Late Arrival Policies for New International Students in F-1 Status

Spring 2025 Late Arrival Policies

In order to support academic success, for the Spring 2025 semester, it is expected that international undergraduate students arrive in the U.S. no later than Thursday, January 9, 2025, so that they can attend the mandatory international student orientation as well as the university’s Welcome events. If an international student’s arrival is unexpectedly delayed, then they should arrive no later than Sunday, January 12, 2025, so that they are ready to attend classes when they start the next day, Monday, January 13, 2025.

Any arrivals after Sunday, January 12, 2025, require a formal approval. An exception will only be considered if 1) the international student has a valid F-1 or J-1 student visa in their passport and 2) there is a compelling reason for their request to arrive late.

Requests for such exceptions should be discussed with/directed to International Admissions at intladm@colorado.edu and be submitted no later than Monday, January 6, 2025. When requesting a late arrival, international students must include in their email message a copy of their visa stamp, the requested date of arrival, a detailed summary of the reason(s) why the late arrival is being requested, and what arrangements have been made with the instructors of courses to ensure that they will not fall behind in coursework before arriving in the U.S.

Even if a late arrival request is approved, all international students must arrive on campus no later than Monday, January 20, 2025. If an international student is unable to arrive on campus by this date, they should request deferral of their admission to the next allowable semester.

In order to support academic success, for the Spring 2025 term, it is expected that international graduate students arrive in the U.S. no later than Thursday, January 9, 2025, so that they can attend the international student orientation, graduate student orientation, departmental/school commitments, and the university’s Welcome events.

If an international student’s arrival is unexpectedly delayed, they should arrive no later than Sunday, January 12, 2025, so that they are ready to attend classes when they start the next day, Monday, January 13, 2025.

Any arrivals after Sunday, January 12, 2025, require a formal approval. An exception will only be considered if 1) the international student has a valid F-1 or J-1 student visa in their passport and 2) there is a compelling reason for their request to arrive late.

Requests for such exceptions should be discussed with/directed to International Admissions at intlgrad@colorado.edu and be submitted no later than Monday, January 6, 2025. When requesting a late arrival, international students must include in their email message a copy of their visa stamp, the requested date of arrival, a detailed summary of the reason(s) why the late arrival is being requested, and what arrangements have been made with the instructors of courses to ensure that they will not fall behind in coursework before arriving in the U.S.

Even if a late arrival request is approved, all international students must arrive on campus no later than Thursday, January 30, 2025. If an international student is unable to arrive on campus by this date, they should request deferral of their admission to the next allowable semester.