OISS Mandatory PhD International Orientation Sessions

The Graduate International Orientation (GIO) is run by Rice University's Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) and is required for all new international graduate and graduate exchange students entering for Fall 2026. The half-day event takes place on August 13, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Houston time (CDT), in person on the Rice campus. During the GIO, students will review U.S. immigration regulations, graduate-specific university policies, and programs designed to support the international graduate community. Students must be in Houston and present at the sessions; those unable to attend due to visa delays must notify OISS in advance and schedule a make-up session. Students who do not attend and do not make alternate arrangements may have a hold placed on their student record, blocking course registration. MBA students have a separate international orientation session, but OISS encourages them to attend the GIO as well if schedules allow. Specific location details and logistics will be emailed to students' Rice email addresses closer to the event. All international graduate students must also complete an immigration check-in with OISS after arriving in the U.S. More information is available at oiss.rice.edu/gio.