Visa Information

(International Students Only)

International students accepted for exchange at MICA are required to obtain a J-1 visa. To begin this process, students first submit financial documents to MICA in order to obtain a Form DS-2019 — a required part of the J-1 visa application process.

Admitted exchange students will receive detailed information about the J-1 visa application process with their acceptance letter or DS-2019. 

After gathering the materials required for a J-1 visa interview, students can schedule an appointment for the interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest their home. Students should consult with the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate that they plan to visit to ensure that they have all of the materials required for the J-1 visa interview (note that the items required may vary among locations).

While in the U.S., international exchange students are subject to all J-1 regulations. 

Tuition and Fees

Tuition is waived in accordance with MICA's exchange agreements with partner institutions.  Beginning with the spring 2013 semester, exchange students will be charged a Student Life and Technology Fee.  For fall 2017 and spring 2018, the Student Life Fee is $530 per term and the Technology Fee is $320 per term. Fees have not been set for the academic year 2018 – 2019 yet.

Health Insurance

MICA health insurance is now required for all exchange students.  Exchange students will be automatically enrolled and billed directly for this cost. The cost for spring 2018 is approximately $882. The fee for academic year 2018 – 2019 has not been set yet.

Housing

MICA operates on-campus student housing facilities for upper-class students, Meyerhoff House and the Gateway. MICA cannot guarantee campus housing for exchange students but makes every effort to accommodate students whenever possible. Campus residences are designed apartment-style with private or double-occupancy bedrooms and a shared kitchen, bathroom and furnished living room. MICA offers an optional meal plan for the cafeteria and cafés located on campus. 

Students admitted for exchange will receive detailed information about housing options, including a housing application.  Please note that if students live on campus, they will be required to purchase a meal plan.  

Temporary Housing

If you plan to arrive earlier than the campus residences open or if you are unsure if you would like to live on campus, you may wish to find temporary housing in Baltimore where you can stay until the dormitories open or until you are able to find off-campus housing. MICA is not able to offer temporary housing to students who arrive early. Note that students on a J-1 visa are not permitted to enter the U.S. more than 30 days before the program start date indicated on their DS-2019.

Please click here for a list of hotels near MICA. There is also one youth hostel in Baltimore, located about one mile from the MICA campus. Note that hotels in Baltimore may be significantly more expensive than those in your home country. Please schedule your arrival carefully and budget accordingly.

Estimated Expenses

Students should budget for all expenses they may incur during their study at MICA, including room, meals, health insurance and healthcare, local travel, art supplies, personal expenses, etc. The estimated total cost of one semester in Baltimore is U.S. $10,200, but this will vary depending upon individual spending habits and is subject to change.

Travel Plans and Arrival

Below are tips that may be useful in planning travel. More detailed information about MICA's orientation programs and arrival in Baltimore will be sent to admitted exchange students in the mail with the DS-2019.

Flights to Baltimore

We strongly recommend that students fly into Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI). (Note that Reagan National and Dulles Airports are quite far from MICA.) Information about travel options from BWI Airport to MICA will be sent by mail with the DS-2019.

Scheduling Flights – Arrival

In the exchange acceptance letter, the Office of International Education will specify the date that we expect students to arrive at MICA. Usually, this will be the first day of International Student Orientation.

Students who will live on campus will not be able to move into campus housing until it officially opens. We will notify students of this date in the acceptance letter; it is typically the day before International Student Orientation begins.

In planning travel, also note that J-1 visa regulations require that international students arrive no more than 30 days before their academic program begins.

Scheduling Flights – Departure

Students on an F-1 visa are permitted to remain in the U.S. until thirty days after the end date on their DS-2019. This is called the J-1 "grace period." In planning travel home, consider that students are able to remain within the U.S. and travel during these thirty days, but after leaving the U.S. during this period it is not possible to re-enter in J-1 status.

Location, Areas of Interest and Travel Opportunities

Students who wish to travel to Canada or Mexico, for example, are advised to do this during a vacation period during the regular semester while their DS-2019 is still valid for re-entry, or else plan to travel outside of the U.S. after the semester ends so that they can fly directly home afterwards.

Baltimore is a historic U.S. city that blends tradition with a contemporary style all its own. It is located in the middle of the eastern seaboard, allowing convenient access to major east coast cities by train, bus and car. The Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Airport offers daily national and international flights. Students at MICA can easily visit Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; and New York City — and their world class museums and galleries — for a day on their own or on one of the frequent bus trips that MICA organizes. Students may plan longer trips during school vacations.