IMPORTANT Please check the Announcements page regularly for the latest information related to COVID-19, travel and enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions
I-20 Requests
There is no formal deadline to request your I-20. However, please allow at least 10 business days (Monday-Friday) for your document to be issued and additional time for visa processing.
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.
Undergraduate Global Orientation
All new freshmen, transfers and exchange students admitted to the Tucson Main Campus for Summer or Fall 2021 must attend the Global Orientation program before registering for fall 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.
You should sign up for and attend a virtual 2-day program through the Next Steps Center. Your orientation will be a combination of online modules and live virtual sessions. Go to New Students: Undergraduate Students for details.
Summer 2021 Check-Ins
Contact an international student advisor to discuss your options for either beginning remotely or deferring your admission. Depending on your situation, we may be able to update your I-20 start date to a later summer session or the Fall 2021 semester:
- If you have an Initial Attendance (new) I-20/DS-2019, the advisor can update your I-20 to a later summer session or the Fall 2021 semester.
- If you are a newly admitted student with a SEVIS transfer I-20, your eligibility to update your I-20 start date depends on how much time has passed since you ended classes or OPT at your previous school.
Fall 2021 Check-Ins
Submit the Late Arrival Request e-form in MyGlobal (under "Orientation & Check-In") to request approval to arrive after your I-20/DS-2019 start date.
Submit the Document Review e-form in MyGlobal (under "Orientation & Check-In") 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?
Submit the Document Review e-form in MyGlobal (under "Orientation & Check-In") 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.
Submit the Document Review e-form in MyGlobal (under "Orientation & Check-In") 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.
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.
- All Students:
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Document Review e-form in MyGlobal (under "Orientation & Check-In" - submit after you have entered the United States)
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Students in the U.S.:
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New Student Information e-form in MyGlobal (under "Orientation & Check-In")
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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(link sends e-mail).
Submit the Document Review e-form (under "Orientation & Check-In") 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 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. You can find the exact deadline on the Bursar’s website here.
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.
If you pay by credit or debit card, you will be charged a 2.5% service fee in addition to the University of Arizona payment amount. If you pay by eCheck by entering your U.S. bank information, you will not be charged an additional service fee. You can pay with check by mail or in person. Cash payments must be made in person. For a detailed explanation, read about payment options on the Bursar’s website. If you are not sure how to write a check, watch this video for instructions.
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.
For your tuition award to post, you must follow these steps:
Step 1: Submit the Document Review e-form in MyGlobal (under Orientation) to confirm that you will be outside the US for the semester. Upon review of the e-form, we will change your visa type in UAccess to show that you will be a distance learner (internal code: DL)
Step 2: Complete the International VLP process by uploading the following documents in UAccess:
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A document in English that shows your lawful status in your country of residence (such as a passport, national ID or birth certificate)
You can find instructions and a guide for uploading your documents on the Verification of Lawful Presence for International Students page on the Registrar’s website.
Your department is the best resource for options and questions but may not know about funding at this time. The Graduate College has provided this guidance for departments hiring GA for the coming year. You can find additional resources for funding in the Global Wildcat Guide.