After You Arrive

Starting at Your US University

What to do when you reach your US university: check in with the international office, sign up for the number of classes that counts as full time and follow your visa rules.

University Student Portal

Example: Master's course

Example: Fall 2027 (the term that starts in August or September)

Do not come too early: You cannot enter the US on your student visa more than 30 days before your start date (the date on your Form I-20).
Check in with your DSO: Do this as soon as you arrive in the US. Your DSO is the university's adviser for international students.
Check in by the start date: Check in with your university by the date on your Form I-20.
Register for classes: Take the number of classes your university counts as full time each semester.

Papers to Bring

Bring the real papers to your check-in.

Immigration papers:

Passport and visa - Must stay valid for at least 6 months after you plan to leave the US.
Form I-20 - The paper your university sends for your student visa. Signed by you and your university.
Arrival record (Form I-94) - Print it from the official US government I-94 website. Check that it matches your Form I-20.

Document Preparation Tips

Keep the real papers in your hand bag on the plane
Make two photocopies of every paper

Bachelor's: At least 12 credit hours each semester (half a school year).
Graduate: The number of classes your university says is full time. At Arizona State, the cost estimate uses 9 credits each semester.
Online classes: Only one online class, or three credits, each semester counts toward full time.

Help on Campus

Your university's international office helps you follow your visa rules.

International student office

Your DSO (designated school official) is the first person to ask about your visa rules.

Questions about your visa rules
Permission to work on campus, in jobs that are part of your course (curricular practical training, CPT), and after your course (optional practical training, OPT)
Travel and address changes

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips

Talk to your DSO before you drop a class, travel or move
Print your arrival record (Form I-94) and check that it matches your Form I-20. Tell your DSO if it does not
If the full number of classes is too hard, ask your DSO if you can take fewer classes