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Office Hours
Monday 鈥� Friday:
8:00 a.m. 鈥� 5:00 p.m. (appointment required)
Contact Us
笔丑辞苍别:听(615) 322-2753
贰尘补颈濒:听isss@vanderbilt.edu
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International Student and Scholar Services welcomes you to Vanderbilt! All students on an F or a J visa must complete a SEVIS check-in session with our office. More details about this are listed below. Please check back frequently for updates!
SEVIS Check-In
Upon arrival to Vanderbilt, all incoming international students (including students returning from a leave of absence and students transferring their SEVIS record from another U.S. institution) must complete a mandatory SEVIS check-in with ISSS. This process collects copies of your F-1 or J-1 status documents and provides the information ISSS needs to report your arrival in SEVIS. Check-in is聽mandatory. You must also check-in before you will be able to apply for a driver鈥檚 license or social security number, and before you can complete the I-9 process (required for on-campus employment).
To complete your check-in with ISSS, please submit the聽聽on the ISSS Portal.
International Student Orientation
All international students coming on an F or J student visa who are new to Vanderbilt are required to attend an international student orientation. (This includes students who are transferring their SEVIS record to Vanderbilt.)
All new international students starting at Vanderbilt in Spring 2027 are required to attend International Student Orientation on Friday, January 8, 2027. More details will be shared closer to the event. If you have questions, please email isss@vanderbilt.edu.听
Pre-Arrival Sessions with ISSS
Each summer, ISSS hosts a series of virtual pre-arrival sessions to get you prepared for arrival and help you maximize your experience and success. This summer鈥檚 sessions are listed below. All times are in聽.
- Navigating the Visa Interview:聽The visa interview can be intimidating. This session will help you understand what to expect at the interview and how to prepare. A representative from Argo Visa, a company staffed by former consular officials, will lead this session. Please note: This session will provide general information and will not provide 1:1 coaching.
- International Housing Panel:聽Finding housing in a new city can be challenging. Hear from international students about their experiences with housing in Nashville. You will also meet Vanderbilt鈥檚 Housing and Relocation Coordinator, who is an excellent resource for Vanderbilt students on off-campus housing.
- Before Your Flight: Are you wondering how to prepare to travel to Nashville? Join us for a session on what to consider before your flight. We will discuss what to pack, considerations as you prepare for your visa appointment and travel, and a brief overview of what to expect when you enter the U.S.
- After Your Flight: Transitioning to VU and Nashville:聽Moving to a new location is both exciting and stressful. There are so many things to do when you first arrive. This session will give you a general overview of what to do when you arrive in Nashville 鈥� such as setting up a bank account, getting a social security number, and more.
Other Resources
Have more questions about your transition to Nashville? View some of our previous sessions for international students.
Academic Life in the U.S.
Employment
Finances and Payment
Health and Wellness
Transportation
Understanding Your F/J Status
Upcoming Events