Application Deadline
LSU has specific deadlines by which prospective students must submit an application for admission. These deadlines are set by the offices that make academic admission decisions and can be found at the following links:
Admission Deadline & Deadline to Request an I-20/DS-2019
Individuals who apply for admission to LSU and also need to apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa must be academically admitted to LSU by certain deadlines. These admission deadlines are in place so that there is sufficient time for
- International Student Services (ISS) to contact admitted students with instructions on how to request an I-20 or DS-2019, which are needed for the visa applications.
- Admitted students to submit an online I-20/DS-2019 Request form by the deadline to request an I-20 or DS-2019.
- ISS to review the request before processing and sending the I-20/DS-2019 to the student.
| |
Summer deadlines |
Fall deadlines |
Spring deadlines |
| Academic Admission |
April 1 |
June 1 |
November 1 |
| Confirm Attendance or Pay Deposit, if applicable |
April 7, 2026 |
June 12, 2026 |
November 7, 2026 |
| Request a DS-2019 |
April 17, 2026 |
June 26, 2026 |
TBD |
| Request an Initial or Change of Status I-20 |
April 17, 2026 |
June 26, 2026 |
TBD |
| Request Transfer I-20 |
May 1, 2026 |
August 1, 2026 |
TBD |
Types of I-20s
The chart above refers to 3 different types of I-20s, and each has its own issue reason. In general, those reasons are:
- Initial: For admitted students who are outside of the United States (or who are exiting the U.S.) and need to apply for an F-1 student visa.
- Transfer: For F-1 students who have been studying (or using OPT/STEM authorization) with another U.S. school's I-20 and need to transfer their SEVIS record to receive an LSU I-20. Note: The admission deadline for SEVIS transfers is typically about two weeks before classes begin.
- Change of Status: For those who are inside the United States in a different non-immigrant status and will submit the F-1 I-20 with an I-539 Change of Status application to USCIS while remaining in the U.S.