This page is for continuing University of Arizona students changing from their current campus to the UA Main campus in Tucson, Arizona. Follow the tabs below from top to bottom to learn exactly how to start your academic and personal journey. We’ve provided everything you need to know — from immigration and housing details, to travel arrangements and check-in.
Questions?
Start the change of campus process to Main Campus by requesting your University of Arizona I-20. The campus change process will not be approved until after your I-20 is issued, and may take 2-3 additional weeks to be completed. If you already received an updated I-20 for Spring 2021, you do not need to take any additional action.
To request your I-20 upload your documents in the New I-20 Request e-form in MyGlobal (under 'Remote Students').
Passport biographical page
Funding documents (bank statements from checking or savings accounts, loan approval documents or scholarship letters) - review Cost of Attendance for the financial guarantee requirement
Declaration of Support (for funding from family or friends)
If your spouse or children plan to join you in the United States as your F-2 dependents, you must submit copies of their passport biographical pages and proof of relationship such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate or passport listing the parents' names (for children).
The Global Student Success team will connect you with your academic advisor after your campus change has been completed so that you can register for classes on Main campus.
After receiving your I-20, pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, and apply for your F-1 student visa. Citizens of Canada and Bermuda must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee but do not need to apply for a student visa.
Find the Nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate
10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa
If you are outside the U.S. and unable to enter for the Spring 2021 term, please contact the Global Student Success team to discuss options for continuing your program from home.
You can enter the United States up to 30 days prior to the start date on your I-20.
We recommend that you hand-carry the following documents to present at Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the U.S. Port of Entry:
I-20
Passport with a valid visa (if applicable)
For a list of additional recommended documents, see Frequently Asked Questions.
Entry to the U.S. is at the discretion of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and CBP may require you to go through Secondary Inspection and/or choose to inspect your electronic devices to further verify the information. Since this may cause delays at your initial port of entry to the U.S., make sure you have enough travel time between any connecting flights.
Read more about entry to the U.S. on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website: Student Process Steps: How to Navigate the U.S. Immigration System.
Your entry to the United States is recorded by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. The I-94 records the date you entered the United States, your immigration status and the date your stay in the U.S. expires.
If you enter by air or sea, your I-94 record will be electronic. When you go through the port of entry, a CBP officer will stamp your passport. You can use the information from your passport to access your electronic I-94 record from U.S. Customs and Border Protection website. If you enter by land, CBP will stamp your passport and issue a paper I-94 in your passport.
You are required to carry evidence of your admission (entry) to the U.S. at all times. You can carry your passport with admission stamp, a print out of your electronic I-94, or your paper I-94 to satisfy this requirement.
Complete your international student check-in requirements by January 11:
Document Review e-form (submit after you have entered the United States)
Important If you do not complete the check-in requirements by the deadline, your F-1 record cannot be registered in SEVIS and you risk falling out of status for failure to report to the school. A hold will be placed on your account blocking registration changes.
All University of Arizona students are required to have proof of 2 Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccines. You may receive your immunizations in your home country, however the immunization documentation you submit to Campus Health must be translated into English with Western calendar format dates. Please review the New Student Immunization Requirements page for details about MMR vaccination criteria.
Campus Health acknowledges the current pandemic can present challenges to meeting university immunization requirements. You are encouraged to submit any immunization documents you may have. Medical Records staff will review the documents and contact you via your PatientLink portal regarding the status of your immunization hold and to establish a plan to meet any outstanding requirements.
All international students registered for at least 1 unit must purchase the Student Health Insurance Plan. You will be automatically enrolled in the health insurance plan after you register for classes. The effective date of the date for Spring 2021 is January, 1, 2021.
Download an overview of the mandatory insurance and temporary insurance ID card
If you will be in the United States before the effective date of the Student Health Insurance, we strongly recommend applying for early enrollment or purchasing private health insurance so you have coverage during the gap.
Campus Health offers 2-week and 4-week early enrollment options.
Students arriving before December 4: Apply for 4-week early enrollment coverage (December 4-31) by December 4
Students arriving on or after December 18: Apply for 2-week early enrollment coverage (December 18-31) by December 18
Living on campus in the dorms is a great way to become part of the University of Arizona community. Our dorms offer a great way to meet people, live close to your classes and campus activities and provide a strong support system to help you adjust to life in America and our university campus. Did you know that students who live in a dorm on campus at least one year have a 50% higher 4-year graduation rate than students who never live in a dorm?
Academic year (August – May, closes during winter break)
Academic year and winter break (August – May, open during winter break)
Summer housing for students attending Summer school
Most dorm rooms are doubles (for two people). Housing & Residential Life also offers single rooms (one person), triple rooms (three people) and quadruple rooms (four people). Most of the dorms have community bathrooms on their floor or wing, which are shared by students of the same gender. There are also a few dorms with different types of bathrooms: a suite-style bathroom, where two rooms of students of the same gender share a bathroom; and a private bathroom inside the room, where the students in the room share a bathroom. All of the buildings have a community kitchen which is mostly used for small meals or snacks.
Rooms include all furniture, utilities (electricity, water), local telephone, and internet and Wi-Fi access.
If you choose to live off campus, the University of Arizona has an Off-Campus Housing department which offers free services for students. On the Off-Campus Housing website, you can search for places to live, learn about apartment contracts and questions to ask your roommate.
The closest hotels to campus are the Marriott Tucson University Park and the Aloft Tucson University. 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.
You can apply online for your student ID, or CatCard. If you are going to be living in the residence halls on campus, you can pick up your card during your check-in process at the COVID-19 testing site at the McKale Center. If you are living off campus, you can pick up your card from the CatCard office in the Student Union.
