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Checklist to Get Started for New International Undergraduate Students

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Welcome to Stanford and the Bechtel International Center! To help you get started at Stanford successfully, follow this checklist of important steps to take and tasks to complete. 

☐ Update your U.S. address and save it as the SEVIS (U.S.) address in Axess as required by immigration law. This address cannot be a P.O. Box or Department or Bechtel address. It must be the address where you reside in
the U.S. while enrolled at Stanford. Step-by-step information on how to enter your address can be found on our Address Updates webpage. Remember to update your SEVIS (U.S.) address AND a 10-digit U.S. phone number within 10 days of obtaining a new address. As an option, you may pick-up a SIMS card at the Bechtel International Center to establish a U.S. phone number.

Enter a U.S. address for your “Mail Address.” This will permit other university offices (Registrar’s Office, Vaden Health Center, etc.) to send refunds and other important information to you.

Make sure your Stanford e-mail address is entered accurately in Axess so you can be included in our mailing list and stay informed about any changes in visa regulations that may affect you. You must consistently use your stanford.edu email address in your communication with our office.

☐ Obtain your Stanford ID Card. Visit the Stanford ID Card Office website to learn how to get your Stanford ID Card.

☐ Photocopy and/or scan your visa documents (I-20 or DS-2019, passport). Remember to go online to print out the I-94 information from the CBP website. Keep originals in a safe and separate place. For more information, visit
our Visas webpage.

Do not discard any previous I-20s (or DS-2019s) from other institutions you may have attended prior to Stanford. You may be required to present them in the future as evidence of your visa status history. For example, you must include copies of your previous I-20s along with your current I-20 when you apply for employment authorization.

Remember to attend the Immigration Session during International Student Orientation (ISO). A full orientation schedule will be available during the summer.

Make sure to have your enrollment hold (ENR 31) released. This can be done only after you have (1) entered your SEVIS (U.S.) address in Axess (see above), (2) attended the mandatory Immigration Session (see above); and (3) brought your Stanford ID card (or number), passport, I-94 information, and I-20/DS-2019 to the Immigration Session. See the Removing the Enrollment Hold webpage for more information.

Sign up for one or more of Bechtel's newsletters, including our social newsletter that promotes programs and events, such as movies, meals, art and more. Subscribe by visiting our Newsletter webpage. You can also follow us on instagram! 

☐ Open a bank account. Credit card rules vary from bank to bank, and may have some requirements to qualify.

☐ Get phone service. As an option, we offer SIM cards from campusSIMs during orientation. You can even obtain a U.S. phone number prior to entering the U.S. through campusSIMS. You may also be eligible for discounts on your personal mobile device plans with Verizon or AT&T. Check out this University IT webpage for more information. 

Buy a bike and purchase a bike lock. Remember to register the bike (in case it gets stolen). For more information, please see the Stanford Transportation webpage on Bicycle Registration.

☐ Apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (commonly known as ITIN). If you will receive a Stanford scholarship, you will need to apply for an ITIN (if not eligible for an SSN). More information will be provided during a special orientation session on financial aid. Instructions can be found on our ITIN webpage.