Immigration Orientation and Check-in

Immigration Orientation and Immigration Check-in are mandatory for all new F-1 or J-1 students (freshman, transfer, and graduate), including current FAU students who have requested a change of status to F-1 from another visa category or changing degree levels.

* Please note that if you are currently abroad you should not enter the U.S. 30 days prior to the program start date listed on the I-20 or DS-2019.

Important: Immigration Check-in and International Orientation are mandatory. Failure to attend will result in a registration hold on your account and negative immigration consequences.

Please take a moment to read our pre-arrival information (Including the powerpoint presentation and sign-in here to register for the Summmer/Fall 2020 Immigration Orientation and Immigration Check-in.

Immigration Orientation

All international students who are starting as a new student, changing status, or changing level of study, must sign up and attend the Immigration Orientation. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in negative immigration consequence

F-1 INTERNATIONAL (IMMIGRATION) ORIENTATION (F-1 students)

J-1 INTERNATIONAL (IMMIGRATION) ORIENTATION (J-1 Students)

Summer 2020 New International Student Immigration Orientation

Students who will be starting as an F-1 or J-1 student in the summer semester will be notified via email to complete their immigration orientation online. More information will be provided in the near future. Please be sure to monitor your FAU email account regularly for important updates from the International Student Services office.

Fall 2020 New International Student Immigration Orientation

Wednesday, August 19, 2020: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Location : BU 120 - College of Business Room 120, Boca Raton campus Map

Please note that in addition to the Immigration Orientation for New International Students, you will also need to attend one of the following university orientations:

If you are a First-Year Student (formerly known as freshman):

- Attend SOAR:
- For more information about the first-year orientation please visit https://www.fau.edu/orientation/freshman/dates/
If you are a Transfer Student :

For more information about the university wider transfer orientation please visit https://www.fau.edu/orientation/transfer/

If you are a Graduate Student :
- Graduate Student Orientation:
- Location: Grand Palm Room, Student Union
  - For more information about the Graduate Student Orientation please visit: http://www.fau.edu/graduate/current-students/orientation.php

If you are a Graduate Teaching Assistant
- If you are a Graduate Student AND a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) you will also need to attend:
  - GTA Orientation:
    - For more information please visit: http://www.fau.edu/graduate/events/gtaorientation.php
  - SITA (Seminar for International Teaching Assistants) Pannel Presentation:
    - For more information please visit: http://www.fau.edu/international/internationalassistants.php

Immigration Check-In

All international students who are starting as a new student must sign up for the check-in process. The process takes approximately 30 min and it is first-come, first-served.

Summer 2020 Check-In Dates and Times:

Students who will be starting their studies at FAU during the summer as an F-1 or J-1 student will be sent instructions via email to complete the mandatory immigration check-in online once the immigration check-in form becomes available. Please be sure to monitor your FAU email account regularly for important updates.

Fall 2020 Check-In Dates and Times:

Tuesday, August 18: 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 2 – 4 p.m. Location: BU 405 (College of Business room 405)

Thursday, August 20: 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 2 – 4 p.m. Location: BU 405 (College of Business room 405)

Friday, August 21: 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 2 – 4 p.m. Location: BU 405 (College of Business room 405)

Monday, August 24: 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 2 – 4 p.m. Location: BU 405 (College of Business room 405)

** Please note that the last check-in in the morning is at 11:30 a.m. and the last check-in in the afternoon is 4 p.m.

What to expect during immigration check-in:

When you arrive at the Florida Atlantic University to start your program, you need to come to complete the Check-In process. For more information about immigration check-in times and locations please see above.

During the immigration check-in you will do the following:

You will use our automated form to submit your most up to date personal information
You will sign the Responsibility Form
We will make copies of your documents

Bring the following documents to IS at the time of check-in:

Valid Passport with your valid F1/J1 visa stamp
SEVIS Fee Receipt
Signed I-20 or DS-2019
I-94 form - you will be able to download the I-94 form at the time of your check-in

*Students transferring from another U.S. school must bring a copy of the I-20 issued by the previous institution.

Students who are already in the U.S., wish to gain F-1 status, and did not receive an I-20 from FAU must contact the IS Office immediately to determine whether a change of status is required.

Attention graduate students who have assistantships but do not have a social security number (SSN): You must wait 7-10 days after entering the U.S. before applying for the SSN. Allow approximately one month to have the number in hand. Visit the SSN application requirements.