At this point, you should have received your acceptance letter and FIU I-20 (to obtain your F-1 Visa) or DS-2019 (to obtain your J-1 Visa). If you have not, please contact the Admissions Office.
Please make sure you read all this information BEFORE you embark on your academic journey to the United States!
If you are a newly admitted international student entering the U.S. for the first time and a first-time F-1/J-1 visa applicant, you must pay the SEVIS Fee.
Schedule an appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa. You will need to present these documents:
DO NOT ENTER IN B-1/B-2 STATUS: B-1/B-2 (tourist) visa holders and those who have entered on a visa waiver are prohibited from enrolling in academic courses.
ISSS cannot make housing arrangements for you. Please make such arrangements before your arrival.
On-campus housing
If you would like to live on campus, space is limited so submit your Housing Agreement and required fee as soon as possible. See Housing & Residential Life for complete information.
Check-In (when you arrive) usually occurs only the weekend prior to the beginning of classes. See below for information on arranging Short-Term Housing.
Off-campus housing
For information about off-campus housing, please check:
Many websites to search for rentals in the local community exist. FIU is not responsible in any way for the accuracy or availability of information on such sites and ISSS is not recommending or endorsing any of these companies but merely giving examples of the type of information that is available online. Please use caution when giving out personal information or payment to avoid internet scams, identity theft, and fraud.
When searching by zip code, keep in mind that zip codes for areas near the Modesto Maidique Campus include 33172 and 33174; zip codes for areas near the Biscayne Bay Campus include 33181 and 33160.
Short-Term Housing: If you arrive before your On Campus Check In time or have not secured housing before your arrival, you may need to stay in a hotel. Average hotel rates per night run from $105 – $160 and they may not be in easy walking distance to campus.
It is a good idea to make reservations before you arrive. Please see the listing of hotels near each campus.
You will NOT be able to register for classes without submitting this information to Student Health Services (SHS). You are REQUIRED to have APPROVED medical insurance. There are no exceptions to this policy.
As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure a safe and healthy University community, all students admitted to FIU beginning Spring 2017 must complete the sexual assault prevention program. The program is completed fully online. New students who do not complete the program will have a registration hold placed on their student account that will prevent enrollment for future terms. To complete the training, please visit the websites listed below:
You are expected to have sufficient funds for the period of your studies at FIU as you have shown on your Declaration & Certification of Finances. Do not depend on employment here in the U.S. to cover any significant part of your expenses.
For additional information visit the International Student site.
Which airport?
When to arrive?
What to bring to the U.S.?
In your carry-on luggage:
Other things to consider
Please have the following documents ready:
IMPORTANT: Make sure your passport is stamped F-1 or J-1 (according to your visa) and length of stay is indicated as “D/S” (duration of status) instead of a specific expiration date.
You MUST NOT enter the U.S. using a B-1/B-2 visa or W-T (Visa Waiver)
IMPORTANT: FIU has several campuses. Please determine which campus you are going to before you arrive. Refer to the list of all FIU Campuses on FIU’s main site.
For airport-specific transportation information please visit:
You may also reserve a Super Shuttle (shared van service) prior to your arrival.
In order to keep your I-20 or DS-2019 active, and to keep your status in the US, all new international students are required to check in using the New Panther Portal immediately after they arrive in the United States! (no later than 30 days after arriving)
You can upload documents, confirm your student information, and complete your mandatory information session online! You will be directed to a sign in page (see link below), where you will need to use your panther ID and password to sign in. Follow the directions on the home page very carefully and you will be done with this process easily!
The ISSS Office now has a simple and easier way for new international students to check in upon their arrival. You MUST follow instructions on F-1 & J-1 Check-in.
If you have not already done so, provide Student Health Services with your Immunization documents and purchase an approved Medical Insurance policy.
IMPORTANT: You must be ALWAYS be registered FULL TIME.
Register as follows to be considered a FULL-TIME student:
Term | Undergraduate students | Graduate Students |
|---|---|---|
FALL | 12 credits | 9 graduate credits |
SUMMER A/C | 12 credits | 6 graduate credits |
SUMMER B | 6 credits | 3 graduate credits |
Please access our Frequently Asked Questions section because the online/in-person/hybrid enrollment requirements have varied for Fall 2020.
Modesto A. Maidique Campus
In person: Student Academic Success Center, Room 230
Telephone: 305-348-2421
Email: isss@fiu.edu
Biscayne Bay Campus
In person: Wolfe University Center (WUC) 363
Telephone: 305-919-5813
Email: bbcisss@fiu.edu
All international students MUST register FULL TIME or will fall out of status and become ineligible for immigration benefits.
Please access our Frequently Asked Questions section because the online/in-person/hybrid enrollment requirements have varied for Fall 2020.
Fall and Spring semesters
Summer semester
Fall and Spring semesters
Summer semester
For in-depth information about Studying in the United States, access the free “Getting Ready To Go” Booklet.
