Frequently Asked Questions
I-20 Requests
The deadline to request an I-20 for Fall 2023 is July 1.
Visa wait times vary from days to months, depending on the location. Please check the Department of State website to find out the average wait time for a visa at your local embassy or consulate.
Normal processing time is 10 business days (Monday-Friday). We will send the electronically signed I-20 to your University of Arizona e-mail.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced that Designated School Officials (DSOs) may digitally sign and electronically send Form I-20s to students at the e-mail address listed in SEVIS. If you are a minor, this email address may belong to your parent or legal guardian.
The University of Arizona's SEVIS school code depends on which campus you will be enrolling on:
- Main Campus (Tucson): PHO214F20092000
- Chandler: PHO214F20092011
- Douglas: PHO214F20092003
- North Valley: PHO214F20092014
- Phoenix: PHO214F20092001
- Sierra Vista: PHO214F20092002
- Yuma: PHO214F20092015
If you are currently in the U.S. in active F-1 status, the transfer release date is the date your I-20 record will be electronically sent in SEVIS to the University of Arizona. It can be scheduled in SEVIS for a future date. On the transfer release date, your old school will lose access to your I-20 record, and we will immediately gain access.
Your I-20 record does not need to be released to UArizona before you submit your I-20 request. You can submit the I-20 request in MyGlobal first, and then work with your school to schedule the SEVIS transfer.
The transfer release date you select depends, in part, on whether you are completing a degree program or OPT before transferring. Classes at the University of Arizona must begin within 5 months of either the last day you attended classes at your old school or the end date of your post-completion OPT.
After Initial Entry to the U.S.
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After entering the U.S., you must check in with the school that issued your I-20.
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If there is more than 30 days between when you entered the U.S. and when classes begin at UArizona, then you may be required to register at the original school first.
During Your Degree
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In general, if you are transferring in the middle of your degree program, your release date should be between semesters or terms.
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If you have on-campus employment, your work authorization for that school ends on the transfer release date.
After Graduation
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Your I-20 record must be transferred to UArizona before the end of the 60-day grace period following your degree completion.
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If you leave the U.S. during your grace period without applying for post-completion OPT, your F-1 status will end, and you will not be eligible to transfer your I-20 record.
During Post-Completion OPT
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Your record can be transferred during your OPT or the 60-day grace period after it ends.
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If you transfer your record before your EAD card expires, you will lose any remaining days of OPT work authorization
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Select a transfer release date so you do not accrue too many days of unemployment (90 days for post-completion OPT and 150 for STEM OPT)
In all cases, you must work with an international student advisor (DSO) at your current school for more information about your eligibility and the process for requesting a SEVIS transfer to UArizona.
Undergraduate Global Orientation
All first-years, transfers and exchange students newly admitted to the Tucson Main Campus must attend the Global Orientation program before registering for classes.
There is no Global Orientation program for readmitted students, graduate students or continuing students changing campus.
Orientation sessions can fill up quickly so we recommend signing up for orientation as soon as possible to reserve a spot in your desired session. You will not be able to register for classes until you have signed up for and attended orientation.
Your orientation will be a combination of online modules and live virtual sessions on Zoom:
- Complete your required pre-orientation tasks.
Log in to the Next Steps Center to:
- Pay the enrollment fee
- Sign up for Orientation
- Complete the Countdown to Orientation tile
- Complete placement exams
- Upload immunization records
- Send final transcripts
- Attend Orientation.
International students are required to attend 2 virtual orientation programs. During the Global Orientation program, you will learn about immigration requirements, cultural adjustment, and the international student experience. Your University of Arizona Orientation is where you’ll meet with advising staff, get your class schedule, learn all about life as a Wildcat, and meet your new classmates.
- Attend additional virtual sessions.
Before the semester starts, watch these informative sessions that address questions about your transition to the university.
Travel
You should print the following items to carry with your passport when you enter the U.S.:
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I-20 or DS-2019 (don't forget to sign!)
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Passport with a valid visa (if applicable)
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SEVIS I-901 Fee receipt
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Funding documents
The closest hotels to campus are the Marriott Tucson University Park, Aloft Tucson University and Graduate Hotel. With a variety of lodging and dining options, the Visit Tucson website is another good resource for finding accommodations. In general, hotels require guests to be at least 18 years old to reserve a room.
As far as we are aware, as long as your F-1 visa is unexpired, you can use it with a new I-20, even if the SEVIS numbers do not match. You can read more about visa validity on the U.S. State Department website.
It is important to know that having a valid visa does not guarantee entry to the U.S. Even with valid documents, entry is always at the discretion of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the port-of-entry.
Check-Ins
After entering the U.S.:
- Submit the Check-In e-form
- Complete the Immigration Tutorial
Submit the Late Arrival Request e-form to request approval to arrive after your I-20/DS-2019 start date.
Submit the Change of Plans e-form by your I-20/DS-2019 start date.
I am a newly admitted student. What should I do if I want to defer my admission to a later semester?
I am a newly admitted student. What should I do if I want to defer my admission to a later semester?
If you received an I-20 or DS-2019, you must submit the Change of Plans e-form by your I-20/DS-2019 start date.
You must also take the appropriate steps to update your admission term:
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If you are an undergraduate student, you can request to defer your admission in your Future Wildcat Account. If you miss the deferment deadline, you must cancel your admission and submit a new admissions application.
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If you are a graduate student, contact your program coordinator to discuss deferment options. If you are considering deferring your admission term, do not enroll until you have made a final decision for the term.
If you received an I-20 or DS-2019, you must submit the Change of Plans e-form by your I-20/DS-2019 start date.
You must also take the appropriate steps so you can return to the university in the future:
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If you are an undergraduate student, review the Back2UA policy to find out if you will be eligible to return after your leave without reapplying. Meet with your academic advisor if you have questions.
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If you are a graduate student, you must file the Graduate Petition for a Leave of Absence.
If you have an Initial Attendance (new) I-20/DS-2019, your I-20/DS-2019 will be cancelled.
If you are a newly admitted student with a SEVIS transfer I-20, your record will be automatically terminated for the reason: No Show 60 days after the program start date. To avoid termination, ask the international student advisor at your previous school to request a data fix in SEVIS to cancel the transfer.
When you are ready to come to Tucson in the future, submit a new request for an I-20/DS-2019 in MyGlobal.
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Submit the Change of Plans e-form by your I-20 start date.
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If you are eligible, we will transfer your record after reviewing your Change of Plans e-form and registering your record in SEVIS. If the new school starts more than 30 days after your entry to the U.S., registration at the University of Arizona may be required. An international student advisor will contact you with more information.
Other
If you do not complete your orientation & check-in requirements by your I-20/DS-2019 start date, a hold will be placed on your account.
Students Enrolling in the U.S.:
- Submit the Check-In e-form
- Complete the Immigration Tutorial
Students Enrolling Remotely or Not Enrolling:
- Submit the Change of Plans e-form
If you still have a hold after completing your orientation or check-in requirements, you may still need to submit required documents to a university office. If you have a Campus Health hold, submit your immunization records in Patient Link. If you have an ISS hold, call 520-621-4627 or email intl-new@email.arizona.edu.
Submit the Change of Plans e-form to confirm you will enroll remotely. Once we review and approve your form (3-5 business days), we will update your visa type to a Distance Learner in UAccess and you will be exempted from these requirements.
The actual amount owed for tuition and fees will be posted to your account after you register for classes. You can use UAccess to pay for tuition, fees and related expenses. The Bursar’s Office will also mail you an account summary, but your UAccess account will provide the most updated information.
The deadline for tuition and fees depends on the date you register for classes. The earliest possible deadline is the first day of class, but may be later.
Newly admitted graduate students who are outside the country, have not yet obtained required visa documentation, and do not have an SSN, cannot be hired remotely.