Welcome to the University of Pittsburgh!
The Office of International Services is excited to welcome you to Pitt whether you are a new international student, scholar, intern, or employee. OIS offers a number of resources for you to use before you enter the United States and once you arrive. This information is customized for different immigration statuses and circumstances to best assist you. Please remember that everyone is welcome to attend our Events, specifically the Experience America program designed to help you learn more about the United States, Pittsburgh, and the culture around you at Pitt.
New International Students
Welcome to Pitt! We are excited to welcome you to the Pitt community. As an incoming international student, we understand that you may have plenty of questions. Know that OIS is here to help.
How to receive your Immigration Document - To receive your I-20 or DS-2019, you will need to submit required documentation through our Pre-Arrival Checklist. Please visit our Student Immigration Process Overview page, which outlines the process on how to receive your I-20/DS-2019 as an Undergraduate or Graduate student. This page also provides information pertaining to the F-1/J-1 visa process.
Important Resources for Incoming Students - Once you receive your immigration document, OIS has a great list of New Student Resources that will help prepare you for your arrival to the U.S. Most questions can be answered through this list of resources, so please be sure to check this page if you have any questions regarding: connecting with OIS, IT Help Desk information, health insurance, housing, immunization/medical record information, learning about English proficiency, making travel arrangements to the U.S., paying your student bill, cultural adjustment, mental health resources, drug and alcohol awareness, U.S. banking, Title IX information, and the student code of conduct. If you can’t find the answers to your questions there, you may email us at oisNEW@pitt.edu.
Arrival & Orientation - OIS is looking forward to meeting you! ALL incoming students MUST attend OIS’ Orientation and complete Check-In requirements. Failure to complete these requirements will impact your ability to maintain your F-1 / J-1 student status in the US. Please review OIS’ Orientation website, as well as your Pre-Arrival Checklist (closer to the start of your admitted term), for more specific details.
New International Scholars and Interns
Welcome to the University of Pittsburgh’s J-1 Program! For all incoming J-1 Research Scholars, Professors, Short Term Scholars, and Interns, please visit our Orientation page to register for a Scholar Orientation after your arrival to the U.S., as well as our J-1 Scholars and J-1 Interns pages for further information about the Department of State’s program requirements and maintaining your status.
We also encourage you to visit our Fact Sheets page for helpful resources about health insurance, incidental employment, late arrivals, social security, the 212(e) home residency requirement, J-2 employment, and international travel and visa processing.
If you are a J-1 Student, please see the J-1 Students page.
New International Employees
Welcome to the Pitt community, new colleagues! For specific information about your visa category and maintaining your status, please see our H-1B Employees page or our Additional Pitt Sponsored Statuses page for those who are in E-3, H-1B1, O-1, or TN status.
Whether you are newly arrived to the U.S. or have transitioned from a prior immigration status or another employer, we encourage you to visit our Fact Sheets page for helpful resources about living in the US and working at Pitt as an international staff or faculty member.
If you are a department administrator, please see our Pitt Faculty and Staff page.
New International Families
As you join our community, please know that there are resources in places to make you transition to the U.S. and Pittsburgh easier. OIS has an Experience America program designed to help people better understand the culture, practices, and opportunities for international families. In addition, we have immigration information for several dependent statuses and Fact Sheets you can use as a resource on our website. Finally, OIS also has a monthly International Families Newsletter that you can sign up for by emailing OIS@pitt.edu.