Frequently Asked Questions

The deadline to request an I-20 or DS-2019 is July 1 for the fall term and November 20 for the spring term. If you are a SEVIS transfer, you must still submit your request by the deadline, even if your record will not be released to the University of Arizona until a later date.

We only issue DS-2019 forms to students who are either sponsored by their home country’s government and required to come to the U.S. on a J-1 visa per the terms of their scholarship, or who are participating in a reciprocal exchange program. All other students will receive an I-20 for an F-1 visa.

Normal processing time is 10 business days (Monday-Friday). We will send the I-20 or DS-2019 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 U of A 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. 

• After entering the U.S., you must check in with the school that issued your I-20. 
• If there is more than 30 days between when you entered the U.S. and when classes begin at U of A, then you may be required to register at the original school first.  

During Your Degree  

• In general, if you are transferring in the middle of your degree program, your release date should be between semesters or terms. 
• If you have on-campus employment, your work authorization for that school ends on the transfer release date.  

After Graduation  

• Your I-20 record must be transferred to U of A before the end of the 60-day grace period following your degree completion.  
• 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  

• Your record can be transferred during your OPT or the 60-day grace period after it ends.  
• If you transfer your record before your EAD card expires, you will lose any remaining days of OPT work authorization  
• 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, release date, and the process for requesting a SEVIS transfer to the U of A. 

The majors offered at the University of Arizona are all mapped to a corresponding standardized Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes, used by the U.S. Department of Education for reporting and record-keeping. The description for your major's CIP code is what displays under 'Major' on your I-20. In most cases, the description will not exactly match the actual name of your major.

If you paid the SEVIS I-901 fee on a different SEVIS ID that you did not use, you can request a transfer to your new SEVIS ID within 12 months of the initial payment. 

To transfer your SEVIS fee:

1. Check your payment status on the I-901 Fee website.
2. If there is a valid fee payment, click the "Request Transfer" button.
3. Enter your new SEVIS ID, school/program code, and verify your personal information.
4. Submit your request.

IMPORTANT You must transfer the SEVIS fee before attending your visa interview. Print a copy of your receipt to bring to your visa interview.

Learn more at I-901 SEVIS Fee Frequently Asked Questions ("How Can I-901 SEVIS Fee Paid on One SEVIS ID be Moved to Another SEVIS ID?").

You should hand-carry the following documents to present at Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the U.S. Port of Entry:

Required

• I-20 or DS-2019 (don't forget to print and sign!)
• Passport with a valid visa (if applicable)

Recommended

• Funding documents
• SEVIS I-901 Fee receipt (required for citizens of Canada and Bermuda)
• Visa & Entry Letter

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. 

Additionally, if you are entering the U.S. for the first time, Customs and Border Protection may check that you plan to attend the school specified on your F-1 visa. This requirement only applies to initial entry in F-1 status.

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.  

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide rides outside of the prearranged dates and times. If you are arriving outside these dates or times, know that the Tucson airport is easy to navigate and that taxis and app-based rides such as Lyft and Uber are also available. If you are arriving into Phoenix, you can pay to reserve a shuttle to Tucson from the Phoenix International Airport.

You must take the following actions by your I-20 or DS-2019 program start date: 

1. Check-In e-form: Please complete this as soon as you arrive in the U.S. 
2. New Student Tutorials: You will receive an email after you have been granted access.

If not completed by the deadline, we will place a hold on your account blocking registration changes. 

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

• UAccess Hold: If you enter the U.S. and don’t check-in by your I-20 or DS-2019 program start date, we will place a hold on your account blocking registration changes.  
• SEVIS Termination: If you enter without checking in, your SEVIS record may be terminated for the reason: No Show. In that case, you would be out of status and should plan to immediately depart the U.S. 

If you plan to arrive after your I-20 or DS-2019 program start date, you can apply for a late arrival support letter. To request this letter, please complete the Late Arrival Letter Request e-form in MyGlobal by the first day of the semester. While this letter doesn't guarantee entry, it may help to reduce the chances of being denied at the U.S. Port of Entry. 

We will only issue letters for students who are entering the U.S. by the late arrival deadlines:  

• Undergraduates: 1 week after the start of classes  
• Graduates: 3 weeks after the start of classes (departmental support required)     

First, submit the Change of Plans e-form, then follow the appropriate steps below. 

Undergraduates: 

1. Review deferment options. International students can request deferment until one week after the start of classes. 
2. Drop any classes you’ve registered for. 
3. Make sure you have a zero balance in your UAccess Student Center. 
4. 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. 

If you miss the deferment deadline, you must reapply by logging into 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. 

Graduates: 

1. Contact your academic department to discuss deferment options. 
2. Drop any classes you’ve registered for. 
3. Make sure you have a zero balance in your UAccess Student Center. 

First, submit the Check-In e-form, then follow the appropriate steps below. 

Undergraduates: 

1. Drop any classes you’ve registered for. 
2. Make sure you have a zero balance in your UAccess Student Center. 
3. Submit the cancellation form in the Next Steps Center. 

Graduates: 

1. Drop any classes you’ve registered for. 
2. Make sure you have a zero balance in your UAccess Student Center. 
3. Inform your academic department about your plans. 

First, submit the Change of Plans e-form, then follow the appropriate steps below. 

Undergraduates:  

• 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.  

Graduates: 

• File the Graduate Petition for a Leave of Absence. Meet with your academic department if you have questions. 

First, submit the Change of Plans e-form, then follow the appropriate steps below:

• If you are a newly admitted undergraduate student AND have not yet registered for classes, contact your enrollment counselor for more information about online enrollment options. 
• All other students should contact your academic advisor or program coordinator for more information about online options and help registering.  

IMPORTANT Changing campuses can take up to 6 weeks so your start term may be delayed.   

Submit the Change of Plans e-form. If you are eligible, we will transfer your record after reviewing your Change of Plans e-form 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 Change of Plans e-form no later than 1 week after the start of classes. 

If you do not complete the check-in requirements by your I-20 or DS-2019 start date, a hold will be placed on your account. 

If you still have a hold after completing the 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.

Dates & Deadlines

Payment Options 

Video: Bursar Overview

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.