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International On Campus

New Graduate Students

Congratulations on your acceptance to Washington State University. We welcome you to the WSU family and look forward to assisting you. All incoming graduate students must complete an orientation program and an immigration check-in.

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 non-immigrant status, you must complete our two-part check-in process and attend the required International Student Orientation.

Fall Arrivals

1

Register and attend the Graduate School Orientation to meet the physical presence check-in requirement.

Orientation Schedule

Tuesday, August 14
International Student Orientation
Check-In and Meet and Greet
12:30 – 1 p.m., TBD

Immigration Session
1 – 1:50 p.m., TBD

Cultural Adjustment
2 – 2:50 p.m., TBD

Plagiarism Workshop
3 – 5 p.m., CUB TBD

Wednesday, August 15
Graduate School Orientation
8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., CUB Senior Ballroom

Health and Wellness Session
2:45 – 3:30 p.m., Health and Wellness CUB Butch’s Den

Campus Tour
3:30 – 4:45 p.m., CUB Butch’s Den

Thursday, August 16
Social Security Application Session
1 – 3 p.m., Bryan Hall Lobby

2

Once you arrive on campus, our immigration session will provide instructions to upload your immigration documents to myPassport.

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

  • I-20/DS-2019 (Previous I-20/DS-2019 if you are a transfer student)
  • Biographical passport page (and extension, if applicable)
  • F-1/J-1 visa
  • Port-of-entry stamp from most recent entry into the United States
  • I-94 document

If you are a graduate student with an assistantship, you will need to obtain a social security card in order to receive your stipend. An essential part of the process will require that you meet the physical presence check-in requirement, upload your immigration documents to myPassport, and obtain a social security letter from your department. The letter then needs to be signed by the Global Services Department. If you need to complete the immigration check-in process prior to the Graduate School orientation, visit Global Services (Bryan Hall, room 206) to request early activation of your SEVIS record. Attendance at the immigration orientation is required.

Orientation Checklist

Complete the remaining items on your orientation checklist located in myPassport.

  • Attend the International Programs sponsored students event (sponsored students only)
  • Measles Hold (if applicable) – visit Health & Wellness to provide immunization record
  • Meet with your academic advisor to plan your schedule
  • Obtain a Cougar Card at the Compton Union Building (CUB)
  • Provide emergency contact information

Spring Arrivals

1

Register and attend the required International Student Orientation to meet the physical presence check-in requirement.

Orientation Schedule

Thursday, January 4
Mandatory International Student Orientation and Check-In
10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Bundy Reading Room

2

Once you arrive on campus, our immigration session during the International Student Orientation will provide instructions to upload your immigration documents to myPassport.

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

  • I-20/DS-2019 (Previous I-20/DS-2019 if you are a transfer student)
  • Biographical passport page (and extension, if applicable)
  • F-1/J-1 visa
  • Port-of-entry stamp from most recent entry into the United States
  • I-94 document

If you are a graduate student with an assistantship, you will need to obtain a social security card in order to receive your stipend. An essential part of the process will require that you meet the physical presence check-in requirement, upload your immigration documents to myPassport, and obtain a social security letter from your department. The letter then needs to be signed by the Global Services Department. If you need to complete the immigration check-in process prior to the Graduate School orientation, visit Global Services (Bryan Hall, room 206) to request early activation of your SEVIS record. Attendance at the International Student Orientation is required.

Orientation Checklist

Complete the remaining items on your orientation checklist located in myPassport.

  • Make an appointment with the International Programs fiscal team (sponsored students only)
  • Measles Hold (if applicable) – visit Health & Wellness to provide immunization record
  • Meet with your graduate coordinator in your department to plan your schedule
  • Obtain a Cougar Card at the Compton Union Building (CUB)
  • Provide emergency contact information

On Campus Resources for New International Students

International Programs – Global Services

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

International Center

The International Center, located in CUB L46, is your campus living room—a comfortable place where international students and friends gather to relax, socialize, and study.

Graduate School

Located in the French Administration building, the WSU Graduate School staff is there to assist you throughout your academic program.

For students beginning their program in the spring, orientation videos are available.

International Programs
Washington State University