Preparing for CASA
This section contains important information for fellows who are preparing for the CASA program.
Admissions Forms and Documents
Upon acceptance to the CASA program, recently selected fellows must submit the admissions packet containing various forms and supporting documents to the CASA State-side Administration office. Part I of the admissions packet, along with $250 of the non-refundable program fee, is due by Friday, March 23, 2012 and Part II, along with the program fee balance, is due Friday, May 4, 2012. PLEASE NOTE: An updated admissions packet is posted in March for each new academic year.
CASA Cairo Admissions Packet 2012-2013
Medical Insurance
All CASA fellows are required to enroll in the CASA approved medical insurance plan that provides coverage abroad for the entire fellowship period and an extended benefit of coverage in their home country once the fellowship ends. When purchasing the CASA policy, please include a separate check payable to "CASA/UT-AUSTIN" for the appropriate premium amounts listed below.
CASA Medical Insurance Policy
Cost for Cairo for 2012-2013*
Full Year: $468.00 or Partial year coverage (prorated for CASA II and CASA III fellows): $39 per month
*Please note these rates are only guaranteed for the 2011-2012 year and for students purchasing the CASA Insurance plan between August 15, 2011 - August 15, 2012.
Cost for Cairo for 2011-2012*
Full Year: $432.00 or Partial year coverage (prorated for CASA II and CASA III fellows): $36 per month
*Please note these rates are only guaranteed for the 2010-2011 year and for students purchasing the CASA Insurance plan before August 15, 2011.
For more information on this coverage, please click here: CMI Insurance-Description of Coverage and Home Extended Benefit Description (this benefit includes coverage for travel to your home country during breaks). Please go to the CMI Insurance website for general claim information and filing instructions for medical claim forms.
In addition to the comprehensive insurance policy above, CASA fellows going to Cairo are required to subscribe to the AUC Basic Group Health Care Plan. It is intended for minor medical concerns and provides a maximum of 12,000 LE at Al-Salam Hospital. The cost for this plan will be paid from your CASA Program Fee, so you will automatically be enrolled upon arrival in Cairo. AUC has a clinic on campus and also works with Al-Salam Hospital, pharmacy, and out-patient clinic.
Egypt
Permanent Residents & International Students: Apply for an Egyptian Visa immediately. For some citizens of some countries (i.e. Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan) the visa procedure is very arduous and time-consuming. Permanent residents must have a valid Egyptian visa before departure.
Visa: A valid passport will be needed in order to apply for a visa. Please contact the Egyptian Consulate nearest to you to obtain specific details regarding the visa process. The U.S. State Department's Travel.State.Gov site contains useful information about obtaining a passport and visa for U.S. Citizens. This site also provides general international travel information, country specific information for Egypt, tips for traveling abroad, and free registration for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which are great tools to review for the preparation process. If you are currently living or studying overseas, please contact the Egyptian Embassy in your country to learn how to obtain a visa.
Some additional suggestions for completing the visa application: type or print using black ink. Use TOURISM as the reason for visiting Egypt and the CENTER FOR ARABIC STUDY ABROAD/AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO as the reference in Egypt. No visa will be for the entire length of your stay in Cairo; please apply for multiple entry visas. The dates of your stay will be as follows for Cairo Full Year Fellows: June 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013. If you are a full-year fellow, the CASA office at AUC will assist you in obtaining "iqaama" or residency once you are in Egypt.
Send the completed visa application, together with the requirements listed on the application to the Egyptian Consulate nearest you using certified or express mail. In the past, visas for American citizens have usually been processed within one to two weeks. We anticipate no difficulty in securing the required visa; however, CASA cannot be responsible for any denial of a request for a visa by the Egyptian Consulate or for any delays in processing.
