¿ìèÊÓƵ

Pre-arrival to ¿ìèÊÓƵ

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 ¿ìèÊÓƵ
• 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 ¿ìèÊÓƵ, 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 ¿ìèÊÓƵ 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 ¿ìèÊÓƵ.

• Although not required, you may complete the Transfer-In Form
• Submit your Declaration of Finance Form and/or Bank Statement in your ¿ìèÊÓƵ Portal. 
• Check-in with the International Student & Scholar Center at ¿ìèÊÓƵ (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 ¿ìèÊÓƵ portal:

• Passport Bio Page
• Visa stamp
• Complete the New International Student Info Form within the ¿ìèÊÓƵ portal
• Complete New International Student Online Orientation Canvas course (invite will be sent to ¿ìèÊÓƵ email address)
• Add a local (¿ìèÊÓƵ) & overseas (home) address to 
• Law Students only: Complete same items above, but instead of uploading documents to ¿ìèÊÓƵ 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 ¿ìèÊÓƵ 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 ¿ìèÊÓƵ! One of your first steps in joining the ¿ìèÊÓƵ 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 ¿ìèÊÓƵ 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 ¿ìèÊÓƵ.  Additionally, in order to travel outside the United States with your ¿ìèÊÓƵ 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 ¿ìèÊÓƵ 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 ¿ìèÊÓƵ email.

Summer 2026 New Student Orientation - Law/Athletes

• Date: Monday, August 17th, 2026
• Time: Starting 9:00 a.m. PDT
• Room: STCN 130 (Student Center Room 130)

Fall 2026 New Student Orientation - Undergraduate

• Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
• Time: Starting at 9:00 a.m. PDT
• Room: STCN 160 (Student Center Room 160)
• RSVP: To be provided

Fall 2026 New Student Orientation - Graduate

• Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
• Time: Starting at 9:00 a.m. PDT
• Room: Campion 140 - Ballroom
• RSVP: To be provided

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