ISSO Check-In
Immigration regulations require that all universities and schools enrolling international students (students who hold non-immigrant visas) provide updated information to the federal government at the start of each semester.
To comply with these federally mandated requirements, the ISSO requires all incoming international students on F-1 and J-1 visas sponsored by Brandeis to complete ISSO check-in at the beginning of their first semester after they arrive in the U.S. Failure to check-in could result in delays with course registration, possible loss of your legal visa status in the U.S. and possible withdrawal from the university. The check-in form will be available in the ISSO Portal beginning 30 days before your program start date.
Students on J-1 visas sponsored by another organization (e.g. IIE) do not need to complete ISSO check-in. Please reach out to your program sponsor regarding their check-in procedures.
If you received a Form I-515A when you entered the U.S. please visit our What to Do If You Are Issued a Form I-515A page.
For general questions about the check-in process, please email the ISSO.
How to Complete ISSO Check-in
Providing false or inaccurate information, including submitting the check-in form while outside of the U.S. or submitting outdated visa document scans, may result in a referral to the Department of Student Rights and Community Standards to face disciplinary sanctions and a possible loss of your legal visa status.
ISSO Check-in Holds
International students who have not completed ISSO Check-in by the first day of class in their first semester will receive an ISSO Check-in Hold on their Workday account, which will prevent any changes to course registration. The hold will be removed the day after the ISSO processes your check-in. Please reach out to the ISSO if you have an urgent concern about your ISSO Check-in Hold.
After your hold is removed, please make sure to enroll in a full-time course load (12 credits) to maintain your F-1 or J-1 student status. Only one online course may count toward the 12-credit minimum.