International Orientation & Welcome Series

After opening the IOWS Guide:

1.  Tap the icon in the top-right corner of the app screen to create your account and log in.

2. To create your account, click "Sign up with Email."  Enter your UB email address and create your password.

• App passwords must be at least eight characters in length and contain at least one number. 
• First (Given) and last (family) name are required fields to set up your account and complete your profile.

Remember to check out our Facebook page for information about activities hosted by ISS throughout the year!

Spring 2022 International Orientation and Welcome Series features virtual and in-person programs and events with helpful information and tools that support new students to engage with, connect to, and thrive at the University at Buffalo. The Spring 2022 International Orientation for undergraduate students will consist of:

• Pre-Arrival Live Events
• Online Orientation Modules
• ISS Check-in: International Student Check-in (online)
• Undergraduate In-person Check-in
• International Orientation
• Spring Welcome Day
• Immigration Session
• Welcome Series

Please review the descriptons for each of these activities below.

In addition, you will receive communication from ISS via email with reminders about upcoming activities, information tips, actions you should take, and reminders to help you transition to your life at the University at Buffalo.

The Pre-Arrival Live Events are a series of information sessions designed to help you successfully prepare to arrive, live and study at UB. The first Pre-Arrival Live Event for Spring 2022 will be on Friday, November 5, 2022 at 9:00 am.  Recordings of the Pre-Arrival Live events will be available on the Pre-Arrival Live Events web page.

Information about when and how to complete this part of your Orientation program will be available in January. All new undergraduate students (international and domestic) must complete a set of online orientation modules. These virtual orientation modules provide students with basic information about UB that is essential to your success. Some of the information presented in the program is required by New York State.

Undergraduate international students who began their academic program remotely during the Fall 2020, Spring 2021, or Fall 2021 semester must complete the online orientation modules as well.

1. If this is your first academic semester at UB (this means that you did not start your degree program online before coming to the UB campus), then you are required to complete the Orientation Data Form (information about how to complete the Orientation Data Form can be found in the International Student Check-in).
2. Your U.S. Visa Stamp E-form in the online International Student Check-in must be submitted and approved before ISS can remove the IS hold on your HUB.  The IS hold and other holds must be removed before you will be eligible to register for classes.
3. You cannot complete the I-94 E-form until after you have entered the U.S.  Be sure to complete the I-94 e-form as soon as possible after your arrive in the U.S. and before the Program Start Date found on your I-20.

All undergraduate students entering the U.S. with an Initial I-20 with a Spring 2022 semester start date must check-in in person with ISS.  The Undergradute In-person Check-in will be held on Monday, January 24, 2021.  More details about time and location will be available in your Spring 2022 International Orientation Schedule (coming soon).  You must submit your I-94 E-form in the online International Student Check-in before checking in with ISS.  In-person check-in is required for Undergraduate students before we can register your SEVIS record.

The Spring 2022 Undergraduate International Orientation Program will consist of the following:

• Information Sessions
• Completion of the mandatory Immigration Session
• Group Activities
• Virtual sessions with banks about setting up bank accounts
• Welcome activities hosted by campus partners

Spring Welcome Day: We strongly suggest you participate in the in-person kick-off to the spring semester on Sunday, January 30! During Spring Welcome Day, some sessions are assigned, and others allow you to choose from several options based on what is most important to you. 

All international students are required to complete the Immigration Session.  Details about how to complete the Immigration Session will be found in your International Orientation & Welcome Series Guide.

The Welcome Series sessions and activities are informative, useful, and important as you continue your transition to UB throughout your first semester on campus.

Spring 2022 International Orientation and Welcome Series features virtual and in-person programs and events with helpful information and tools that support new students to engage with, connect to, and thrive at the University at Buffalo. The Spring 2022 International Orientation for graduate students will consist of:

The Pre-Arrival Live Events are a series of information sessions designed to help you sucessfully prepare to arrive, live and study at UB. The first Pre-Arrival Live Event for Spring 2022 will be on Friday, November 5, 2022 at 9:00 am.  Recordings of the Pre-Arrival Live events will be found on the Pre-Arrival Live Events web page.

Graduate student will complete their ISS Check-in online.  You must complete all check in requirements! More information is available on our New International Student Check-In page.

The Spring 2022 Graduate International Orientation Program will consist of the following:

• Information Sessions
• Completion of the mandatory Immigration Session
• Group Activities
• Virtual sessions with banks about setting up bank accounts

Please keep in mind that your graduate department may faciliate a seperate orientation program.  Please verify with your graduate department if you will have a departmental orientation that you must attend. 

All international students are required to complete the Immigration Session.  Details about how to complete the Immigration Session will be found in your International Orientaton & Welcome Series Guide.

The Welcome Series sessions and activities are informative, useful, and important as you continue your transition to UB through out your first semester on campus.