Penn Global

- International Student Orientation

ISO: International Student Orientation

International Student Orientation (ISO) is a program for all incoming international students in F-1 or J-1 student status, including freshman, graduate, professional, transfer, returning students from leave, and exchange students. ISO is designed to help students learn about and understand important immigration regulations and procedures required of F-1 and J-1 students, confirm their arrival for required government reporting purposes, and to assist new students in adjusting to Penn.

Advance Online Check-in (see below for detailed instructions) and attendance at an Immigration Document Review and Presentation Session is mandatory.

Mandatory New Student Check-In Requirements

Federal regulations require that you register your presence at the University by completing international student check-in procedures. Check-in has two steps: 1) completion of the New Student Arrival Information online form and 2) attendance at one of the Immigration Document Review and Presentation Sessions.

Please note that both steps must be completed after you arrive in the United States but within 20 days of the program start date on your Penn I-20 or DS-2019.

F-1 transfer students must complete the new student check-in process within 15 days of the program start date on your Penn I-20.

Step One: Complete the New Student Arrival Information form
Please enter your United States arrival information at this page. Log in using your 9-digit admission ID, date of birth and PIN. Be sure to have your US address and emergency contact information available. You will receive a confirmation email after submitting the form.

Step Two: Attend an Immigration Document Review and Presentation Session
You must come prepared with all of the following original immigration documents:
- Passport
- F-1 or J-1 visa (except Canadian or Bermudian citizens)
- I-94 (whether a hard-copy paper card; or electronic as indicated by an admission/entry stamp in passport)
- I-20 (for F-1 students) or DS-2019 (for J-1 students) issued by Penn
- Any previously issued I-20(s) or DS-2019(s) from previous program, if applicable; this is required for transfer students
- Any other official correspondence from USCIS, such as an I-797, if applicable
Attend an Immigration Document Review and Presentation Session

Starting in late June, the following sessions will be offered.

Unless otherwise noted, all sessions will be held in ISSS - 3701 Chestnut Street, 6th Floor West, International House.
- Wednesday, June 26 - 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 2 - 5:00 p.m.
- Thursday, July 11 - 5:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 17 - 5:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 24 - 5:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 31 - 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, August 6 - 1:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 7 - 5:00 p.m. (Asia Room- International House)
- Thursday, August 8, 10:00 a.m.
- Tuesday, August 13 - 1:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 14 - 5:00 p.m. (South America Room- International House)
- Thursday, August 15 - 10:00 a.m.
During International Student Orientation week, Document Review & Presentation Sessions will be held more frequently.

All sessions will be held in South America Room - International House (3701 Chestnut Street), unless otherwise noted.
- Wednesday, August 21 - 10:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, August 21 - 2:00 p.m.
- Thursday, August 22 - 10:00 a.m.
- Thursday, August 22 - 2:00 p.m.
- Friday, August 23 - 10:00 a.m.
- Monday, August 26 - 10:00 a.m.
- Monday, August 26 - 2:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, August 27 - 10:00 a.m.
- Tuesday, August 27 - 2:00 p.m.