Use this request to notify OISS that you have arrived in the U.S. in J-1 status so that your SEVIS record can be validated.
When to Make This Request
You must arrive and complete this check-in request within 30 days from the program start date on your DS-2019, but we recommend that you complete this request as soon as you arrive at Yale. This is imperative because SEVIS will purge records that are not validated within 30 days. You may also encounter difficulties completing federally required I-9 verification or with other federal applications such as obtaining a Social Security Number (SSN), if you have not completed the scholar check-in and hence we have not validated your SEVIS record. Please do not wait for 30 days and complete make sure to complete the check-in immediately when you arrive in the U.S.
Preparing to Make the Request
You will receive an email from OISS with instructions for registering for a New Scholar Orientation session. Please follow the link to register for a session. You must have either attended or have registered for a session in order to complete the Check-in request.
You will need a copy of your I-94 record in order to complete new scholar check-in. I-94 is created upon your arrival in the U.S.
You will need to upload the following documents and information:
- A PDF of your I-94
- A scan/photo of the J-1 visa in your passport
- A scan/photo of your DS-2019 form
- The above documents for each J-2 dependent (if any) who has entered the U.S. with you
- If you are on the Student Intern Exchange Visitor Category (see section 4 of DS-2019), scans/photos of both pages, front and back, of your Training/Internship Placement Plan. Make sure that it includes all three signatures and signature dates.
- Date of your New Scholar Orientation: You must have either attended or signed up for a New Scholar Orientation session with OISS.
How to Make the New Scholar Check-in Request in OISS Connect
- Log into OISS Connect with your email address and password (not NetID)
- Click on the Requests tab:
- Click the New Scholar Check-in button under 'Available Requests' at the bottom left:
-
Fill out all required information, and upload the documents by clicking Browse or dragging files into this area. You may upload multiple files at the same time.
If you have already uploaded some of the documents to your record, you do not need to upload them again. Just search through the 'Link Previous Documents' sections and check the box next to each one required for this check-in.
Required documents to upload:
- A PDF of your I-94
- A scan/photo of the J-1 visa in your passport
- A scan/photo of your DS-2019 form
- The above documents for each J-2 dependent (if any) who has entered the U.S. with you
- If you are on the Student Intern Exchange Visitor Category (see section 4 of DS-2019), scans/photos of both pages, front and back, of your Training/Internship Placement Plan. Make sure that it includes all three signatures and signature dates.
- Click the Create Request button at the bottom of the window to complete the request.
Next Steps after Submitting this Request
Your request should be processed within 3-4 business days. Once your request has been approved by OISS and entered into SEVIS, you will receive an email notifying you that your record is active in SEVIS. Once your record is active, you may proceed with other administrative matters, like completing the I-9 process (if you will be a University employee) and applying for your Social Security Number.
Please see Your First Two Weeks for detailed information on your next steps.
Need Help?
If you have trouble completing this request, please email Arlen Stabbe.
