Newly Admitted Students

Admitting departments and the ISSO collaborate to collect the appropriate documentation and to process immigration documents for our newly admitted international students. The following is information that will help you in determining what steps to follow and what documentation you will assist in collecting.

When should an admission file be compiled and sent to the ISSO?

• Any time a non-US Citizen or non-US Permanent Resident is admitted or permitted to study at BU, regardless of immigration classification, degree program, or intent to study full time or part time.
• Any time a student is admitted into a new program, changes programs, or changes majors.

What should you do before the ISSO can begin processing?

• Make sure an admission record is created in the BU registration system.
• Compile the admission documents by following the Checklist of Documents Required for ISSO Processing.  To prepare a complete admission file and for additional details regarding required financial documents, English proficiency requirements, etc., please refer to our 10 Tips for Successful ISSO Immigration Processing for Admissions.
• Be sure to update ISSO Document Tracking prior to sending the file to the ISSO.
• Send the complete admission file to the ISSO.

What happens after a file has been received at the ISSO?

• ISSO immigration processing begins when an admission file is received at the ISSO.
• Standard ISSO processing is 10 business days from date ISSO receives a complete file.
• Refer to ISSO Document Tracking to track the progress of a student file.

New to processing immigration documents for our incoming international students?

• Email the ISSO’s Assistant Director for Admissions and Student Support Services to:
  • arrange for training
  • obtain the appropriate permits to access the ISSO Coversheet and ISSO Document Tracking,
  • be added to the admissions email distribution list for important immigration processing related emails.