Post-Arrival Tasks

There is a lot you can do to get ready before the academic semester starts. 

ISS Recommended Checklist

ISS recommends that you complete the following items after arriving in Buffalo. Don't forget that you may have other academic requirements. Be sure to check with your academic department! 

  • If you have arranged for on-campus housing and have questions about moving in, please contact UB Campus Living.
  • If you have arranged off-campus housing, you should contact your landlord to figure out your move-in process. 
  • If you have not yet secured housing, on-campus housing may still available.  Additionally, there are apartments still available in the Buffalo area, however, you may need to make adjustments to your housing budget and consider options like a one-bedroom apartment.

Temporary Housing

If you are living on campus and have made arrangements for early arrival, please refer to the UB Campus Living website for information about check-in days and times.

Otherwise, please make temporary housing arrangements prior to your arrival in Buffalo. We do not recommend arriving on campus with lots of luggage and no place to spend the night, as it is very difficult to find permanent housing in one day.

  • Most students entering the U.S. will receive and electronic I-94 after entering the U.S. After you have entered the U.S., you can retrieve a copy of your electronic I-94 from the Customs and Border Protection's website.
  • Students who enter the U.S. via a land border or bridge will receive a new paper I-94 card after being admitted into the U.S.
  • Upload a copy of your I-94 (print-out or card) to your New International Student Check-in to complete your check-in process.

We recommend that all graduate international students new to UB's campus participate in International Student Welcome programs and activities. 

UB provides bus and shuttle services to get you around each campus and between the North, South and Downtown campuses.  UB Parking and Transporation also provides a Mall/Market Shuttle to take students to and from grocery stores and local shopping centers.

Click on this link to learn more about the services provided by UB Parking and Transportation.

Many of your textbooks for your classes can be purchased at the UB Bookstore.  New and (sometimes) used textbooks can be found stocked on their shelves.  Secure you textbooks early so you don't fall behind on assignments.    

  • Check out our Orientation Vendors webpage for more information about bank and cell phone service.   Vendors will also be available at the Vendor Fair during International Student Welcome.
  • If you are looking for options beyond the services provided by the vendors listed on the Orientation Vendor page, there are many different banks and cell phone service providers in the Buffalo area that can be found by a simple search in your web browser.

Disclaimer: Neither UB nor ISS specifically endorse the products of the vendors listed on the vendor page.

Please follow instructions listed on the ISS Social Security webpage for information about how to apply for a Social Security card.  F-1 students must have a job offer letter before requesting a DSO Letter for their Social Security Card application.

After you have addressed any holds on your account, please be sure to finalize your schedule for the semester.  Students must be registered full-time (12 or more credits, or less than 12 credits will appropriate authorization) by the end of the drop/add period for the upcoming semester.  

  • All active degree-seeking F-1 and J-1 international students must pay the International Student Fee each Fall and Spring semester they are enrolled in classes at the University at Buffalo. 
  • The International Student Welcome Fee is a one-time charge for F-1 and J-1 international students new to the UB campus that covers International Student Welcome programming. 
  • Be sure to review your UB Bill before arriving at UB and throughout the semester.  If you are registered for classes early, you may receive a bill before the start of the semester.  
  • Please be aware that the International Student Fee and the International Orientation and Welcome Series fee are applied to your bill during the second bill pass for the semester. Depending on the date of arrival, some students may not be billed the International Orientation and Welcome Series Fee until the third bill.

Your UB Card can be picked up from the UB Card Office in 1 Capen..

If you did not complete the Pre-Arrival Tasks before arriving in the U.S., please be sure to complete them now that you have arrived.  Completing the tasks on the Pre-Arrival Tasks list and the Post-Arrival Tasks list will help aid in your transition to life at UB.

The free safety-enhancing UB Guardian App allows you to:

  • text directly with UB police to determine if a caller/texter is a scammer before sending money 
  • easily access emergency phone and online resources
  • send out an emergency call to UB police
  • more!