Reporting Your Arrival (F and J Students)

Welcome to Columbia University! We're happy you arrived.

If you're an F or J student, you need to report your arrival to us by submitting the online SEVIS Report form within a week of your arrival. It is very important! This action will activate your SEVIS record.

You do not need to report your arrival in person.

Are you a J-1 Scholar (Professor or Researcher)?

Learn how to report your arrival here. Students should continue to follow the instructions below.

Before You Apply

You need to submit this form if you are:

✓: a new student with a Columbia I-20/DS-2019 who arrived in the U.S. in F-1/J-1 status
✓: a new student with a Columbia I-20 who transferred your SEVIS record from another American school
✓: returning from a leave of absence with a new I-20/DS-2019
✓: re-entering the U.S. with a new Columbia I-20/DS-2019 to regain status

Complete the following steps within your first week after arriving at Columbia for the first time with this Columbia I-20/DS-2019.

How to Report

Gather your documents and information

✓
Document: Your passport
Description

✓
Document: Your I-20 or DS-2019 form
Description: Only if issued by Columbia, which means you are under our SEVIS sponsorship

✓

Document

Your electronic I-94 arrival record that was created when you entered the US

Description

Having issues locating your I-94 Record through the I-94 website? Learn how to retrieve it.
Are you bringing dependents? If bringing dependent(s), their F-2/J-2 SEVIS record(s) are automatically activated with yours. Check to see that their I-94 record to the U.S. is accurate. They should be admitted with the notation of "F-2 until D/S" or “J-2 until D/S". D/S refers to "duration of status".

✓
Document: Your local address (including your zip code), even if it is temporary
Description: Remember to update your address in Student Services OnLine (SSOL) as well.

Log in to Compass with your UNI and password to report your arrival

Please click the link below that matches your Columbia campus.

ISSO Morningside Campus

Not sure of your campus? Check our campus school list.

Morningside F-1 Students: F-1 Students
Morningside J-1 Students: J-1 Students

ISSO - CU Medical Center Campus (CUIMC)

Not sure of your campus? Check our campus school list.

CUIMC F-1 Students: F-1 Students
CUIMC J-1 Students: J-1 Students

Need help using Compass? Learn more on our Compass User Guide.

Reporting Your Arrival (F and J Students)

Who Needs to Submit the SEVIS Report Form

When Should You Complete the Form

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