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 could take 1 or more classes online.
- You would 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 would take your updated I-20.
- 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 would 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 would take your updated I-20.
- 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 this option is highly discouraged!
- You would 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, you would need to sign documentation that states that you will start your coursework online on the first day of class. Your coursework progress will be checked and if you have not completed all of your assignments, your late arrival will be revoked and you would be responsible for finishing the coursework online throughout the remainder of the semester or for withdrawing from the semester.
- You would be responsible for paying tuition on the due date regardless of whether you are in the US yet or not.