Spring 2026 Orientation: Immigration, SEVIS, and Social Vetting

(UNITED STATES) Spring 2026 Orientation is more than a welcome event. For international students on an F-1 student visa, it is the start of your legal life in the United States 🇺🇸. From the moment you step off the plane, U.S. immigration rules, school systems, and even your social media accounts all connect to your status. This step-by-step guide walks through what happens, when it happens, and what you must do at each stage to stay safe and in good standing.

Big Picture Timeline: From Landing to the End of Your First Semester

Most universities treat Fall (August–December) as the main intake and Spring (January–May) as the secondary intake. For Spring 2026:

• Classes usually start: early to mid-January 2026
• Spring 2026 Orientation: typically in the first or second week of January
• Earliest entry date: up to 30 days before the start date printed on your Form I-20

So your journey usually looks like this:

1. 1–3 months before travel: visa issued, travel booked, online footprint cleaned
2. 1–4 weeks before travel: housing and airport plans confirmed
3. Day of arrival: inspection by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the port of entry
4. First 1–3 days: check I-94 record and complete SEVIS check-in with your school
5. First 1–2 weeks: attend Spring 2026 Orientation, meet advisors, register for classes
6. Rest of semester: keep full-time enrollment, follow work rules, plan early for OPT and other options

Missing a step can affect your immigration status. Treat each stage seriously.

Timeline Table (Quick View)

Step 1: Travel Preparation Before You Fly

Build a “Never Check In” Document Folder

Keep key papers in your carry-on bag, not checked luggage. You will need them for CBP inspection, SEVIS check-in, and sometimes for bank or phone setup.

Carry at minimum:

• Passport (valid at least 6 months into the future)
• F-1 student visa in your passport
• Form I-20 (or Form DS-2019 for J-1 students) signed by you and your school
• SEVIS fee receipt
• University admission letter
• Proof of finances (bank statements, sponsor letters, scholarship letters)
• Housing confirmation (lease, dorm letter, or email from host family)

Immigration officers or airline staff may ask to see any of these documents at check-in or entry.

Clean and Check Your Social Media Before Travel

U.S. visa forms now ask for social media handles from the last five years. Consular officers and DHS officials may review what is publicly visible on platforms such as:

• Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, TikTok
• LinkedIn, YouTube, Reddit, GitHub, and others

They may look for:

• Security concerns or violent content
• Signs of immigration fraud or fake study plans
• Inconsistent information about your education, work, or travel
• Public posts showing unauthorized work while on a student visa

Before travel:

• Remove or hide offensive, hateful, or extreme content
• Ensure your education and work details match your visa forms and I-20
• Avoid posts or comments that describe freelancing, gig work, or remote jobs while on an F-1 student visa
• Use privacy settings to limit who can see your posts and tags
• Do not delete full accounts you listed on your visa form; instead, clean them up and keep them calm and professional

This digital check is now a normal part of the immigration process for international students.

Step 2: Arrival at the U.S. Port of Entry (Day 1)

When your plane lands, you will go through CBP inspection. This is not just a formality; this is when the U.S. decides whether to let you enter.

What CBP Officers Do

A CBP officer will:

• Scan your passport and visa
• Review your I-20 or DS-2019 and may ask your school name, major, and funding source
• Confirm your SEVIS record is active
• Ask questions about your study plans, housing, and finances
• Check your return ticket or travel plans if they want more detail

If everything is in order, they admit you and create an electronic I-94 record that shows:

• Class of admission: usually F-1 or J-1
• Admit until date: for F-1, usually D/S (Duration of Status) — you remain lawfully present while you maintain status requirements

You can later print your I-94 from the official CBP site at i94.cbp.dhs.gov. Keep a copy for school check-in.

How to Respond at CBP

• Answer questions calmly and honestly
• Give short, clear answers about your program, school, and funding
• Be ready to show paper copies of financial proofs and housing confirmation
• Stay polite, even if you feel stressed or tired

Important warning: You’re allowed to enter up to 30 days before the program start date on your I-20. If you arrive too early, CBP can deny admission as an F-1 student or admit you as a tourist, which causes major problems later.

Step 3: First 1–3 Days After Arrival — SEVIS Check-In and Basic Setup

SEVIS Check-In Is Mandatory

Your university will provide instructions for mandatory SEVIS check-in, usually:

• Online through a portal, and/or
• In person at the international student office

They will generally ask for:

• Passport and visa details
• I-94 printout
• Local U.S. address and phone number
• Proof that you are enrolling full-time

If you skip check-in or miss the deadline, the school may terminate your SEVIS record, ending your F-1 status. Read all school emails carefully during this period.

First Practical Steps in the U.S.

In the first few days, aim to:

• Confirm your housing and learn local rules (rent, deposits, quiet hours)
• Locate a nearby grocery store, bank, and health clinic or campus health center
• Learn local transport options (bus, metro, campus shuttle, rideshares)

These steps help you feel settled before orientation begins.

Step 4: Spring 2026 Orientation Week — What Happens and Why It Matters

Most universities run Spring 2026 Orientation in early January, just before classes. For international students, a special track usually covers:

Immigration and SEVIS Rules

Staff will explain:

• Your duty to stay full-time every semester
  • Undergraduates: usually at least 12 credit hours
  • Graduates: often 9 credit hours, but this varies by program
• Limits on online classes that count toward full-time for F-1 students
• How to request reduced course load in special cases (medical, final semester, academic reasons)

You will be warned that failing to stay full-time, or dropping courses without approval, can lead to SEVIS termination.

Academic Advising and Course Registration

During orientation you will typically:

• Meet an academic advisor to help pick classes
• Learn about degree planning and required courses
• Hear about academic integrity, plagiarism, and exam rules

Understanding these early can prevent discipline issues that might affect your immigration record.

Campus Resources and Work Rules

Orientation also introduces:

• Libraries, labs, and writing centers
• Student health insurance and how to use it
• Safety procedures, emergency alerts, and campus police
• On-campus work rules:
  • Up to 20 hours per week during regular semesters
  • Often up to 40 hours during official breaks, if the school allows

Off-campus jobs require official authorization (CPT, OPT, etc.). Never start off-campus work simply because a friend says it’s fine.

Key takeaway: Orientation is not just social — it’s where you learn rules that protect your legal status.

Step 5: Your First Semester — Daily Rules That Protect Your Status

Stay Full-Time and Manage Schedule Changes

Once classes begin in January:

• Do not drop a class if it takes you below full-time without first consulting your Designated School Official (DSO)
• Seek tutoring, attend office hours, or use campus support before grades drop

Your immigration status depends on enrollment, not just the visa in your passport.

Address Updates and SEVIS

U.S. rules require F-1 students to update their U.S. address within 10 days of any move.

• Typically you update your address in the school system, and the school updates SEVIS for you
• Ask the international office how they prefer address updates

Forgetting this is common but avoidable.

Work: Allowed vs. Not Allowed

During your first semester:

• On-campus work:
  • Allowed up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session
  • Must be paid through proper channels with tax paperwork
• Off-campus work:
  • Requires authorization such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), STEM OPT, or approval for economic hardship
  • Working “cash in hand,” freelancing online, or gig jobs without permission = unauthorized employment

Social media posts about unofficial jobs can create evidence of violations. Keep both actions and online content within the rules.

Step 6: Long-Term Planning — OPT, H-1B, and Green Card Paths

Even in your first Spring, a rough long-term plan is useful.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

OPT allows F-1 students to work in the U.S. in jobs related to their major:

• Often used after program completion
• Many programs allow 12 months of standard OPT
• Students with STEM degrees may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension

Timing is important. Many students align program end dates and OPT start dates to match the H-1B visa lottery (usually in March each year).

H-1B and Employment-Based Green Cards

After OPT or STEM OPT, some students transition to work visas or green cards, usually with employer sponsorship:

• H-1B visa: specialty occupation, often requires a bachelor’s degree or higher; subject to an annual cap and lottery
• EB-2 and EB-3 green cards: employer-sponsored skilled worker categories
• EB-1: for those with extraordinary ability or strong research records

A clean record as an F-1 student — full-time study, no unauthorized work, stable digital presence — helps employers and lawyers sponsor you later.

Step 7: Money, Taxes, and Daily Life Basics

Banking and Phone Service

Early tasks:

• Open a U.S. bank account using:
  • Passport
  • Form I-20
  • Proof of address or housing letter
• Get a phone plan with carriers like AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile

A U.S. bank account simplifies paying rent, receiving paychecks for on-campus work, and avoiding high card fees.

Tax Forms for International Students

Even if you do not work, you usually must file at least one tax form each year:

• Most F-1 students file Form 8843 to explain nonresident status
• If you have U.S. income (for example, on-campus work), you may also need Form 1040-NR

Your international office often runs tax workshops or partners with tax software to help.

Step 8: Social and Cultural Adjustment in a Spring Intake

Spring students sometimes worry they are “late” because most students arrive in Fall. In reality, Spring 2026 Orientation can offer advantages:

• Smaller groups, giving more time with staff and advisors
• Easier entry into research groups or labs with mid-year openings
• Quicker connections with student clubs and cultural groups eager for new members

Join clubs, attend events, and talk with classmates. Strong social ties help you handle homesickness, culture shock, and academic stress — all of which can affect your focus and, indirectly, your status.

Final Reminders and Key Actions

• Keep your document folder on you at all times during travel.
• Clean social media but do not delete accounts you declared on visa forms.
• Print your I-94 at i94.cbp.dhs.gov and complete SEVIS check-in promptly.
• Always consult your DSO before dropping below full-time or starting off-campus work.
• File required tax forms each year (start with Form 8843).

Treat Spring 2026 Orientation as the official start of your life as an F-1 student in the United States. Follow each step carefully to build a safe and successful future.