If you are an international student planning to start your undergraduate or graduate program in Fall 2026, you are likely working on securing your student visa and preparing for a successful arrival to campus. To help you stay on track, many Shorelight universities have extended their arrival and start dates. Please keep the following important dates across Shorelight schools in mind.
Fall 2026 Application, Arrival, and Start Dates for International Students
Have questions about student visa interview availability, traveling to the US, and campus support services? Check out our FAQs guide to studying in the US in Fall 2026. You can also reach out to a Shorelight advisor for personalized guidance.
Start visa prep ASAP: We recommend preparing for your visa interview now, ahead of the interview schedules opening back up. You can schedule time with one of our visa support specialists (make bookings via our Global visa specialist calendar or South Asia visa specialist calendar) or attend one of our How to Ace Your F-1 Visa Interview webinars.
Schedule interview once available: Schedule visa interviews as soon as appointments open up and when your acceptance letters and I-20 forms have been received.
Know any travel protocols before leaving home: Understand and comply with all airline and consulate requirements prior to traveling to campus. (Here is what to expect when you land at a US airport.)
Fall 2026 Key Application, Transfer, and Arrival Dates
Reach out to your Shorelight advisor for the latest updates or to request a late arrival date.
Adelphi University
Application Deadline
December 7, 2026
I20 Transfer Deadline
January 4, 2027
Arrival Date
January 19, 2027
American Collegiate, DC
Application Deadline
December 1, 2026
I20 Transfer Deadline
December 1, 2026
Arrival Date
January 6, 2027
American Collegiate, Los Angeles
Application Deadline
February 22, 2027
I20 Transfer Deadline
March 8, 2027
Arrival Date
March 22, 2027
American University
Application Deadline
December 1, 2026
I20 Transfer Deadline
December 1, 2026
Arrival Date
January 6, 2027
Auburn University
Application Deadline
November 27, 2026
I20 Transfer Deadline
December 4, 2026
Arrival Date
January 4, 2027
Florida International University
Application Deadline
December 7, 2026
I20 Transfer Deadline
December 7, 2026
Arrival Date
January 6, 2027
Gonzaga University
Application Deadline
December 2, 2026
I20 Transfer Deadline
December 2, 2026
Arrival Date
January 5, 2027
Louisiana State University
Application Deadline
December 8, 2026
I20 Transfer Deadline
January 5, 2027
Arrival Date
January 7, 2027
Tulane University
Application Deadline
December 1, 2026 (Accounting programs only)
November 1, 2026 (Architecture, Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and Science and Engineering programs only)
I20 Transfer Deadline
January 5, 2027 (Accounting programs only)
November 1, 2026 (Architecture, Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and Science and Engineering programs only)
Arrival Date
January 6, 2027
University of Massachusetts Boston
Application Deadline
November 1, 2026 (Graduate direct)
December 15, 2026 (International direct, Pre-sessional English)
I20 Transfer Deadline
November 1, 2026 (Graduate direct)
December 15, 2026 (International direct, Pre-sessional English)
Arrival Date
January 17, 2027
University of Illinois Chicago
Application Deadline
December 11, 2026
I20 Transfer Deadline
December 20, 2026
Arrival Date
January 5, 2027
University of Nevada, Reno
Application Deadline
December 1, 2026
I20 Transfer Deadline
December 1, 2026
Arrival Date
January 13, 2027
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Application Deadline
October 1, 2026
(College of Engineering and Integrated Design, College of Liberal and Fine Arts, Environmental Science, Geoscience, MA Spanish, University College, Applied Edu Psych, Bi Education, TESOL)
November 1, 2026
(Graduate Direct: Business, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences, MA English, Math, Chemistry, Physics)
(Undergraduate: International Direct, Academic Accelerator)
I20 Transfer Deadline
January 12, 2027
Arrival Date
January 13, 2027
University of the Pacific
Application Deadline
November 25, 2026
I20 Transfer Deadline
December 16, 2026
Arrival Date
January 8, 2027
University of Utah
Application Deadline
December 1, 2026
I20 Transfer Deadline
December 15, 2026
Arrival Date
January 6, 2027
Johns Hopkins University
Application Deadline
September 15, 2026 (Applied Mathematics and Statistics M.S.E., Data Science M.S.E)
October 1, 2026 (Computer Science M.S.E., Electrical and Computer Engineering M.S.E., Engineering Management M.S.)
October 15, 2026 (Global Innovation and Leadership Through Engineering M.S., Materials Science M.S.E., Mechanical Engineering M.S.E., Robotics M.S.E.)
November 1, 2026 (Civil Engineering M.S.E., Systems Engineering M.S.)
November 15, 2026 (Security Informatics M.S.)
I20 Transfer Deadline
N/A
Arrival Date
N/A
University of Kansas
Application Deadline
November 15, 2026
I20 Transfer Deadline
December 1, 2026
Arrival Date
January 12, 2027
University of Central Florida
Application Deadline
November 23, 2026
I20 Transfer Deadline
November 30, 2026
Arrival Date
January 5, 2027
Villanova University
Application Deadline
October 1, 2026 (Graduate Engineering program)
November 1, 2026 (MS, Computer Science)
October 15, 2026 (Other graduate programs)
I20 Transfer Deadline
N/A
Arrival Date
N/A
University of Illinois Springfield
Application Deadline
November 1, 2026
I20 Transfer Deadline
November 1, 2026
Arrival Date
January 6, 2027 (Graduate Direct)
January 7, 2027 (International Direct)
Pepperdine University
Application Deadline
October 1, 2026 (Graduate, MS Business Analytics, MS Global Business, MS Applied Finance, MS Business, MS Real Estate)
October 15, 2026 (Graduate Law LLM, Standard Entry, Law Master of Dispute Resolution)
I20 Transfer Deadline
N/A
Arrival Date
N/A
Rutgers University Camden
Application Deadline
October 1, 2026 (Graduate Business and Science - Computer and Information Science, Standard Entry)
October 15, 2026 (Graduate Psychological Sciences)
October 20, 2026 (Graduate Computer Science - Scientific Computing)
November 1, 2026 [Graduate Mathematical Sciences, Biology, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Chemistry, MS in Finance-Wealth Management (online)]
December 1, 2026 [Graduate Data Science, Liberal Studies (Online), Computational and Integrative Biology, Accounting - Professional (Online), Liberal Studies, Public Administration, Business Analytics (Online), Business Analytics, English & Media Studies, Business Administration (Online)]
December 31, 2026 (Graduate Childhood Studies)
I20 Transfer Deadline
N/A
Arrival Date
N/A
Rutgers University New Brunswick
Application Deadline
September 24, 2026 (Shorelight Admissions Portal)
October 1, 2026 (University Portal)
I20 Transfer Deadline
N/A
Arrival Date
January 19, 2027
Stony Brook University
Application Deadline
September 15, 2026 (Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Oral Biology and Pathology)
October 1, 2026 (Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, French - Romance Languages, Italian - Romance Languages, Marine Atmospheric & Sustainability Sciences, Neuroscience, Technological Systems Management)
October 15, 2026 (Applied Mathematics & Statistics, Creative writing and Literature, Data Science, English, Mechanical Engineering, Philosophy)
October 17, 2026 (Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering)
October 25, 2026 (Public Policy)
November 1, 2026 (Contemporary Asian Studies, and Standard Entry Undergraduate)
November 15, 2026 (Chemical and Molecular Engineering, Hispanic Languages and Literature, Materials Science and Engineering)
December 1, 2026 (Accounting and Analytics, Physiology and Biophysics)
December 15, 2026 (Mathematics)
I20 Transfer Deadline
N/A
Arrival Date
N/A
University at Buffalo
Application Deadline
November 15, 2026
I20 Transfer Deadline
N/A
Arrival Date
January 22, 2027
University of Virginia
Application Deadline
September 25, 2026 (Computer Engineering, ME)
September 30, 2026 (Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, ME, Electrical Engineering, ME, Materials Science & Engineering, MMSE)
December 8, 2026 (Civil Engineering, ME)
December 11, 2026 (Systems Engineering, ME)
I20 Transfer Deadline
N/A
Arrival Date
N/A
Utah Tech University
Application Deadline
November 1, 2026
I20 Transfer Deadline
N/A
Arrival Date
January 13, 2027
University of Dayton
Application Deadline
December 18, 2026
I20 Transfer Deadline
January 6, 2027
Arrival Date
January 6, 2027
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
Application Deadline
December 1, 2026 (Graduate direct, International direct)
I20 Transfer Deadline
N/A
Arrival Date
January 8, 2027 (Graduate direct)
January 5, 2027 (International direct)
Heriot-Watt University UK
Application Deadline
November 24, 2026
I20 Transfer Deadline
December 8, 2026
Arrival Date
January 3, 2027
Seattle University
Application Deadline
February 15, 2026 (Graduate and International Direct)
I20 Transfer Deadline
February 15, 2026 (Graduate Direct)
March 9, 2026 (International Direct)
Arrival Date
March 30, 2027 (Graduate and International Direct)
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Application Deadline
November 15, 2026
I20 Transfer Deadline
January 15, 2027
Arrival Date
January 12, 2027
Late start dates are subject to change and may not align with dates listed on individual school pages. Reach out to your Shorelight advisor for the latest updates.
Shorelight’s Commitment
We believe that international students have a right to study in the United States, and we’re doing everything in our power to make sure your voice is heard. In addition to engaging with the administration via our social channels, we are also working with organizations like NAFSA, the U.S. for Success Coalition, and others to clear the path for students to join us this fall. We will continue providing updates as we learn more about this evolving situation.
