Virtual Check-In

International students described below are required to complete the Virtual Check-In. If you are traveling to the U.S., please complete the Virtual Check-in immediately AFTER arriving to the U.S.

 

You are required to complete the Virtual Check-in if you are —

• Newly admitted to CSUF (first semester at CSUF)
• Transferring to CSUF from another U.S. institution
• Changing educational levels at CSUF (example, Bachelor's degree to Master's; Master's to Certificate or Credential)
• Returning student traveling to the U.S. after a leave of absence, or status violation, or readmission
• J-1 Exchange student accepted to an exchange program at CSUF (first semester at CSUF)

Importance of Virtual Check-In

Completing Virtual Check-in satisfies your reporting requirements to CSUF. The information and documents you submit will be used to update your SEVIS record with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Failure to complete this requirement may result in an enrollment hold and/or negative consequence on your student visa status.

 

How to Complete Virtual Check-in

Step 1: Log into your CSUF Student Portal (Student Homepage) to report your U.S. address, phone number, and emergency contacts. 

• Please use the address and phone number formatting guidelines below.
  
  • Update Home Address by entering your U.S. address (change Country to United States).
  • Update Mailing Address by entering your U.S. address.
  • Add a SEVIS Domestic Address and enter your U.S. address.
• You must provide at least two emergency contacts (names with phone or email for contacts).
  
  • One emergency contact from your home country
  • One emergency contact who is in the U.S.  
• If you live on-campus in CSUF Student Housing, please check here for street address and building name, but use the format specified in the instructions below.

Click here for instructions on How to Update Your Personal Information in Your Student Center.

 

Step 2: Prepare copies of immigration documents

The Virtual Check-In will require you to upload PDF copies of the following immigration documents. Check-In should only be submitted after your arrival in the U.S. ISS will not accept any documents prior to the 30 days before the Program Start Date on your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.

• I-94 (view I-94 example or sample I-94 with Form I-797A Approval Notice)
• Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 with Student’s Signature (view I-20 or DS-2019 sample)
• F-1 Visa or J-1 Visa page (view F-1 visa or J-1 visa sample; Canadian citizens are exempted since they do not require F-1 or J-1 visa)

Acceptable file formats for uploads are PDF (preferred), JPEG and PNG (includes scans or photos in these file formats). If the uploaded documents are of poor quality (not readable or not properly imaged) your check-in will be rejected and you will need to upload better file copies of your documents.

 

Step 3: Complete Virtual Check-In (Fall 2025: July 23, 2025 - September 5, 2025)

Complete Virtual Check-In