International Orientation Requirements

• All new international students who will be in the US with F-1 or J-1 immigration statuses are required to complete International Student Orientation requirements. This includes:
  • New international undergraduate and graduate students
  • International exchange students
  • International students transferring to W&M or VIMS from other US schools
  • Joint Degree Programme international students entering the US and joining W&M for the first time
• International Student Orientation is one part of your larger orientation program. Undergraduate international students, including exchange students, are also required to join the New Student Orientation. Graduate students also have orientations with their departments.

Fall 2021 International Orientation Schedule

• Only new international students in F-1 and J-1 immigration statuses who will be entering the US are required to complete International Orientation requirements.
• We are tentatively planning to offer a hybrid program, where required sessions will be offered multiple times in a virtual format between August 18-27. There will be no in-person requirement for International Student Orientation, however, there will be optional in-person activities.
  

Pre-Arrival Resources

Prepare for your arrival by completing the Pre-Arrival Checklist after your I-20 & DS-2019 is issued to access information about housing, transportation to W&M, health insurance, etc.

• Login to iStart, using your W&M ID and password
• Click on Pre-Arrival in the menu on the left-hand side of the page
• Click on Pre-Arrival Checklist and complete each form

Our New International Students website and the New Student Arrival Guide (pdf) are also great resources for students.

Immigration Check-in

After you arrive in the US, you must complete your immigration check-in. Please complete it within 1 week of your arrival. If you are not yet in the US, wait to complete it when you arrive. If you have difficulty, contact the Reves Center for help.

1. Login to iStart, using your William & Mary login.
2. Select Pre-Arrival from the left menu
3. Select Pre-Arrival Checklist and complete the Check-In and Immigration Responsibilities forms. 

Non F-1 & J-1 Students Interested in Attending International Student Orientation

• We welcome all students! Students who are not in F-1 or J-1 immigration status (e.g., US citizen who lived abroad) but are interested in attending International Student Orientation can contact [[ywong,Eva Wong]] for more information.