Checking In

Check-In Requirements • Late Arrivals • Students Not Attending

All international students in the U.S. with an initial University of Arizona I-20 or DS-2019 must check-in with International Student Services (ISS). This process allows ISS to activate your SEVIS record and confirm your arrival in the U.S. If you will arrive late or do not plan to attend this term, it’s important to follow the correct steps to maintain your immigration status. This page explains check-in requirements, options for late arrival, and what to do if you're not attending this semester.

Check-In Requirements

If you received a University of Arizona I-20 or DS-2019, you must complete a check-in with International Student Services by your I-20 or DS-2019 start date:

  • Check-In e-form: Please complete this as soon as you arrive in the U.S.
  • New Student Tutorials: Available through MyGlobal 30 days before your program start date. Be sure to submit the e-forms linked from the last slide to confirm completion.

If you enter the U.S. without checking in, you will face the following consequences:

  • UAccess Hold: On your I-20 or DS-2019 start date, we will place a hold on your account blocking registration changes.
  • SEVIS Termination: Your SEVIS record may be terminated for the reason: No Show. In that case, you would be out of status and should meet with an international student advisor.

Late Arrivals

If you cannot arrive by your I-20 or DS-2019 program start date, we strongly recommend changing your admission to a future term (new admits) or taking a leave of absence (continuing students). However, if you choose to arrive late:

  • Undergraduates may arrive up to one week after the program start date.
  • Graduates may arrive up to three weeks after the program start date (departmental support is required).

If you plan to arrive within the allowed late arrival window, you may request a Late Arrival Support Letter. While this letter does not guarantee entry to the U.S., it may help reduce the likelihood of being denied at the Port of Entry.

To request the letter, complete the Late Arrival Letter Request e-form in MyGlobal. The e-form is available 30 days before your program start date. Your request for a late arrival letter will not be approved without proof of a valid visa or visa appointment.

  • Undergraduates must submit the request by the first day of the semester.
  • Graduates must submit the request within 7 days after the semester begins.

Students Not Attending

If you are not using your University of Arizona I-20 or DS-2019 for the upcoming semester:

  • Initial I-20 and DS-2019s will no longer be valid and will be cancelled starting the second week of the semester.
  • SEVIS transfer students must work with your previous DSO to cancel the transfer. If not cancelled, your SEVIS record will be terminated.

To come to the U.S. for a future semester, you must follow the steps in the applicable drop-down below and then submit a new request for an I-20 or DS-2019.

Option 1: Request a Deferral

If you paid your enrollment fees by the deadline, you may submit a deferral request form through your Future Wildcat portal until 7 days after the semester starts. Please note that submitting a deferral request does not guarantee approval.

  1. Drop any classes you’ve registered for.
  2. Make sure you have a zero balance in your UAccess Student Center.
  3. Log in to your Future Wildcat Account, click on your application and go to the Defer Admission tab to fill out and submit your form. 

Missed the deadline or not eligible for deferral? You must reapply. Complete steps 1 and 2 above by the refund deadline, then follow these steps in your Future Wildcat Account:

  1. Select the Contact Us tab.
  2. Complete the Cancellation Form.
  3. Return to the Future Wildcat main page.
  4. Select Start New Application to re-apply and submit the new application.

Option 2: Cancel Your Admission

  1. If you do not plan to attend and do not wish to defer:
  2. Drop any classes you’ve registered for by the refund deadline.
  3. Make sure you have a zero balance in your UAccess Student Center.
  4. Submit the Cancellation Form in your Future Wildcat Account. 

If you are not using your I-20 or DS-2019 to enter the U.S.:

  1. Contact your academic department to discuss your options to defer or begin your program online.
  2. If not enrolling, drop any classes you’ve registered for by the refund deadline.
  3. Make sure you have a zero balance in your UAccess Student Center.

If you do not plan to attend at all, notify your academic department and follow steps 2 and 3 above to clear your account.

If you are not using your I-20 to enter the U.S.:

First, speak with your academic advisor to discuss your options for either taking a leave of absence or enrolling online.

Second, contact the international student advisor who issued your I-20 to update them on your plans.

If you decide to take a leave of absence:

  1. Review the Back2UA policy to determine whether you can return without reapplying.
  2. Drop any classes you’ve registered for by the refund deadline.
  3. Make sure you have a zero balance in your UAccess Student Center.

If you are not using your I-20 to enter the U.S.:

First, speak with your academic department to discuss your options for either taking a leave of absence or enrolling online.

Second, contact the international student advisor who issued your I-20 to update them on your plans.

If you decide to take a leave of absence:

  1. File the Graduate Petition for a Leave of Absence.
  2. Drop any classes you’ve registered for by the refund deadline.
  3. Make sure you have a zero balance in your UAccess Student Center.

Submit the Check-In and Transfer Out e-forms  in MyGlobal. If you are eligible, we will transfer your record after reviewing the e-forms and registering your record in SEVIS. 

Special Considerations: 

  • If the new school starts more than 30 days after your entry to the U.S., then you must first register full-time at the University of Arizona to be eligible to transfer.
  • If you are transferring without first enrolling at the University of Arizona, your F-1 record must be transferred within 30 days of your I-20 start date or it will be terminated. To ensure sufficient time for processing, please submit the Check-In and Transfer Out e-forms no later than 1 week after the start of classes.