International Student Check-In and Orientation

Dear Victor,

Greetings from the Office of International Affairs at The Ohio State University! We're looking forward to meeting you this autumn. Over the next few months, we will send you weekly emails to help you prepare to start your academic journey at Ohio State. Please read these messages as they contain important information regarding maintaining your immigration status and completing other requirements.

These weekly emails will:

• Address the most important topics for incoming international students
• Prepare your for the transition to campus
• Introduce what awaits you on campus

First important steps

Activate your Ohio State account and email address at my.osu.edu by clicking "Activate Now" in the top left corner. The admissions office should have already emailed you the password. Each student is assigned a lastname.# (frequently called a “dot number”). Your lastname.# will be your username for your Ohio State accounts, and your lastname.#@buckeyemail.osu.edu will be your email address.

If you have trouble activating your account, please contact the Office of the Chief Information Officer by emailing 8help@osu.edu or by phone at 614-688-4357.

Set up BuckeyePass

BuckeyePass is a multifactor authentication service provided by Ohio State, which is required when accessing your different Ohio State accounts. It helps protect your account even if your password is stolen. You must have BuckeyePass set up on a device that you will have with you for immigration check-in. You will not be able to complete the process without BuckeyePass. The easiest way to set up BuckeyePass is to download the Duo Mobile app on your mobile device.

Learn how to set up BuckeyePass and download Duo Mobile.

Pay the acceptance fee/tuition deposit

Log into your Applicant Center to:

• Accept your offer of admission by clicking the Accept/Decline link on the main page, even if you already accepted the offer the prior term
• Pay the tuition deposit and/or acceptance fee when accepting your admission using Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express (if required by the program and not already paid)
• Verify/update your contact information

Apply for a U.S. visa

Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanent residence.

Required documents/evidence:

• I-20 or DS-2019
• Evidence of financial ability to meet expenses
• Evidence of English ability sufficient for course of study
• Evidence of intent to depart the United States after completion of studies
• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• Photograph (check with embassy for specific dimensions)
• SEVIS Fee payment proof - Current SEVIS Fee Information

SEVIS fee

Who must pay the SEVIS fee?

Each student or exchange visitor issued a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 for initial status in a new program is required to pay the SEVIS fee.

How to pay the SEVIS fee

Payment methods:

• File Form I-901 through DHS by mail and include a check, money order or foreign draft drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. currency
• Electronic submission of Form I-901 to DHS using credit card or other electronic means of payment accepted by DHS (please visit FMJfee.com for more information)
• Western Union Quick Pay (see instructions)
• Any future DHS-approved payment services

Placement testing

If you are required to take it, you will receive an email at your Ohio State email from AEWP-Assessment@osu.edu with detailed instructions for taking the assessment online before your arrival on campus. Please do not schedule an appointment to take the assessment until you receive this email.

The assessment times are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The sooner you pay your university acceptance fees and schedule your assessment, the sooner you will know your assessment score and the sooner you will be able to enroll in courses. Early registration is highly encouraged as classes fill up quickly.

Note: students who have been admitted for Autumn 2024 and would like to take an online pre-arrival writing course in the summer will have the opportunity to take the online test from April 15, 2024 to May 12, 2024. Test results for this round will be posted in your BuckeyeLink account by May 17. If you miss this testing window, you will not be able to enroll in the pre-arrival IELP Academic English Writing Program course in the summer. There will be another testing window starting in late May.

Learn more about the assessment or email AEWP-Assessment@osu.edu with any questions.

Additional resources

Visit our website to review information and learn more about life at Ohio State and the United States. If you don't find what you're looking for, contact iss@osu.edu with any immigration questions and global-engagement@osu.edu with general orientation and arrival questions.

• Pre-Arrival Frequently Asked Questions
• Academics
• Life at Ohio State
• Global Engagement
• Maintaining Your Immigration Status
• Campus Resources