International Student FAQ
Boston University International Student & Scholars Office (ISSO) is devoted to assisting international students through the immigration process and helping international students adjust to life at Boston University. They have extensive resources available to educate and assist international students. We strongly recommend students visit their website for more information on:
All international students are required to check-in with ISSO upon arriving in the United States. Students can check-in online via the ISSO Portal. The ISSO staff will best be able to answer all of our incoming international students’ questions on visa or immigration paperwork. International students are also required to provide an up-to-date address where they will be living in Boston.
When will I get my I-20?
Once you have accepted your offer of admission and the Graduate Programs Office receives the requested International Student documents, we will review your documents and send them to ISSO for processing.
Documents that are received by ISSO are usually processed within 10 business days. If additional information is required, you will be contacted directly for further information.
Our office receives all College of Engineering documents and works diligently with ISSO to ensure that your file is processed in a timely manner. We are appreciative of your patience and understand the time required in the Visa process after your I-20 is issued. If you have any concerns at all with the timeline of your I-20 issuance, please do not hesitate to email enggrad@bu.edu.
How will I receive my I-20?
After the review is complete and the I-20 is issued, you will be notified via your BU email address on how to access your I-20 via the ISSO Portal.
Where can I “Check-In”?
All international students that are arriving on campus for the first time should check-in directly with ISSO. Students can check-in online via the
ISSO Portal.
What orientations will I be required to attend?
The College of Engineering hosts an orientation for all of our incoming students prior to the start class. We will send out invitations by email when the event is scheduled.
ISSO will host an additional mandatory orientation for all incoming international students. More information on the ISSO orientation, including the date and time of this orientation, will be posted on the ISSO website when it is announced.
Where can I find information about Boston?
ISSO provides numerous resources for international students who are attending Boston University including but not limited to: banking and financial resources, the climate in Boston, public transportation, transportation to and from the airport, childcare, health and medical information, organizations, and student services.