International Student Checklist

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Total Progress

TO DO IMMEDIATELY

Complete Enrollment Requirements

Obtain a Student Visa

International students (except those from Canada and Bermuda) are required to obtain a student visa before entering the U.S. to study. Before obtaining a visa, you will need to pay the required SEVIS fee. Make sure you keep your proof of payment with your immigration papers. Note: Some exceptions to the visa policy exist for students who are Canadian citizens entering the U.S. from the Western Hemisphere.

Student Visa Info Exceptions to Visa Policy

Register for Classes

Use MyMAP (our registration system) to help you organize and register for classes. You will be assigned a date that you can begin registering, which is called a priority registration date. Go to the Register tab on MyMAP to see your assigned date. Tools to help you decide which classes you should take include the University Catalog, the Class Schedule, the University Core (GE) requirements, and your academic advisor. Typically, you will need to complete the following enrollment requirements: pay the $4000 USD International Student Deposit, verify finances, and, if applicable, submit the I-20 Transfer Request Form from your current U.S. school. International students are required by U.S. immigration law to maintain full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester or 6 credit hours per term). Required Course: You will need to register for Student Development 120. STDEV 120 is designed to help you adjust to the environment at BYU and will cover topics such as the American education system, adaptation and acculturation to the cultures at BYU, and regulations to maintain F-1 visa status.

MyMAP Registration Info Academic Advisement Info

WATCH FOR NOTICES AND DATES

Find Housing

Finding a place to live near campus is important! For their first two semesters as a BYU student, all single undergraduate students must live (1) in BYU On-Campus Housing, (2) in BYU Off-Campus Contracted Housing, or (3) with qualifying family members. Students are eligible but are not required to live on-campus or in BYU off-campus contracted housing once they have completed two semesters at BYU. There are on-campus housing communities for students who are 19 or older, and some on-campus housing options may require students to have a meal plan. Meal plans may make it easier for them by saving time and/or money.

On-Campus Housing Off-Campus Housing Meal Plans Student Housing Policy

Scholarships

Admitted students that submitted the scholarship application are considered for BYU undergraduate scholarships. You are notified about scholarship decisions through your BYU email address. If you have been awarded an off-campus scholarship or have a 529 plan, you should have the granting organization send the money directly to BYU. It takes 2-3 weeks to process funds mailed to BYU, so plan ahead.

New Freshman Scholarships Info Transfer Student Scholarships Info Off-Campus Scholarships 529 Plan

Pay for School

Tuition is due seven calendar days before the first day of class. Pay your tuition on time, or you will get a hold placed on your account. If tuition is not paid by the Add/Drop Deadline of the semester/term, your classes will likely be dropped.

Tuition Costs & Policies

Enroll In or Waive Student Health Plan

Students enrolled 3/4 time or more (9 semester credits/4.5 term credits) are required to have health insurance coverage year-round. You are automatically enrolled in BYU’s Student Health Plan one week before classes start if private insurance has not been reported. You will have access to waive the plan about one month before classes start. This is a yearly process and the deadline to waive the BYU Student Health Plan is the semester add/drop deadline. Note: In order to waive the BYU Student Health Plan your personal insurance needs to be based in the U.S. You are required to have health coverage year-round. If you have health coverage when you go home for the summer, remember to waive the plan before you leave so you do not get charged for it while you are home.

Student Health Plan Info Enroll/Waive Student Health Plan

TO DO ONCE YOU ARRIVE AT BYU

Attend Mandatory Check In

You are required to check in at the International Student and Scholar Services Office when you arrive on campus in order to have your SEVIS record activated. Watch for updates from ISSS.

Mandatory Check In Info

Attend Mandatory International Student Orientation

You need to be in the country by the date of New Student Orientation (NSO) for the semester/term to which you were admitted (this will also be the entry date listed on your Form I-20). Please be aware that there is a session specifically designed for international students that you will be required to attend. Watch for updates from ISSS. You can also sign up to attend the BYU New Student Orientation event.

International Student Orientation Info New Student Orientation

Obtain a Tuberculosis (TB) Test

If you have lived outside of the U.S. or Canada for six months or more, Utah state law requires you to have a tuberculosis skin test. You must comply by the first day of classes, or a TB hold will be placed on your record. If you're an International student, you must also comply or your student visa status may be terminated. Contact the Student Health Center to make an appointment.

Make an Appointment

International Student Orientation Info New Student Orientation

On-Campus Jobs

Working on campus has a lot of benefits! You can gain real-life experiences, qualify for tax-breaks, and work close to your classes. Before your first day of work, make an appointment to have your I-9 processed and provide the required documents.

Why Work on Campus?Student Employment What You Need to be Hired

TO LEARN AND BE AWARE OF

Learn about My Financial Center

My Financial Center is BYU’s online financial system. You will use it to pay tuition and charges, manage your financial aid and scholarships, and find important alerts about your student account.

My Financial Center My Financial Center Info

Participate in First-Year Orientation

Your orientation to BYU will begin shortly. An assigned first-year peer mentor will contact you soon by email and text message. (Transfer students are not assigned a student mentor, but you can request one by contacting the Office of First-Year Experience.) Check out “How to BYU” online to learn about campus resources and student life. The Office of First-Year Experience also hosts New Student Orientation, sends you newsletters and information about succeeding as a new student, and reserves seats for you in high demand GE classes.

How to BYU First-Year Mentoring Info

Subscribe Parent(s) and Family to Newsletter

Subscribe your parent(s), family, and others to receive a regular newsletter about how to navigate BYU, dates, deadlines, and tips.

Subscribe to Parent and Family News

Maintain Lawful Status

Read through the International Student and Scholar Services webpage for your visa type to learn more about maintaining your legal status. If you have further questions, contact ISSS.

F-1 Students Info F-2 Dependents Info J-1 Students Info J-2 Dependents Info

Review Employment, Taxes, and Travel Policies

Learn more information about working while you are in school, required tax forms you must file, and traveling regulations and restrictions.

More Info

Review the Academic Honesty Policy and Honor Code

As a BYU student, you should seek to be honest in your dealings with others. You should complete and be evaluated on your own work. You should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, cheating, and other academic misconduct. For ecclesiastical endorsement questions, and questions or reports about honor code violations, visit the Honor Code Office.

Academic Honesty Policy Honor Code Honor Code Office

Follow Enrollment Services on Social Media

Stay up to date and informed with tips and info throughout the year by following one of our social media channels.

Instagram Facebook Twitter

Learn About FERPA

It's important that you know your privacy rights at BYU! FERPA, The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is "a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Brigham Young University may not disclose information contained in education records without the student’s written consent except under certain limited conditions."

FERPA

Review Student Success Resources

BYU wants to see you succeed, and there are many places on campus that can help you thrive throughout your college experience! Check out our Student Success website for academic, financial, social, physical and mental health, and spiritual resources.

Student Success