International Student Orientation Information

Welcome!

Congratulations and welcome to the New York Institute of Technology. We are delighted to have you join us. As an international student, your orientation program has two mandatory sections: SEVIS Check-in and Orientation.

Mandatory SEVIS Check-in

Upon entering the United States, all new international students must complete a mandatory SEVIS Check-in.

As an F-1 international student, completing your SEVIS Check-In is a required step at the start of each academic term. This process confirms your presence and enrollment status in the United States to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), keeping your SEVIS record active and your visa status valid.

Why It Matters:

Failing to complete your SEVIS Check-In on time can result in your record becoming inactive, which may jeopardize your legal status in the U.S. and your ability to remain enrolled and in the United States.

What You’ll Need to Report:

  • Current U.S. address
  • Enrollment confirmation (full-time status)
  • Valid passport and visa information
  • Any changes to your program, major, or funding

How to Complete Check-In:

Check-In is typically completed through your Designated School Official (DSO) at the International Student Services office, either via an online portal or in person. You may be asked to submit supporting documents and verify that all information in your SEVIS record is accurate and up to date.

Deadline:

Check-In must be completed within the first few days of each semester, in accordance with your school’s deadline. Check with your international student advisor for specific dates.

Important Information for Fall 2026 Students:

  • The earliest date you can arrive is August 9, 2026. Arriving earlier than this date will cause you to be out of status and require you to return home and re-enter to properly activate your status. Do not rely on Customs and Border Patrol to inform you of this—you must know beforehand.
  • The last date of arrival for incoming new students is September 8, 2026.
  • If you are unable to arrive by September 8, 2026, then you must contact Admissions to defer your entry into the U.S. and Form I-20 start date to Spring 2026. Late arrival letters will not be given.
  • Students Transferring into New York Tech: The process below must also be followed by students who are already in the U.S., prior to August 9, 2026, and are transferring into New York Tech for Fall 2026, even if you have already completed the check-in process at your previous school or institution. The deadline to report to New York Tech for new students transferring in is September 21, 2026.

Note: Students Transferring Out Upon Arrival – Students looking to transfer from New York Tech should follow these steps.

SEVIS Check-In Process

Please complete the form prior to your selected SEVIS check-in time. You can start to upload your documents after entering the U.S.

You will need the information below along with an electronic copy (.pdf, .jpg, .png, etc.) of the documents listed below to complete this step. (If you are not able to upload your documents in advance, bring the original documents with you to the check-in session.)

Required Documents

  • Form I-20 / DS-2019
    • Your New York Tech Form I-20 (for F-visa holders) or Form DS-2019 (for J-visa holders) used to enter the U.S.
    • Note: If you are a transfer student, then you will also need to submit the last I-20 from your previous school in addition to your New York Tech Form I-20.
  • Valid Passport
    • Biography page
  • F-1 or J-1 Visa
    • Date of Arrival Stamp (if available)
    • Copy of entry stamp page for Canadian citizens
  • I-94 Record
    • A printed or electronic copy of your most recent I-94 Record.
    • Note: This record cannot be created or be accessible until you have entered the U.S.
    • Within 24 hours of your entry, you can retrieve your electronic I-94 online from the Customs and Border Patrol website.
    • You will need your passport information to retrieve your electronic I-94.
    • Remember that you will need to wait until you have entered the US to upload the I-94.
  • Local Address and Contact Information
    • Your local address in the U.S. and a U.S. phone number.
    • If you will have a temporary address when you arrive in the U.S., this is the address you should report during check-in. You can change it later if required.
  • Emergency and Local Contacts
    • Name and contact information (phone number and email) of at least one (1) local U.S. contact and two (2) emergency contacts (who must be family members)
  • Dependent Documentation, if applicable
    • Documents for any dependents that will enter the US with you (passport, visa stamp, I-20/DS-2019, I-94 record)
    • Dependents can be legally recognized spouses or children (unmarried and under the age of 21) who will be joining you.
Upload SEVIS Documents

We will be conducting these group sessions on August 10, 2026 – September 2, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., via Zoom.

Registration for these sessions will open soon.

This session is the time to address any of your concerns and confirm you have completed the SEVIS Check-in process. Once you have completed your check-in and we have received your documents and address information, we will report your arrival in SEVIS.

To register for courses, you must follow the steps outlined in your Admissions Portal. You do not need to wait until your SEVIS Check-in to register for courses. We encourage you to do this as soon as possible.

Please note: We cannot complete the SEVIS Check-in process if you do not have a valid local address.

Orientation will be held in September 2026. This in-person orientation will inform you of all the necessary rules and regulations you will need to follow as an F-1 student as well as a New York Tech student.

We will let you know the date and when it’s time to register in the coming weeks.

Questions about New Student Orientation? Email oie@nyit.edu.

Contact the Office of International Education in October 2026 to receive your updated Form I-20 (F-1 students only). This is your new I-20 document as well as confirmation your arrival has been reported in SEVIS.

This I-20 will be available to be received the first week of October 2026. Be sure to email us with the subject line: Continued Form I-20 Requested.

J-1 students will not receive a new DS-2019 but will have their records validated in SEVIS.

Contact Us

Christopher Olagunju, PDSO, ARO
Associate Director, International Education
Enrollment
New York Institute of Technology
Zoom Meeting Room
212.261.1684
colagunj@nyit.edu

Natasha Menicci, DSO
Assistant Director – International Education
Enrollment
International Admissions
nmenicci@nyit.edu

Karen Johnson, DSO, RO
Assistant Director – International Education
Enrollment
New York Institute of Technology
Zoom Meeting Room
516.686.7526
johnsonk@nyit.edu