Orientation

Students

ISSO staff collaborate with campus partners to welcome you to campus and provide information to international students regarding their transition to the US and to the BU community. There are two edX Edge Courses to help you with your transition to BU as well as providing critical visa and immigration information. BU First Class, is an online pre-arrival orientation designed to familiarize you with the BU classroom, the university’s expectations around academic integrity as well as provide helpful tips for a smooth transition to campus. The second course is BU First Class ISSO Immigration Overview for Students. This course contains critical visa and immigration information and is required for undergraduate and graduate students. BU First Class ISSO Immigration Overview for Students will cover:

  • Introduction to the ISSO Staff, Services and where to find key information on our website
  • Maintaining your Student Immigration Status
  • Employment in the US
  • Visa documentation required to travel during your program

We urge you to take advantage of all of the BU First Class offerings before you travel to campus. Additionally, you are encouraged to return to the course periodically throughout your first year to review content, as you will pick up something new each time!

Undergraduate (new freshmen and undergraduate transfers)

We hope you engage with ISSO staff during University Orientation throughout the summer. Please plan to attend the final session of University Orientation as it will include a mandatory ISSO orientation for undergraduate students referred to as the International Student Program (ISP). Please see the website for ISP for more details.

Graduate (including non-degree and certificate students)

Individual schools and colleges offer programming and orientation sessions to their incoming students and often invite ISSO staff to participate. Please check with your school/department to confirm your Orientation schedule. Additionally, the Graduate Education website may have resources that are helpful as you prepare to come to Boston.

How do I get access to BU First Class?

New students will have receive an e-mail from BU Global Programs (global@bu.edu) in the weeks before their program start date. Please contact global@bu.edu with questions.

Orientation

We hope you are able to attend an Orientation upon arrival. However, we understand with international travel sometimes timing can be difficult. If you are not able to attend an ISSO Orientation session offered by your program, we invite you to watch a recorded version.

Scholars & Employees

All arriving scholars and employees are required to check-in with the ISSO to obtain clearance to start their intended employment or activity at BU. The process may vary slightly depending on both immigration classification and the nature of the BU appointment or employment:

  • New J-1 Exchange Visitors: Review our appointment scheduling options for details on how to register for your mandatory New J-1 Scholar Check-in and Orientation session. Once you register, we will send more details and instructions about required documentation.
  • New BU Employee (receiving a BU salary): Review our appointment scheduling options for details on how to set up your ISSO check-in and clearance and for more information about required documentation. You must complete a Form I-9 at the ISSO within three (3) days of your employment start date so schedule your appointment accordingly.
  • New Visiting Researcher or Visiting Student (or other uncompensated affiliates): Please e-mail your ISSO Scholar Advisor your relevant immigration documents (i.e. passport, I-94 arrival record, EAD, I-797 approval notice, Form DS-2019 or Form I-20 etc.), your BU appointment letter (confirming the terms of your visiting appointment) and a completed Scholar & Employee Clearance Form.