Spring 2026 International Student Orientation
Mandatory Online Pre-Arrival Orientation Canvas Course
All new graduate and undergraduate students are required to complete the online Pre-Arrival Orientation Canvas Course, which is the first part of the International Student Orientation. The mandatory online Pre-Arrival course is designed to make your transition to USF smoother and prepare you for your student life at USF. All new students will receive an email, inviting them to join the course. This course is provided in Canvas, which you can access by logging into your myUSF account. All students attending their USF program in San Francisco, will also be required to attend the in-person orientation program upon arrival.
Mandatory In-person International Student Orientation
All new graduate and undergraduate students are required to attend the International Student Orientation. The in-person session will take place from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 22 for both graduate and undergraduate students. Please refer to our Pre-Arrival & New Student Resources page for additional information about immigration requirements and campus resources and services available to you.
Mandatory Status Verification (Only for students who have arrived in the U.S.)
International students who arrive in the U.S. will check-in with ISSS by providing their immigration documents. This is a required step in maintaining your status. You can submit your status verification on the MyISSS portal. Students should submit their status verification within one week of their arrival to the US. Students who are attending from outside of the US do not need to complete Status Verification.
How to Submit a Status Verification Request?
Spring 2026 Schedule
Orientation week will take place between January 20 - January 23. Please see event calendar below. Additional events and more detailed information will be posted in November.
Tuesday, January 20
| Event | time | format/location | access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Student Move-in Day | All Day | In-person: USF Hilltop Campus, San Francisco |
Registration not required | International students will move onto campus. |
| ISSS Move-In and Arrival Check-In Desk | 9 AM - 5 PM | University Center, 5th Floor | Registration not required | ISSS will be tabling to welcome new students who arrive on Move-In day. |
| Target Shopping Trip | 3 PM - 5 PM | Meet at University Center, 1st Floor | Registration not required, but encouraged. RSVP coming soon. | Join ISO Guides on a shopping trip to local grocery stores. |
Wednesday, January 21
| event | time | format/location | Access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AEM English Placement Test | TBD | TBD | Registration not required | Required only for students who were instructed to take EPT. |
| JEEP/Study at USF J-1 Advising Session | 12 PM - 1:30 PM | In-person: Harney Lecture Hall - 136 | Mandatory for all new JEEP/Study at USF students | During this session, JEEP and Study at USF (Taejae University) students will learn about immigration regulations pertaining to their J-1 visa and about campus resources for international students. |
| SF and Beyond | 4 PM - 5 PM | UC 4th Floor Lounge | Registration not required. | ISSS and our student leaders will join us for a fun presentation about living in San Francisco. Learn from other students about their favorite sites, restaurants and more. |
| Off-Campus Dinner | 5 PM - 7 PM | Meet at University Center - 1st Floor | Registration not required, but encouraged. RSVP coming soon. | Student leaders will take a group of international students to a popular area for dinner. Students will pay for their own dinner, make sure to bring money, comfortable walking shoes, and a jacket. |
Thursday, January 22
| Event | time | format/location | access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Student Orientation | 9 AM - 12:30 PM | McLaren Conference Center | Mandatory for all new undergraduate and graduate international students | This session is designed to address the most common questions and concerns that international students have as well as covering important information such as immigration regulations pertaining to your visa, academic expectations, and cultural adjustment. |
|
Campus & Koret Rec Center Tours |
2 PM - 4 PM | Meet at University Center, 1st Floor | Registration not required. |
New to USF? Come explore your new home with our GO Team leaders! Bring your walking shoes and get ready to experience campus life. We’ll visit the Koret Health and Recreation Center to tour the facilities, learn about club sports, group fitness classes, outdoor adventures, and more. Plus, all students will receive a free t-shirt! Tours will take place every 30 minutes between 2 - 4 PM. |
Friday, January 23
| Event | time | format/location | access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Student & Family Orientation (NSO) | 10 - 11:50 AM | McLaren Conference Center | Mandatory for all new undergraduate international students |
Join other new students and family members for your official welcome to our USF community. We will take a moment to celebrate your accomplishments and introduce you to some campus resources that will help you thrive at USF. This event is mandatory for all students and open to new family members. |
| Immunization Clinic |
TBD | University Center, Room 402/403 | Appointment Recommended. Link coming soon. |
To ensure all students receive their required immunizations, join HPS for an on-campus immunization clinic with Dignity Health Medical Group, our partnered student health clinic. Check out more information: https://myusf.usfca.edu/hps/immunization/clinic Please submit all immunization records to your Med+Proctor account using your USF Dons email address. |
Monday, January 26: First Day of Classes
| Event | time | format/location | access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campus Resource Fair | TBD | TBD | Registration not required |
Thursday, January 27
| Event | time | format/location | access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working and Driving | 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM | Online | Zoom Link | Attend this virtual session to learn about on-campus employment and driving in the US. |
Certain events will be photographed and/or video recorded for archival, educational, and related promotional purposes. By attending or participating in this event, you grant USF the full unrestricted rights to your photograph, voice and likeness in any manner or media whatsoever worldwide for educational marketing purposes. If you do not wish to be photographed or video recorded, please inform the camera person at the start of each event.