Greater D.C. Area New International Student Checklist

Here’s a list of all the things you need to complete once you’re accepted as a graduate student in the Greater Washington D.C. Area.

Before You Arrive

1.  Create a personal identifier, or PID

You’ll use this for email, class registration, and to access all your Virginia Tech accounts.

2.  Contact your academic department

They’ll inform you of any departmental requirements, as well as provide information about orientation, advising, funding, and registering for classes.

3.  Find housing

Find resources to help you search for off-campus housing in the Greater Washington D.C. Area.

4.  Purchase health insurance

International students must purchase a health insurance plan, and U.S. students are encouraged to. The university offers a student health plan, or you can select any other that meets the minimum requirements.

5.  Register for classes

Log in to Hokie SPA during the drop/add period to enroll in courses recommended by your departmental advisor.

6.  Pay tuition and fees

Log in to Hokie SPA to pay your student account bill once you’ve registered for classes for the semester.

After You Get Here

1.  International students only: Immigration check-in

All new international graduate students must complete a mandatory immigration check-in process after arriving in the Greater Washington D.C. Area. To check-in, students need to bring physical copies of their I-20 or DS-2019, passport with your F-1 visa, and printed I-94 to Room 488 or 490 at the Northern Virginia Center.

2.  Get your student ID

Visit the NVC Resource Center to have your picture taken and pick up your Hokie Passport.

3.  Attend Graduate Student Orientation

Come to our orientation event to learn about the programs and services we offer for graduate students. Attendance is optional, but encouraged. International students are required to attend a mandatory F-1 Immigration Orientation session after the Graduate Student Orientation session.