F-1 and J-1 students who are new to LSU should arrive in time to attend the mandatory International Student Orientation. Students must arrive to LSU for the first day of classes. Be advised that, due to LSU’s academic calendar and enrollment deadlines, International Student Services (ISS) is unable to accommodate arrivals after the start of classes.
Options for students who do not receive a valid F-1/J-1 visa in time to arrive before LSU classes begin are:
- requesting that your admission is deferred.
- gaining admission to an LSU Online program. (Be advised that admission to an LSU Online program does not allow F or J student visa sponsorship, which means ISS is unable to issue an I-20/DS-2019 for students admitted to LSU Online. This is because Immigration regulations for F/J students require physical presence in courses.)
When considering option #1, we encourage students to review our Important Notes about summer admission. Be advised that ISS does not have the capability to defer academic application/admission in the LSU system.
- Graduate students should consult with their LSU academic department and the Graduate School on your options to join LSU for a future semester.
- Undergraduate students should contact Undergraduate Admissions at admissions@lsu.edu.
- Professional program students should contact the admissions staff for their program.
Be informed that a change to your admission semester does not necessarily mean that any LSU financial aid you may have been offered would automatically be updated to start for the new admission semester. You should discuss this topic with the office that made an award to you, if applicable.
If your admission semester is changed, ISS will be notified, and we will email you later with instructions on how to request an updated LSU I-20. Be advised that the I-20/DS-2019 program start date must match the semester to which you have been admitted.