F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors are required to arrive at WashU by the start date on their I-20 or DS-2019. Employees in H-1B and other statuses must arrive by the start date on their approval notice (if applicable). Early arrival allows students, scholars and employees time to settle in, adjust to the U.S. and St. Louis and attend mandatory orientation programs.
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Newly Admitted Students Q & A
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Obtaining a visa
Once you receive your I-20 or DS-2019 from OISS, you will need to apply for an F-1 or a J-1 visa from a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad (Canadian citizens are exempt from this requirement).
If you are an H-1B or an O-1 employee who is currently located outside the U.S., you will need to receive your original Form I-797, Approval Notice for H-1B or O-1 status. Your sponsoring department will send you this form. Learn more about the visa application process.
If you are already in the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status and you are transferring your SEVIS record to WashU from another institution, or if you are an H-1B employee who is porting (transferring) from another employer, you do not need to apply for a new F-1, J-1 or H-1B visa unless you plan to travel internationally.
Initial entry F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors
Entry to the U.S. in F- 1 or J-1 status is permitted up to 30 days before the program start date listed on the I-20 or DS-2019 for those in initial status. If you are transferring your immigration status to WashU or completing a change of level, contact OISS with questions regarding travel.
Port of Entry
Learn what to expect and the list of documents that you must present at the U.S. Port of Entry:
Required online immigration course
All new F-1 & J-1 students arriving to begin study at WashU are required to complete an online immigration course. You must upload proof of completion of this course (Certificate of Completion) as part of the OISS immigration check-process. This course requirement is effective for students arriving to begin study Fall 2024 and after.
Housing and orientation
First-year International Move-In Day for Fall 2025 students will take place on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 on the WashU Danforth Campus from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Central Time.
For move-in and orientation information, visit the First-Year International (FYI) Student Orientation website. Specific information about move-in instructions, dates and deadlines, and additional contact information will be available on this webpage.
For more information about housing, including applications for incoming first-year students, visit the Residential Life website.
Move-In Day for international transfer and exchange students will take place on Tuesday, August 19 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the Village House on the north side of campus.
For orientation information and airport shuttle registration, visit the International Transfer and Exchange Students section of the OISE website.
If you need assistance in finding off-campus housing, please visit our Housing webpage. This page includes information about finding WashU owned and non WashU owned apartments, rental tips and rental housing scams.
For information about graduate orientation, please contact your department. For more information about OISS orientation for international graduate students, visit our Graduate Orientation page.
If you need assistance finding housing, please visit our Housing webpage. It includes information about finding WashU owned and non WashU owned housing, rental housing scams and more.
For temporary housing, you may contact your department to find out if they can offer you any assistance in making temporary arrangements. Alternatively, you may reserve a hotel room for a few nights to give you time to find a place. To search for a hotel, visit the Explore St. Louis visitor website.
J-1 exchange visitors in scholar categories are required to attend orientation with OISS. Find more information on the J-1 Scholar Getting Started page.
Transportation from St. Louis Lambert Airport
Information booth at the airport: Each terminal at the St. Louis-Lambert Airport has an Information Booth, located in the Baggage Claim areas. Visit this booth with questions regarding baggage claim locations, ticket counters, meeting areas, ground transportation, directions, hotel shuttle services and more.
Taxis are available 24 hours a day and you can request them at both terminals. The cost from the airport to WashU is about $30-50 USD for most neighborhoods close to campus, plus a customary 15-20% gratuity.
Many of the hotels near St. Louis-Lambert International Airport offer shuttle service to and from the airport at a free or discounted rate for guests of their hotels. We recommend that you inquire directly with the hotel you are booking about this service.
The Uber and Lyft mobile apps allows customers with smartphones to submit a trip request which is then routed to drivers who use their own cars to transport the customer to their destination. You must download the Uber or Lyft app and create an account in order to use the service. For more information, visit their websites: Uber in Saint Louis and Lyft in Saint Louis.
The MetroLink light rail system has two stations on the Danforth Campus, the Skinker and Big Bend Stations. The Medical School Campus is located within walking distance of the Central West End Station. For fares and departure information, go to the Metro Transit website.
The St. Louis Lambert International Airport recommends a variety of shuttle and transportation options. You can view these option on the St. Louis Lambert International Airport website.
If you are traveling to either campus for the first time, maps of both the Danforth and Medical School campuses are available to assist you.
Health insurance
All F-1 and J-1 students at WashU are required to purchase the WashU student health insurance plan. Some J-1 scholars and employees in H-1B, O-1, TN and E-3 statuses are eligible to enroll in WashU sponsored employee health insurance. Find information about these plans and health care in the U.S. on the Health Care and Insurance webpage.
J-1 Exchange Visitors should note that the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program has specific health insurance requirements for exchange visitors (both students and scholars). J-1 students should review the J-1 Student Status webpage, and J-1 scholars should review the J-1 Exchange Visitor Status webpage for more details.
After U.S. arrival
Do not forget to plan ahead by reviewing your required steps after U.S. arrival. Find more information about mandatory immigration check-in and post-arrival details on the After U.S. Arrival webpage.