Check-In
In order to maintain valid F-1 nonimmigrant status, all F-1 students must complete Check-In with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) immediately upon arrival. Students will need to complete this process primarily through the OISS Portal and updating MyUNLV.
All initial attendance, change of level, or transfer pending students must submit scanned copies of the following documents:
- Most recent passport
- Most recent F-1 visa or I-797A Change of Status Approval Notice
- Signed copy of the UNLV I-20 (Initial Attendance, Change of Educational Level, Change of Status or Transfer-Pending I-20)
- Most recent I-94 (available on the CBP website after entering the U.S. by selecting “get most recent I-94”)
- If you have changed your immigration status while inside the U.S., then your I-94 can be found on the bottom of your I-797A Approval Notice
- Please note that during high travel times, it may take a few days for the I-94 to appear on the CBP website
- Update their local U.S. physical address and phone number on MyUNLV
All students must also attend the mandatory New International Student Orientation in order to complete check-in.
Orientation
All international students who are starting a new program at UNLV are required to attend the New International Student Orientation. This includes:
- Transfer students to UNLV
- Returning students who have been on a leave of absence for more than three semesters
- Recent UNLV graduates who are starting a new program at UNLV
Transferring to UNLV
New or returning students who have recently been admitted to UNLV and already have an active SEVIS/I-20 record must transfer their record to UNLV and receive their new I-20 before classes begin.
In order to complete the transfer-in process to UNLV, your Designated School Official (DSO) at your current U.S. institution will need to fill out the Transfer-In form located in the OISS Portal. You will need to list your current DSO’s (International Student Advisor) name and email address in the “Approver Section” of the form.
If you are planning to transfer to UNLV’s School of Dental Medicine, the DSO at your current institution will need to transfer your SEVIS record to UNLV’s Shadow Lane Campus, SEVIS Code PHO214F10643001.
All other students (ESL, undergraduate, and graduate students) will need to have their SEVIS records transferred to UNLV’s Main Campus, SEVIS Code PHO214F10643000.
If you have any questions regarding the transfer-in process, please contact UNLV Admissions. Graduate and Dental students can contact internationalgrad@unlv.edu. Undergraduate and English as a Second Language (ESL) students can contact internationaladmissions@unlv.edu.
Deferring Your UNLV Admission
Students who are not able to arrive for the start of their UNLV academic program must request a deferral of their admission or re-apply to a later term.
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students who are not able to attend their original UNLV admission term must re-apply for admission for a new UNLV academic term. Most documents from the original application can be used in the new application, but students must contact Undergraduate Admissions at internationaladmissions@unlv.edu to begin the process of deferring both their academic program admission and their I-20 program start date (if necessary).
Graduate Students
Graduate students who are not able to attend their original UNLV admission term can defer their admission up to one academic year from the time of their original admission with department permission. If the student is deferring to a new academic term that is more than one year from the original application, then the student must submit a new admission application. Students who wish to defer their admission and their I-20 program start date (if necessary) or have questions about this process should contact Graduate Admissions at internationalgrad@unlv.edu.
English as a Second Language Students
If you have any questions about deferring your admission to the Intensive English Program, please contact the English Language Center at elc@unlv.edu.
Change of Status to F-1
Students who wish to study at UNLV as an F-1 international student have two ways to obtain F-1 status:
- Enter the U.S. with an “initial attendance” I-20 and a valid F-1 student visa obtained at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad (Canadians are exempt from the visa requirement)
- Apply for a change of status to USCIS using a “Change of Status” I-20. This option is best for students who are already in the U.S. and cannot travel to another country to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.