International Scholars
Assistance with F-1 student and J-1 student and scholar visa status is available from the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), part of the Office of International Affairs. The main office is located on the Downtown Denver Campus, Lawrence Street Center, 9th floor. A satellite office is located on the Anschutz Medical Campus.
Call 303-315-2230 for an appointment to discuss the services that ISSS staff can provide for international students and scholars.
International students on F-1 or J-1 student visas are required to be registered full-time for two semesters per year. Full-time for undergraduate students is twelve (12) semester hours; full-time for most graduate students is five (5) semester hours.
The University of Colorado is authorized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to issue I-20 forms and by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to issue DS-2019 forms. These forms permit international students to apply for the appropriate visa to study. The University of Colorado is required by the Department of Homeland Security to report the immigration, registration, and demographic status of all international students and J-1 scholars on a regular basis.
International students who are enrolled in a course of study at the University of Colorado and international J-1 scholars who are visiting the campus must visit ISSS in person upon arrival at to check in.
International students and J-1 scholars are required to notify ISSS in person before making any changes in enrollment or immigration status, such as adding or dropping courses, changing degree level, applying for work authorization, changing a place of residence, changing positions, or applying for a change in immigration status.
International students who are enrolled on F-1 or J-1 student visas issued by ISSS, or international visitors on J-1 scholar visas issued by ISSS, who plan to leave the U.S. and re-enter to resume their program, will need to bring their SEVIS Form I-20 or SEVIS Form DS-2019 to International Student and Scholar Services for signature before departing the country.