Tips on using
 the site

TRAVEL

All students living on Dominica must have a round-trip airline ticket in order to comply with Dominican Visa requirements. We recommend you contact Austin Travel at (800) 714-7618 to secure the lowest fares and availability. (See Austin Travel’s flyer). They have special contracted rates with American Airlines and US Airways. Their American Airlines discount will allow you an open return ticket valid for 1 year from the date of departure. US Airways allows a 1-year maximum stay with a $50.00 or $100.00 change fee. All tickets are usually issued as electronic tickets.

Note: Electronic tickets are only active for one year from the original issue date. If you plan your return travel after your original issue date, you must have the ticket reissued. Failure to re-issue your electronic/ paper ticket will result in a non-active or non-valid ticket AND may require you to purchase a new ticket.

Contact Austin Travel to arrange your re-issuance of an electronic ticket. If necessary, there is a standard $50.00 fee. Remember to confirm your flight plans with your airline carrier at least 72 hours in advance of travel.

PLEASE…. ADVISE US OF YOUR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AS SOON AS THEY HAVE BEEN MADE.

LUGGAGE

Students should make sure their luggage contains two sets of tags. One tag should indicate where the luggage is shipped from, including the student’s name and current address. The second tag should reflect where the luggage is being shipped, including the student’s name, address, and destination clearly printed. Additionally, students should place a name, address, and destination tag inside each piece of luggage in the event the tags are torn from the bags.

Generally, most international carriers permit two pieces of checked luggage and one carry-on. We strongly advise you to contact your airline carrier to verify their restrictions on luggage size and weight. Students exceeding the size and weight limits are subject to a fine.

For example, American Eagle, flying into Dominica from Puerto Rico, has a 70 lb. (per two pieces) limit on checked-in luggage. When a student exceeds the airline carrier’s size and weight restriction, the additional luggage may be delayed. If your luggage does not arrive with you, be sure to file a lost luggage report before leaving the airport in Dominica. It is a good idea to pack a carry-on bag with extra clothing and essentials in the event your luggage is lost and/or does not arrive.

If you have luggage in excess of the airlines’ allowance, you should consider using air cargo. You can ship extra belongings via airfreight or mail them. If you choose to mail them, remember to do so at least six weeks in advance to ensure their arrival. To help speed up processing, please keep all receipts and shipping tags.

SHIPPING INFORMATION

Amerijet, DHL, Federal Express, UPS, and/or Tropical Shipping can assist you with shipping your items to Dominica.

Amerijet (approximate transit time is 2 weeks)

Amerijet sends packages to Miami and then ships them to Dominica. For more details, please call (800) 276-5387.

DHL (approximate transit time is 5-7 business days)
Visit www.dhl-usa.com or call (800) 225-5345.

Federal Express (approximate transit time is 3 business days)
Visit www.fedex.com to view International Shipping.
Customer service number for calls placed within the U.S……..(800) 247-4747
Customer service number for calls placed from Dominica….…(747) 448-0992

UPS (approximate transit time is 3 business days)
Visit www.ups.com or call (800) PICK UPS

Tropical Shipping (approximate transit time is 1 month)
Visit www.tropical.com or call (800) 367-6200

When shipping packages, use this address:
Student’s name (Identify which semester)
(767) 255-6500
Ross University School of Medicine
P.O. Box 266
Portsmouth Campus
Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies

When mailing letters, use the following address:
Student’s name (Identify which semester)
For companions - identify companion of whom by listing student’s name
Ross University School of Medicine
P.O. Box 266
Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies

STEPS TO TAKE WHEN BRINGING YOUR PET TO DOMINICA

Important Notice to Incoming 1st Semester Students Regarding Pets

• Inquire with your airline carrier to determine possible flight restrictions for animals.
• Contact the Office of Animal Health for information regarding the importation of pets to Dominica. Email your inquiries to agrivet@marpin.dm or agrivet4@hotmail.com.
• Communicate with Dr. Reginald Thomas who will assist you in obtaining an IMPORT PERMIT for your pet. He can be reached at one of the following numbers: (767) 275-1302 or (767) 235-3951.
• Review and verify documents indicating your pet has received a D.H.L.P.P VACCINE FOR: RABIES, HEART WORM OR ANY OTHER DISEASES COMMON IN YOUR STATE.
• Fax all certificates and/or documents to Dr. Reginald Thomas at (767) 448-8632 or (767) 448-7999.

PLEASE NOTIFY THE OFFICE OF ANIMAL HEALTH AT LEAST ONE MONTH IN ADVANCE OF ARRIVAL DATE.

Entry to Dominica

All students entering Dominica must have a valid passport from their home country. In the United States applications for passport can be filed at post offices and/or through passport offices of the State Department. You should contact your local passport office for details and instructions. To obtain a passport, you will need the following: two color photos (2” x 2”) not more than six months old, an original birth certificate, and a second piece of identification; e.g., driver’s license, voter registration card etc. Complete the application form and pay the required fee. This must be done at least four months before you leave for Dominica, to insure that you receive your passport before your departure. (Passports can be issued within 24 hours at a Passport Office for an additional fee. You must provide proof of immediate travel plans. We do not suggest that you take this route.) Students are advised to carry with them a copy of their certified birth certificate with raised seal, if possible. If your passport is lost, it will save you a trip to the U.S. Embassy in Barbados if you have a copy of your birth certificate with you.

The Dominican government requires that all adults entering the country for more than four weeks must have a Resident Permit Visa. A completed Visa Application must be submitted to the Admissions department prior to your departure to Dominica.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, it is necessary to submit a copy of your passport from your country of origin, a permanent resident card or a U.S. travel document. Failure to comply with these requirements may jeopardize your ability to enter the U.S. to complete your clinical rotations and more importantly, your citizenship status.

Entry to the United States

The Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) has a special provision for foreign medical students who are neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents to enter the U.S. for clinical training in B-1 nonimmigrant status.

The FAM states that an alien may be classified as a B-1 business visitor if he or she is a student at a foreign medical school, and is coming to participate in an elective in an “elective clerkship” at a U.S. medical school’s hospital, without remuneration from the hospital, as part of the foreign medical school education. An elective clerkship is defined as a “practical experience and instruction in the various disciplines of the practice of medical under the supervision and direction of faculty physicians.”

Foreign medical students who wish to enter the U.S. for clinical training must obtain a B-1 Nonimmigrant Visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate prior to entering the U.S.