New F-1 Student Arrival Check-In and Initial SEVIS Registration

After arriving in the United States, all new MUSC F-1 students (including F-1 transfer students) are required to complete the F-1 arrival check in process with the MUSC Center for Global Health (CGH). This is very important and is required for the registration of the initial F-1 SEVIS record. In addition, new F-1 students will not be able to register for classes at MUSC until they complete the F-1 arrival check in process. We highly recommend completing the F-1 arrival check in process as soon as possible after arriving in the US.

Once you attend the New F-1 Student Orientation session and complete the F-1 Arrival Check In record through your Terra Dotta portal, we will proceed with registering your F-1 SEVIS record as active. If your F-1 SEVIS record is not registered within 30 days of your F-1 program start date, your F-1 SEVIS record will become invalid and you will no longer be permitted to remain in the U.S. in F-1 status. Therefore, it is important that you complete the F-1 arrival check in process as soon as possible to ensure that there are no issues with your F-1 status.

You will not be able to complete the F-1 arrival check in process until after you arrive in the United States. However, you must begin planning for the arrival check in process prior to your arrival. Below, we have listed the general steps that you must take in order to complete the new F-1 student check in process.

Before Arriving in the United States

1: Register for MUSC New F-1 Student Orientation session

All new F-1 students must attend the New F-1 Student Orientation with CGH after arriving in the US. The New F-1 Student Orientation session is a virtual meeting, so you will need access to a computer with a video camera and reliable internet service. Once you know the date you will arrive in the United States, you can register for an orientation session.

Click here to view the available orientation dates for Fall 2023 and register for the New F-1 Student Orientation session. We highly recommend that you attend the next available orientation session after the date that you will arrive in the U.S.  

2: Review Arrival Check-in record requirements 

Approximately 60 days prior to your F-1 program start date, you will be able to access the Arrival Check-in record through your Terra Dotta portal. You will access this record the same way that you accessed your Initial I-20 or Transfer I-20 record. If you are not able to access the Arrival Check In record, please contact the Center for Global Health to request assistance.

The Arrival Check-in record will provide you with instructions on the documents and information you must provide. This record also provides you with several digital documents that you are required to read. You should record any questions that you have while you go through the materials in this record, as you will have the opportunity to ask questions during the new F-1 student orientation session.

We recommend that you review the Arrival Check In record before arriving in the U.S. There is a lot of material in this record, so it is helpful to get a head start on reading and reviewing the information and instructions. However, you will not be able to complete and submit the record until after you arrive in the U.S. The record requires that you upload a copy of your I-94 admission record, which you will not receive until after you physically enter the U.S.

After Arriving in the United States

3: Retrieve I-94 Admission Record

As soon as you arrive in the US, you will retrieve your I-94 admission record from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection I-94 website. You will download the I-94 record as a PDF document and save/print to keep for your own records. You will upload the I-94 record in the Arrival Check-in record in Terra Dotta. Refer to the MUSC F-1 New Student Travel to the U.S. webpage for more details on the I-94 admission record.

4: Complete and Submit Arrival Check-in record

You will access the Arrival Check In record through your Terra Dotta portal. Upload copies of your passport biographic page, F-1 visa, signed Form I-20, and I-94 admission record. Complete the questionnaires and read all of the learning content. Once you have completed all of the required elements, be sure that you click the SUBMIT button in order to submit the record.

5: Attend New F-1 Student Orientation Session

After registering for the orientation session, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the virtual session. Come to the meeting prepared to ask any questions that you may have about your F-1 student status. If your travel to the U.S. is delayed, or if you need to reschedule your orientation session for any reason, please contact the Center for Global Health.

Following the completion of the Arrival Check-in record in Terra Dotta and your attendance at the New MUSC F-1 Student Orientation session, we will register your F-1 SEVIS record as active. You will receive an email notification once your F-1 SEVIS record has been registered.

6: Connect with Center for Global Health International Programs

Rebeca Mueller manages the International Programs within the Center for Global Health. Rebeca assists new international students with adjusting to life in the United States and Charleston in particular. Rebeca can answer questions that you may have about finding a place to live, getting around in Charleston, English classes, and much more. Rebeca will also provide you with information on the various programs and events that MUSC offers for international students and scholars. After you complete the New MUSC F-1 Student Orientation, please email Rebeca Mueller to introduce yourself as a new F-1 international student.