New International Student Orientation and Check-In Information
New International Student Orientation will be held in-person on August 20th and 21st,
2025, Student Center South Houston Room.
International Student Orientation is mandatory for all students holding non-immigrant
visas and/or with pending permanent residency. The session will address unique content
to cover restrictions and benefits to your visa status, the academic system and student
services offered at the University of Houston, as well as American friendship patterns,
language, and cultural adjustment. You will have the opportunity to ask questions
about things you have encountered and did not understand. You will be able to meet
students from your home country, as well as other international students. International
Student Orientation is in addition to the Freshman Orientation, Transfer Orientation,
and Graduate Student Orientation. It contains separate and unique content not available
as a part of other orientations.
Fall 2025 International Orientation Requirements
All new international students are required to attend International Student Orientation.
This includes:
New and transfer international undergraduate, graduate, and professional students
Any international student who began enrollment remotely from abroad during the previous
semester(s) and is entering the United States for the Fall 2025 Semester to be in-person
at the university.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you are a newly admitted F-1 student or J-1 student, with an initial I-20/DS-2019,
you are allowed to arrive up to 30 days before your program start date. Check the
program start date listed on page 1 of your I-20/DS-2019.
International Student Orientation is a unique introduction, designed for international
students, to the University of Houston. The session will address unique content that
will cover restrictions and benefits to your visa status, the academic system, and
student services offered at the University of Houston, as well as American friendship
patterns, language, and cultural adjustment. You will have the opportunity to learn
and ask questions about things you have encountered and did not understand.
August 20 & 21st
Yes, if you entered the US on a VISA you are considered an international student even
if you qualify for in-state tuition as a resident of Texas. This includes any student
pending permanent residency.
International Student Orientation generally offers sessions that address specific
immigration regulations, information on how to maintain your immigration status, health,
and medical insurance issues, financial matters, as well as informational sessions
about U.S. systems that many international students are not familiar with or are very
different from their home country. Our office will host an information fair with campus
and community organizations that will help you adjust while you study at UH. In addition,
ISSSO will provide lunch for you to mix, mingle and meet other international students.
Yes, all international students are charged a one-time international orientation fee,
$75, including non-F-1/J-1 visa holders.
All incoming international students enrolling for the Fall 2025 semester including
non-F-1/J-1 visa holders should attend International Student Orientation.
Yes. Orientation is required of all international students, regardless of how long
you have studied in the USA. We will cover information about UH's immigration policies
and student resources. These might be different from your previous school.
If you are beginning a new program at UH, yes, you will be required to attend. We
require students to repeat orientation in certain cases because immigration laws and
policies change frequently, and we want all students to have the most current information
on how to maintain their visa status. You will also be required to complete the Check-In
so that we can collect your most recent immigration documents and information.
We encourage you to meet with an ISSSO advisor to discuss any additional questions
or concerns that you may have, especially regarding immigration. Our trained advisors
are here to help guide you through complicated policies and procedures so that you
can have all the information you need to maintain your visa status. Make an appointment to speak with an advisor.
We encourage you to meet with an ISSSO advisor to discuss any additional questions
or concerns that you may have, especially regarding immigration. Our trained advisors
are here to help guide you through complicated policies and procedures so that you
can have all the information you need to maintain your visa status. Make an appointment to speak with an advisor.
International Student Check-In
All new and transfer international students are required to check-in through the International
Student and Scholar Services Office (ISSSO). International Student Check-In is a federally
mandated process that requires every international student to report to ISSSO and
submit their immigration documents for review. Check-In should be completed as soon
as possible AFTER arrival to the United States.
The Virtual Check-In will be done through TerraDotta. Information on how to access
the portal, please go here and email isssohlp@central.uh.edu if you need assistance to log-in.
UH Resources
The University of Houston is a large, decentralized institution. UH has several different
offices that support our students in various capacities. In order to better serve
you, our office recommends that you contact the office to which your question(s) most
relate. Here are some of those resources: