Check In with the VISA Office

Students New to CWRU or Beginning a New Program at CWRU:

To Check In:

If you will be on campus this semester to begin your program, please access the Instructions on How to Check In with the VISA Office and complete the process. Please note that you:

• check in online AFTER you arrive in the US with your valid I-20 or DS-2019

• can check in up to 30 days before the program start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019

• must check in by the start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019. If there is a delay, please notify us immediately

We cannot process any on-campus employment or Social Security Number paperwork until you have been checked in.

If you will not be coming to the United States this fall, do not check in using the instructions above. It is critical that you complete the survey instead.  If you have not done so yet, please do so immediately. 

Thank you for your attention and cooperation!

Registration & Your Visa Status

The VISA Office just wants to remind you that, as international students, you are required to be properly registered for a full-time course load while you're studying in the United States as an F-1 or a J-1 student. This is mandatory by US Federal Regulations.

There are very few exceptions to full-time registration requirements and only the VISA Office can determine whether you qualify for one of them.  Always register for full-time and never drop below a full-time courseload without first speaking with an advisor in the VISA Office.   Improper registration could have serious consequences, including termination, for your visa status.

If you have already completed coursework abroad through online learning during previous semesters, you must still be registered full-time unless the VISA Office determines that you qualify for an exception. 

We will be verifying each student's registration over the next several weeks. If we detect a problem with your registration or have questions, we will be contacting you by email. It's extremely important that you follow up with us promptly and work to quickly resolve the matter so that your visa status is not negatively impacted.

If you have questions, never hesitate to contact our office at visa@case.edu or get in touch during advising hours!

Access Services will have satellite location for students during Discover Week (Aug. 21 - Aug. 25)

Case Western Reserve University is excited to welcome students back to campus. Given the number of students expected to return this month, Access Services is setting up a satellite location to serve students during Discover Week.
From Monday, August 21st through Friday August 25th, Access Services will once again utilize the Student Organization Center located within Tinkham Veale University Center (TVUC) to serve all students.
Between the hours of 9am – 4pm, students can visit this location to obtain Student ID’s, Parking Permits, and stickers for their RTA passes.

Student IDs

All First-year Undergraduate Students should pick up their Student IDs at University Housing during move-in or Discover Days check-in.

Returning undergraduate and graduate students can visit the Access Services satellite location at TVUC to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Student ID.

Parking Permits
Any student interested in purchasing a parking permit can visit the TVUC satellite location. Please bring a copy of either your CWRU Student ID or a government-issued photo ID along with the year, make, and model of your vehicle.

RTA Stickers
Undergraduate, Commuter students can visit the satellite office in TVUC to pick up their RTA stickers from Access Services.
Undergraduate, Residential students will pick up their RTA stickers from the Housing office.
Graduate students will pick up their RTA stickers directly from their associated school.

For All Faculty & Staff ***Please be Advised ***
Access Services is dedicated to serve the entire CWRU community. While we have set up a satellite location to specifically serve the needs of our students, we will continue to serve all faculty and staff at our main service center located on the lower level of Crawford Hall.

Chat with VISA Staff Online During Advising Hours

Virtual Advising is available Monday, Thursday, and Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., EST.

If you have a question or concern that you need to address during that time frame, reach out to an advisor through the chat box. The chat box (it looks just like the picture) will be available on our website.

Beware of Scams

The Visa Office wants to make sure that international students are aware of these scams and know how to protect themselves.   Visit this website for more information.

Manage Tuition Payments & More

Annual Furniture Giveaway for ALL, NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 

International student Fellowship is excited to invite ALL, NEW (Spring, Summer, and Fall 2023 admitted) international students to attend its Annual Furniture and Household items Giveaway. This is a FREE event, but space is limited! This is ISF's way of saying WELCOME to you!

Date: Saturday - August 19,2023

Location: 2537 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 (Gymnasium of Church of the Saviour)

Time: 9 a.m. sharp. (arrive between 8:30 - 8:45 a.m. to sign in in order to receive a number). Items are given away on a random lottery draw. NO NEED to arrive early. This is not a first come first serve basis.

For more information - visit their Facebook page: International Student Fellowship -CWRU or email at isfcleveland@gmail.com