24 ADD International Students: Delays in Obtaining Visa
If you are an ADD International student planning to study in the U.S. on F-1 visa, it is advised that you arrive at least a few days before the start of the semester you’ve been admitted. Please check the relevant Dates & Deadlines carefully.
If you are unable to obtain your visa in order to arrive on time, you have three options:
Option 1: Plan to complete your first semester online while trying to get a visa for the subsequent semester.
- You may take 1 or more classes online.
- You will need to work with your ISS advisor to get your I-20 updated with the subsequent semester’s dates.
- When you are able to schedule a visa appointment, you will take your updated I-20 with you.
- Note: The soonest that you could arrive in the US would be 30 days before the start of the subsequent semester.
Option 2: Submit a term change request and try to get a visa for the subsequent semester.
- Please see this page of the Handbook for instructions.
- You will need to work with your ISS advisor to get your I-20 updated with the subsequent semester’s dates.
- When you are able to schedule a visa appointment, you will take your updated I-20 with you.
- The soonest that you could arrive in the US would be 30 days before the start of the subsequent semester.
Option 3: Request a late arrival.
Please note that we, the program staff, discourage this option. It includes a high level of risk. To choose this option, follow these steps:
- Email your advisor to request a late arrival. Please include details about your current I-20 and visa status.
- If the program approves your request, we will send you an electronic document to sign. This document outlines what we expect of students who choose this option.
- Start your coursework online on the first day of class. We will check your coursework progress on a regular basis to confirm you are meeting course assignment deadlines. If you do not stay up to date with your courses, this will jeopardize your standing in the program.
- You must pay tuition on the due date regardless of whether you are in the US yet or not.