I-20 Checklist for New UTA Students
Students must first receive admission to a degree seeking program to be issued an I-20.
Initial I-20s are issued within 7 business days after uploading the required financial documents and passport copy. (Processing time may vary during peak season from January through May. Uploading duplicate documents may cause delays in processing.)
Upload financial documents and include a copy of your passport – Financial Document Submission
Items Needed To Issue An I-20.
1. Financial Documents
You may submit UTA’s Financial Statement Form that has been signed and attested by your bank OR you may submit financial documents issued by a bank that meet these guidelines. It is not required to submit UTA's Financial Statement Form. However, the forms may be utilized as a guide.
Undergraduate Financial Statement Form
Graduate Financial Statement Form
2. Sponsor’s Statement Form
If you are not self-supporting, you must submit a sponsor letter attesting that the sponsor (or sponsors) is willing to support your studies while you are attending UTA. If the Sponsor’s Statement Form section of the UTA Financial Statement Form is not completed and signed by your sponsor(s), you can submit a separate letter signed by your sponsor(s). Sponsorship includes family members, company, or government entity.
3. Passport
You must submit a copy of your passport.
Cost of Attendance (Funding Requirements)
Please visit UTA’s average cost of attendance page to view the average annual nine-month cost of attendance. Additionally, please refer to the appropriate UTA Financial Statement Form linked above for the I-20 amounts.
Estimated Average Costs: The I-20 Tuition and Living Expenses are calculated for immigration purposes only and cannot be changed. Your actual costs will vary depending on your enrollment and unique living situation. Required international student health insurance is not included in this cost.
What is the Form I-20?
The Form I-20, officially called the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, is an important document issued by a U.S. college or university to international students who have been admitted to a full-time academic program. This form is required to apply for an F-1 student visa and must be presented at a U.S. embassy or consulate during your visa interview.
Beyond the visa application, the I-20 is also essential for entering the United States, maintaining lawful F-1 status while studying, and applying for benefits such as work authorization or a Social Security Number. Without a valid I-20, an international student cannot legally study in the United States.
How to Transfer to The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
If you are an international student currently studying in the United States with an active F-1 visa, and you wish to transfer to The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), please follow the steps below.
Before UTA can issue you a new Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status), you must first be admitted to a degree-seeking program at the university.
Once admitted, you must transfer your active immigration record (called a SEVIS record) to UTA in order to officially become a UTA F-1 student.
To learn what documents you need to submit, please refer to the I-20 Checklist linked above.
Transfer Guide for F-1 Students
- Speak with your current school’s Designated School Official (DSO). Let them know you plan to transfer to UTA and ask them to release your SEVIS record.
- Provide your current school with UTA’s SEVIS school code: DAL214F00806000
- Select a “transfer release date.” This is the date your SEVIS record will be sent to UTA.
- Transfer your SEVIS record to UTA before the first day of classes for the semester in which you have been admitted.
- After your SEVIS record is released to UTA, the Office of Admissions will issue your Transfer Pending I-20.
- Your final Transfer Complete I-20 will be issued by the Office of International Education around the census date (official enrollment count) of your first semester.
- Important: After your SEVIS release date, all work authorization from your previous school ends. This includes on-campus employment, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and Optional Practical Training (OPT).
- Start your studies at UTA within the required timeframe: You must begin classes in the next available academic semester or no later than 5 months after:
- Your last date of attendance at your current school,
- Your program completion date, or
- The end date of your authorized OPT, —whichever comes first.
- Returning UTA students: If you previously attended UTA as an undergraduate student and are returning within one calendar year, please get in touch with the Office of Admissions. We will help confirm your readmission status if your current DSO requests it.
I-20 Deferment
I-20 deferment is the process by which an international student postpones their program start date and receives an updated Form I-20 for a future semester, usually due to visa delays, personal circumstances, or travel issues.
If you need to defer your I-20 you must first update your application. Please see the appropriate section below.
First Year and Undergraduate Transfer Students
You may update your current application to a new term by completing our Undergraduate Admission Update Application form.
*Important note: If you are updating to a new term more than one year past you will need to submit a new application and application fee.
First-year & Transfer Application Update Form
Submit the update form to defer your admission as soon as possible. If enrolled, you will need to drop your courses prior to the first day of class.
Once admitted for the new term, a new I-20 will be issued.
If you are admitted within 60 days after the first day of classes, your new I-20 will use the same SEVIS ID number as before.
If you are admitted 60 days or more after the first day of classes, your current SEVIS ID number will be automatically cancelled by SEVIS, and your new I-20 with a new SEVIS ID number will be issued.
If you have already paid the SEVIS I-901 fee you may request to transfer your SEVIS payment to the new ID by emailing your detailed request to [email protected].
New Graduate Students and Graduate Transfer Students
You may update your current application’s semester of enrollment or program of admission by completing the Graduate Application Update form.
Graduate Application Update Form
There is a $60 update admission fee for international students.
Submit Payment
Submit the update form to defer your admission as soon as possible. If enrolled, you will need to drop your courses prior to the first day of class.
Your academic graduate advisor will enter a new admission decision for the new semester of enrollment. Once admitted for the new term, a new I-20 will be issued.
If you are admitted within 60 days after the first day of classes, your new I-20 will use the same SEVIS ID number as before.
If you are admitted 60 days or more after the first day of classes, your current SEVIS ID number will be automatically cancelled by SEVIS, and your new I-20 with a new SEVIS ID number will be issued.
If you have already paid the SEVIS I-901 fee you may request to transfer your SEVIS payment to the new ID by emailing your detailed request to [email protected].
F-2 Dependents
- F-2 dependents are limited to spouses and children under the age of 21 years; no parents, extended family or servants.
- An F-2’s status is dependent on the F-1. If the F-1 loses status or leaves the U.S. permanently, the F-2 status also ends.
- F-2 students can only study part time.
Requesting an F-2 I-20
If you included a dependent on your initial application, you will automatically be asked to submit supporting documentation for your dependent(s). Submit to the Undergraduate Financial Document Submission or Graduate Financial Document Submission portal.
- A copy of your dependent’s passport(s) that contains their picture, name, date of birth, and date of expiry.
- You will need to provide additional financial documentation to show that you can financially support your dependents. Each dependent requires an additional $5000 above the amount required to receive your I-20.
- If you are being asked to submit dependent documentation and do not intend to bring a dependent, please email [email protected] to remove these required items.
- If you didn’t include a dependent on your initial application and need to add a dependent(s) prior to arrival, submit UTA’s Financial Statement Form and complete the Dependent Information section of the form. Submit to the Undergraduate Financial Document Submission or Graduate Financial Document Submission portal.
*Note: If you are a current UTA student and need to add or remove a dependent please contact the Office of International Education.
Frequently Asked Questions
To view our FAQ section, please visit on webpage here.
