All new international students are required to complete International Student Orientation. International Student Orientation will focus specifically on what you need to know as an international student while studying at MSU.
UNDERGRADUATE students are required to complete both International Student Orientation and New Student Orientation (NSO). NSO is required for ALL new undergraduate students, not just international students. You will receive information about NSO directly from the New Student Orientation office. If you have questions about NSO you should contact them directly.
GRADUATE students are not required to complete NSO but are required to complete International Student Orientation.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.
AMERICAN SEMESTER PROGRAM & EXCHANGES (ASP&E) students** are required to complete both International Student Orientation and ASP&E Orientation. More information will be sent directly from the ASP&E team.
**ASP&E students are exchange students that are only attending MSU for one or two semesters and not for their full degree.
International Student Orientation In-Person Events: Tuesday, January 7th - Thursday, January 9th
D2L Modules Available: Wednesday, November 6th
WELCOME NEWSLETTER: The Welcome Newsletter provides essential information for new students, from pre- to post-arrival, to help you prepare for your first semester at MSU. Check your inbox every other Wednesday for the latest edition.
*It is important that you read each newsletter carefully!*
Click here to read previous editions of the Spring 2025 Welcome Newsletter.
D2L MODULES: 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. The International Student Orientation Course will have information to help you prepare to arrive to MSU and start your time as a student.
*The International Student Orientation D2L modules will be available starting next Wednesday, November 6th. Be on the lookout for next week's Welcome Newsletter for more information!*
ORIENTATION ASSISTANTS: Orientation Assistants are current MSU Undergraduate and Graduate students who work for OISS. You will be assigned an Orientation Assistant that will assist with your transition, reinforce important messages from OISS, and share personal experiences and advice. They will also be here to support you with in-person orientation activities as you arrive and adjust to campus. They are an excellent resource for any questions you may have about joining MSU.
TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE: OISS is pleased to offer transportation assistance once you arrive in East Lansing through the ride-share service, Lyft. Using the OISS promo code, you can receive up to $25 off your first ride to your new home in the East Lansing area.
*Additional details, including promo codes, will be shared in a future edition of the Welcome Newsletter.*
IN-PERSON WELCOME EVENTS: OISS has in-person orientation and welcome events planned starting Tuesday, January 7th, 2025. During these events you will meet your OISS advisor, get familiar with campus resources, connect with fellow students, and more!
*You should arrive no later than Wednesday, January 8th, 2025 to participate in these events. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about the welcome events in an upcoming edition of Welcome Newsletter.*
Questions about International Student Orientation? Email .
Be sure to follow @OISSMSU on social media [Instagram and Facebook].
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 Spring 2025 semester begins on January 1, 2025 (for students without a prior fall 2024 enrollment). MSU students entering the United States before January 1 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 $8 per day and can be purchased for any number of days.
To purchase the early arrival coverage, please create an account through Academic HealthPlans (AHP). Your student category will be “International Early Arrival.” If you already have a Spring 2025 insurance record in AHP, please contact the MSU HR Solutions Center at so your account can be corrected to allow the Early Arrival purchase.
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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