rail Station. 
  • MARC Train: $8 to Union Station (Red Line).
  • Amtrak: $15–$57 depending on train type. 
• Taxi or Ride Sharing Apps (Uber/Lyft): Costs around $70 to downtown D.C. 
• Shuttle Services: SuperShuttle costs $37, with $12 per additional passenger. 

Undergraduate Students 

All first- and second-year students at Homewood and Peabody campuses are required to reside in university housing. You will receive information about on-campus housing as part of the admission process. Undergraduate exchange students will be provided information on housing options by the Global Education Office. 

Graduate Students 

JHU does not have on-campus housing for graduate students. Each school provides many resources to assist you. All students can visit our Off-Campus Housing website for various housing resources in the area. 

Managing Your Finances When You Arrive in the U.S. 

When you arrive in the U.S., you’ll need to pay for some things upfront. For example, if you’re renting an apartment, landlords usually ask for a security deposit equal to 1–2 months’ rent. It’s a good idea to have at least $4,000 available to cover initial expenses and living costs. 

Keep in mind that working on campus is not guaranteed. If you plan to work or receive a stipend, it may take some time before you get your first payment. Be sure to budget and plan. 

Choosing a U.S. Bank 

When choosing a bank, think about: 

• Location and ATMs: Are there branches or ATMs near you? 
• International Services: Do they offer services like wiring money overseas? 
• Fees: Check for fees for things like ATM withdrawals, mobile check deposits, or other services

Since banking needs vary, visit the bank’s website to learn about their accounts and services. 

If the bank asks for a Social Security Number (SSN) and you don’t have one, let them know you’re an international student and do not have an SSN. They’ll guide you through what to do.

Additional banking information can be found here.

All full-time students at JHU:

• must have health insurance to cover unexpected accidents and illnesses
• will automatically be enrolled in the university’s student health insurance plan, and the cost will be added to your student account 

If you are an F-1 or J-1 visa holder, you cannot waive the JHU health insurance plan. You should not purchase a different insurance policy expecting to be exempt from this requirement. 

For more information, visit Student & Learner Health Benefits – JHU Human Resources

Driver’s licenses are issued by the state where you live, and each state has its own rules and application process. Be sure to visit your state’s motor vehicle agency website to learn about: 

• eligibility requirements for getting a license 
• rules for using a license from another state or country 

We recommend waiting at least 10 business days after your OIS check-in is approved before applying for a driver’s license. 

For more details, visit our Driver’s License page. 

You need a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) if you plan to work in the U.S. If you already have an SSN from a previous visit, it is yours for life, and you do not need to apply for a new one. 

If you receive an on-campus job offer and need an SSN, you can start the application process after completing your check-in with OIS. For more details, visit the SSN page on our website. 

Important On-Campus Employment Notes:

• It is important to ensure that you do not start working on campus until you complete Section 1 of the I-9 Form. If you have questions about the I-9 process, contact: [email protected].
• JHU may give you a temporary 9-digit ID number starting with “9.” This number is only for use at JHU and is not a valid SSN. It cannot be used outside of the university.