International Orientation & Check-in
The University of Cincinnati looks forward to the arrival of all of our new students.
Use this page to get ready to come to the United States, travel to Cincinnati and check-in safely at UC.
- Complete pre-arrival tasks, including your visa, flight reservation, new international student checklist, health screening, and online orientation
- Get helpful travel tips
- Check-in
- View the orientation schedule
Before you arrive
Before you come to the United States, you need to complete the following tasks:
- Apply for and receive your visa
- Reserve a flight to Cincinnati
- Complete all of the items on the New International Student checklist in iBearcatsGlobal
- Receive a health screening and upload documentation to University Health Services
- Complete the required online orientation
- Connect with international student groups
Online orientation for international students
UC International requires that all international students participate in an online orientation course and complete it prior to arrival. This course will introduce you to UC International, help you with the arrival process, explain government regulations for international students in the United States, and provide campus resources for a safe and successful academic experience.
- UC International will enroll you in the course. You will receive an email notification to your UC email that you have been added to the orientation.
- After you receive the invitation to join the course, you can access the online orientation on Canvas any time prior to your first day of classes.
Travel to Cincinnati
Before you leave, shop around for airfare, taking note of baggage regulations, price, and other amenities before selecting an airline.
- Purchase a ticket at least one month before you are supposed to arrive in the U.S.
- If you are sponsored by the government or a private organization, communicate your travel arrangements to your sponsors and check in before and after arrival.
- Make sure that your flight schedule allows enough time between connecting flights.
- Arrive for your flight at least 3 hours before departure.
- Travel with your passport, visa, and I-20/DS-2019 in your carry-on luggage.
- Keep other important items in your carry-on, like prescription eyeglasses, a bilingual dictionary, medication, or a change of clothes.
- Bring enough money for unexpected expenses or events, such as a missed flight. Keep this money hidden!
- Be prepared to go through US customs after you arrive in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security website has a great description of what you will expect during this process.
Arrange for a family member, friend, or supervisor to meet you at the airport if you can. If not, you can use the Airport Executive Shuttle following the instructions you'll receive after your Immigration Documents e-form in iBearcatsGlobal is approved.
Once you arrive on campus, try to get familiar with the area. UC International has many resources to help you when you first get here, like temporary housing (if you're waiting to get into an apartment), transportation options, and more!
All new international students attending UC are provided with one complimentary ride to UC’s main campus (zip codes 45219, 45220, 45221) from CVG airport via Executive Transportation, a private shuttle service. To reserve a ride, use the instructions that you received in the Immigration Documents approval email.
If you need a ride to another zip code, the standard rate charged by Executive Transportation will be discounted by $30 and you will be responsible for paying the difference.
Family members and guests are charged a fee of $30 per person, to be paid at the time of service.
If you experience a delay on your way to the CVG airport, provide your name and M# to the Executive Transportation Information Desk, located near luggage carousel #4 in Baggage Claim, to still utilize the service.
Check-In
Once you arrive in Cincinnati, you are required to complete the “Check-in" e-form in the New International Student Checklist in iBearcatsGlobal. Check-in is a federally mandated step to study in the United States.
You must arrive in Cincinnati in time to complete this e-form and to attend other required events before classes begin. The earliest you may enter the U.S. is 30 days before the start date on your I-20/DS-2019.
When should I arrive in the U.S.? (Summer Semester 2025)
You must arrive in Cincinnati in time to complete the immigration review and to attend other required events before classes begin. The earliest you may enter the U.S. is 30 days before the start date on your I-20 / DS-2019.
- Summer Semester 2025: Classes are from May 12 - August 9, 2025. The recommended arrival date for international students depends on if you will be living in on-campus housing.
If you will be living in university housing
- The application for summer semester on-campus housing opens March 18 and will remain open until space is unavailable.
- Plan to arrive on May 11, 2025.
- Official move-in for all new students is May 11, 2025. Meal plan options at dining halls also begin on May 11.
- Early arrival prior to May 11 cannot be accommodated.
If you will be living off campus
Students with off-campus housing can arrive up to 30 days in advance of your I-20 or DS-2019 start date. Temporary accommodation cannot be provided by the University.
When should I arrive in the U.S.? (Fall Semester 2025)
You must arrive in Cincinnati in time to complete the immigration review and to attend other required events before classes begin. The earliest you may enter the U.S. is 30 days before the start date on your I-20 / DS-2019.
- Fall Semester 2025: Classes are from August 25 - December 12, 2025. The recommended arrival date for international students depends on if you will be living in on-campus housing.
If you will be living in university housing
- The application for on-campus housing opened January 28.
- The application priority deadline is May 1. After this date, you are not guaranteed university housing.
- Official move-in for all students is Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
Move-in timeline and policies
We strongly recommend arriving on or after August 16 if possible.
- Early arrivals (August 13 - 15)
- Early arrival between August 13 - 15 requires special approval
- These requests must be submitted directly to the Housing office as these dates are not available in the housing portal.
- A nightly rate based on your housing assignment will apply for these dates.
- Regular move-in period (August 16 and later)
- If you are required to be on campus early (August 16 - 18) for a university-related function, event, or BBO, complete the Early Arrival Form in the housing portal.
- Students arriving on or after August 16th for university-required functions will NOT be charged a nightly rate.
If you will be living off campus
Students with off-campus housing can arrive up to 30 days in advance of your I-20 or DS-2019 start date. Temporary accommodation cannot be provided by the University, but a list of temporary accommodations is available on our housing resources page.
You will use personal information and copies of the following immigration documents to complete Check-in in iBearcatsGlobal:
- Passport
- Most recent I-94 (download online)
- I-20/DS-2019
- Entry visa
- If you'll study in a status other than F or J, you'll need to show documentation of your current status. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- I-94
- Work permits
- I-797 approval notices or receipts
Orientation Schedule
For essential information about immigration advising and international student services and support, please complete the online orientation and attend one of our virtual pre-arrival presentations. Through these resources, we will answer questions related to your immigration status and connect you to campus resources that will help you thrive at UC.
Summer 2025
New Student Orientation registration is available after a student confirms their admission in the Bearcat Portal.
- New Student Orientation is also called Bearcat Bound Orientation (BBO). BBO for international students will take place virtually on May 8 at 9 AM.
- International undergraduate students are required to attend Bearcat Bound Orientation to learn about academic advising and the course registration process.
- At these sessions you will learn how to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor where you will register for your first semester schedule of classes.
New International Student Welcome + Open House
May 14 | 1-3 PM
Global Engagement Lounge (GEL), 6140 Edwards Center One
Meet UC International staff, enjoy a snack at the GEL, and learn more about your resources at our welcome event for new international students.
You will receive further instructions about onboarding when you complete the Immigration Review section of the pre-arrival checklist.
Fall 2025
New Student Orientation registration is available after a student confirms their admission in the Bearcat Portal.
- New Student Orientation is also called Bearcat Bound Orientation (BBO). BBO for international students will take place on August 18.
- International undergraduate students are required to attend Bearcat Bound Orientation to learn about academic advising and the course registration process.
- At these sessions you will learn how to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor where you will register for your first semester schedule of classes.
New International Student Welcome + Open House
May 14 | 1-3 PM
Global Engagement Lounge (GEL), 6140 Edwards Center One
Meet UC International staff, enjoy a snack at the GEL, and learn more about your resources at our welcome event for new international students.
You will receive further instructions about onboarding when you complete the Immigration Review section of the pre-arrival checklist.