Fall 2023 Arrival Information

If you are planning on living IN WACO while taking classes for the upcoming semester, and taking classes face-to-face please be advised that you are required to complete the steps listed below…

Pre-Arrival Required Tasks (before arriving in Waco)

1. Arrange Housing (Early!)

2. Complete New Student Questionnaire

3. Learn About Baylor University COVID-19 Information

Post-Arrival Arrival Required Tasks (after arriving in Waco)

3. Complete COVID Procedures for International Travelers (if applicable)

4. Complete Online Arrival Registration for Initial Students Request

5. Attend Maintaining Status Sessions

6. Learn About Waco Accommodations & Transportation to Baylor

7. Attend Global Bears Week Check-In & Orientation

Pre-Arrival Required Tasks (before arriving in Waco)

1. Arrange Housing (Early!)

Whether you plan on living on-campus in one of Baylor University's residence halls (undergrad only), or living off-campus (undergrad/grad) in the neighborhood community surrounding Baylor University, make sure to start investigating and arranging your housing for the academic year early. Both on-campus and off-campus housing options close to campus fill up quickly as Baylor student numbers continue to grow.

2. Complete New Student Questionnaire*

Complete the New International Student Questionnaire on your Global Bears account. This is REQUIRED for all new incoming students.

*This questionnaire will be available to complete July 14, 2023.

3. Learn About Baylor University COVID-19 Information & Questions

For the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 and Baylor University, please CLICK HERE. For additional general questions about arrival and check-in, please contact us at ISSS_Support@baylor.edu.

Post-Arrival Arrival Required Tasks (after arriving in Waco)

4. Complete COVID Procedures for International Travelers (if applicable)

CLICK HERE for information about the Center for Disease Control's COVID procedures and complete those that apply to you.

5. Complete Online Arrival Registration for Initial Students

Available early January: Upon your arrival in Waco, and after obtain your Baylor ID card and a copy of your I-94, you must complete the "Online Arrival Registration for Initial Students" Request located on your Global Bears account. Once this option becomes available, please submit the appropriate check-in documents mentioned below:

I-94 Form: Upon arrival, submit a scanned copy of your completed I-94 form to your Global Bears account.
Baylor ID Card (must arrive on campus to receive your ID card): Submit a scanned copy of the FRONT of your Baylor ID Card to your Global Bears Account.

Instructions to submit your I-94 Form

Upon your arrival in Waco, follow each of the below steps to obtain and submit your I-94 Form:

CLICK HERE to visit the I-94 Website.
Click on “Get Most Recent I-94”
Read the instructions that appear and click on the blue “Consent & Agree” button.
Enter the requested Traveler info, which includes your first and last (family) name, and also your Passport Number and Country of Issuance
Save a copy of the I-94 form and submit it to your Global Bears account.

Instructions to create and submit a copy of your Baylor ID Card*

CLICK HERE to login to the Baylor ID card website to submit a photo for your ID card online. You can submit this picture even before you arrive in Waco.
- Online Photo Requirements:
  
  Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
  
  Taken in front of a plain white or off white background
  
  Take in full face view directly facing the camera
  
  Taken in clothing you wear on a daily basis
  
  Format (.jpg, .jpeg, .gif, or .png)
  
  Please note the picture will be cropped to 300x300
  
  Once your photo is submitted, it will reviewed by the ID Card office. Your new photo will not be used until it has been approved. You will be notified if your photo does not meet the requirements.
- To Submit an ID Photo Online:
  
  Go online to https://idcard.baylor.edu
  
  Login using your Baylor email information
  
  Create a 4 digit PIN number that you will remember. A PIN must be created for your card to function properly at your residence hall. If you are not living in a residence hall, skip this step.
  
  Click “Notification Preferences”- Choose at least one communication preference. This will be used in the event your picture does not meet the requirements.
  
  Click “Submit ID Photo”
  
  Review the photo requirements
  
  Click “Upload Photo”- Choose file
  
  Click “Submit”
  
  If you have any problems or questions, please email MYID@baylor.edu or call 254.710.MYID (6943)
Go to the Baylor ID Card Office to pick up your card. The Baylor ID Card Office is located in the Speight Parking Garage on Baylor’s campus. CLICK HERE for a Baylor Campus Map. It usually takes about 24-48 hours between submitting your photo and picking up the card. Baylor will not send electronic copies of ID cards, the physical card itself must be picked up from the ID card office by the student/scholar.
If you would prefer a method without contact to pickup your ID card, contact the ID Card Office at parking@baylor.edu.
Once you have your Baylor ID card, either take a picture of or scan the front of it that has your picture and submit it through your Global Bears account.

6. Attend Maintaining Status Session

All international students taking face-to-face classes at Baylor for the first time are required to attend Maintaining Status Session hosted by International Student & Scholar Services. These sessions are held either prior to the beginning of classes during Global Bears Week, or during the first week of classes, depending on the semester. Students entering in the summer will be required to attend one of the sessions prior to the fall semester. The session is designed to educate international students about their responsibilities as international students studying in the U.S. The primary goals are to help students understand the regulations that they must follow in order to remain “in status” and to make them aware of the many processes, resources, and support services that the ISSS Office has to assist them during their time at Baylor University. Students who do not attend one of the required sessions will have a hold placed on their account which will prevent them from changing their schedule, getting a transcript, registering for the following semester, etc.

7. Learn About Waco Accommodations & Transportation to Baylor

If you plan on arriving at Baylor via the Waco Airport, please be aware that the City of Waco offers an affordable option to be picked up from the Waco Airport and driven to your housing accommodations. Please refer to the Waco Regional Airport Shuttle webpage for more information. Advance reservations are required.

If you arrive in Waco before your housing accommodations open, please see below for some various hotel options at various price points. Please be aware that these options are being offered as a convenience and do not signify a partnership or endorsement by Baylor University of these businesses.

If your final flight destination in the USA is to an airport in Texas other than the Waco Airport, please CLICK HERE for more information on how to travel to Baylor University.

Waco Hotel Options

Red Roof Inn Waco 720 S M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Waco, TX 76704: +1 (254) 752-3388: Click here to check for availability.
Courtyard by Marriott Waco: 101 Washington Ave, Waco, TX 76701: +1 (254) 752-8686: Click here to check availability.
Hotel Indigo Waco: 211 Clay Ave, Waco, TX 76706: +1 (254) 754-7000. Click here to check availability

8. Attend Global Bears Week Check-In & Orientation

Please make plans to attend Baylor's international student orientation, called Global Bears Week, happening from August 14th-18th, 2023, which provides customized orientation information and activities for new incoming international students. Global Bears Week begins the week before classes start. Find out more information about Global Bears Week activities by clicking here.