Congratulations on your acceptance to Washington State University. We welcome you to the WSU family and look forward to assisting you. All incoming students (first-year and transfer) must complete a tutorial program and an immigration check-in.
Prepare for your arrival at WSU Pullman
During the required WSU New Coug Orientation and the International Student Tutorial on WSU’s Pullman campus, you will have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the 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.
When you arrive
Complete New Coug Orientation
- All new undergraduate students must complete New Coug Orientation. This program helps you prepare for academic and campus life at WSU.
Complete the International Student Tutorial
- All new international undergraduate students must complete the International Student Tutorial. It has two required parts
- Part 1: Virtual Canvas Course
- You will be enrolled in and take a self-paced WSU Canvas course. You will need to watch several short, required videos and complete quizzes as you prepare to join WSU. This information will help you prepare for the face-to-face tutorial and New Coug Orientation when you get here. Log in to WSU Canvas here to get started.
- Part 2: Live tutorial
- The schedule will indicate the date of your tutorial. Plan your arrival time to attend the required tutorial. The tutorial will provide you with important information about meeting your basic needs, such as housing, help you make connections and build friendships, and teach you more about academic preparedness, social identity, campus engagement, how WSU can support you, and more!
- Pullman Campus — All students attending the Pullman campus are required to attend the scheduled in-person tutorial in Bryan Hall at the time listed on the schedule.
- Non-Pullman Campus — This includes Everett, Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver, research, or extension students. An email will be sent with information about the required tutorial with a Zoom link.
- The schedule will indicate the date of your tutorial. Plan your arrival time to attend the required tutorial. The tutorial will provide you with important information about meeting your basic needs, such as housing, help you make connections and build friendships, and teach you more about academic preparedness, social identity, campus engagement, how WSU can support you, and more!
All international undergraduate students will be charged a one-time, nonrefundable $50 fee after the live tutorial. The fee will be charged to your WSU account and can be paid along with your tuition through myWSU.
Complete your immigration check-in and arrival requirements
- Once you arrive on campus, our International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) team will provide information about uploading your immigration documents to myPassport. You should upload these documents within three days of your orientation check-in.
- I-20/DS-2019
- Biographical passport page
- F-1/J-1 visa or I-797 notice for change of status approved
- Port of entry stamp from most recent entry into the US (if applicable)
- I-94 document
- Submit your immunization record for the Immunizations Hold to Cougar Health Services
- Meet with your academic advisor to plan your schedule (can be completed at the New Coug Orientation)
- Obtain a Cougar Card at the Compton Union Building (can be completed at orientation)
- Provide emergency contact information on myPassport
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!
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.
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.
Q. Ready to get involved and make friends who become family?
A. We encourage international undergraduate students to consider joining the International Students’ Council.
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.
International Center
The International Center is your campus living room—a comfortable place where international students and friends gather to relax, socialize, and study.
New student programs
New Coug Orientation facilitates new students in the transition to life at WSU by offering comprehensive orientation programming.
Week of Welcome is a week-long event that combines academic, educational, developmental, and social programming to provide a solid foundation for new and returning students.
Additional questions?
- Have questions about graduating, transferring, withdrawing, or maintaining your immigration status?
- Book an appointment with an International Advisor
- Email us