Orientation is mandatory for all new F-1 and J-1 international students. It is carefully designed to give you the best start possible for your GVSU journey. There is a charge of $150 for the mandatory orientation. Even if circumstances outside of your control require you to miss the orientation, you will be charged as the many preparations needed for your arrival have already been made. The fee will be charged to your GVSU student account in December. Students who miss one or more sessions of Orientation will need to attend Make-up Orientation.

On this page:

• Schedule
• $150 Fee
• Immigration Check-in
• Required Forms
• Orientation Leaders
• PEEPS Program
• SSN

Designated Arrival & GVSU Housing Move-In Days for new iStudents: January 6, 2027 from 11am to 5pm (EST)

Winter 2027 International Student Orientation: January 7-8, 2027

International Student Orientation is mandatory for all first semester iStudents and should be treated as a priority. The Graduate School Orientation is included in the schedule so nothing is missed. iStudent Orientation is also mandatory during the first semester at GVSU for iStudents changing into F-1 status as well as F-1 Transfer students. Orientations offered by OMA for Affinity Group Orientations can also be great ways to meet more people but should not be attended in place of International Student Orientation. 

Note: Undergraduate students attend an Academic Advising Orientation before arriving. This Advising session does not replace International Student Orientation.

All first semester international students are required to attend International Student Orientation. There is a $150 fee for this compulsory orientation. The fee is charged to each student's Student Account and covers the costs of:

• Additional Staffing including our wonderful Orientation Leaders!
• Meals
• PEEPS Activities
• Supplies
• Designated Arrival Day Support for students living On-Campus
• Make-Up Orientation

Immigration registration will be conducted during orientation. This will include registering your visa, I-94, I-20 or DS-2019 as well as verifying your SEVIS record.

All new International Students must complete online forms: F-1 First Semester SEVIS Registration, J-1 First Semester SEVIS Registration, and the GDPR form. There are dedicated times during orientation for new iStudents to submit these. If there are any forms that students didn't complete during orientation, students need to make sure to do this before the first week of classes. This information is needed to maintain your immigration status and to adhere to GVSU's policies.

For each International Student Orientation, we give special attention to hiring the most exceptional GVSU students to work on the ISS Orientation Team. Our outstanding leaders will guide, support, and welcome you to Grand Valley. They can't wait to meet you in-person!

PEEPS is a volunteer program that allows returning students (domestic and international) to take part in the social activities of International Student Orientation. As a new student, you will appreciate their warm welcome, insight, advice, and company! You'll meet many of the PEEPS at the scheduled social events throughout orientation.

New international students should not sign-up to be a PEEPS volunteer; after completing one semester at GVSU iStudent are eligible to volunteer in this program.

Many new students are keen to get their SSN numbers as soon as they arrive for various reasons (receive paychecks, apply for off-campus housing, set-up bank accounts, etc). To apply via the SSN application process you MUST ATTEND INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION, submit required new iStudent forms, complete the SSN application, have a job offer letter, and receive an invitation to our SSN Processing event.

In order to get the invitation to the SSN Processing event held by our office, you must:

1. Attend International Student Orientation
2. Submit the required forms