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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.

Fall Arrivals

1

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

Orientation Schedule

Monday, August 14

    Graduate School Orientation (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., CUB Senior Ballroom)
    Immigration Session (2:30 – 3:20 p.m., CUB Auditorium)
    Cultural Adjustment (3:30 – 4:20 p.m., CUB Auditorium)
    Library Tour (4:30 – 5 p.m., Library – Front Entrance)

Thursday, August 17

    Health Insurance Info Session (iSHIP) (11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Bryan Hall 305)
    Social Security Application Session (1 – 3 p.m., Bryan Hall Lobby) *Bring copies and originals of immigration documents*
    Rotary BBQ/Ice Cream Social (5 – 7 p.m., Reaney Park)

Friday, August 18

    All Campus Picnic (11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Cougar Way)
    Sponsored Student Event (1 – 3 p.m., Butch’s Den, CUB L60)
    Coffee Hour: U.S. Dos and Don’ts (3 – 4 p.m., International Center, CUB L46)
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 108) 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 International Programs Global Services Orientation to meet the physical presence check-in requirement.

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 108) 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.

  • 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 assists international students through knowledge and expertise in immigration advising and cross-cultural programming.

International Center

The International Center 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