Welcome to the Office of International Student Services (OISS) on-line orientation program.

This Online Orientation program is designed for New International Students who are starting a new program of studies at St. Thomas and for a very serious reason were unable to participate in the International Student Orientation organized by OISS and held on campus at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semester.  This online Orientation is not a substitute for the on campus International Student Orientation, but an attempt to provide new International Students with some basic information that they missed by not attending the On Campus Orientation.  After completing this Online Orientation you will be asked to complete the acceptance form to indicate that you have completed it.

A NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IS DEFINED AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT, WHO IS NEW TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS EVEN THOUGH HE/SHE MAY ALREADY STUDIED IN THE UNITED STATES. A  STUDENT WHO MAY HAVE COMPLETED A PRIOR DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM AT ST THOMAS AND IS STARTING A NEW PROGRAM IS ALSO CONSIDERED A “NEW STUDENT.”  IF A STUDENT MISSED A REGULAR ORIENTATION AND HAVE NOT COMPLETED AN ONLINE ORIENTAITON, A HOLD WILL BE PLACED ON STUDENT’S ACCOUNT.

As a new student defined in the paragraph above you also have the responsibility of completing a SEVIS REGISTRATION AND DOCUMENT CHECK with an OISS Advisor.  This is an appointment in the OISS and takes about one hour.  It is important that you schedule your SEVIS Registration and Document Check appointment by calling OISS at 651-962-6650.  During your SEVIS Registration and Document Check, the OISS Advisor will review your student immigration documents and will change you from “Initial” to “Active” status in SEVIS.  Without you completing the SEVIS Registration and Document Check, you will fall out of status and be subject to deportation.  

OISS Overview

The mission of OISS is to provide high quality services to international students and scholars and to support them in pursuit of their educational, career and personal goals, and to promote their full functioning in the US and integration into the University of St. Thomas.

We offer programs and training to foster intercultural awareness among all faculty, students and staff and work with related departments to promote the internationalization of the University.