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Immigration Check-In

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Upon arrival to the United States, F-1 and J-1 international students must complete immigration check-in with the ISO. ISO is required by immigration law to report your arrival at the University and verify your nonimmigrant status in SEVIS. Review the instructions on this page to learn more about the mandatory immigration check-in process.

Key details for student check-ins

When to check in

Complete immigration check-in within one week of arriving to the US and no later than the program start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019.

How to check in

You’ll receive an email from our office inviting you to complete a virtual check-in through URcompass around 30 days before your program start date, so be on the lookout! The check-in will require a copy of the I-94 admission record issued by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after you enter the US.

Before you check in

  1. Make sure your address and contact information are correct in UR Student.
  2. Prepare required document copies for upload.
    1. I-94 admission record (issued after you enter to the US)
    2. F-1 or J-1 Visa sticker (if you have one)
    3. Passport ID page (if it is new or extended)
    4. Uploads must be smaller than 30MB and the file names can’t have special characters like “/” or “*”.

Check-in timing

Our office uses a virtual check-in process in our URcompass client portal. You’ll receive an email from ISO inviting you to complete the Immigration Check-in based on your scheduled program start date.

In some cases, students may need to request an earlier check-in:

  • Change of Educational Level
    The immigration check-in will be used to activate your new level of study at the University of Rochester. This should happen only after you have completed all activities associated with your previous program of study, including off-campus CPT/OPT authorization. However, if your current program ends and you plan to participate in any University of Rochester activities before starting your new program, especially paid research or other employment, the immigration check-in must be completed before starting any work in order to retain active on-campus permissions. Please discuss your plans with ISO to strategize your timing.
  • Immigration Transfer
    If you are arriving to campus and will engage in activities or services (research, campus employment, housing, etc.) before the academic term starts, it is best to activate your SEVIS record when you arrive, even if your program of study begins later. Please request an early check-in using the email below.

Please send inquiries for early check-in to admitquestions@iso.rochester.edu.

Additional considerations

  • You only need to complete the immigration check-in once when you start a new program of study or get a new SEVIS record. Returning students with an Active SEVIS record don’t need to do it every year.
  • If you’re transferring your SEVIS record from another US school, you must submit your check-in details within 15 days of your program start date.
  • If you’re starting a new program at the University, you must wait until you finish all the authorized activities for your previous degree level before you complete the check-in.
  • If you’ve applied to USCIS to change your immigration status, you must wait until the application is approved before you complete the check-in.
  • If you have dependents who will join you in Rochester, you can report their arrival using the Dependent Check-In tool in URcompass.

After you check in

  • ISO will review your information and documents to make sure everything is correct. This process can take up to one week. We’ll contact you if we need more information. You will receive an email confirming when your SEVIS record has been activated under the University of Rochester’s immigration sponsorship.
  • F-1 students transferring their SEVIS record from another school will receive an email when their new I-20 documenting the completed transfer is available in URcompass.
  • Report to your school or department right away to get help and meet any other program requirements.

We look forward to welcoming you to the University of Rochester!

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