Fall 2024 International Student Orientation is an optional program. You must sign up to participate.
Click here to sign up for International Student Orientation
While International Student Orientation is optional, New Student Orientation (NSO) is required. New Student Orientation is separate from International Student Orientation.
International Student Orientation will focus specifically on what you need to know as an international student while studying at Michigan State University.
New Student Orientation (NSO) is required for ALL new students*, not just international students. You will receive information about NSO directly from the New Student Orientation Office. Please contact NSO directly at .
*Graduate students are not required to do NSO. We understand that Graduate students will also have department/college specific orientations happening during this time, we hope you are able to participate in the International Student Orientation events as your schedule allows.
On-Campus Housing Early Move-In [if participating in International Student Orientation]: August 17 - 18
On-Campus Housing Regular Move-In [if not participating in International Student Orientation]: August 20 - 21
*Students living off-campus should also plan to arrive no later than Sunday, August 18 to participate in welcome events.
International Student Orientation In-Person Events: August 19, 20 & 21
New Student Orientation In-Person Events: August 21, 22 & 23
Pre-Arrival Webinars
OISS will be hosting pre-arrival webinars throughout the Summer via Zoom. These webinars will help you prepare for your arrival in East Lansing.
Desire2Learn (D2L) Modules
The International Student Orientation D2L modules opened Tuesday, May 21st. New content will continually be added throughout the summer so be sure to refer back to D2L regularly.
Undergraduate Degree Seeking Students: A reminder that the International Student Orientation D2L modules are different from the NSO D2L modules! Both must be completed!
Desire2Learn (D2L) is MSU's online learning system. Instructors use D2L for access to course materials, submission of assignments, online testing, grades and more. Learning how to use D2L is an important step in getting ready to study at MSU.
Accessing the International Student Orientation D2L modules:
New Student Newsletter
This newsletter is full of important information and reminders related to pre- and post-arrival in order to help you best prepare of your first semester at MSU.
Orientation Assistants
You will be assigned an Orientation Assistant. Your Orientation Assistant will be an international or domestic undergraduate or graduate student currently studying at MSU. They will be available to assist with your transition experience, reinforce important messages from OISS, share personal stories and advice, and support with in-person orientation activities as you arrive and adjust to campus.
Arrival Transportation
During international student arrival and move-in (August 17-18), MSU will provide FREE transportation from either Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) or Capitol Regional Airport in Lansing (LAN) to campus. You should plan on arriving at one of these airports on either August 17 or August 18 to take advantage of this service. Arrival transportation will not be offered from airports other than DTW or LAN.
Students living off-campus will be taken to a central location on campus and receive assistance getting to their off-campus location.
In-Person Welcome Events
OISS will have in-person welcome events planned August 19, 20, and 21. During these events you will be welcomed by university leadership, meet your OISS advisor, get familiar with campus resources and more! These events are a great way to make connections that will hopefully last throughout your time at MSU and beyond.
Once you have provided all required documentation to the Office Admissions, please plan for 2-3 weeks for your I-20 or DS-2019 to be issued.
To check the status of your I-20 or DS-2019, after you have reached the 2-3 week timeline, please email .
To check the status of your admission to MSU, please contact either the Office of Admissions or The Graduate School directly.
The SEVIS fee is a one-time fee that covers the costs of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Regulation requires all prospective students to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before the Department of State issues you a visa.
To obtain your visa, you will need a printed receipt indicating that you have paid the SEVIS I-901 fee. This fee must be paid before you arrive for your visa interview. You should keep receipt of payment with your other immigration documents.
To pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, visit FMJfee.com
Check the Paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee page from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for more information.
A visa is a stamp or sticker placed in your passport and is used only to seek entry into the U.S.
A visa alone does not guarantee entry into the U.S. Customs and Border Protection makes the final decision on your eligibility to enter the U.S. and can deny entry.
Canadian Citizens: Do not require a visa to enter the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 student status but do require an I-20 or DS-2019.
You must obtain a U.S. visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside of the U.S. It is recommended that you apply in your country of citizenship.
Although it is possible for students to apply for visas at U.S. consulates in Canada, Mexico, and other countries, the risk of denial may be higher. If a visa denial is received when a student applies in another country, the applicant is required to return directly to the home country to reapply at the local U.S. consulate. If denial or visa delay occurs, the applicant may not return to the U.S. before receiving a new visa.
View the estimated U.S. visa appointment wait times to review the current wait time for a visa interview.
You can find a list of required documentation on the Department of State website.
All applicants for a F or J visa are required to demonstrate their intent to return to their home country following the completion of their academic programs. The visa applicant is required to prove ties to the home country and establish "non-immigrant intent."
You can read more information from the U.S. Department of State about the requirement to demonstrate ties to your home country.
If you have a valid visa stamp in your passport, you may be able to use that stamp to enter the United States. You are encouraged to contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country to determine whether or not you may use that visa stamp to enter the United States.
Health insurance coverage for the Fall 2024 semester begins on August 16, 2024. MSU students entering the United States before August 16 should buy early arrival health insurance coverage to ensure they have access to health care the entire time they are inside the country. Early arrival coverage costs $7 per day and can be purchased for any number of days.
To apply for the early arrival coverage, please use this application form: Early Arrival Health Insurance – Fall 2024
When the application form is complete, you should send it to MSU Human Resources - using the encryption technique described below.
IMPORTANT: You must send in your health insurance application from your @msu.edu email address and use the following subject line for the email: IS Early Arrival Application #encrypt
Using “#encrypt” in the subject line will protect the email message and the attached application form, which is very important since it will contain credit/debit card information.
Your academic department or college will email you with department or college specific orientation information. If you have not received an email from your department or college, contact them directly. Most departments and colleges have graduate program directors or secretaries. They are often the best person to contact for this information. You can usually find staff directories on department and college websites. A department and program directory is available to find appropriate contact information.
The earliest date that students with an initial I-20 or DS-2019 can attempt to enter the U.S. is 30 days before the program start date.
In order to enter the United States, students must present the following documents to the immigration inspector at the port of entry:
Documents Needed to Enter the U.S. in F-2 or J-2 Status:
International Students in F-1 and J-1 status must complete Immigration Check-In online with OISS. After arriving in the U.S. students will be required to fill out a check-in form online. A step-by-step guide to completing immigration check-in will be emailed to students for whom check-in is required. OISS staff will review your check-in submission and follow up with you by email if any further information is required.
OISS advisors are available to meet and answer your questions virtually via Zoom.
Students on F-1 and J-1 visas are assigned to a specific OISS advisor based on the student's birth month.
You can find your advisor on the OISS Advising Team page.
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