New Students

This information is intended for newly-admitted students (degree, non-degree and exchange) who will begin their studies in Spring 2025 or Fall 2025.

Congratulations on Your Admission to Yale!

We are sure you have a lot of questions about next steps and how to prepare for your move to New Haven, so we have compiled the following resources to get you started on your journey to Yale. This guide contains information on everything from applying for your visa to packing your bags, so make sure you read through each subject carefully.

Important Note:

We have compiled a FAQ for new students [1] with the most common question you may have.

Getting Your I-20 or DS-2019

OISS will be issuing I-20 or DS-2019 forms to newly admitted students. There are several steps to this process (described in Applying for Your U.S. Visa [2]). You can expect your I-20 or DS-2019 (both sent electronically) 7 to 10 business days after you have submitted both your New Student Survey and the financial documentation. Please allow us this time to complete the process before asking where your form is. Please pay attention to your email as we will notify you if anything is missing.

Passport to Yale

For degree students, when you receive your I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1), you will also be invited to the OISS Passport to Yale [3], a pre-arrival app through Yale Connect [4] where you can connect with other incoming international students. You will receive access to Passport to Yale approximately one week after receiving your I-20.

Getting in Touch

If you have any questions not answered in the below pages or in our FAQs for new students [1], please contact your OISS Adviser. You can find the OISS Adviser assigned to your school by using the search tool on our Connect with OISS [5] page.

Yale College undergraduate students should contact their designated OISS adviser, Daniel Riecker [6].

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Outside the U.S.? Applying for Your U.S. Visa

Learn about the steps you need to take in order to begin the visa application process.

[2]

SEVIS Transfers, Change of Levels/Categories, and Change of Status

For students transferring from another university (F&J SEVIS transfers) or changing their status, who are already in the U.S.

[7]

Preparing for Yale

As you prepare to depart, you will have many questions about living in New Haven. We recommend you review these resources for many answers to your questions.

[8]

Travel & Arrival

How to get to Yale and what you need to be aware of once you arrive.

[9]

OISS Orientation

Information about registering for your OISS Orientation, accessing the Passport to Yale app, and viewing the orientation slides.

[10]

Your First Two Weeks at Yale

A checklist of everything you'll need to do in your first two weeks.

[11]

Visa, Immigration Status, and Entry Stamp

Learn about the differences between a visa, your immigration status, and an entry stamp.

[12]

OISS Connect

How to use Yale's immigration reporting application

[13]

New Student FAQs

Find the answers to your most common questions here.

[1]