Late Arrival for International Students

We strongly recommend all NEW students arrive by the Program Start Date on their I-20 so they can get settled and attend important Orientation events. They should arrive no later than the Start of Classes date for their program.

Students must be registered for classes that meet the academic and F-1 requirements for their late arrival request to be considered. You can .

See the Program of Study section of your I-20 to find out your Program Start Date and Start of Classes Date.

Undergraduate Students

Arriving Between the Program Start Date and the Start of Classes:

If you are a new undergraduate student arriving between the Program Start Date and the Start of Classes (and missing orientation), you must do the following:

Make sure you have the following documents to show the immigration officer at the airport in case you are pulled into a  :
- I-20
- Passport with valid visa
- 911�� Admissions Letter
-  that show full-time course load (at least 12 credits).
Send an email to  world@gmu.edu  to find out if you need a late arrival letter or not.
If you will arrive late and are unable to attend the mandatory international orientation, please contact oipsprog@gmu.edu to let them know you will not be there and they will send you information that was missed.

Arriving Between the Start of Classes and the Last Day to Add:

In addition to following the previous steps, if you are a new undergraduate student arriving between the Start of Classes and the , you must also do the following:

Complete the F-1: Late Arrival Request – Undergraduate request in International Hub
- Log in to your
- Select Start Request
- Choose F-1: Late Arrival Request – Undergraduate
- Complete the request and submit. If approved, you will receive an updated I-20 and a Late Arrival Letter. Carry the updated I-20 and Late Arrival letter with you to your visa interview and when traveling.
If you are a new undergraduate student AND you will miss one or more classes due to late arrival, we strongly advise you to get written permission from each professor. Please keep these letters with your passport and I-20. You may have to show these letters at port of entry upon arrival in the U.S.

Undergraduate late arrival questions? Contact world@gmu.edu.

Graduate Students

Arriving on Campus Between the Program Start Date and the Start of Classes:

In you are a new graduate student arriving between the Program Start Date and the Start of Classes, in addition to your I-20 and F-1 visa, you should bring your list of registered classes to your visa appointment and during travel. In case you undergo a secondary inspection at the U.S. port of entry, you can show the immigration officer when your classes start.

Arriving on Campus Between the Start of Classes and the Last Day to Add:

If you are a new graduate student arriving on campus between the Start of Classes and , you must request approval to arrive late. Approval to arrive late is not guaranteed.

If you have a visa interview scheduled after the Start of Classes, it is unlikely you will be able to arrive on campus by the Last Day to Add. We suggest that you consider deferring your admission and I-20 to a future semester.
If you request to defer to a future semester but will keep your visa appointment date, please contact gradi20@gmu.edu as soon as possible since it may take up to 10 business days to complete the update process. Please note that we cannot guarantee that your request for an updated I-20 will be approved in time for your visa appointment.

To request approval to arrive on campus between the Start of Classes and the Last Day to Add:

Complete the F-1: Late Arrival Request – Graduate request in International Hub
- Log in to your
- Click on Start Request
- Choose F-1: Late Arrival Request – Graduate
- Complete the request and submit. Please make sure you select your correct Academic Unit. For any program related questions, please email your designated academic unit contact.
- If approved, you will receive an updated I-20 and a Late Arrival Letter. Carry the updated I-20 and Late Arrival letter with you to your visa interview and when traveling.