Deferring to Future Semester

If you can no longer attend UA Little Rock in the semester on your I-20 or DS-2019,  you can defer your admission and  your I-20 or DS-2019 (see below) and enter in a future semester. If you were previously issued a visa, you can use this visa for a later date, as long as your visa has not expired.

If your visa was denied and there is time before your program start date, you can schedule another interview and present better documentation and information for a hopefully successful result. If you do not have time before the program start date, you should request a deferral of your admission and your I-20 or DS-2019. If you keep the same Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) number, you are not required to pay a new SEVIS fee.

Requesting a Deferral

F-1 Student Deferral

  • Contact your admission counselor with a written request for your admission to be deferred to the following semester.
  • Submit the Immigration Verification Form with updated documentation of financial support dated within the past 6 months.
  • Once you have been granted admission to the new semester, an international advisor will defer your I-20.

J-1 Student Deferral

  • J-1 students must request their admission deferral by the 11th day of class in the original intended semester.
  • Contact your admission counselor with a written request for your admission to be deferred to the following semester.
  • Submit the Immigration Verification Form with updated documentation of financial support dated within the past 6 months.
  • Once you have been granted admission to the new semester, an international advisor will defer your DS-2019.
  • Please note: Forms DS-2019 that have not been deferred within 30 days of the intended semester will be invalid and the student must request reinstatement with the Department of State. Reinstatement is a lengthy and expensive process, so plan ahead.