DSO Check-In

Checking in with your DSO upon arrival at the UMFK campus is essential to ensure you remain in legal status. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires that all initial F-1 students check in with a DSO as soon as possible once entering the United States, but no later than the start of classes for your first semester (referred to in SEVIS as your Initial Session Start Date). Your Program Start Date/Report Date can be the same as the Initial Session Start Date but no later. If you fail to check in and have a port of entry record (I-94), your SEVIS record will be terminated. Or, if you fail to check in and do not have a port of entry record (I-94), your SEVIS record will be canceled unless you’ve requested admission for a later session. So, please check in as soon as possible to avoid potential issues.

In addition to reporting/confirming your status at UMFK, your DSO will also be a helpful resource for, among other things, answering your questions about:

  • Working in the United States
  • Applying for a driver’s license
  • Applying for a Social Security number
  • Changing your major, program, or degree level
  • Changing your education level
  • Transferring to a new school or taking a leave of absence
  • Taking a break from school
  • Traveling outside the United States
  • Moving to a new address
  • Changing your name
  • Requesting a program extension

Working and staying in contact with your DSO will make for a smoother experience while you’re in the United States.

Book an Appointment with a DSO

Newly Accepted Students