To support your academic success, you should arrive in the US by the Initial Session start date on your I-20. We strongly discourage you from arriving after this date unless it is necessary, such as a visa delay or illness.

Graduate Students – If you have to arrive late, you need to contact your academic department and request approval.

If your department approves your late arrival, the department must write a letter to you that includes the latest reporting date.

For graduate students, we recommend the date be within 2 weeks after the first day of classes.

Undergraduate Students - If you have to arrive late, you need to contact your academic advisor and request approval.

For undergraduate students, we must the date be within 1 week.

The letter should state the following:

• The specific date the department will let you start the semester.
• The department confirms your full-time course enrollment.
• The department is confident you will be able to catch up with your classes.
• If it applies, the department is confident your late arrival will not impact your graduate assistantship (GA/TA/RA position).

The department should send you a copy of the letter via email. Please email a copy of this letter to the ISSS office at isss-admissions@umd.edu.

You must carry this letter along with your other immigration documentation to show at the port of entry. It is this letter along with your I-20 that will permit you to enter the U.S. beyond the I-20/DS2019 start date (Initial Session date).

Log into Iterp and complete your “Intent Form” letting ISSS know your delayed arrival date. The form opens 30 days before the start of classes.
 

If you cannot arrive in the US until after the semester's drop/add date, you should consider requesting a deferral to a new term.

You can find the drop/add date on the Academic Calendar on Testudo.

Graduate Students

• Deferrals are not guaranteed, and are not available in all programs.
• The Graduate School requires a deferral request 30 days before the start of the semester. If you miss the deferral request deadline, you might be required to submit a new application. If you missed the deadline, please contact your academic department to ask if a late deferral is possible.
• If you receive a deferral for 1 semester, we will update your I-20 / DS-2019 documents and email them to you.
• If you receive a deferral for 2 semesters (1 year), your I-20 / DS-2019 will no longer be valid. You will need to complete a new I-20 / DS-2019 application. We will email you when you can apply.
• Log into Iterp and complete your “Intent Form” letting ISSS know your plans for deferral. The form opens 30 days before the start of classes. 

Undergraduate Students

• Deferrals are not guaranteed. You may request a deferral from the Undergraduate Admissions office.
• Freshmen students must submit their deferral request by the enrollment confirmation deadline listed in the admission letter.
• Transfer students must submit their deferral request two weeks before classes start.
• If you receive a deferral for 1 semester, we will update your I-20 / DS-2019 documents and email them to you.
• If you receive a deferral for 2 semesters (1 year), your I-20 / DS-2019 will no longer be valid. You will need to complete a new I-20 / DS-2019 application. We will email you when you can apply.
• Log into Iterp and complete your “Intent Form” letting ISSS know your plans for deferral. The form opens 30 days before the start of classes.