Graduate Students

International Student Services (ISS) is here to provide resources to make your time at the University of Arizona as beneficial as possible. Please follow the tabs below from top to bottom to learn exactly how to transition to life at the university. We’ve provided everything you need to know – from immigration and housing details, to travel arrangements and check-in.

The Department of State suspended routine visa services worldwide in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As global conditions evolve, U.S. Embassies and Consulates are beginning a phased resumption of routine visa services. Please continue to check the Department of State website for updates. If you are outside the U.S. and unable to enter for your starting term, please contact your academic department to discuss options for either beginning your program from home or deferring to a future term.

Travel

Applying for a Student Visa

After receiving your I-20, pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, then apply for your F-1 student visa or J-1 exchange visitor 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

Entering the United States

If you have an initial I-20, you can enter the United States up to 30 days prior to the start date on your I-20 or DS-2019.

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 or DS-2019
Passport with valid visa (if applicable)

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 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.

Form I-94

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.

Orientation & Check-In

Students Enrolling on Main Campus in Tucson

If you will be in the United States for the Fall 2020 semester, you must complete 4 online check-in requirements by September 8:

Document Review e-form (cannot be completed until after you have entered the United States)
New Student Information e-forms
Immigration tutorial
Cultural Adjustment tutorial

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.

Student Enrolling on Main Campus Remotely

If you will enroll in classes on the Main (Tucson) campus remotely from outside the United States during the Fall 2020 semester, you must submit the Document Review e-form by September 8, 2020.

The purpose of the e-form is to confirm your current location outside the U.S. and tell us when you will come to Tucson so we can take appropriate action on your I-20 (if applicable). Without the e-form, we cannot appropriately code you in UAccess as being outside the United States, and you may be charged the International Student Fee ($200) and Student Health Insurance Plan ($1,030).

If You Plan to Come to Tucson in Spring 2021

If you submitted university funding, you must submit new proof of funding to the Update Funding e-form by September 8, otherwise if you have an initial I-20 it will be canceled, and you must submit the New I-20 Request e-form to reapply for a new I-20 to come for Spring 2021.
If you did not submit university funding, your I-20 will be automatically updated to Spring 2021. It will be sent to your University of Arizona email.

If You Plan to Come to Tucson After Spring 2021

Your I-20 will be cancelled, and you must submit the New I-20 Request e-form to reapply for a new I-20 to come for a future semester.

SEVIS Transfers

If you are enrolling on Main Campus, we can register your current I-20 record in SEVIS for the Fall 2020 semester. You must complete the New Student Information e-forms, Immigration Tutorial and Cultural Adjustment Tutorial by September 8.

If You Didn't Receive a Fall 2020 I-20

Submit the New I-20 Request e-form to reapply for a new I-20 to come for a future semester.

Campus Health Requirements

Immunization Records

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.

Learn More

Early Enrollment in Student Health Insurance

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 Fall 2020 is August 16, 2020.

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 July 19: Apply for 4-week early enrollment coverage (July 19 - August 15) by July 19
Students arriving on or after August 2: Apply for 2-week early enrollment coverage (August 2-15) by August 2

Accommodations

On-Campus Housing

La Aldea Graduate Housing residents enjoy the best of both worlds: the security, convenience, and unparalleled experience of living on campus, combined with the space and amenities of apartment life! Enjoy walking to class, your research lab or the library in just minutes. Plus, major public transit routes are just outside your door

To make it easier for you, utilities are included in your monthly rent.

Get Started

La Aldea Move-In FAQ

Off-Campus Housing

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.

Hotels

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.

Other

CatCards

After you have registered for classes, you are eligible to apply for your student ID, or Catcard. To obtain your CatCard, you can apply online or visit the CatCard Office in the Student Union. Please be prepared with the following:

A government or state issued photograph identification such as a driver's license, state identification card, or passport
A completed and signed CatCard Terms and Conditions Form
$25

When you apply for your CatCard, you will need to provide your 8-digit student ID number to verify your status at the university. This number will not appear on the face of your CatCard, but it will be encoded electronically on your card, to be used for necessary university internal purposes only. The number will not be provided to outside entities without your prior consent.

On-Campus Employment

If you are in the US and have on-campus employment, such as a student worker position or graduate assistantship, follow these steps to apply for a Social Security card and get ready to work. If you do not have on-campus employment but are receiving a cash scholarship, you may be eligible to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead.

Step 1: Complete Your Orientation & Check-In Requirements

You cannot apply for a SSN or complete the E-Verify process until at least 10 days after entering the U.S. and 2 days after your SEVIS record has been registered. Your SEVIS record cannot be registered by ISS until you complete the orientation and check-in requirements and enter your UA Street Address in UAccess. SEVIS registration may take up to one week to be completed. You will receive an email once it has been completed.

Step 2: Request a Letter from International Student Services

F-1 Students: Upload the International Student Employment Letter (printed on department letterhead) or Graduate International Student Award Letter to the Social Security Letter e-form.
J-1 Students: Submit the On-Campus Employment Authorization e-form.

Step 3: Apply for a SSN at at the Tucson Social Security Office

To apply for a SSN, you must submit an application and present the following original documents at the Tucson Social Security Administration Office:

Immigration documents (I-20 or DS-2019, passport, and I-94)
ISS Social Security Letter
University Employer Letter (F-1 students only)

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has limited appointments available for students with employment offers. Please call 1-866-331-7693 and provide the operator with your status (F-1 or J-1) and employment start date. They will work with you to schedule an in-person appointment.

You are not required to have a Social Security number before you start work. The Payroll office will still release checks without the SSN.

Step 4: Complete E-Verify

Before you can begin working, your employer will use E-Verify to confirm your employment eligibility. Present your immigration documents to your on-campus employer and complete hiring paperwork upon arrival.

Step 5: Create a GLACIER Account

After your department completes the new hire process, email the UA Payroll Office(link sends e-mail) to request a GLACIER account. GLACIER is an online tax compliance software system for nonresidents that determines tax residency and tax treaty benefits. If you do not create a GLACIER account, you will be taxed at the highest rate.

Learn More About Taxes

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