1. Select your current situation below:

        • Students accepted to VSU from outside of the USA

          • Undergraduate Students:
          1. Send a copy of your passport information page to iss@valdosta.edu, and let us know how you would like to receive your form I-20: either by regular mail or express mail. If you would like to receive your form I-20 using the express mail method, pleas follow the instructions on this page, on "How to Request Documents through UEMS."
          2. Go to #2 as soon as you have received your form I-20.
          • Graduate Students:
          1. Send the completed Certificate of Finance & a copy of your passport information page to iss@valdosta.eduand let us know how you would like to receive your form I-20: either by regular mail or express mail. If you would like to receive your form I-20 using the express mail method, pleas follow the instructions on this page, on "How to Request Documents through UEMS.". 
          2. Go to #2 as soon as you have received your form I-20.

        • Students currently in the US on a J-1/J-2/B-2 visa

          Undergraduate Students:
          1. Send a copy of your passport information page and your visa information page to iss@valdosta.edu, and let us know how you would like to receive your form I-20: either by regular mail or express mail. If you would like to receive your form I-20 using the express mail method, pleas follow the instructions on this page, on "How to Request Documents through UEMS."
          2. Let us know if you will be returning to your home country to apply for a student visa, or if you will be applying for a within the US. 
          Graduate Students:
          1. Send the completed Certificate of Finance,copy of your passport information page, and your visa information page to iss@valdosta.edu, and let us know how you would like to receive your form I-20: either by regular mail or express mail. If you would like to receive your form I-20 using the express mail method, pleas follow the instructions on this page, on "How to Request Documents through UEMS."
          2. Let us know if you will be returning to your home country to apply for a student visa, or if you will be applying for a within the US. 

        • Students accepted to VSU that have attended a US high school/college/university:

          1. If you still have an active SEVIS record, and will attend VSU within 5 months of your program completion at your current school, please complete the Transfer - In form, and ask your current Designated School Official to transfer your SEVIS record to VSU. 
            • Your current Designated School Official may be your principal, your international student advisor, guidance counselor, admissions counselor.
          1. You can skip the visa application process if you are not planning on exiting the US before your program start date, or if your F-1 visa will not have expired by the date you are returning.

    2. Start your visa application process. 

    3. Complete your Admissions File, if you have not submitted any of the following documents:

          1.  It's advisable to complete the needed immunization series at your home country if possible, if not possible, they can be completed at the Student Health Center for a .
          2. Undergraduate Students ONLY:
            1. Official copy of final transcripts (Undergraduate Admissions Only )
            2. International High School Transcripts do not need to be professionally evaluated, if the transcripts are in English and do not have any AP/IB credits. International HS transcripts need to be translated/evaluated if they are not in English. 
            3. If you have any college credits you would like to transfer, or if you are applying to graduate school, you will have to get your international college/university transcripts evaluated by one of the agencies listed here.
            4. (Optional) Take the Math Placement exam, if you would like to take upper level math courses (Higher than MATH 1111 - College Algebra) in your first semester, and you have not taken the SAT or have any Math college credit transferred. Details can be found here. 
            5. For students who will be under 18 years old upon arriving in the US, please have the signed by your parents, and notarized. The VSU Student Health Center needs this form, if they have to treat a student that is under 18 years old.  

    4. Set-up your VSU accounts

      • Our IT department has created a guide for new students to follow here.

    5. Complete your VSU orientation and register for courses

      1. Undergraduate Students

        1. Complete your online orientation through Banner. 

        2. Contact your academic advisor (you will get their information after you have completed your online VSU orientation). 

        3. Register for courses. 

          1. Make sure to register for at least 12 credits (an estimated 4 courses), and of your whole class schedule, either only 1 online course or 3 credits worth of online courses are permitted. 

      2. Graduate Students

        1. Graduate Online Orientation
        2. Contact your program director's to get advised for courses. Make sure that you only register for either 1 online course or 3 credits worth of online courses. You need to register for at least 6-9 credit hours depending on your program requirements.

    6. Plan your travel to Valdosta   

      1. Housing

        1. On-Campus Housing - Apply for on-campus housing at the . 

        2. Off-Campus Housing There are plenty of off-campus housing available around campus. A lot of students live within walking distance to the VSU campus. Look into Apartments.com, Rent.com, or even Facebook Marketplace to see what off-campus options are available. Note that VSU does not endorse any specific off-campus housing.  

      2. Make your travel arrangements:

          • You cannot arrive more than 30 days before your program start date (the first day of classes), and you must arrive the week before classes start, to attend the New International Student orientation. 
          1. We highly recommend new students to fly into the Hartsfield Jackson International Airport, and get a connecting flight to the  via . Delta airlines is the only airline that flies directly into Valdosta Regional Airport from Atlanta, Georgia.
          2. Other options: Fly into Jacksonville International Airport, and either take a  or rent a car at the airport to drive to Valdosta. 
            • The Center for International Programs can pick-up students at the Valdosta Regional Airport or at the Greyhound station in Valdosta -- provided that the student has requested pick-up in the Arrival Notification Form.
            • Fill out the Arrival Notification Form once travel arrangements have been finalized.

      3. Packing

        • Valdosta has a mild climate with long, hot summers and short, mild winters.  The average winter temperature is 50oF / 10oC, while the average summer temperature is 80oF / 27oC.  In the summer, it is also very humid, and it is not uncommon for temperatures to hover around 100oF / 38oC degrees in July and August.  Most students find blue jeans and shorts worn with tee shirts appropriate for attending class.  You will need more formal clothing (suits for men/ dresses for women) only for social functions or religious activities you may choose to attend.  You will need a medium weight coat or sweater for the winter, but it is not necessary to bring heavy woolens.  Valdosta has numerous discount clothing stores.  You may wish to take care of any special clothing needs once you arrive, since clothing is relatively inexpensive in the US.

        • Pack at least an umbrella, a raincoat, or even a poncho. 

        • ITEMS FROM HOME:  We suggest that you bring slides or photographs of your home country as well as traditional clothing and small artifacts or souvenirs if possible.  International students often have the opportunity to visit schools and civic groups, participate in community-wide events and items from home are useful for these presentations.  These items are also comforting in times of homesickness!

        •  SAFETY:  Please be conscious of your personal safety while traveling.  Do not carry items for other travelers whom you do not know, and do not leave your belongings unattended at any time.  It is best to keep your money and your passport/ travel documents on your person at all times. It is also not recommended to travel with large amounts of cash with you.  A traveler's check is a better option, and you can deposit the check once you are able to open a bank account here in the U.S.

    7. Look over the different options you will have to pay your tuition and fees, make sure that the money for your tuition and fees will be easily accessible. If you are going to be sponsored by a third-party (ex. Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission) organization, make sure that you will have your Certificate of Financial Guarantee submitted to the Bursary by the tuition and fee deadline for that semester.

    8. Make sure you will have Health (Medical) Insurance Coverage (not the same thing as travel insurance). All international students are required to have health insurance coverage for the duration of their stay in the US. International Students' options are the following:

      • Participate in the school sponsored plan via
      • Apply for a waiver from the school sponsored plan, with a health insurance plan that meets the minimum requirements set by the . 

Note: Students who apply for a waiver with a health insurance plan that does NOT meet the minimum requirements will not have the health insurance premiums removed from their account.