International Admission

Application Deadlines 

The admission process for international students requires additional steps. All required documents and test scores must be submitted no later than the dates listed below to ensure enough time is available for the immigration procedures:

International Admissions Deadline 

Application Documents Required 

1. International Student Application (Freshman or Transfer). The application is available through www.applytexas.org.
2. $50.00 International Application fee; nonrefundable. The fee will be assessed through ApplyTexas for Freshman and Transfer applicants. For other applicant types, the fee will be added to the student’s UTRGV account
3. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores, Duolingo, or IELTS. See the English Language Proficiency section on this catalog for more details.
4. Freshman applicants are required to provide entrance exam scores for either ACT or SAT. These exams are designed to assess high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. For more information visit www.act.org or www.sat.org.
5. English translation and evaluation of foreign educational records (high school and/or college) from the approved companies. See the Evaluation of Foreign Credentials section on this catalog for more details.

Documents required after admission follow:

1. Texas Success Initiative (TSI) examination requires students to be assessed in reading, writing and math skills prior to enrolling in college, and to be advised on course placement based on the results of that assessment. The approved TSI testing instruments is the TSI Assessment exam. TSI is mandatory in order to register for classes. For information on taking the TSI assessment from home, contact the Testing Center.

   Testing Center
   1601 Price Rd., Suite E Resaca Village Brownsville, TX 78520 Phone: 956-882-8875	1407 East Freddy Gonzalez Dr. CESS Building Edinburg, TX 78539 Phone: 956-665-7570	testing@utrgv.edu

2. Medical records documenting Meningitis Vaccination administered within 5 years prior to the start of the application term or exemption will not be used for admission purposes, but is a requirement for enrollment. Please check with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for full details.

Procedure after Admission — Issuance of I-20 Form

UTRGV is an approved Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) school to issue I-20 form needed to request an F-1 student visa.

Once the international student has received an acceptance letter from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the student must turn in the following documents to International Admissions and Student Services:

• Provide a copy of your valid passport. (with at least 6 months before expiration date)
• Submit a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR) form.
• Submit a bank statement, scholarship award, or any other financial support letter showing sufficient funds for one academic year of study and living. See cost of attendance tables for required amounts.
• If applicable, please submit your Mexican Tuition Waiver form (Mexican students only).

The student must submit all documents mentioned above to one of the following locations:

Upon submission, review, and approval of the documents mentioned above, admitted students will be issued a Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant F1 Student (I-20 form) by the International Admissions Specialist, who will report the status of international students to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Students then will present the I-20 form to the American Consulate or Embassy in their home country to obtain a student visa (F-1) and enter the U.S.

• Duration of Status: A non-immigrant student may be admitted for a “duration of status” (D/S). This means that the student is authorized to stay in the United States for the entire length of time during which the student is enrolled full-time or part-time in an educational program and any period of authorized practical training plus 60 days after graduation or 60 days after completion of optional practical training (OPT) (grace period). While in the United States, the student must maintain a valid I-20, visa stamp (unless exempt from visa requirements), and a valid foreign passport.
• Initial Student (New): For initial admission, the student must attend the school specified on the I-20 form. If for some reason the student decides to transfer to another school, the student needs to contact immediately the International Admissions Specialist at the other institution to make the appropriate changes on the I-20 form through SEVIS.
• New International Student Orientation/ International Student Convocation: International Students are required to attend our New International Student Orientation upon admission to UTRGV. Continuing students are required to attend our International Student Convocations held every Fall. A hold is placed on the student’s account if failure to participate. 
• Reduced Course Loads: There are only certain reasons which Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will accept for an F-1 student to enroll in less than full-time. These reasons include: Illness or Medical Condition; Initial Difficulty with English Language; Initial Difficulty with Reading Requirements; Unfamiliarity with American Teaching Methods; Improper Course Level Placement; To Complete Course of Study in Current Term or Part Time Border Commuter Student. For more information, please contact an International Student Advisor. 
• OPT: is an employment benefit contained in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) regulations governing the F-1 visa category. Students who have maintained their status will have an opportunity to obtain work experience in their fields of study in order to enhance their educational experience in the United States.
• CPT: is a temporary employment authorization granted to an F-1 student to fulfill required training that is an integral part of an established curriculum. The regulations define CPT as “alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.”
• Re-entry: A non-immigrant student may be readmitted to the university after a temporary absence of five months or less from the United States, if the student is admissible. The students may be readmitted by presenting a valid foreign passport, a valid visa and either a new Form I-20 or a properly I-20 endorsed for re-entry.
• Travel Endorsement: All international students must obtain a travel endorsement signature from the designated school official (DSO) on the second page of the I-20 form every year. Please request a travel endorsement at least two weeks before the departure date.
• Transfer: A non-immigrant student is permitted to transfer to a different school provided that the transfer procedure is followed in SEVIS. To transfer to a different school, the student should first notify International Admissions and Student Services to obtain a SEVIS release form and provide an acceptance letter from the new school. Transfer will be in effect only if the student submits the SEVIS transfer-in form and an acceptance letter from the new school to the International Student Advisor within 15 days of beginning attendance.
• Extension of Stay: If the student cannot complete the educational program for the anticipated length of the program, the student must apply for an extension of stay. An application for extension of stay is obtained at International Admissions and Student Services. The I-20 extension Request form  must be submitted to the International Student Advisor at least 30 days before the expiration date on the I-20. 
• Change of Major: If a student decides to change a major or program of study, the student will need to visit with an Academic or Program Advisor in order to identify how many credit hours are needed to complete the new academic program. The student will contact the International Student Advisor before so he or she can make the appropriate changes to the I-20 form. This would include changing from language studies to a bachelor’s program, from a bachelor’s program to master’s or doctoral program, from an Optional Practical Training (OPT) program to a new degree program, and from one level of degree program to one of the same level (e.g., master’s to a second master’s). Once the International Student Advisor has reviewed the case, the student will need to go to the Office of the University Registrar or Graduate College (depending on the academic level) to make the official change and provide appropriate documentation to our office.
• Change of Educational Level:  If a student decides to pursue a subsequent program at the same school, he or she must comply with procedures to remain in status when continuing from one educational level to another.The student will need to contact the International Admissions Specialist before so he or she can make the appropriate changes to the I-20 form. This would include changing from language studies to a bachelor’s program, from a bachelor’s program to master’s or doctoral program, from an Optional Practical Training (OPT) program to a new degree program, and from one level of degree program to one of the same level (e.g., master’s to a second master’s)
• On-campus Employment: : On-campus employment is limited to part time (20 hours or less per week) during the fall and spring semesters. The student employee may work full time (more than 20 hours per week) during the summer and official school breaks. Undergraduate students are allowed to work on-campus after they have successfully completed their first semester. On-campus employment requires authorization from the International Student Advisor. Students must be in good academic and immigration standing to qualify for this benefit. If the student works without proper authorization on/off campus, the student will fall out of status and will need a departure from the U.S. immediately.  On-campus employment will not be allowed for students after last class day if student is graduating. 
• Drops/Withdrawals: If an F-1 student wishes to drop or withdraw from the semester, they must contact an International Student Advisor before proceeding. The International Student Advisor will review enrollment hours and discuss options before you drop or withdraw. 
• Distance Education: An F-1 student*, is permitted to enroll in classes for credit or classroom hours, no more than the equivalent of one class or three credit hours per semester, toward their full course-of-study requirements. An online or distance-education course is a course that is offered principally through the use of television, audio or computer transmission, including open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, satellite, audio conferencing or computer conferencing. There are special considerations for hybrid classes. For more information, students must contact an International Student Advisor.

*Student Exchange Visitor Program may change these requirements from time to time for special circumstances. For more information on any changes, please contact an International Student Advisor. 

• Student Reinstatement: Students who have violated their F-1 student status (i.e. by not obtaining appropriate employment authorization prior to working, not enrolling full-time in the program of study, missed to extend I-20 prior to expiration date, not being eligible for extension but needing additional time to complete program, or otherwise failing to maintain status) should schedule an appointment to meet with an International Student Advisor as soon as possible to discuss the situation.
  Federal regulations that govern their stay in the U.S. can change very rapidly. To stay up-to-date regularly, visit the International Admissions and Student Services website often or make an appointment at your convenience to see an International Student Advisor. International students are required to report any changes on their non-immigrant status immediately to the office.
• Medical Insurance Requirement for International Students:  As required by Regents’ Rule 50402, students holding nonimmigrant visas are required to maintain approved comprehensive health insurance or coverage while enrolled. Medical insurance is required each semester of attendance with required coverage by UT System. Medical insurance will be automatically billed to the student account at the beginningeach semester and must be maintained throughout their time at our University unless a waiver has been submitted and approved by Academic Health Plan (AHP). Beginning this academic year 2020-2021, all students who are enrolled in Spring and will be continuing on the consecutive Fall semester, will be automatically enrolled for Summer health insurance coverage. The only exception to this rule is for Mexican students (due to the proximity in health care services), and/or students who will be out of the United States or graduate in the summer session.
  
  Mexican nationals are not required to obtain university medical insurance via AHP as long as they study at UTRGV on campus. For Mexican student doing a Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) at least 75 miles away from campus must need medical insurance coverage through AHP. For more information regarding waiver of medical insurance deadlines, the student must contact your International Student Advisor