International Student Services

Fall 2020 New International Student Orientation

January 5, 2022

Orientation is mandatory for F-1 and J-1 students enrolling at UT Tyler for the first time, including transfer students. HEC students are not required to attend orientation in person, but will be required to complete an online orientation course on Canvas, the link to which will be sent via email as the semester approaches. 

Sign-up for orientaiton by following the link below:

Upon receiving UT Tyler I-20:

  • If applying for F-1 visa outside USA:
    • Submit DS-160 application; schedule F-1 visa interview appointment.
    • Pay I-901 SEVIS Fee (FAQs) online at least 3 days before visa interview appointment date; print on-screen fee payment confirmation receipt.
    • Attend visa interview with I-901 Fee payment receipt.
    • If bringing spouse and/or minor children under 21 years old, upon approval and receipt of your F-1 visa, submit DS-160 to apply for F-2 visa/s (info); schedule F-2 visa interview.
    • Attend F-2 visa interview with your spouse and/or children.
  • Clear Meningitis Vaccine & TB Screen holds.
  • Clear all other course registration holds.
  • Register for full course-load.
  • Book flight with arrival date no earlier than 30 days before classes start. 
  • Register for International Student Orientation.

  • Attend Orientation on August 20, 2020.
  • Post-Orientation Immigration Check-In at OIP front desk with all required documents for SEVIS registration (necessary for final, "Continued Attendance" I-20 issuance, which indicates to govt a student's compliance with check-in requirements). You’re required to check in with original immigration documents after orientation, so please bring the following original documents and information:
    • New U.S. address and phone number
    • Original passport*
      • If your most recent I-94 is connected or attached to a previous passport., bring both your current and I-94-containing passport.
    • F-1 visa
    • Signed "Initial Attendance" or "Transfer-Pending" UT Tyler I-20
    • I-94
  • Upon receiving new I-20 pick-up notice, return to OIP to pick up updated, Continued Attendance I-20, which you'll need to apply for auxiliary benefits such as a driver's license, SSN, etc.,, if desired later on.
  • Transfer students who have not yet obtained a UT Tyler I-20 must also bring to Check-In any of the following documents that remain unsubmitted in order to complete the transfer process: 
    • UT Tyler does not have a transfer in form and we will accept students to transfer to UT Tyler as long as they have been fully admitted.
    • Most recent I-20 from Transfer-Out institution
    • Proof of liquid funds (checking account statements, lines of credit balance statements, certificates of deposit, etc.) issued within last 6 months
    • Completed Certification of Financial Responsibility (CFR)