Coming to BYU

Once you are admitted, you can start preparing by looking through and following the information provided below. You may not be able to complete all of the steps until a certain amount of time before your admitted start date. For example, for official school documents, such as the I-20 or DS-2019, please wait until our office contacts you to continue.

What You Should Know

Passport 

• You must have a passport valid at least six months into the future from the time you plan to enter the U.S.; contact your government for application details. 

SEVIS Fee

• Once you have received your I-20, you will need to pay the required SEVIS fee.
• Keep your proof of payment with your immigration papers for travel.
• More Information

Register for Your Classes 

• The best way to register for classes is to add classes to your cart prior to your priority registration date. These classes will be automatically be processed on your priority registration date if you submit your cart. 
• Click on the following link to register for classes. 
• We recommend talking with an academic advisor if you have any questions on what classes to take and/or for advice on building the right schedule for you.
• Advisement is available from your major's department or the University Advisement Center.

Visa

After receiving either a Form I-20 for F visas or a Form DS-2019 for J visas from BYU, you must obtain your F or J visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate in your country to travel to a U.S. port of entry. 

If you are a Canadian citizen entering the U.S. from within the Western Hemisphere, you are not required to have a passport or visa, but you must show your Form I-20, or Form DS-2019, and proof of Canadian citizenship. 

• Please visit the following link to view wait times for student visas at each embassy: Visa Spreadsheet. This is updated every Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. MST — courtesy of BYU's MBA recruiters.
• Make sure that you use BYU's Form I-20 or DS-2019 when you apply for your visa and when you enter the U.S. 
• Be certain to apply for either a F or J visa. You may not use B-2 visitor/tourist visas to study in the U.S.
• Other resources:
  
  • Other Visa Information 
  • Visa Appointment Strategies 

Housing

Be sure to secure housing accommodations before arriving to the U.S.

• Housing questions should be directed to the on-campus or off-campus housing offices, which can be found at the links listed below.
• Resources for finding housing:
  
  • On-Campus Housing
  • Off-Campus Housing

U.S. Insurance

Please watch the following video: U.S. Health System Explained. This video teaches international students how to prepare for their arrival to the U.S., how the U.S. healthcare system works and how students should seek medical care appropriately if they become sick or injured. 

• More Information 
• To speak with someone about health insurance and/or services, call or visit the Student Health Center at 801-422-5092. 
• If you need a TB test, call 801-422-5156. 

Travel Plans

• Give yourself time to plan for your travel to the U.S. well in advance.
• Please note that you may not enter the U.S. more than 30 days before your I-20 (F visas) or DS-2019 (J visas) start date.
• Please see the travel tab at the top of this page for more information.

Money 

• It is a good idea to exchange currency for U.S. dollars before your departure, but you should not travel with large amounts of cash. 
• Make arrangements to have your funds transferred and available to you in the U.S. when you arrive. 

What are Provo and Utah Valley like? 

• Provo City - BYU is within the boundaries of Provo City. Follow this link to find out about Provo and its services. 
• Utah Valley - Provo is located in beautiful Utah Valley which includes several cities and places for recreation and shopping.
• More Information

International Services Check-in

Once you arrive to the U.S., you must complete your check-in with our office in order to have your SEVIS record activated. This can be done online once you arrive to the U.S. through our e-forms website. You may check in before the beginning of classes, but you must check in within 20 days of your Form I-20 start date (listed on page 1). 

You will need the following for your e-form check-in:

• Passport
• Visa
• Form I-94 (please click on the link to get your I-94)
• Form I-20 (F visas) or Form DS-2019 (J visas)

New Student Orientation (NSO)

If you are a new international student, you will have the opportunity to attend the International New Student meeting. This is part of the general campus New Student Orientation for all new students where you will receive vital information for maintaining your legal status, passports, academic requirements, TB testing, available resources and employment opportunities.