Arriving in the United States

Many international students arrive at the San Francisco or Sacramento International airports. See our web page on Airport Transportation. You should also know what to expect when arriving at a U.S. airport. See the fact sheet for F-1 students or the fact sheet for J-1 students/exchange visitors .

Check-in

All new international students must check-in with SISS. Please use our downloadable check-in form.

When checking-in at the SISS Orientation, please bring:

1. SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019
2. Passport with your U.S. Visa
3. I-94 Card
4. Completed Check-in Form and Quiz

An important step in checking in is providing contact information. There are five types of addresses that must be provided using SISWEB to ensure that the university can contact you when necessary. Download detailed instructions for entering this address information.

Orientation Schedules

Orientation is mandatory for all new international students. Orientation will provide you with important information about immigration and visa regulations as well as SISS services. Orientation also helps acquaint international students with the educational and cultural environment at UC Davis, introduce the city of Davis, and provide an opportunity to meet other new international students.  Schedules for each orientation will be posted by July. 

• International Graduate Student Orientation is Monday, September 16, 8:00am – 3:00pm.  Please sign up by August 5, 2013 at this link.  Graduate students should also plan to attend the Office of Graduate Studies Orientation, and possibly an orientation provided by their individual graduate program. Graduate students in the professional schools of Law (JD), Management (MBA and MPAc), and Veterinary Medicine should also attend their school's orientation.
• Education Abroad Program (EAP) Orientation is Tuesday, September 17, 8:00am – 3:30pm.  Please sign up by August 5, 2013 at this link.
• International Undergraduate Students (First-Year) should attend the International National Orientation (INO) on September 18-20, 2013.  Deadline to register is July 15, 2013 and space is limited.
• International Transfer Student Success Workshop is on Friday, September 20, 8:00am – 12:00pm. ALL new international transfer students should attend and sign up by August 5, 2013 at this link.  All transfer students should also attend one of the Transfer Orientation Sessions in June. The deadline to register is June 2.

We are currently in the process of planning orientation for fall 2013. Please return to this page for updates.

SISS orientations will provide you with important information about immigration and visa regulations as well as SISS services. The SISS orientation program also helps acquaint international students with the educational and cultural environment at UC Davis, the town of Davis, and provide an opportunity to meet other new international students.