This checklist will prepare you for BYU as a newly admitted international student. Read through and explore each item to lay your groundwork for success.
NOTE: You will receive an email from International Student and Scholar Services with information about the Form I-20. Pay attention to the directions and deadlines in the email. Registration holds have been placed on your account until enrollment requirements are met. Failure to meet these enrollment requirements may result in your admission being rescinded.
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You need to state your intention to accept or decline admission by the commitment deadline posted in your admittance letter. You must attend the semester or term to which you are admitted unless you defer for a mission or submit an official change of entry request. *If you need to change your entry semester/term, check with the International Student and Scholar Services Office before submitting the request.
Your safety and security are extremely important to us. For your protection, you are required to set up Duo Two-Step Verification on your account within 48 hours after receiving your acceptance letter. This must be done before you engage with BYU pages including accessing your BYU email and registering for classes.
If you self-reported any U.S. accredited high school work on your BYU application, then you need to submit an official transcript, so we can validate that you self-reported your classes and grades correctly. You must complete this task before you can register for classes.
Before you can register for classes, you must accept full responsibility to pay all tuition, fees, and associated costs while enrolled at BYU. Once you agree to the declaration, then the hold will be removed from your account.
Undergraduate international students are required to pay a $4,000 USD deposit at BYU. You must pay the deposit before you can get your student visa paperwork.
To obtain your Form I-20, you are required to submit certain documents to the BYU International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) website. Once you obtain your Form I-20, your registration hold will be removed. You will receive an email from ISSS with more detailed instructions.
If you want to defer your enrollment while serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you must complete the online mission deferment after you receive your call. However, contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for rules and regulations about deferring for a mission.
We recommend that you manage your own student account but we understand there are cases where it is necessary for a parent, spouse, or other third-party to access information or complete transactions on your behalf. Guest Access allows you to give another person access to your BYU account.
As a BYU student, you automatically have a BYU-provided email address. It is available 48 hours after receiving your acceptance letter. Your BYU email address starts with your NetID (netid@byu.edu). All BYU communication will come to you through this email address, so it is important that you check it regularly for timely reminders, updates, and other information. You can access this account by going to outlook.byu.edu and using your netid@byu.edu and BYU password to log in.
Now that you are admitted to BYU, check that your phone number, mailing address, and email in your personal information are up-to-date. BYU will use these to send you important information, so you'll want it to be up to date.
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.
MyMAP (our registration system) can 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 $4,000 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: 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.