# New Student Check-in

**Source**: https://global.utexas.edu/isss/life-at-ut/orientation/check-in
**Parent**: https://global.utexas.edu/isss/life-at-ut/new-student-scholar-resources

Welcome to the United States and The University of Texas at Austin! As a new international Longhorn, you are required to complete the Check-In process in myIO.

You will learn:

- Immigration rules including work eligibility in the U.S.
- Obtaining U.S. forms of identification (i.e., driver's license and Social Security number)
- Health insurance requirements
- What else you need to do to register for classes.

## Who Needs to Complete the Check-in

**Degree students:** The University classifies all students at UT Austin who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents as international students. Even if you are a Texas Resident for tuition purposes you must complete the check-in process.

**Exchange students**: All new reciprocal exchange students admitted to UT Austin, *including those who are U.S. citizens*, must complete the Check-In process in myIO.

## Accessing the Check-in Documents

[Login to your myIO](https://isss.io.utexas.edu/) portal to begin your check-in.

- Students in F-1 and J-1 status can complete a portion of the check-in process before arrival. Registration holds will be waived at that time. However, it will not be removed entirely until you arrive in the United States.
- After arriving in Austin, all students can finish the Check-In process in myIO. After completing the Check-In process, the I hold will be removed.

## When to Begin Your Check-in

You can start the process before you arrive in the U.S. However, students in F-1 and J-1 status will not be able to finish it until they arrive in the U.S.

## A Note About Registration Holds

New international students have an international hold on their [Registration Information Sheet](http://registrar.utexas.edu/students/registration/before/ris), referred to as an "I hold." Students in F-1 and J-1 status can have their registration holds *waived* after completing the pre-arrival forms.

### Waived Holds

Having a waived hold means that you are allowed to register for the current semester, but you will be prevented from registering for future semesters until you have fully completed the check-in process.

Your registration hold **cannot be removed** until you have completed the Check-In process. Please make sure to complete the Check-In as soon as possible after arriving in Austin to ensure you can register for classes on time in future semesters.

### Texas Global Registration Holds

- [I Holds](#)

  I holds are administered by ISSS. For new students, this means that you must [check-in with ISSS](https://global.utexas.edu/isss/life-at-ut/orientation/check-in). While you can begin your check-in before you arrive, you cannot finish it until you are actually in the United States.
- [J Holds](#)

  J holds are administered by the English Language Center (ELC). ELC has [detailed instructions](https://global.utexas.edu/english-language-center/resources/j-hold) on how to clear you J hold.