F-1 Visa Guidance for Fall 2022
Immigration advising is available for visa-related support during this time. Immigration advisors are working as usual but physical access to our offices is restricted due to health and safety concerns.
Travel Guidance for VCU International Students, Scholars, and Employees
View travel abroad guidance for VCU international students, scholars and employees.
VCU Health Advisories
Important Changes to VCU Postdoctoral Fellows Insurance Plan
If you are a VCU Postdoc on a J-1 visa and you receive medical insurance through the VCU Postdoctoral Fellows Insurance Plan, be advised that the plan will expire on December 31, 2022.
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If you are a VCU Postdoc Employee on a J-1 Visa and you DO WANT to continue to receive medical insurance through employment with VCU… |
If you are a VCU Postdoc Employee on a J-1 Visa and you DO NOT WANT to continue to receive medical insurance through employment with VCU… |
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You must complete the following TWO steps:
1. Enroll in one of the state health plan options plans that meet the J-1 deductible and medical benefits effective January 1, 2023. For information for how to enroll in a state employee health plan, go to our new Exchange Visitor Program/J-1 Visa FAQs (“How can I obtain the required J-1 medical insurance?”) AND 2. Enroll in a supplemental insurance plan for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains effective January 1, 2023. For information about acceptable supplemental medical evacuation and repatriation plans, contact Nichole Dorton at intlhealthins@vcu.edu by noon on Tuesday, December 20th.
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You must enroll in a health plan outside of VCU that satisfies the J-1 medical insurance requirement before December 31, 2022. For information about health plan options that satisfy the J-1 medical insurance requirement, please contact Nichole Dorton at intlhealthins@vcu.edu by noon on Tuesday, December 20th.
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The J-1 Visa Medical Insurance Requirement
For information about the J-1 visa requirement that you and each family member in the U.S. in J-2 status be covered by a minimum level of medical insurance, please visit GEO’s new Exchange Visitor Program/J-1 Visa FAQs at https://global.vcu.edu/students/immigration/exchange-visitor/
If you have not enrolled in a J-1 visa compliant medical plan and supplemental insurance for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains effective January 1, 2023, you could lose your J-1 status.
For questions about this notice, please contact GEO Immigration Services at geois@vcu.edu.
Please note that VCU will be closed for Winter Break from December 22, 2022 - January 3, 2023.
Contact Us
We welcome your U.S. visa and related employment authorization questions and concerns. For compliance and customer services reasons, we prefer to provide detailed guidance by email first so that we all have a written record of our communication. In-person and Zoom appointments are also available. Please send an email to GEOIS@vcu.edu and an Immigration Advisor will respond to you shortly.
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Office Location |
912 West Grace Street, 4th Floor, Richmond, Virginia 23284 |
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Walk-in Hours |
We are available to meet briefly without an appointment Monday-Thursday between 10 AM-3 PM. If you would like to meet with us at another time, or for detailed guidance, please contact us for an appointment. We can meet in person or by Zoom. Please send an email to GEOIS@vcu.edu and an Immigration Advisor will respond to you shortly. |
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Courier Address |
GEO, 912 West Grace Street, 4th Floor, Richmond, Virginia 23284 |
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Regular US Mail Address |
GEO, Box 843043, Richmond, Virginia 23284 |
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Main Telephone |
(804) 828-0595 |
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Main Email |
Emergency Contact
If you need urgent immigration support when our office is closed, please call VCU Police. Identify yourself as a VCU international student or scholar and VCU Police will contact the appropriate immigration staff member.
Non-Emergency: (804) 828-1196
Emergency: (804) 828-1234