International Student Services

New Student Procedures and I-20 Information

[All information is subject to change without notice.]

Please read the information below and follow the appropriate steps in order to obtain a UT Dallas I-20 

Note: Please refer to the UT Dallas Office of Enrollment Services if you have inquiries relating to admission to the degree program, such as application deadlines, TOEFL requirements, application fees, etc.  The UT Dallas Office of Enrollment Services is responsible for the collection and processing of application materials such as TOEFL scores, transcripts, application fees, etc.

Outside the United States

1. Apply and be admitted to a UT Dallas degree program through the Office of Enrollment Services

2. Check with your government to determine what is needed to receive a passport from your country of origin

3. Communicate with our office through issoprospective@utdallas.edu if you are in the following case:

    • You are unable to obtain a passport without showing proof of admission to a U.S. University such as an admission letter and/or an Initial Attendance I-20

4. Compile the following documents and submit them to the International Student Services Office:

    • UT Dallas Financial Affidavit
    • Bank statement on bank letterhead, no older than six months
    • Copy of the identification page of your passport, this is the page that contains your picture, name and date of expiry

These documents may be sent to our office by one of these three channels

    • email to issoprospective@utdallas.edu.  Note: Please do not send compressed files (.zip, .rar, etc).  Our email board does not accept compressed files. PDF, JPG, JPEG, DOC are okay to send
    • fax to 972-883-4010
    • mail to International Student Services, 800 W Campbell Rd MC36, Richardson, TX 75080-3021

Once these documents have been reviewed, an Initial Attendance I-20 will be issued

5. Overseas students applying for an F or J visa will receive an email from our office informing them that their Initial Attendance I-20 or DS-2019 is ready to be mailed and may elect to use Express mail

6. Once you have your passport and Initial Attendance I-20, make an appointment with the United States Embassy or Consulate most convenient for you. You will apply for an F-1 visa, and any spouse or child that will accompany you to the United States will apply for an F-2 visa. You will also need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.

7. Attend the mandatory International Student Orientation.

Notes:

  • Medical Screening: Please be aware that in order to be able to register for classes you also need to have a doctor complete the UT Dallas TB test form.  Go to a doctor's office or hospital and take the PPD Mantoux TB skin test or chest x-ray to ensure you do not have tuberculosis. Mail the form to the UT Dallas Health Center, PO 830688 SU25, Richardson, TX 75083-0688
  • Student Health Insurance: The University of Texas System Board of Regents requires that all international students obtain Student Health Insurance and repatriation/evacuation coverage while enrolled at any U. T. System institution. For more information regarding student health insurance, including minimum coverage required and documentation needed to apply for a waiver, please visit our website or you may contact us at issoinsurance@utdallas.edu
  • On Campus Housing: If you would like to live on Campus, please visit our Housing section
  • Arrival Information: Rev iew the arrival information page for information on airport pickups, temporary accommodations, and other information on preparing to enter the U.S.

Transfer F-1 Students

1. Apply and be admitted to a UT Dallas degree program through the Office of Enrollment Services

2. Compile the following documents and submit them 30 days before your program start date  to the International Student Services Office:

    • UT Dallas Financial Affidavit
    • Bank statement on bank letterhead, no older than six months.
    • Copy of the identification page of your passport, this is the page that contains your picture, name and date of expiry.
    • Copies of your visa, front and back of you I-94, pgs 1 and 3 of your most current I-20, and EAD card if applicable

Please submit these documents to our office 30 days before your program start date through one of these three channels

  • email to issoprospective@utdallas.edu.  Note: Please do not send compressed files (.zip, .rar, etc).  Our email board does not accept compressed files. PDF, JPG, JPEG, DOC are okay to send.
  • fax to (972) 883-4010
  • mail to International Student Services, 800 W Campbell Rd MC36, Richardson, TX 75080-3021.

3. Talk with your Immigration Advisor in your current school to determine the best date to release your SEVIS record to The University of Texas at Dallas

4. Communicate with our office through issoprospective@utdallas.edu if you are in the following case:

  • You will travel outside the U.S. before attending orientation.

5. Attend the mandatory International Student Orientation  and Register for classes

6. Sign and pick up your Transfer Complete I-20 from our office within 30 days of your program start date in order to maintain status.  You will only be able to sign and pick up your Transfer Complete I-20 after you have attended the International Student Orientation  and registered for classes

Notes:

  • Medical Screening: Please be aware that in order to be able to register for classes you also need to have a doctor complete the UT Dallas TB test form.  Go to a doctor's office or hospital and take the PPD Mantoux TB skin test or chest x-ray to ensure you do not have tuberculosis. Mail the form to the UT Dallas Health Center, PO 830688 SU25, Richardson, TX 75083-0688.
  • Student Health Insurance: The University of Texas System Board of Regents requires that all international students obtain Student Health Insurance and repatriation/evacuation coverage while enrolled at any U. T. System institution. For more information regarding student health insurance, including minimum coverage required and documentation needed to apply for a waiver, please visit our website or you may contact us at issoinsurance@utdallas.edu
  • On Campus Housing: If you would like to live on Campus, please visit our Housing section

Updated: July 9, 2008