Student Immigration Statuses

Important Note

On September 15, 2026, a new rule affecting F and J visa holders is expected to go into effect and is explained on our Changes to F-1 and J-1 Duration of Status and F-1 Student Academic Mobility page. The information below has not yet been updated to include the implications of the new rule. You must refer to both the information below and the information on our Changes to F-1 and J-1 Duration of Status and F-1 Student Academic Mobility page to gain a full understanding of rules, benefits, and timelines for F-1 and J-1 students and F-2/J-2 dependents.

If you currently reside outside of the United States
Most international students come to the United States and enroll in a full-time degree program under F-1 or J-1 student status. These statuses refer to the type of visa you acquire to enter the United States in order to attend The University of Texas at Austin. What's the difference?
F-1 Student Status
- A Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for an F-1 student visa) is issued to students by UT for entry into the United States.
- Funding may come from personal funds, UT department support, or other sponsoring agencies.
- Dependents (spouse or children) of an F-1 visa holder can accompany the student on F-2 dependent visas.
- F-2s are not permitted to be employed in the U.S. or study full-time.
J-1 Student Status
- The J-1 visa is administered by the Department of State and is used for a variety of educational purposes including for full-time study.
- A Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for a J-1 visa) is issued to obtain the J-1 visa.
- To qualify for a J-1 visa, a student must receive at least 50% of their funding from non-personal sources and must provide proof of funding for the full duration of their program.
- Some sponsoring agencies require a Form DS-2019.
- Sources include funds from an academic department at The University of Texas at Austin in the form of a Graduate Assistantship, Teaching Assistantship, Fellowship, etc.
- Other sources include funding from a government agency or other sponsoring agency.
- All reciprocal exchange students attend in J-1 status, regardless of source of funding. A spouse and/or child of a J-1 visa holder are classified as J-2 dependents. Dependents in J-2 status may apply for permission to work in the U.S. as well as enroll in full-time degree programs.
- Students in J-1 status and their dependents may be subject to a 2-year home residency requirement.
Entering the United States
In order to enter the United States so you can begin your studies at The University of Texas at Austin, please take the following steps:
1. Get admitted to a program at The University of Texas at Austin.
2. Submit all necessary documents through myIO.
3. ISSS will issue your document and send it to you via secure email.
4. Print and sign the I-20/DS-2019 and present it at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy when applying for your F-1 or J-1 student visa. You will also need an unexpired passport, evidence of financial support, and the SEVIS fee receipt. You can find more information about the visa process on our Applying for a U.S. Visa page.
IMPORTANT: If you do not receive the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, do not enter the U.S. on a B-1/B-2 tourist visa or the visa waiver program! Doing so may prevent you from beginning your academic program on time, or make it necessary for you to leave the U.S. to change to a student status.
If you are already in the United States in F-1 or J-1 status
Students who are already in the United States in F-1 or J-1 status and meet the requirements for a SEVIS transfer will need to work with their current DSO/ARO to transfer their SEVIS record to The University of Texas at Austin. To do so, please complete the following steps:
1. Get admitted to a program at The University of Texas at Austin.
2. Submit all necessary e-forms through myIO including the F-1/J-1 SEVIS Transfer Notice, which we require to gather your transfer information, including the date your current institution plans to transfer your SEVIS record to UT Austin (your SEVIS Transfer Date). Please consult a DSO or ARO at your current school regarding your intent to transfer, as certain deadlines may apply depending on your I-20/DS-2019 program completion status.
3. Your immigration document (I-20/DS-2019) will be issued once your SEVIS Release Date has arrived.
Failure to complete the transfer process within 15 days of the program start date at The University of Texas at Austin results in a violation of your immigration status. You may not work on campus until your immigration transfer is processed. If you are out of status, discuss your options with your current international student advisor or with an immigration advisor at The University of Texas at Austin. Additionally, if you plan to work at The University of Texas at Austin, you will first need to transfer your immigration record before being eligible to begin on campus employment.
If you plan to leave the U.S. before enrolling, please use the transfer Form I-20 or DS-2019 that The University of Texas at Austin issues, along with your valid F-1 or J-1 visa when you return to the U.S. If your current visa has expired, you will need the new I-20 or DS-2019 issued by The University of Texas at Austin to apply for a new visa.
Students who don't need F-1 or J-1 status

Students who are present on a status other than F-1 or J-1 must login to myIO and complete the Check-in process. If you are in a status other than B1/B2 or F-2, you do not have to change your status to F-1 or J-1 student status to be enrolled full time; however, you may not be eligible to work on campus without changing to F-1 or J-1 status.
For individuals interested in changing their status within the U.S., the change of status application must be submitted to USCIS before the expiration of your current status (and prior to the termination of employment for H-1B visa holders). Please contact an international student advisor at Texas Global as soon as possible for advice on your visa status.
Useful links with information on how to apply for a student visa