Immigration Check In

After arriving in the United States, you must complete the Orientation Checklist found in CyStart under the International Student Orientation section. 

This can be completed only AFTER you arrive in the U.S. and is required for all new international students at Iowa State University. You can complete these forms at your own pace.

Through this process, you will hear from the ISSO International Student Advising team about regulations you must follow to maintain your immigration status and the benefits your status provides along with uploading important immigration documentation to register your immigration record in SEVIS.

Failure to complete could result in academic and immigration issues.

In the orientation checklist you will find the following forms:

  • Immigration Regulations: Part 1
  • Immigration Regulations: Part 2
  • Immigration Regulations: Part 3
  • Immigration Regulations: Part 4
  • Immigration Regulations: Part 5
  • Electronic Check-In

All forms must be completed and submitted for your check in to move forward for processing with an International Advisor.

Please have the following documentation for the Electronic Check-In form. Documentation needs to be clearly scanned in a digital JPEG or PDF format.

  • I-20(s) or DS-2019(s) from Iowa State and any previous schools, as applicable
  • Passport Photo Page
  • Visa Page
  • I-94 Arrival Record
  • Dependent(s) Immigration Documents (passport, I-20/DS-2019, and visas), if needed
  • Letter of Intent (for students on assistantship)
  • Financial Guarantee (if sponsored)

You will also need to know the following:

  • Address in Ames (this can be a temporary address, such as a hotel or the home of a friend or acquaintance with whom you are staying)
  • Name, phone number, and mailing address for a person we can contact if you have a personal emergency

I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification

Students must complete Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) with ISSO on or before the first day of on-campus employment. To complete Form I-9 with ISSO, please follow the steps below after receiving a job offer for an on-campus position.

Complete New Student Immigration Check-In with ISSO = on CyStart located under the International Student Orientation section.

This will consist of completing the following items:

  • Immigration Regulations presentation
  • Electronic Check-In form
  • On-Campus Employment form.

Start this step only after step 1 is completed and approved by ISSO. Complete on-boarding tasks and Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) in Workday.

Note: you will only be assigned Form I-9 task in Workday after your hiring department has completed the hiring process and the hire has been approved through the Workday process.

Once you receive your On-Campus Employment form approval email, bring your original, unexpired documents to ISSO during walk-in I-9 hours.

Bring the following original printed documents:

  • Letter of Intent or job offer letter (only required if you need to apply for the U.S. Social Security Number)
  • Unexpired passport with a current U.S. visa stamp
  • Expired passport(s) with other U.S. visa stamps, if any (e.g., F-1/F-2, J-1/J-2, B-1/B-2, etc.).
  • Signed I-20 from Iowa State University or unexpired DS-2019
  • Previous I-20s/DS-2019s from other schools or J-1 sponsors.
  • Most recent I-94 Record.
  • Additional U.S. immigration documents, if any (e.g., I-797 USCIS Approval Notice/Receipt Notice, Change of Status documents, proof of other status).

Apply for a Social Security Number, if needed. You will receive information and required documents to apply for U.S. Social Security Number, if needed, during the Form I-9 visit.

Social Security Number - Frequently Asked Questions

International students are often interested in applying for a Social Security Number (SSN) after arriving in the U.S. 

Below is more information on commonly asked questions, requirements, and processes for applying.

No. Unless you are working on campus, you do not need a Social Security Number.

No, you do not need an SSN to apply for a bank account. If the online form for opening a bank account requires an SSN, you will just need to make an in-person appointment to open your account. 

No, international students can only apply for a social security number if they are working on campus. 

No, you should not apply for an SSN on your own, as you need an authorization letter from the university for your application. Applying on your own without this letter can cause issues and/or significantly delay SSN application processes if they are needed.  

If you are working on campus, you will receive information and required documents to apply for U.S. Social Security Number during the Form I-9 appointment.

Social Security Numbers are issued to be unique to person and will remain the same for your entire life once issued. They do not become invalid upon leaving the country for a duration of time.

Additional Post Arrival Steps

After arriving in the U.S., you will likely need to open a U.S. bank account. ISSO and Iowa State have no specific requirements on where you open your account. We suggest looking around at options and decide which bank suits your needs best. 

To open an account, you will likely need to make an in-person appointment with the bank of your choosing, as many online forms for opening bank accounts require a Social Security Number. 

Please Note: A Social Security Number is not required to open a bank account in the U.S. despite many online forms requiring it.  

Iowa State University does have a standing relationship with U.S. Bank that may come with additional features other banks will not have, as well as a convenient branch location within easy walking distance from campus. To learn more about the partnership with U.S. Bank and what it entails, please visit the ISU Card Website.

After arriving in the U.S., you can set up U.S. cell service with a provider of your choosing. ISSO does not specifically required you to be on any one provider and you do not need to wait until you arrive on campus to set up mobile service. 

If you have arrived in Ames, and are unsure where to start, you can drop by the ISSO front desk to collect a starter packet from campusSIMS in partnership with Mint Mobile to you get you started. Once you have an American phone number, please update your phone number information within Workday. 

Iowa State students, faculty and staff are eligible to receive alerts via a phone call (cell or landline), text message and email. The contact information you provide is not shared or used for anything other than the ISU Alert notification system. The ISU Alert system quickly notifies Iowa State University students, faculty and staff of potentially dangerous situations. 

To sign up with ISU Alerts or update your existing contact information, please visit the About ISU Alerts webpage for Workday instructions. 

While at Iowa State, ISSO recommends getting a State ID or Driver’s License card to serve as a form a photo ID, aside from your passport. ISSO generally does not recommend carrying your passport on you at all times, as if this document is lost, replacing it can be difficult or cause other immigration issues. 

Click here if you are interested in setting up an appointment to get a State ID Card or Driver’s License.

Note: Getting a Driver’s License may involve additional testing to prove traffic law knowledge and driving ability.

Documents needed to bring to your Iowa DOT appointment:

  • Unexpired foreign passport  
  • Continuing Attendance Form I-20 
  • I-94 Record of Arrival/Departure 
  • To establish Iowa residency and residential address, you must bring TWO printed documents that show your current name and current Iowa residential address. The address must be a physical address where you reside and not a post office box.