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. For the 2021 - 2022 application cycle, UTRGV remains test optional. Freshman applicants can 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.

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 or via email:

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.

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 us to make the appropriate changes on the I-20 form through SEVIS.

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 U.S. for the entire length of time specified on the I-20 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 U.S., the student must maintain a valid I-20, F-1 visa stamp (unless exempt from visa requirements), and a valid foreign passport.

New International Student Orientation/ International Student Convocation: New 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. Attendance is mandatory. 

Grace Periods: A new F-1 student may be admitted into the U.S up to 30 days before the program start date listed on Form I-20. An F-1 student may remain in the U.S for up to 60 days beyond the completion of the program of study, and the completion date of any authorized post-completion optional practical training. An F-1 student who has been granted an authorized early withdrawal by a DOS may remain in the U.S. for up to 15 days following the withdrawal noted in SEVIS. The grace period end when you depart the U.S., or no later than 60 days after the end of the I-20 or your EAD card (if on OPT), whichever comes first. 

Reduced Course Load: There are only certain reasons which Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will accept for a 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. 

Optional Practical Training (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. For more information, please contact an International Student Advisor. 

Curricular Practical Training (CPT): is a temporary employment authorization granted to a 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.” For more information, please contact an International Student Advisor. 

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.

SEVIS 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 an 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. Student will be considered out of status if an extension is not requested before the program end date. 

Change of Major/Program: 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 must submit the change of major/program request with the Office of the University Registrar  (undergraduates) or by the Graduate College (graduates) and once it is reflected, the student will contact the International Student Advisor so he or she can make the appropriate changes to the I-20 form.

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, student must contact an International Student Advisor before proceeding. The International Student Advisor will review enrollment hours and discuss options before student drops or withdraws. 

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 (i.e. COVID-19). For more information on any changes, please contact an International Student Advisor. 

Study Abroad for F-1 Students: Students are eligible to study abroad during a regular semester or in the summer. For more information, please contact International Programs & partnership and your International Student Advisor to coordinate your study abroad plan.

Undergraduate Qualitative or Grade Point Average (GPA): The undergraduate student must maintain at least a 2.0 total grade point average (GPA), which is consistent with the University's academic requirements. All UTRGV courses with a grade of A, B, C, D, F, RA, RB, RC, RD, and RF are counted in the calculation of GPA. Satisfactory Academic Progress cannot be determined until all grades of I or IP (incomplete) are resolved.

Academic Probation: Students will be placed on Academic Probation status when they are not in good academic standing. International students are considered in valid F-1 status while on Academic Probation as long as they are maintaining full-time enrollment. However, students will lose F-1 benefits such as on-campus employment until they regain good academic standing. 

Academic Suspension: If an F-1 student is academically dismissed (suspension or termination) during or after the semester resulting in the inability to enroll for classes, thee can be severe immigration consequences. Students on academic suspension, have the following options: Depart the U.S. immediately OR appeal the dismissal decision immediately. IASS will not terminate the record while the appeal is in review.

While the appeal is in review, and as a backup plan, the student may apply to a new program of study or another school to secure admission as soon as possible.Request the Transfer-in form from the student's new school of enrollment and ask IASS to sign it. After the student secures admission to another school, they must bring a copy of the new admission letter to the IASS and request a transfer of the student's SEVIS record to the new school. 

If the student does not submit an appeal or the appeal is not approved then, IASS must, by federal Lew, terminate the SEVIS record immediately after the date in which the appeal denial letter was issued. Once the SECIS record is terminated, student will be considered "Out of Status" and must leave the U/S. immediately or request reinstatement (if admitted to another school) from the Department of Homeland Security. 

Out of Status: An F-1 student who does not follow the guidelines for maintaining status can lose her/his legal ability to remain in the United States as a full-time student. Violations of status include unauthorized drop below full-course load, failure to timely file for a program extension, and accepting off-campus work without prior authorization. There is no grace period. An F-1 student who has fallen out of status and would like to continue with their studies, there are two ways to train status: by re-entry or applying for reinstatement with USCIS. 

Re-entry: Student in the U.S. who have fallen out of F-1 status may depart and then reenter the country with a new I-20, effectively 'resetting' their status. Students considering travel to regain status should first meet with an International Student Advisor to discuss their options. The student may be readmitted by presenting a valid foreign passport, a valid visa and either a new Form I-20 or properly I-20 endorsed for re-entry.

Student Reinstatement: Students in the U.S. who have fallen out of F-1 status within the last five months may apply to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to have their status reinstated. Reinstatement may be granted if the violation of status was due to circumstances that were unforeseen and beyond the student’s control, such as a medical or family emergency. Student 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.

Medical Insurance Requirement for International Students:  As required by Regents’ Rule 50402, students holding non-immigrant 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 beginning each semester and must be maintained throughout their time at our University. An international student can request a waiver by providing alternate health insurance coverage. To be approved for the waiver, the students alternate health coverage must meet or exceed the requirements set in the System regulation, be PPACA compliant, and will need to provide the required documentation. Waiver must be submitted and approved by Academic Health Plan (AHP).

International students will be automatically enrolled in health insurance coverage all year long (Fall,Spring, Summer). 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 they will 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