When you arrive in  Philadelphia, your first stop should be your pre-arranged housing. Drop off your luggage and get ready for a very busy period of time!

1. You must report to the ISSS within 30 days of arriving in the U.S. Failure to do so will result in your SEVIS record being terminated. To report your arrival fill out the Immigration Reporting form. You should not do this until after you enter the U.S. If you are a SEVIS transfer student, do this after you arrive in Philadelphia. Be prepared to upload the following:
   • Copy of your SEVIS payment receipt
   • I-94: The I-94 must be downloaded from the Department of Homeland Security's website and you can save it as a pdf. If you have any issues accessing your I-94 after entering your information on their website, you must contact the Philadelphia Deferred Inspection Site to correct this. Their office can be reached by phone (215-863-4247) between 1 PM and 7 PM Monday-Friday.
   • Copy of your F-1 or J-1 entry visa
   • Your I-20
2. If you have an assistantship or fellowship and will be receiving a stipend, you will need a social security number.  
3. Prepare for Orientation.  
4. Register for Classes
   • Undergraduate students register for classes at the undergraduate orientation. If you haven’t scheduled your orientation, contact the Office of New Student and Family Programs at 215-204-8531 or online here.
   • Graduate and Professional School students register with their academic department.
5. Pay Tuition Bill
   • Please visit the Office of the Bursar to pay tuition and fees.  For more information on this process and the amounts, please visit www.temple.edu/bursar/. Temple University uses flywire for international payments. Please see https://bursar.temple.edu/payments/international-payments
6. Get your OWLcard
7. Open a Bank Account
   • Philadelphia Federal Credit Union (PFCU)
     Howard Gittis Student Center
     13th Street and Montgomery Avenue
     Philadelphia, PA 19122
     Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
     Phone:  215-934-3500
   • PNC Bank
     1908 Liacouras Walk
     Philadelphia, PA 19122
     Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Saturday, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
     Phone: 877-762-1000

     You will need your TUID and passport to open a bank account.

8. Enroll in Health Insurance
   • Temple University requires all international students to carry major medical health insurance.  For more information about insurance requirements and programs available for purchase, please click here. The Department of Benefits will be able to answer all questions related to insurance. You can email studentinsurance@temple.edu with questions.
9. Buy your books
   • New books:
     Temple University Main Campus Bookstore
     13th and Montgomery streets
     Howard Gittis Student Center Lower Level
     Philadelphia, PA 19122
     Phone:  215-204-5578
   • Online:
     Amazon
10. Use your TUMail account
    • Once you are enrolled at Temple University, ISSS will contact you through your Temple email account.  You are responsible for any information that ISSS mails out.
    • If you have problems with login, visit or call:
      Computer Services
      Help Desk at the TECH Center
      12th Street and Montgomery Avenue, Room 106
      Philadelphia, PA 19122
    • 215-204-8000
11. Sign on to Temple's Wi-Fi
    • Use your accessnet username and password to sign on to the tusecurewireless Wi-Fi. (NOTE: Your accessnet username and password are also what you use to sign in to TUPortal and TUMail.)