International Student and Scholar Services > Student Services > New Students > New Non-Degree Students

New Non-Degree Students

Welcome to Washington State University! All incoming students must complete an orientation program and an immigration check-in.

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During the required orientation, you will have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the WSU campus, identify academic resources, and complete immigration requirements. To maintain your F-1/J-1 nonimmigrant status, you must complete our 2-part check-in process and attend the required International Student Orientation.

The process

1. Attend the tutorial

Attend the International Student Tutorial and exchange student orientation to meet orientation and physical presence requirements. Failure to attend this session will keep you from being able to register for classes.

2. Attend orientation

Once you arrive on campus, make sure to attend the non-degree orientation held by our office. Our International Student and Scholar Services team will provide resources and instructions on how to upload your immigration documents to myPassport. You already received this information with your pre-arrival documents.

You should upload these documents within 3 days of your orientation check-in.

  • I-20/DS-2019
  • Biographical passport page
  • F-1/J-1 visa stamp or I-797 notice for change of status approved
  • Port of entry stamp from most recent entry into the United States (if applicable)
  • I-94 document

Orientation checklist

Complete the remaining items on your orientation checklist.

  • Visit Cougar Health Services to provide your immunization record for a Measles Hold (if applicable)
  • Meet with an International Student and Scholar Services peer mentor to plan your schedule (non-degree students only)
  • Meet with Bilateral Exchange Coordinator in Bryan Hall 105 (bilateral exchange students only)
  • Obtain a Cougar Card at the Compton Union Building (CUB)
  • Provide emergency contact information

Prepare for your arrival

Q. Undergraduate students only: Do you want to get picked up from the Pullman, Washington, airport? We can’t wait to see you!
A. Be sure to let us know when to pick you up from the airport!

Sign Up for Airport Pick Up

Q. Get ready to live where you study. Need help with housing?
A. We will inform you of the date and time student housing will open for move-in.

Apply for WSU Housing

Q. Questions about vaccinations? We’ll take care of you!
A. You do not have to be vaccinated to come to WSU. You do not have to quarantine upon arrival. But that can change. See the link below to find the most current information about vaccination requirements, including for COVID.

WSU Vaccination Information

Q. Ready to get involved and make friends who become family?
A. If you are an undergraduate student, consider joining the International Students’ Council. If you are a graduate student, consider joining the Graduate and Professional Student Association.

International Students' Council
Graduate and Professional Student Association

On-campus resources for new international students

International Programs – International Student and Scholar Services

Our department assists international students through knowledge and expertise in immigration advising and cross-cultural programming. We are located in Bryan Hall 206.

International Center

The International Center is your campus living room—a comfortable place where international students and friends gather to relax, socialize, and study.