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The University of Texas at El Paso has contracted with an external firm to conduct electronic background checks. In order to receive your final acceptance, you must pass this background check. The following is a short outline of what you need to know/do:

1. Check your email constantly beginning Feb 15th of the program year for preliminary acceptance.
2. Continue checking your email for a message from Kelmar Global that will contain a link to the electronic background check form.
3. The link is ONE-TIME USE ONLY and WILL EXPIRE 72 HOURS FROM SENT DATE/TIME. Be sure to gather any documents/information you may need before clicking the link.

If for any reason you are unable to complete the form, please use the following link to notify us and explain the situation.

Send eCBC Problem email

Documented scores must be submitted at the time of application.

Recent changes to the U.S. Department of State regulations for J-1 Exchange Visitors [22 CFR 62.11(a)(2)] require that program sponsors verify that a prospective J-1 Exchange Visitor’s English proficiency is sufficient to participate in his or her program and to function on a day-to-day-basis as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency.

The UTEP SURME Program will accept any of the following to satisfy the English Proficiency verification:

• IELTS: 6.5 minimum score
• TOEFL iBT: minimum score of 61
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): minimum score of 44
• Pearson Versant English Test: (see special instructions)
  
  • minimum Global Scale of English (GSE) score of 59
    OR
  • level of B-2 or higher

Health care system in the U.S.

Health care in the United States is provided by private hospitals and clinics. Although in many countries the government bears the expense of health care for its citizens, in the U.S., individuals and families—including students—are responsible for these costs themselves. Living in the U.S. without adequate health insurance is unwise and potentially extremely expensive.

International students on a J-1 or F-1 visa as well as visiting scholars on J-1 visa are required by the University Texas System to have medical insurance during the duration of their studies/research. J-2 visa holders who live in the U.S. are also required to have medical coverage. All exchange visitors and any accompanying dependents also may be subject to the terms of the Affordable Care Act.

J-1 Visitors

All SURME program international students are classified as J-1 Student Interns. Please use this form for confirmation of insurance.

Sponsors must require that all exchange visitors (as well as their accompanying spouses and dependents) have insurance in effect that covers them for sickness or accidents during the time of their exchange visitor program. The recent rule increases the minimum coverage to meet today’s medical insurance needs.

Current Requirements [22 CFR 62.14]:

• Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
• Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
• Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000
• A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.

Sponsors are to require that their participants (and any dependents entering the United States as holders of a J-2 visa) have insurance in effect during the period of time they are in the sponsor's program. An insurance policy secured to meet the benefits requirements must be underwritten by an insurance corporation with an A.M. Best rating of "A-" or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-I" or above, a Standard and Poor's Claims Paying Ability rating of "A-" or above, or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above. Alternatively, the sponsor may ascertain that the participant's policy is backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor's home country. For other options, see [22 CFR 62.14].

Program regulations also discuss coverage through HMOs and self-insurance of the above requirements by federal, state or local government agencies, state colleges and universities, and public community colleges, if permitted by law. Refer to [22 CFR 62.14] for additional information.