Option 1: Apply and obtain the F1 student visa to enter the United States. Once physically present in the United States, attend the fall semester at UTSA. Initial status students will be required to have at least 1 or more Face-to-Face/Hybrid courses to maintain valid F-1 visa status.

Option 2: If you are unable or nervous about traveling to the United States for the fall semester, you could enroll online and complete the semester from your home country. F1 visa is not required for this option and International Student Services (ISS) will defer your I-20 start date to the spring 2022 semester. You would be permitted to arrive in the United States up to 30 days prior to the I-20 start date for the spring 2022 semester. Earliest arrival date would be December 11, 2021.

Option 3: You could defer your admission to the spring 2022 semester or fall 2022 semester if desired. Students who decide to defer admission will require a deferred I-20 from ISS showing the spring 2022 or fall 2022 start date. Make sure to contact either International Undergraduate Admissions or Graduate Admissions with your decision.   

Do you still need assistance? 

Please visit our virtual office https://global.utsa.edu/Virtual-Office.html 

I-20s will be distributed electronically and signed with an electronic signature. Students who prefer to have the original document mailed, please notify ISS for additional instructions.

Make sure to print the I-20 in color, sign, and date with blue ink. A printout of the I-20 will be required to enter the United States.

Do you still need assistance? 

Please visit our virtual office https://global.utsa.edu/Virtual-Office.html 

Option 1: Enroll in a full-course load of online courses. ISS has been instructed to keep your SEVIS record ACTIVE to allow for re-entry to the United States for the spring 2022 semester. Continuing students who decide to return home and enroll in online courses from outside of the United States will require an updated form I-20 with the following remarks “Outside of the United States Due to COVID-19”. Contact International Student Services immediately if you decide to enroll online from outside of the United States. Contact us at: international.services@utsa.edu. Please allow 3-5 business days for ISS to process and respond to the request. It is recommended to plan ahead.   

Option 2: Request a leave of absence if you want to take the semester off. Student can then contact ISS to request reactivation of the previous SEVIS record to return to the United States for the spring 2022 semester.

Do you still need assistance? 

Please visit our virtual office https://global.utsa.edu/Virtual-Office.html 

F1 visa students unable to complete the semester online due to the lack of available technology resources should notify ISS. ISS is permitted to keep records Active in SEVIS if the student intends to resume their program during the next available semester. 

Still need assistance?

Please schedule an appointment with an advisor at Appointments

Before requesting your I-20 with travel signature, check the second page of your current I-20 to determine if a new signature is needed. If the signature is more than 12 months old, then please continue with the travel signature request process. I-20s with a signature less than 12 months old do not need an updated signature to re-enter the United States.

Request your I-20 through our International Student Request Portal: international.utsa.edu

I-20s will be distributed electronically and signed with an electronic signature. Students who prefer to have the original document mailed, please notify ISS for additional instructions.

Make sure to print the I-20 in color, sign, and date with blue ink. A printout of the I-20 will be required to enter the United States.

Do you still need assistance? 

Please visit our virtual office https://global.utsa.edu/Virtual-Office.html 

During our previous communication, it was stated that UTSA is incorporating a hybrid approach to the fall semester. UTSA will offer in-person, online, and hybrid courses. As the COVID-19 exemption issued by DHS during the spring semester is still in effect and extended through the end of the spring 2022 semester, our continuing students will be fully compliant with federal regulations.

Students who started at UTSA after March 2020 will require at least one in-person/hybrid course each semester until the expiration of the current enrollment exemption (spring 2022). This does not include transfer and change of level students.  

As an F1 visa student, you must be physically present inside the United States to submit an OPT application to USCIS. We recommend that any student outside of the country interested in applying for OPT return to the United States prior to the end of the semester (12/10/2021). Returning to the United States after the end of the semester will not be possible as student will be on their 60 day grace period and OPT application will be denied by USCIS.

Still need assistance?

Please schedule an appointment with an advisor at Appointments

Questions regarding OPT will require an appointment with an International Student Advisor. Please use the following link to schedule for your virtual appointment: https://global.utsa.edu/Virtual-Office.html

For general OPT information, please use the below link for an overview of the process: https://global.utsa.edu/forms/Guidance_for_OPT.pdf

Students traveling from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland with valid F1 visas, will be allowed to enter the United States. The current travel restrictions are in place to curb tourism and non-essential arrivals.

Still need assistance?

Please schedule an appointment with an advisor at Appointments

Regarding the SSN, please submit a copy of the department hiring letter in our International Student Request Portal: (Please select "letter request") international.utsa.edu

Here is a link to our template for the department to complete: https://global.utsa.edu/forms/Letter_of_Hiring_Template.pdf     

When ISS receives the letter, ISS will also generate a letter for the students to take to the local Social Security Administration Office to request the SSN.

Here is some additional information regarding the SSN: https://global.utsa.edu/forms/Applying_for_a_Social_Security_Card.pdf  

The UTSA Payroll can also assign a temporary number to get the appointment in the system while you wait for the issuance of the SSN. Contact Payroll at payroll@utsa.edu.

Do you still need assistance? 

Please visit our virtual office https://global.utsa.edu/Virtual-Office.html 

I am graduating this semester and do not require a full course load

Thesis/Dissertation only

Medical

Submit your RCL request in our International Student Request portal: international.utsa.edu

**Upload documents indicated within request form for specific RCL reason**

Make sure to enroll in your classes prior to submitting an RCL request

Do you still need assistance? 

Please visit our virtual office https://global.utsa.edu/Virtual-Office.html 

Submit your change of address in our International Student Request portal as a contact information update: international.utsa.edu

 Also, make sure to update address in your myUTSA Account

Do you still need assistance? 

Please visit our virtual office https://global.utsa.edu/Virtual-Office.html 

Questions regarding CPT will require an appointment with an International Student Advisor. Please use the following link to schedule your virtual appointment: https://global.utsa.edu/Virtual-Office.html

Submit your CPT request in our International Student Request portal: international.utsa.edu

For general CPT information, please use the below link for an overview of the process: https://global.utsa.edu/forms/CPT_application.pdf

Still need assistance?

Please schedule an appointment with an advisor at Appointments

ISS can only remove the following holds, “Passport/Orientation”, “Immigration Document Review”, and “CPT transcript”.

**TB and Meningitis holds can only be addressed by Student Health Services**

Do you still need assistance? 

Please visit our virtual office https://global.utsa.edu/Virtual-Office.html 

All questions regarding tuition and fees will be addressed by One Stop Enrollment/Residency. https://onestop.utsa.edu/registration/establishing-texas-residency/

Do you still need assistance? 

Please visit our virtual office https://global.utsa.edu/Virtual-Office.html 

All questions regarding scholarships will be addressed by One Stop Enrollment/Scholarships. https://onestop.utsa.edu/scholarships/

Do you still need assistance? 

Please visit our virtual office https://global.utsa.edu/Virtual-Office.html 

Waiver Deadline: September 13, 2021

Apply for Waiver: https://utsa.myahpcare.com/waiver

Insurance Information: https://utsa.myahpcare.com/

Contact: Insurance.advisor@utsa.edu

Coverage Dates for Fall:

Continuing Students – September 1 through December 31

New Students – August 1 through December 31

Cost for Fall:

Continuing Students – $1,066

New Students – $1,066 + $272 (month of August)

Health Insurance automatically billed at the time of class enrollment

Do you still need assistance? 

Please visit our virtual office https://global.utsa.edu/Virtual-Office.html 

All employment updates (new and ending) must be reported within 10 days. Use the International Student Request Portal to submit updates: international.utsa.edu

Do you still need assistance? 

Please visit our virtual office https://global.utsa.edu/Virtual-Office.html 

Yes, if you did not meet the English Proficiency requirements, admission to UTSA is still possible by applying to the following programs:

International Pathway

UTSA's International Pathway is designed for international students who want to improve their English language skills while earning college credit toward a UTSA undergraduate or graduate degree. As part of the pathway program, international students who want to study in the U.S. will be better prepared to achieve their educational goals. Students will need to have TOEFL iBT 71 or equivalent to enter the 1-Semester Pathway OR a TOEFL iBT 61 or equivalent to enter the 2-Semester Pathway. Learn more

Intensive English Program

If you are interested in studying English, please contact the Intensive English Program for admissions information.

UTSA Student Health Services is located at the Recreation Wellness Center 1.500 on the Main Campus.

How can I obtain additional information regarding the student health insurance plan?
Information is available through the Academic Health Plans website. 

How do I enroll in the student health insurance plan (SHIP)?
International students are automatically enrolled in the UT SHIP after registering for classes and the health insurance charge is automatically added to your student account.

Students who are ill and referred by Student Health Services to see a physician should contact International Services (MB 1.210) to obtain a temporary insurance card. You can come by our office (MB 1.210), call 210-458-7202, or email insurance.advisor@utsa.edu for assistance. 

Before requesting your I-20 with travel signature, check the second page of your current I-20 to determine if a new signature is needed. If the signature is more than 12 months old, then please continue with the travel signature request process. I-20s with a signature less than 12 months old do not need an updated signature to re-enter the United States.

Request your I-20 through our International Student Request Portal: international.utsa.edu

I-20s will be distributed electronically and signed with an electronic signature. Students who prefer to have the original document mailed, please notify ISS for additional instructions.

Make sure to print the I-20 in color, sign, and date with blue ink. A printout of the I-20 will be required to enter the United States.

Your insurance card will be mailed by the insurance company to the address listed on your myUTSA Account.  If you move, please update your address with 1) the Office of International Services, 2) on myUTSA Account, and 3) with AHP. Continuing students do not receive new cards each semester. Continuing students are able to use their current card for as long as they are enrolled at UTSA. 

If you have not yet done so, please register your Blue Access for Members account. Once you have registered your account, you can request a new/replacement card online. If you are having difficulty requesting a new/replacement card, please contact International Services for assistance, call 210-458-7202, or email insurance.advisor@utsa.edu. 

No, unfortunately the insurance fee must be paid in full. If you are enrolled in the three-part installment plan with Fiscal Services, your payments will not apply to the insurance fee.

Yes, you are required to maintain active insurance at all times while pursuing your degree at UTSA. Continuing students must have insurance throughout the year, including summer semesters. 

Please remember you do have access to the on-campus Student Health Services Center. If you will to seek care outside of the university, you can go to the AHP website and click on “find a doctor”. You can also refer to the instructions on the “selecting a physician” page.

You can access your health insurance account by registering via Blue Access for Members (BAM). If you have not received your insurance card, you can locate your BCBS Member ID and Group number to register for BAM by visiting the AHP website.

Should your contact information change, please update in all three of the following places:
1) Update your contact information with International Students Services at international.services@utsa.edu.

2) Update your contact information on myUTSA Account.

3) Send an email to AHP at support@ahpcare.com. Please include “Contact information update” in the subject line and your first and last name, and student ID, as well as your new contact information in the message.

You will need to submit an enrollment form to AHP along with payment. Please note this must be submitted during the open enrollment period.

Visit the Health Insurance Waiver page for more information about the insurance requirements and the process to waive the student health insurance plan. It is important to note that waivers are only available during select times. Please check the UTSA website and review emails for current dates.

Your comparable insurance plan must meet or exceed the below requirements:
• Affordable Care Act Compliant (ACA)
• Plan must be in English
• Plan must cover entire coverage period
• Plan must be in United States dollars (USD)
• Travel plans are not accepted
• No life time limitations
• No preexisting limitations

The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System requires all students holding an F-1, F-2, J-1, or J-2 non-immigrant visa have health insurance coverage while enrolled at institutions of the University of Texas. This coverage may be with the system-sponsored insurance plan or comparable coverage from another provider. This includes continuing students who are not enrolled in summer classes. Learn more about health insurance requirements.

Government sponsored students with government sponsored insurance plans and a current valid ‘Financial Guarantee’ that covers the duration of academic study will have the UTSA insurance plan charge automatically waived. If your charge has not been waived, please consult the Insurance Advisor.

AES coverage refers to ‘Academic Emergency Services’ which provides you with coverage if you are over 100 miles from home or you are outside your home country. If your waiver was approved but your existing plan did not include evacuation/repatriation coverage, you will automatically be enrolled into AES. Evacuation/repatriation is a federal requirement for F and J visa holding students.

Yes. In order to keep the student health insurance plan you will need to submit a Continuation of Enrollment form to AHP along with payment no longer than 30 days of your coverage termination date. Coverage can be extended for up to 3 months.

F-1/F-2/J-1/J-2 students are required to maintain continuous health insurance coverage at all times. The supplemental insurance covers the gap in coverage of the summer and fall insurance policy start dates determined by UT System and Academic Health Plans. 
Example: Fall classes start in the middle of August, however, the fall insurance policy is not effective until September 1st.  Therefore, ‘supplemental’ or ‘gap’ insurance is necessary to cover the lapse in coverage. 

No refunds can be issued for students withdrawing during the semester. Only option for refund is for students who decide to withdraw before the semester begins.e.