International Student Resources

International Student Health Insurance Requirement

All international students ("J" or "F" status) are required to maintain health insurance. International students are automatically billed for the university-sponsored student insurance program on their tuition bills. For more information about the International Student Health Insurance, please click here.

Waivers MAY BE granted based on one of the 3 categories

• Category 1:  Home Country Provides US Insurance coverage
• Category 2:  Fully Sponsored by the US or Other organization which provides comparable health insurance to UofL
• Category 3:  Coverage through a US plan provided as an employee benefit

For detailed requirements for each category view the International Waiver Requirements form. 

Students may apply and request for the University insurance to be waived. However, submitting a waiver does not mean you are automatically approved for the waiver. 

Waiver Deadlines

Fall Semester: August 31
Spring Semester: February 1
No exceptions will be granted

University Sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan Information

For more details about the current plan, enrollment information, and cost, visit the Academic Health Plans website. For questions about insurance coverage or waivers, contact the insurance advocate via email at stuins@louisville.edu.

Immunization Information

All incoming Freshman and international students are required to provide immunization records. A hold will be placed on your account if you do not provide the records to the Student Insurance Office. Click on the following website for more information.

Kentucky Driver License or State Identification (I.D) for Non-U.S Citizens

All non U.S. citizens may drive in the U.S. on a valid foreign license and International Permit for up to one year from the date of admission into the U.S. if their home country is part of the Geneva Compact (for more information, visit: https://drive.ky.gov/driver-licensing/Pages/Non-US-Citizens.aspx). If your license is not in English, please have it translated and notarized (the ISSS office offers notarization services for students). Keep these documents with you at all times while you drive. After this period has ended, you need to apply for a Kentucky driver license. Drivers from a country not identified by the Geneva Compact must obtain a Kentucky license within 30 days of establishing residency in Kentucky.

To apply for a driver’s license or a State Identification, please follow the following steps:

1. Obtain the required documents:

A non-U.S. citizen must present all immigration documents as well as other supporting documents to the Driver Licensing personnel. The required documents are:

• Passport
• Form I-94                                                                    
• Form I-20/DS-2019
• Social security card, tax ID number or ineligibility letter from the Social Security Administration office. This office is located in the Gene Snyder Courthouse Building at the corner of 6th & Broadway in downtown Louisville.
• Proof of Kentucky residency: i.e., utility bill (LG&E), AT&T, or any other bill or mail that shows your current address with your name as the recipient and has been processed through the U.S. Postal Service.
• If you live in one of the University dormitories and receive your mail at the post office on campus, please contact Housing Office at (502) 852-6636 or housing@louisville.edu to receive instructions on how to show a proof of address.
• Non-U.S. Citizen Driver Licensing & Personal Identification Application Form. This form can also be obtained from the ISSS Office and must be signed by an international advisor. To request this form, login to your Terra Dotta portal and under Student Requests, click on ISSS Letter Request. 

*OPT Students: To renew or obtain your Kentucky driver license you will need the following documents: a) Driver’s License Application; b) a new I-20 from our office with approved OPT status on page 3. Take these documents along with your EAD (Employment Authorization Card) and Social Security Card.

*Please note that dependents (F2 or J2status), must show the documents mentioned above as well as the documents of their primary (F1 or J1status). A dependent also needs to obtain the Driver Licensing Non-U.S. Citizen Driver Licensing & Personal Identification Application Form from the ISSS Office.

2. Obtain the “Blue Letter” Appointments can be made at:

https://telegov.egov.com/KYTC_DDL/AppointmentWizard

You can go to one of the four regional ID centers below with all the above-mentioned documents:

Hurstbourne Office
9112 Leesgate Rd, Louisville, KY 40222

Bowman Field Office
3501 Roger E Schupp St, Louisville, KY 40205

Dixie Highway Office
4919 Dixie Hwy Suite A, Louisville, KY 40216

Downtown Nia Center Office
2900 W Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202

*Note : Business hours are Mon – Fri : 9am – 4pm (Nia Center closes at 3pm)

There is a $30 charge to obtain the “Blue Letter.” Cash or Credit accepted.

3. Apply for your license or your state I.D:

• State ID can be obtained right after you received Blue Letter from the regional ID office. Four-year state IDs cost $11.50
• Driver's License: Make an appointment with the KY State Police office at Bowman Field. (Note: no walks-in accepted)

*If this is your first time applying for a driver’s license within the U.S, you need to take a written test. To make appointment https://telegov.egov.com/KSP/AppointmentWizard. To study for the test download the manual at the same website in the middle of the page. When you pass the written test, you will be granted a temporary license that allows you to practice with a current driver’s license holder.                                                        

*When you are ready to drive yourself, get an appointment to take the practice test (same link above).  After you pass these two tests, you will be granted your permanent driver’s license. See page one for additional information.   

4. Car Insurance

All owners of motor vehicles are required to carry minimum liability coverage. Suggested insurance agencies are below:

• A Central Insurance Agency Inc.- (502) 966-8188 or (502) 969-2454
• Jerry Kays Insurance Agency- (502) 459-0833
• Shelby Insurance Agency Inc.- (502) 245-8346
• Kentucky Farm Bureau- (502) 459-4507 or visit https://www.kyfb.com/find/ to find your closest location.

5. Renewals

You can renew your driver license 6 months in advance before it expires. You will need to follow the process mentioned on previous page.

6. Change of address

Anytime you change your address, you must obtain a duplicate license at your Circuit Court Clerk's office within 10 days. For more information, visit: https://drive.ky.gov/Drivers/Pages/Renew-Replace-Update.aspx

7. Buying a car in Kentucky

In order to buy a car, you need to have a valid driver license and proof of Kentucky auto insurance.

8. A car registered in another state

If your car was licensed in another state and you need Kentucky plates, visit http://jeffersoncountyclerk.org/motor-vehicles/out_state.pdf and follow the instructions.

Call (502)-574-5700 if you have questions.

All non-immigrants (F-1 and J-1) who are authorized to work in the U.S. & have a job or job offer for paid employment must have a social security number.

FOR ALL APPLICANTS:
Prepare and present the following to the Social Security office:

1. Letter of Employment Verification (Must be from the hiring department and the letter must be typed on their letterhead)
    
2. Social Security Application form
3. Letter from the International Student & Scholar Services office. Login to your Terra Dotta portal and under Student Requests, click on ISSS Letter Request.
4. Immigration Documents (I-20/DS-2019, visa, passport, I-94)

Normal processing of a Social Security card usually takes about 14 days (2 weeks), from the time that you submit your application at the Social Security office. The Social Security Administration will not accept your application unless you are presenting them with ALL of the above-mentioned documentation. In addition, please note the following conditions depending on your category:

Current Students (F-1 & J-1) applying for a Social Security card:
F-1 and J-1 students must be registered full-time at UofL and must have an on-campus job offer before applying for a Social Security card. Students who pursue CPT or OPT are eligible to apply for a social security number for an off-campus position.

GRA, GTA or Fellowship recipients:
Upon applying for the social security card you will be given a receipt from the office that you have applied and are being processed for your card. Give this receipt letter to your sponsoring department and to the payroll office at UofL. This will temporarily permit the payroll office to pay you while you wait for your social security card to arrive in the mail.

Hours and Directions to Social Security
 

Social Security Office is on the first floor in the Gene Snyder Building at 600 West Broadway located at the intersection of 6th Street and Broadway.

Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 9:00 am-4:00 pm. Wednesday from 9 am - 12:00pm (noon).

Telephone:  1-800-716-9671

Website: www.socialsecurity.gov

Income Tax Filing
International students and scholars who have been in the U.S. for any portion of a previous filing calendar year must file an annual  "tax return" by the following year's tax filing deadline; generally April 15th of the next calendar year. Nonresidents, for tax purposes, are taxed only on their U.S. income.

Sources of U.S. income may include on-campus employment, scholarships, fellowships, graduate assistantships, practical or academic training, and any compensation received for any labor. The most common type of income is wages; the money withheld from each paycheck is an estimated payment of the federal and state income tax obligation. Taxable scholarship payments may have some amount withheld just like wages.

How to File for Taxes
The ISSS has arranged free access to Sprintax Tax Preparation. The services are for federal taxes only. However, you can make additional arrangements with Sprintax to complete your states taxes as well. You will receive an email from ISSS with a free access code in January each year. 

All international student and scholars are required to file tax with the IRS each year, even if not employed. You can learn more about filing your taxes here.

Upcoming Tax Workshops

If you would like to take advantage of the free access code, please complete one of the following: 

• Register here to attend one of the workshops provided by ISSS. 
• Attend one of the Webinars offered by Sprintax provided below and email the confirmation of your registration to isss@louisville.edu to obtain the free access code. 
• If you previously created an account with Sprintax, please email isss@louisville.edu to obtain a new access code. 

Additional Resources

• Internal Revenue Service: http://www.irs.gov
• IRS Forms: http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html
• Social Security Administration: http://www.ssa.gov
• Sprintax YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/Sprintax/videos