What date do you need to arrive by?
Freshmen undergraduate students (Fall admit)
The mandatory arrival date for Fall 2025 is Monday, August 18. Orientation and Welcome Week activities are required.
Undergraduate Transfer students (Fall admit)
The recommended arrival date is Monday, August 25. Participation in Welcome Week Transfer Track activities and Global Gopher Experiences is strongly encouraged.
If you plan to live off-campus, it is recommended that you arrive three weeks before classes start so you will have enough time to find housing.
Graduate and Professional students (Fall admit)
If you have a Graduate Assistantship (RA/TA) you must arrive at least one week before your employment start date. This allows sufficient time to complete the steps required to get started with your assistantship.
If you do not have a Graduate Assistantship, it is recommended that you arrive:
- At least two days before a required orientation (if applicable, varies by program), OR
- At least one week before the start of classes
Participation in Global Gopher Experiences the week before classes start is highly encouraged for all new graduate and professional students.
If you plan to live off-campus, it is recommended that you arrive three weeks before classes start so you will have enough time to find housing.
Exchange/Non-Degree students (all terms of admission)
Your exchange coordinator will inform you of the date that you must plan to arrive.
Students admitted for Summer or Spring terms
It is recommended that you plan to arrive on-campus:
- At least two days before a required on-campus orientation, OR
- At least one week before the start of classes
Graduate students who have a Graduate Assistantship (RA/TA) must arrive at least one week before your employment start date. This allows sufficient time to complete the steps required to get started with your assistantship.
Frequently asked questions
What is the earliest date that I can arrive?
You are allowed to arrive in the U.S. up to 30 days before the program start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019. For students who were issued an I-20, your “Earliest Admission Date” is printed on the document.
SEVIS Transfer Students: If you already have a valid F-1/J-1 visa status in the U.S. and are transferring your SEVIS record to UMN, you may return to the U.S. more than 30 days before the program start date on your I-20 or DS-2019.
What is the latest date that I can arrive?
You must enter the U.S. no later than the Program Start Date on your I-20 or DS-2019.
Many programs do not allow students to arrive late. There are also restrictions on how late ISSS can allow students to arrive, due to visa requirements. If an emergency occurs and there is a possibility that you will arrive late, you must obtain permission for the late arrival before making travel plans.
Undergraduate Students (Freshmen & Transfer)
Arrival after the first day of class is strongly discouraged for undergraduate students and will not be approved in many cases. If you wish to request a late arrival, you must:
- Contact Orientation and Transition Experiences ([email protected]) for information about missing any orientation or welcome week requirements.
- Contact the college where you were accepted.
- Obtain approval from the instructors of all in-person courses to miss the first day of class.
- Email [email protected]. Depending on your arrival date you may need a new I-20.
- Contact the Office of Admissions first IF you plan to defer or no longer will be able to arrive. If you are registered for classes, you must unenroll yourself from all classes first.
Exchange/Non-Degree Students
Contact your program coordinator.
Graduate Students
First you must contact your department to request a late arrival.
If approved, contact Graduate Admissions ([email protected]) to request an updated I-20.
Professional School Students
First you must contact your department to request a late arrival.
If approved, email [email protected] to request an updated I-20.
Why these dates?
Students who follow these arrival date guidelines will be more prepared to begin their studies, as they will have sufficient time to:
- Rest and recover from jet lag
- Remove registration holds
- Complete the post-arrival requirements in your New Global Gopher Required Tasks
- Attend any mandatory or optional orientations, such as those provided by the college or department, and Global Gopher Experiences
- Take any necessary exams, such as an English proficiency test
- (If applicable) Complete the requirements necessary to start a Graduate Assistantship, including training and paperwork
- Get settled (unpack, open a bank account, get a U.S. phone number, purchase books, etc.)
- Learn your way around campus, including the various transportation options
