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Action Items for International Students

The information on this page is applicable for international students who have accepted the offer of admission and for whom an immigration document will be prepared.

Check your immigration document after you receive it

The I-20 form allows you to apply for an F-1 student visa. The DS-2019 form allows you to apply for a J-1 student visa. Please check that all information on the I-20 or DS-2019 is correct and matches the information on your passport. Contact Rackham Admissions at [email protected] if any of the information is not correct. Sign your name immediately under the “Student Attestation” section if all information is correct.

SEVIS Fee Payment

  • If you are issued a new I-20 or DS-2019 with a new SEVIS number, you are required to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee.
  • For complete details and to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee visit the Student Exchange and Visitor website
  • After paying, print a copy of your I-901 SEVIS fee receipt and keep it with your I-20.

DS-160 Visa Application

Form DS-160 is submitted electronically to the Department of State website via the Internet. Consular Officers use the information entered on the DS-160 to process the visa application and, combined with a personal interview, determine an applicant’s eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.

Listing of U.S. consulates: https://www.usembassy.gov/

Your spouse or child under 21 may accompany you to the U.S. in F-2 or J-2 dependent status. These family members must apply for an F-2 or J-2 visa.

Contact information from the issuing institution is required to be entered in the DS-160 Visa Application: Rackham students should enter the following information:

International Student and Scholar Advisor
1500 Student Activities Building
515 E. Jefferson St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1316
TEL: 734.764.9310
Fax: 734.647.2181
email: [email protected]

When to Make Your Travel Arrangements

Regarding Your Reporting Date

  • Make your travel arrangements after you have been informed of the reporting date on your immigration document (I-20 or DS-2019). The reporting date will appear in your M-Passport portal after your immigration document is issued. The reporting date will not be changed to accommodate personal reasons or plane reservations.
  • The reporting date on your immigration document is determined by federal immigration regulations and allows you to participate in university activities and the mandatory International Center SEVIS check-in before classes begin.
  • You are allowed to enter the United States no earlier than 30 days prior to the reporting date on the immigration document.
  • You may be prohibited from entering the United States at an immigration checkpoint if you arrive earlier than 30 days and later than the reporting date indicated on your immigration document.

U-M International Center Mandatory Immigration Check-In

New F-1 and J-1 international students are required by U.S. Government regulation to attend a Mandatory Immigration Check-In session. Failure to attend can result in a loss of legal immigration status. Students will be notified, via your umich.edu email address, approximately 30 days prior to the program start date on your I-20 or DS-2019, with the instructions and details of the check-in process which is conducted by the U-M International Center. If you are a new student and do not receive an email regarding the mandatory check-in, contact the International Center at [email protected]. Further information is available at https://internationalcenter.umich.edu/students/incoming-students.

Returning and Change of Level students should refer to the Mandatory Immigration Check-In page.

Change in Plans

If your arrival is going to be delayed until after classes have started or if you decide not to attend the University of Michigan, please notify your admissions office and academic department.

Regarding Your Visa

  • Make a visa appointment after you receive your immigration document (I-20 or DS-2019).
  • Complete the International Center’s Visa Assistance form if you experience a delay in receiving your visa.

Immunizations for International Students

The University of Michigan does not require immunizations. However, it is recommended that students come to school fully immunized to protect their health. Immunizations are one of the most effective public health measures in preventing communicable diseases. Immunization recommendations can be found on the University Health Services website.