Graduate Student Welcome Activities Calendar
Your academic department or college will email you about other department or college-specific orientation dates and information. If you have not received an email from your department or college, contact them directly. Most departments and colleges have graduate student coordinators. They are often the best person to contact for this information. You can usually find staff directories on department and college websites.
MSU Student Health Insurance, including health insurance for dependent family members, begins on August 16, 2019. If you will arrive in the U.S. before August 16, 2019, we strongly suggest that you purchase Early Arrival MSU Student Health Insurance. Click on the drop down below for more information and to learn how to sign up.
Check your email for immigration check-in instructions. Start the check-in process online after you enter the U.S.
The instructions that you received by email will explain how to begin the immigration check-in process online and how to get a Social Security Letter (SSN Letter). After you complete the immigration check-in form online, you must bring your immigration documents to OISS to complete the immigration check-in process.
If you will be working on-campus as a Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, or any other on-campus position, you must bring your completed SSN Letter with you to OISS for a signature.
Location: OISS, International Center, Room 105
August 5 - 16, 2019
August 23 - 30, 2019 (late arrivals)
If you have received a Teaching Assistantship (TA) appointment for fall semester, you may be required to take the MSU Speaking Test. To find out if you need to take the MSU Speaking Test, check your email for information from your academic department or contact your academic department directly.
If you are required to take the test, you must sign-up online to reserve a test date and time. You can sign-on online starting three weeks before the test date. Learn more about the MSU Speaking Test dates, times, sample test questions, and to sign-up for a test date and time
For students and scholars with children who will attend K-12 schools.
Time: 9:00 to 10:00 AM
Location: 1855 Place Community Service Center
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: MSU Union
Time: 12:00 PM (Noon) to 3:00 PM
Location: Benefactors Plaza
Time: 2:30 to 6:00 PM
Location: Erickson Hall Kiva
After a welcome address by the Dean of the Graduate School, learn how to maintain your immigration status, get health care and use health insurance in the U.S., and develop a healthy student-advisor relationship with faculty and academic advisors. You will also learn about other campus resources that can help you do well at MSU and have time to meet other new graduate students from around the world.
In order to enter the United States in F-1 status, students must present the following documents to the immigration inspector at the port of entry:
Your passport, issued by your country of citizenship, should be valid for six months beyond the date you enter the United States and remain valid for the length of your stay. To obtain or renew your passport, contact your home government authorities. It is a good idea to keep a photocopy of your passport in case it is ever lost.
The Form I-20 is issued to students who intend to study in the U.S. in F-1 status.
If you are not in the U.S. you will receive an Initial Attendance I-20 from MSU. You will need the I-20 to pay the SEVIS fee and to apply for an F-1 visa. If you have dependents (spouse or children) traveling with you, each dependent will need their own I-20 to apply for an F-2 visa. F-2 dependents do not pay the SEVIS fee.
If you are currently in F-1 status in the U.S., you may transfer your I-20 to MSU. Once the transfer is complete, MSU will issue you a Transfer Pending I-20. Learn more about transferring your I-20 to MSU on our Transfer In and Out webpage.
If you are currently in the U.S. in another immigration status and will apply to change status to F-1, you will be issued and I-20 to change status. Changing status to F-1 can take 2-4 months and sometimes longer. If you are in an immigration status that does not allow enrollment in classes or studying, you will not be able to start your program at MSU until after the Change of Status is approved. If you are in an immigration status that allows enrollment in classes and studying but does not allow employment in the U.S., you will not be able to work at MSU as a student employee or graduate assistant until the Change of Status is approved.
Learn more about how to apply on our Change of Status webpage
After you receive your I-20 and admissions materials from MSU, please review everything carefully and check for any errors on your I-20. Email if you find an error on your I-20 so that we can correct it and mail an updated I-20 to you before you pay the SEVIS fee, schedule your visa interview, apply to change status, or enter the U.S.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) was designed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to maintain accurate and current information about international students and scholars in F, J, and M visa status, their academic activities, and their accompanying family members. There is a required government-mandated fee that has to be paid before you can apply for your U.S. visa.
The fee for F-1 students is $200 if you pay the fee on or before June 23, 2019.
Starting on June 24, 2019 the SEVIS Fee for F-1 students will be $350.
Learn more about the SEVIS fee on our SEVIS Fee Facts webpage.
If you are coming to MSU from outside of the United States, you will need pay the SEVIS fee before applying for an F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy. After paying the fee, print a copy of your SEVIS fee payment receipt. You will need to show the receipt to the U.S. consulate or embassy and when you enter the U.S. Learn more about how to pay the fee on the SEVIS Fee website.
If you are transferring your I-20 to MSU from another U.S. institution, you do not need to pay the SEVIS fee again. You already paid the fee when you first applied for an F-1 visa, entered the U.S. in F-1 status, or changed status to F-1.
You will need to pay the SEVIS fee if you were issued an I-20 to Change Status to F-1 from within the United States. Learn more about changing status to F-1 on our Change of Status webpage.
The visa is a stamp that a U.S. consulate or embassy puts in your passport. You must have a valid F-1 visa stamp and valid I-20 in order to enter the United States.
Canadian citizens are exempt from the U.S. visa stamp requirements. At the port of entry, Canadian citizens will need to present their I-20 and Canadian passport along with proof of payment of the SEVIS fee and adequate financial support to study in the U.S. If you are a Canadian landed immigrant entering the United States, you are required to obtain a U.S. visa stamp. Please contact the U.S. consulate in your area for more information.
Check the U.S. consulate or embassy website where you will apply for a list of required documents, forms, and instructions on how to apply for an F-1 visa. Please be aware that each consulate or embassy may require different information and have specific application procedures.
Find a U.S. consulate or embassy website on the U.S. Department of State website.
Your visa stamp must be valid when you enter the United States. Your visa may expire while you are in the U.S. and you may remain legally in the U.S. as long as your I-20 is still valid.
F-1 students and F-2 dependents may remain in the United States with an expired visa stamp as long as:
Your visa stamp tells you how many times you may enter the U.S. This is usually one, two, or M (for multiple). If students or dependents use all of their entries and they wants to enter the U.S. again they must get a new F-1 or F-2 visa. It is a good idea to keep a photocopy of your visa stamp in case it is ever lost.
Learn more about Maintaining Immigration Status
Before you apply for your student visa it is important to prepare yourself. Not only is it important to have your documents organized, it is also important to prepare for the visa interview. Here are two websites that offer valuable tips to help you get ready.
U.S. Department of State - Education USA Tips to Apply For Your U.S. Student Visa
NAFSA 10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa
You may enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before the program start date, as listed on your I-20. If you will be delayed in your arrival, please notify .
At the port of entry, the U.S. Customers and Border Officer will inspect your Form I-20 and give it back to you. The Border Officer will also inspect your passport and F-1 visa (if applicable), issue an admission stamp, write "F-1/DS", and return your passport to you.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) admits you to the U.S. with an electronic I-94 at the Port of Entry or a paper I-94 when entering at a land border or sea border and other limited circumstances. Travelers will also receive a CBP admission stamp in their passports.
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age are considered dependents of F-1 students and can be admitted to the U.S. in F-2 non-immigrant status.
Learn more about F-2 dependents on our Family and Dependents webpage
In order to enter the United States in J-1 status, students must present the following documents to the immigration inspector at the port of entry:
Your passport, issued by your country of citizenship, should be valid for six months beyond the date you enter the United States and remain valid for the length of your stay. To obtain or renew your passport, contact your home government authorities. It is a good idea to keep a photocopy of your passport in case it is ever lost.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) was designed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to maintain accurate and current information about international students and scholars in F, J, and M visa status, their academic activities, and their accompanying family members. There is a required government-mandated fee that has to be paid before you can apply for your U.S. visa.
The fee for J-1 students is $180 if you pay the fee on or before June 23, 2019.
Starting on June 24, 2019 the SEVIS Fee for J-1 students will be $220.
Learn more about the SEVIS fee on our SEVIS Fee Facts webpage.
Prior to your visa interview, you must pay the SEVIS Fee.
The visa is a stamp that a U.S. consulate or embassy puts in your passport. You must have a valid J-1 visa stamp and valid DS-2019 in order to enter the United States.
Canadian citizens are exempt from the U.S. visa stamp requirements. At the port of entry, Canadian citizens will need to present their DS-2019 and Canadian passport along with proof of payment of the SEVIS fee and adequate financial support to study in the U.S. If you are a Canadian landed immigrant entering the United States, you are required to obtain a U.S. visa stamp. Please contact the U.S. consulate in your area for more information.
Check the U.S. consulate or embassy website where you will apply for a list of required documents, forms, and instructions on how to apply for a J-1 visa. Please be aware that each consulate or embassy may require different information and have specific application procedures.
Find a U.S. consulate or embassy website on the U.S. Department of State website.
Your visa stamp must be valid when you enter the United States. Your visa may expire while you are in the U.S. and you may remain legally in the U.S. as long as your DS-2019 is still valid.
J-1 students and J-2 dependents may remain in the United States with an expired visa stamp as long as:
Your visa stamp tells you how many times you may enter the U.S. This is usually one, two, or M (for multiple). If students or dependents use all of their entries and they wants to enter the U.S. again they must get a new J-1 or J-2 visa. It is a good idea to keep a photocopy of your visa stamp in case it is ever lost.
Learn more about Maintaining Immigration Status
Before you apply for your student visa it is important to prepare yourself. Not only is it important to have your documents organized, it is also important to prepare for the visa interview. Here are two websites that offer valuable tips to help you get ready.
U.S. Department of State - Education USA Tips to Apply For Your U.S. Student Visa
NAFSA 10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa
Immigration regulations require that all students and dependents in J-1 and J-2 have health insurance that meets specific requirements.
Most students choose to use the student health insurance policy issued to MSU international students through the Blue Care Network (BCN) insurance company. You are automatically enrolled in the coverage when you enroll for classes and billed for the cost on your MSU Student Account.
If you will use this policy, please be aware of the following coverage start dates:
If you will arrive before the coverage start date, you should purchase day-to-day health insurance coverage through the MSU Human Resources Solutions Center.
Please note that spouses and children are NOT automatically enrolled in the BCN health insurance plan. You must enroll your family members through the BCN website. Payment is required at the time of enrollment.
Deadlines for family member enrollment each semester are as follows:
If you cannot afford the cost of health insurance for your family, please email for information about financial assistance.If you will use your own health insurance policy instead of the MSU BCN policy, your policy must meet all MSU International Student Waiver Criteria. Shortly after arrival, you must apply for a health insurance waiver through StuInfo. You will find the link on the “other” tab in StuInfo.
Health Insurance waiver deadlines for each semester are as follows:
You may enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before the program start date and no later than 20 days after the program start date, as listed on your DS-2019. If you will be delayed in your arrival, please notify .
At the port of entry, the U.S. Customers and Border Officer will inspect your DS-2019 and give it back to you. The Border Officer will also inspect your passport and J-1 visa (if applicable), issue an admission stamp, write "J-1/DS", and return your passport to you.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) admits you to the U.S. with an electronic I-94 at the Port of Entry or a paper I-94 when entering at a land border or sea border and other limited circumstances. Travelers will also receive a CBP admission stamp in their passports.
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age are considered dependents of J-1 students and scholars and can be admitted to the U.S. in J-2 non-immigrant status.
Learn more about J-2 dependents on our Family and Dependents webpage
MSU Student Health Insurance, including insurance for dependent spouses and children, begins on August 16, 2019. If you will be arriving in the U.S. before August 16, 2019, it is highly recommended that you have health insurance coverage.
International Students can purchase Early Arrival MSU Student Health Insurance for themselves and their dependent spouse and children.
Student: $5.00 per day
Spouse/Domestic Partner: $5.00 per day
One Child: $5:00 per day
Two or More Children: $9.00 per day
You may enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before the program start date, as listed on your I-20. Your Early Arrival MSU Student Health Insurance can start on the date you arrive in the U.S., but no earlier than July 1, 2019.
If you are transferring your SEVIS record to MSU from another university in the United States, your Early Arrival MSU Student Health Insurance coverage can begin as early as July 1, 2019.
1. Complete the Early Arrival MSU Student Health Insurance Form
2. Pay Full Amount by Check, Money Order, or Credit Card:
3. Submit the enrollment form and payment to MSU Human Resources:
Learn more about how to find a place to live, set up utilities, and other practical information on Find a Place to Live.
If you cannot fit all of your personal belongings into your checked or carry-on luggage, it is possible to ship your belongings to East Lansing. MSU will not store personal belongings for you before move-in. See below for information on how to ship your belongings before and after move-in.
All items shipped from outside the U.S. must be cleared through U.S. Customs at a U.S. Port of Entry. You can arrange to have a freight-forwarding company or customs broker take your packages through the customs inspection and send them to East Lansing or you can take your packages through inspection yourself at the airport.
If your belongings will arrive in East Lansing before the date that you can move into your on-campus or off-campus housing, we recommend that you use Two Men and A Truck storage and delivery service. MSU has a contract with Two Men and A Truck in order to make the shipping and move-in process easier for students.
To arrange for storage and delivery of your belongings, go to the Two Men and A Truck student storage website.
If your belongings will arrive in East Lansing after you move into your on-campus or off-campus housing, you can ship your belongings directly to your on or off-campus address.
You can find your on-campus address by logging into iLiveOn. To understand how to write your on-campus address on your package go to the MSU Live On Mailing Addresses website.
Make sure you have the following documents with you in your carry-on bag when you enter the U.S. Do not pack these documents in your checked luggage.
As you prepare for your trip, keep in mind that rooms in the residence halls and apartments are generally small. In order not to crowd your room (and possibly your roommate) and to avoid excess baggage charges, bring only essentials with you. You will be able to buy many things that you need for your room, school supplies, additional clothing and personal items after you arrive. Our current international students say they consider the following items most important to bring with them from home:
Michigan is located in the northern part of the United States. We have four distinct seasons of the year and temperatures change a lot between Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring. Temperatures and weather can change suddenly during the day and from day-to-day. We have a saying in Michigan: "If you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes."
Summer lasts from June - September and can be hot and humid. It is common to have thunderstorms and rain during the summer. People often wear thinner cotton clothing, shorts and short sleeved shirts. Most classroom buildings are air conditioned so it can be chilly inside. Bringing a sweater with you every day is a good idea. It is also a good idea to carry a small umbrella with you in your bag every day in case the weather changes to rain. Average temperatures during the day are around 27 degrees C (80 degrees F).
Fall lasts from September - December and ranges from hot to very cold. One day it may be hot and sunny and the next day cold and snowing. However, the first snow usually happens in late November or early December. People dress in layers of clothing in case the temperature changes during the day. It is a good idea to always carry a small umbrella with you in your bag every day in case the weather changes to rain. Average temperatures during the day range from 23 degrees C in September (73 degrees F) to 1 degree C in December (34 degrees F).
Winter lasts from December - March and ranges from very cold to mildly warm. We usually have a lot of snow in January - March. People dress in warm sweaters, down feather coats, warm boots, hats, scarves and gloves. Buildings can be hot inside, so it's a good idea to dress in layers. Average temperatures during the day range from -1 degree C in January (30 degrees F) to 7 degrees C in March (44 degrees F).
Spring lasts from March - June and ranges from very cold to warm. It can snow in April. People dress in warm sweaters, wool or fleece coats, hats, scarves and gloves. Buildings can be hot inside, so it's a good idea to dress in layers. Average temperatures during the day range from 14 degrees C in April (58 degrees F) to 26 degrees C in June (78 degrees F).
MSU campus is located in the city of East Lansing in the state of Michigan.
Lansing Capital Region International Airport (LAN)
The closest airport to MSU is Lansing Capital Region International Airport (LAN). If you want to fly into Lansing, you will have to fly through another city in the U.S. Many students fly to Lansing through Detroit or Chicago. Taxi service is available from the Lansing Capital Region International Airport to MSU. The drive to campus will take 15 minutes.
Many students choose fly to Detroit Metro Airport (DTW). The Michigan Flyer bus company offers comfortable and inexpensive coach bus rides from Detroit to East Lansing. The Michigan Flyer bus stop in East Lansing is at the Marriott hotel. Taxis will be available to drive you to your residence hall on campus. Purchase your Michigan Flyer ticket online before flying to Detroit.
Michigan Flyer Schedules, Fares, and Buy Tickets
If you are a new international student or scholar arriving at the Lansing Airport or the Michigan Flyer bus stop in East Lansing between Friday, August 16th, 2019, and Sunday, August 18th, 2019, you can have free transportation to local hotels or to your residence hall. Residence halls open on Saturday morning at 8am. If your flight lands in Detroit, make sure you reserve a seat in advance for the Michigan Flyer bus to East Lansing.
NEW in 2019, we're providing a $20 value Lyft promo code that student may use on the Lyft app. The promo code can be used towards your Lyft ride from the airport or the bus station to their final destination. When you arrive at the Lansing Airport or the Michigan Flyer bus stop in East Lansing, you should be able to spot a Welcome Table staffed with representatives from OISS. If you encounter any difficulties (lost luggage, lost documents, etc.), feel free to stop by the Welcome Table for assistance. In addition, if you are unable to order a Lyft or cannot set up your Lyft account, volunteers at the table can assist you.
An email detailing free transportation to campus and a step-by-step instruction has been sent to all incoming international students via email. Should you have questions about arrival and/or transportation, please contact Vicky Lee, Student Engagement Coordinator at OISS.
Immigration check-in is required for both F-1 and J-1 students. During immigration check-in, OISS Advisors will check your passport, visa, and I-20 or DS-2019.
Check your email for immigration check-in instructions. Start the check-in process online after you enter the U.S.
The instructions that you received by email will explain how to begin the immigration check-in process online and how to get a Social Security Letter (SSN Letter). After you complete the immigration check-in form online, you must bring your immigration documents to OISS to complete the immigration check-in process.
If you will be working on-campus as a Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, or any other on-campus position, you must bring your completed SSN Letter with you to OISS for a signature.
OISS, International Center, Room 105
August 5 - 16, 2019
August 23 - 30, 2019 (late arrivals)
Required and optional orientation and welcome activities are listed on our Graduate Student Welcome Activities Calendar.
Your academic department or college will email you about other department or college-specific orientation dates and information. If you have not received an email from your department or college, contact them directly. Most departments and colleges have graduate student coordinators. They are often the best person to contact for this information. You can usually find staff directories on department and college websites.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Meet with an OISS Immigration Advisor
SAVE THE DATE for Global Festival
November 10th, 2019
Join us for Coffee Hour
Every Friday from 4-6pm at the International Center
Follow OISS
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