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Completing the Initial Immigration Check In

Completing the Initial Immigration Check In

Who needs to complete the initial check in?

An initial immigration check in is required for all new F and J students. This includes students transferring from another school, students pursuing a new degree program at the University of Tennessee, and students who are returning on a newly issued form I-20 or DS-2019.

What does it do?

The initial immigration check is required by Federal regulation in order to activate your immigration status. We do this by registering your record with the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Once this is done, you will be able to apply for a Driver’s License, complete an on-campus employment verification (form I-9), and apply for a social security number. Also, your EVEA requirement cannot be cleared until you complete the Immigration Check-in.

What do I need to complete the Check In?

In order to complete the check in, you must be physically in the U.S. and have the following available:

  1. Your physical address in the U.S.;

  2. a scan of your passport;

  3. a scan of your visa (some students may not have this);

  4. a copy of your form I-94 from the https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home. Click on “Get Most Recent I-94” to access the form;

  5. a copy of I-20 or DS-2019 signed by you that you originally received from the ISSS office;

  6. other immigration documents (most students will not have these);

  7. scans of your dependents documents (if you have dependents).

How to Complete the Check In

Step One: Log Into the ISSS Portal

Access the ISSS Portal and select “Log In.” Use your UT netID and password to log in to the ISSS Portal. This is the same username and password you use to log in to your University of Tennessee email account.

Step Two: Find the Student Check in Request

Navigate to the Request section of your home screen and locate the Student Check-in request.

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Step Three: Start on the To-Do List

Complete the Welcome! form located in “My To-Do List”. Information in this form will determine additional forms you’ll need to complete.

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Step Four: Upload Required Documentation

After submitting the Welcome! form, you’ll see a list of additional forms and document uploads in your to-do list.

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Step Five: Wait for Confirmation of Check-in Email & Download Continued Attendance I-20

All to-do items must be completed before the ISSS office can review your complete request, register your SEVIS record and produce a Continued Attendance I-20.

Once your check-in request has been processed by the ISSS Office, you will receive an email with instructions for downloading your continued attendance I-20 in the ISSS Portal. Normally, we will process check-in requests within 2-3 business days.