New Students

We look forward to welcoming you to campus and supporting you throughout your program.

Pre-Arrival Information for International Students

An international student is anyone in the U.S. on a non-immigrant temporary visa, such as F-1, J-1, H-4, E-2, TN, etc., taking coursework at CU Boulder. U.S. permanent residents, refugees, and asylees are not considered "international" for ISSS reporting purposes.

International students must arrive on-campus in time to attend the mandatory in-person orientation program.

  • International students who hold F-1 or J-1 visas may enter the U.S. as early as 30 days prior to the program start date indicated on their I-20 (students in F-1 status) or DS-2019 (students in J-1 status).

Click on your student group below to access additional arrival information.

Undergraduate Students
First-year degree seeking students and students transferring from other institutions for a bachelors-level program.

Graduate Students
Master's and doctoral students including students transferring from other institutions for a graduate-level program.

Exchange Students
Non-degree seeking students on short-term university programs approved by their home institutions (typically on J-1 visas).

Sponsored Students
Students sponsored by Aramco Services, KCO, Embassy of Oman, SABIC, SACM, SCO, or Fulbright.

New Student Arrival

Required Immigration Reporting: International students in F-1 or J-1 status should complete the Immigration Check-In form as soon as possible upon admission into the United States but no later than the start date of classes.

Students who are transferring their F-1 SEVIS record to CU Boulder from another U.S. academic institution must complete the check-in form within 15 days of their F-1 program start date as reflected on the Form I-20.

  • International Student Orientation will take place on January 9, 2025. Schedule for the day will be posted once it has been set.

Building a Community at CU Boulder

Explore resources, events, and programs to help you make friends, get involved, and create a rich college experience.

International Student Peer Mentor Program

Late Arrival Policies

All new international students in F-1 or J-1 status are required to arrive to Boulder by August 18, 2024 to attend the mandatory in-person International Student Orientation program on August 19, 2024.

Check Late Arrival Policies and Dates

New Student Resources