International Check-in and Orientation

International Student Check-In and Orientation

INTERNATIONAL ORIENTATION: Mandatory for NEW, TRANSFER, CHANGE-of-STATUS and REINSTATEMENT students (see below for details)

INTERNATIONAL CHECK-IN: Mandatory for NEW, CHANGE-of-STATUS, TRAVEL REINSTATEMENT students (see below for details)                  

*Transfer Students do not need to go through the check-in process.

New International Student Check-In

Check-In for New Arrivals, Change-of-Status Approved, and Travel Reinstatement Students (Not required for F-1 transfer students)

All F-1 new arrivals, travel reinstatement students, and students with change-of-status approval to F1/F2 must complete the mandatory Virtual New Student Check-in. 

F-1 New arrival & Travel Reinstatement Students- immediately after arriving in the U.S.A.

Click on CHECK-IN NEW ARRIVALS to complete and submit the form.

You will need to provide your HCC ID number, a current local US address, and a US phone, emergency contact information, and prepare to upload copies of the following documents in .PDF:

  1. Form I-20* 
  2. Passport (photo page)* 
  3. F-1 Visa page*(citizens of Canada and Bermuda provide a copy of the passport entry stamp indicating F-1;D/S) 
  4. I-94*  Go to https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home > click on Get most recent I-94.  If you receive an error that your I-94 was "Not Found", follow the directions in this document to request a correction to your I-94 record:I-94 Correction Instructions
  5. Receipt of online payment for the $50.00 orientation fee – you can pay this with a credit card online through the PeopleSoft / Student Account sign-in. For more information, see International Payment Tutorial (Flywire). Allow pop-ups on your browser.
  6. Receipt of SEVIS fee I-901. If you need to retrieve it, go to http://www.fmjfee.com/, and click on “Check I-901 Fee Status’.

*Provide this document for all dependents (spouse/ children) on F-2 visa.

Once you submit all required documents, our office will remove the International Advisement Required Hold from your account. You will receive an email from LFForms@hccs.edu with instructions about the Next Steps ; Next Steps for New F-1 Students. To complete the F-1 onboarding process, connect with the Enrollment Services staff located on the HCC campuses  or via HCC Virtual Lobby.

Change-of-Status Approved Students

Click on CHECK-IN COS APPROVED to complete and submit the form.

Prepare to upload copies of the following documents in PDF:

  1. Form I-20*
  2. COS Approval Notice I-797A*
  3. Receipt of payment of the $50.00 orientation fee – you can pay this with a credit card online through the PeopleSoft / Student Account sign-in. For more information, see International Payment Tutorial (Flywire). Allow pop-ups on your browser.

*Provide this document for all dependents (spouse/ children) on F-2 visa.

Once you submit all required documents, our office will remove the International Advisement Required Hold from your account. You will receive an email from LFForms@hccs.edu with instructions about the  Next Steps for New F-1 Students. To complete the F-1 onboarding process, connect with the Enrollment Services staff located on the HCC campuses  or via HCC Virtual Lobby.

 

Mandatory International Student Orientation

Spring 2025

The International Student Orientation is mandatory for all new, transfer, reinstatement, and change-of-status F-1 students. During the orientation, we will cover topics such as maintaining F-1 status, academic requirements, academic integration, Title IX, F-1 health insurance coverage, student life, and more. It is recommended that students complete their class enrollment before attending the Orientation.

Students must choose and attend only ONE of the Orientation sessions listed below:

 

The virtual orientation will be conducted via Webex. You will receive an invitation at your primary email address, including a registration link. It's recommended to download and install the Webex application before the orientation day.

To register, provide your last and first names, a valid email address, and your HCC ID number on the left side of the registration form. After the registration, you will receive a confirmation email. It is important to ensure that your calendar is configured to use the Central Time (USA & Canada) zone.

If you register for the Face-to-Face orientations, you will receive an email confirmation with a QR code. Please keep this email safe, as it will serve as your ticket to the event. Make sure to arrive early to allow enough time for parking and finding the venue.