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

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. 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 United States.

Once you attend the New F-1 Student Orientation session and complete the F-1 Arrival Check In record through Terra Dotta, and once you are registered as a full-time student at MUSC, an advisor in the Center for Global Health will register 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, which impacts your ability to remain in the United States 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 arrival 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 the Center for Global Health after arriving in the United States. 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 2024 and register for the New F-1 Student Orientation session. We highly recommend that you attend the next available orientation session after your arrival date.  

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 make note of 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 highly recommend that you review the Arrival Check In record before arriving in the United States. This record contains a lot of material, 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 United States, 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 F-1 New Student Travel to the United States. webpage for more details on the I-94 admission record.

4: Complete the 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 meeting. Please come to the meeting prepared to ask any questions that you may have about your F-1 student status. If your arrival is delayed, or if you need to reschedule your orientation session for any reason, please contact the Center for Global Health. 

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.