ħ¶¼×ÊÔ´Íø

Pre-arrival to ħ¶¼×ÊÔ´Íø

First Time Studying in the U.S.

This information applies to any student with an "Initial" I-20/DS-2019, even if it is not the first time studying in the U.S.

Travel

Hand-carry the following documents with you:

• Your passport with visa stamp
• Your SEVIS form I-20/DS-2019 from ħ¶¼×ÊÔ´Íø
• Proof of no more than one fully online course on your schedule (less than 1/3 of your classes should be online).
• Evidence of financial support from the sponsor who is listed on your I-20
• Evidence of your student status, such as your letter of acceptance, class schedule, or tuition paid receipt
• Receipt of your paid SEVIS fee ()
• Contact information for the International Student & Scholar Center. Our office phone number is 1-206-296-6260. For after-hours assistance, please call 1-206-296-5990.

If the border officer asks for a name of a school official from ħ¶¼×ÊÔ´Íø, you can give one of the following International Student & Scholar (ISSC) Advisors' names: Dale Watanabe, Sandra Bui, Arturo Neil, or Aymie Tudi.

Transfer Students

If you have an active SEVIS record from another school and you will be beginning your studies at ħ¶¼×ÊÔ´Íø within 5 months of your current program end date, you must transfer your SEVIS record within your 60-day grace period, which is the 60-days after your current I-20 end date (or EAD card end date, if on OPT). If you will not begin your new program within 5 months, please request a new Initial I-20.

Follow your current school's guidelines for transferring your SEVIS record to ħ¶¼×ÊÔ´Íø.

• Although not required, you may complete the Transfer-In Form
• Submit your Declaration of Finance Form and/or Bank Statement in your Admissions Portal. 
• Check-in with the International Student & Scholar Center at ħ¶¼×ÊÔ´Íø (see next step below)
• Inform the ISSC if you are traveling outside of the United States before classes begin so we can issue you a Transfer-Pending I-20. 
• If you will be entering the U.S. on a transfer-pending I-20, you will also need to have proof of registration for a hybrid or in-person course. 
• Update your overseas and local addresses through .

Change of Status Students

For students on a different visa who are currently inside the U.S. and applying for a Change of Status using Form I-539.

• Submit your financial documents to isc@seattleu.edu to request a "Change of Status" I-20
• Complete the Check-In process and include a copy of your current visa.
• Remain inside the U.S; do not travel outside the U.S. with your Change of Status pending
• Hybrid/In-Person Course Requirement: If you began your studies online from your home country and are entering the U.S. on an Initial Form I-20, Transfer-Pending Form I-20, or Change of Level I-20, you MUST be registered for mostly in-person courses and can only take one online course or no more than 3 credits online.

You should bring proof of your hybrid/in-person course registration when you enter the U.S. This is an SEVP regulation, and you will be required to complete that hybrid or in-person course during the term that you enter the U.S. 

Feel free to email isc@seattleu.edu if you have any questions about this SEVP regulation.

Student Check-in

By law, ALL new or transfer international students must complete a series of new student check-in requirements, as a requirement of your student visa. Some of these requirements must be completed online, while others are in-person tasks.

Online Requirements for both Undergraduate & Graduate Students

Upload the following documents to your Admissions portal:

• Passport Bio Page
• Visa stamp
• Complete the New International Student Info Form within the Admissions portal
• Complete New International Student Online Orientation Canvas course (invite will be sent to ħ¶¼×ÊÔ´Íø email address)
• Add a local (ħ¶¼×ÊÔ´Íø) & overseas (home) address to 
• Law Students only: Complete same items above, but instead of uploading documents to Admissions portal, email copy of passport, visa stamp, and completed New Student Information Sheet t´Ç isc@seattleu.edu.

In-Person Requirements:

• Attend the mandatory in-person Welcome Workshop at the start of the quarter. Information will be sent out regarding date, time, and location of the workshop a few weeks before the start of each quarter.

All students:

About 2-3 weeks after classes have begun and you have uploaded/submitted your check-in documents, updated your addresses, completed the online Canvas course & attended the in-person welcome workshop, the ISSC will issue you a ħ¶¼×ÊÔ´Íø Continued Attendance I-20 valid for the duration of your program. 

Failure to complete these new student requirements could jeopardize your immigration status.

Welcome Workshop

Congratulations on your acceptance to ħ¶¼×ÊÔ´Íø! One of your first steps in joining the ħ¶¼×ÊÔ´Íø community is attending our mandatory International Student Welcome Workshop. Here, you will be introduced to services at the International Student & Scholar Center, assisted in managing your student immigration status, and informed about international student health insurance. You will also get a chance to meet other international students and learn about the ħ¶¼×ÊÔ´Íø campus.

In conjunction with the in-person Welcome Workshop, students are also required to complete an online orientation Canvas course.

Whether you are a new undergraduate student, new graduate student, or new transfer student, attending the Welcome Workshop and online Canvas course is critical to your success at ħ¶¼×ÊÔ´Íø.  Additionally, in order to travel outside the United States with your ħ¶¼×ÊÔ´Íø Form I-20/DS-2019 after classes begin, you will need to complete the entire Canvas course and attend the in-person Welcome Workshop.

Please plan your arrival to ħ¶¼×ÊÔ´Íø in conjunction with the mandatory session dates for either undergraduate or graduate students. Once the orientation Canvas course has been published, you will receive an email to join through your ħ¶¼×ÊÔ´Íø email.

Undergraduate and Graduate Spring 2026 Welcome Workshop In-Person (Required)

• Date: Friday, March 27
• Check In Time: Please arrive at 8:45 AM
• Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
• Location: The Stuart T. Rolfe Community Room – Admissions & Alumni Building

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at isc@seattleu.edu.