Upon arrival to UWM all new international students must complete a mandatory arrival check-in, which must be completed by the start of the term; failure to do so may result in SEVIS Record termination.
You will have access to the Arrival Check-In record in your ISSS Connect portal 30 days prior to the Program Start Date listed on your I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019 (J-1 students). After arrival to the U.S., you must complete the ISSS Connect Arrival Check-In record so that we can verify your documents, collect the information needed, and report your arrival in SEVIS.
Steps to Completing Arrival Check-In:
Clear your Holds in PAWS
You will need to clear your holds from PAWS. Information on holds, including how to find and resolve holds, is available on the Enrollment Holds – Registrar’s Office web page.
Enter your U.S. Mailing Address in PAWS
To maintain your F-1 status, you are required to always have a “Home” and “Mailing” address listed in PAWS. You must update your addresses in PAWS within 10 days of any change. Your addresses listed in PAWS will be reported to your SEVIS record.
- “Home” Address: This must be your address in your home country (foreign address). This cannot be a U.S. address.
- “Mailing” Address: This must be your local U.S. address. If you do not have your U.S. address yet, you need to enter the address where you are temporarily staying such as at a hotel or with a friend/family member. Make sure to update your address in PAWS when you move.
Find instructions on how to update your addresses in PAWS under the “Your Contact Information” section on the Your Information – Registrar’s Office web page or on the PAWS (How To) Update Mailing Address.
Enter an Emergency Contact in PAWS
You need to list an emergency contact person in PAWS, someone who can be contacted if something happens to you. This person can be outside of the U.S. or inside the U.S.; they can be a friend, family member, or someone you trust. Your emergency contact person does not need to speak English.
Find instructions on how to enter your emergency contact in PAWS under the “Your Contact Information” section on the Your Information – Registrar’s Office web page.
Enter your U.S. phone number in PAWS
You should enter your U.S. phone number in PAWS. Find instructions on how to do this under the “Your Contact Information” section on the Your Information – Registrar’s Office web page. If you do not have a U.S. phone number yet, make sure to add the number in PAWS as soon as you have one.
Complete the Arrival Check-In record in ISSS Connect
After you arrive in the U.S., access the Arrival Check-In record by logging in to the ISSS Connect portal and navigating to the DOCUMENTS & REQUESTS tab.
Have the following accessible to complete the request:
- Your UWM I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019 with consular signature (J-1 students)
- Your passport with F-1 or J-1 visa
- Your MOST RECENT I-94
- Your current U.S. address