International Student Immigration Check-in, Residence Hall Move-in and Orientation
All NEW F-1 international students must complete the international student immigration check-in process virtually with the Office of International Programs. Instructions for completing the immigration check-in are shown below, but will also be sent to your Spartan email and are available in the ISSS portal app in MyUTampa.
- Students are expected to arrive no later than Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in order to be present for the New International Student Orientation sessions starting the following day.
- The final deadline to complete the immigration check-in is no later than Tuesday, Jan. 21. The first day of classes for Spring 2025 is Tuesday, Jan. 21
If you are not able to complete the immigration check-in by the first day of classes, please contact your admissions counselor and international@ut.edu. You may instead need to consider deferring your admission start date to a later semester.
International Student Immigration Check-in is required for all F-1 students with a Form I-20 with a program start date of Spring 2025 and one of the following issue reasons:
- Initial attendance
- Transfer pending
- Change of education level
- Students returning from a leave of absence who had their previous “continued attendance” SEVIS record re-activated
International Student Immigration check-in process:
- Complete and submit the New International Student Check-In Request, available in the Request and Document Center of your ISSS Portal app in MyUTampa. You may begin this anytime but will not be able to submit it until after you have been issued the UT I-20 and you have arrived in the U.S.
New International Check-In Instructions
- After you complete check-in, your international student advisor will register your SEVIS record as active and issue you a new I-20 with the issue reason "continued attendance." You will be contacted when this is issued; allow up to four weeks for processing time. Students who have an on-campus job offer or need to get a driver’s license will be prioritized.
To arrange for your transportation upon arrival, shuttle service and taxis are available at all area airports in the baggage claim area. For current costs and transportation options at Tampa International Airport, visit the Tampa International Airport's Ground Transportation. UBER and LYFT are also available.
New international students living in a residence hall are expected to move in on Jan. 20. We encourage them to set an appointment time and date with the Office of Residence Life. Questions and arrangement requests about your Residence Hall move-in may be sent to reslife@ut.edu.
All new to UT F-1 international students who are inside the U.S. must attend the New International Student Orientation. See below for the dates of the orientation. At orientation, we will provide information to new, transfer, and returning F-1 visa students on their important immigration rights and responsibilities of maintaining F-1 status, as well as other important information to help with student adjustment to life at UT and the US.
International students on the F-1 visa are required to enroll full-time each fall and spring semester. Students must be enrolled full-time in summer if summer is their first semester at UT:
- Full-time for undergraduates is 12 credits
- Full-time for graduates is 8 credits
Spring 2025
Pre-Arrival Workshop
9—10:30 a.m.
This optional workshop will be presented virtually via Zoom. A link will be sent to your personal email and registration is required. The purpose of this workshop is to prepare incoming admitted students for entry to the U.S. and arrival at UT. We will cover what documents and actions are needed for students and answer any questions to help prepare for a smooth arrival.
Wednesday, Jan. 15, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
International Student Orientation Session 1: Welcome to the US
(Fletcher Lounge, Plant Hall)
Required for all incoming international students on the F-1 visa, including new, transfer-in, and returning students. We'll discuss and inform about topics such as Immigration duties and benefits, Cultural Adjustment and Integration, and the Do's and Don'ts for F-1 visa holders. Attendance is mandatory.
Thursday, Jan. 16, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
International Student Orientation Session 2: Welcome to UTampa
(Fletcher Lounge, Plant Hall)
Required for all incoming international students on the F-1 visa, including new, transfer-in, and returning students. We'll discuss and inform about the University of Tampa policies and resources available for International Students, with presentations from many UT departments such as Campus Safety, Health and Wellness Center, Student Care and Advocacy, Academic Advising, Information and Technology Services, etc. Attendance will be checked.
Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
International Student Celebration Event
(Fletcher Lounge, Plant Hall)
Please join us for this fun-filled event to welcome you to The University of Tampa and to learn about your campus, student organizations, and meet and talk to other international students.
