FAQ
Admission
Immigration
Academics, Scholarships & Tuition
Social Security Numbers
Arkansas Driver License and ID Cards for Adults
Health Insurance
OPT & CPT
Admission
What are the requirements for submitting transcripts and academic records for transfer credit evaluation?
We require a course by course evaluation. The official copy must be mailed directly from the agency to the Office of International Services at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Credential evaluation agencies are as follows:
NACES: www.naces.org/members.htm
AACRAO: www.aacrao.org/international/foreignEdCred.cfm
NOTE: Although your credential evaluation may indicate that you have completed a significant number of credit hours, UALR will only accept those credits which satisfy its degree requirements.
What are the ACT, SAT, & Accuplacer exam requirements?
If you are a first time entering freshman, UALR requires that you take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT). Your scores must be mailed directly from the test center to UALR to be considered official. We recommend that you also fax your SAT or ACT scores to OIS to avoid processing delays. Faxed transcripts are considered unofficial.
If you are unable to submit ACT or SAT scores, you will be required to take UALR’s Accuplacer placement exam before you will be allowed to register for classes. If you plan to take the Accuplacer, please coordinate your travel plans to accommodate the extra time required to take the exam before classes begin. OIS recommends that you plan on arriving to UALR no less than one week before classes begin. Failure to take the Accuplacer before classes begin may result in the loss of valid status as an F-1 Visa holder.
What are the English language proficiency requirements?
If English is not your native language, you must demonstrate a level of English proficiency appropriate to the level of instruction at UALR. You may do this by taking the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). The minimum requirement for undergraduate admission is 71 on the web-based test. Graduate applicants must satisfy the English proficiency requirement as stipulated by the academic program to which the student is applying.
Present score of at least 6 on the IELTS, earned within the last two years.
Take the Michigan Test (formerly known as the Institutional English Language test), administered on campus. Please contact the Intensive English Language Program for specific information by calling (501) 569-3467; the test must be taken before class registration.
The TOEFL Requirement can be waived:
If you have attended school in the U.S. for the last six years and meet all of our specific regular freshman requirements for admission, we will waive the TOEFL requirement. You must instruct the high school or school board in the county where you graduated to send your final and official transcript and SAT or ACT scores to the UALR Office of Admissions to complete your admissions requirements.
If applicants applying within the United States have completed English composition (levels I & II) at a regionally accredited post secondary institution with a “C” grade or better.
Complete the UALR Intensive English Language Program through the final level (see IELP section).
What are the certification requirements for my financial support documents?
International applicants who plan to apply for an F-1 visa are required by the U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service to provide the University with a statement and supporting documents of financial ability for the first year of study before an I-20 can be issued.
Two original sets of supporting documents should be obtained. Send one set with the application documents and use the other when applying for a visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
How long will it take for UALR to issue an I-20 after I’ve applied?
The application processing time is usually 6-8 weeks from the date your complete application is received at the Office of International Services. We recommend that you send us ALL of the required admission materials and documents in one package/envelope to avoid any unnecessary delays. Processing time for Graduate School applicants is longer and might take up to 6-10 weeks.
Can my I-20 issuance be expedited?
After complete admission into UALR, your I-20 will be issued. Successful admission includes the prompt submission of ALL required documentation. Please do not schedule your visa interview too far in advance, or too soon from the date of your application to UALR. When working with immigration, proper planning greatly improves the chances of a successful application to UALR and for a successful visa interview!
Is it possible to determine my admission eligibility before I apply or before I submit all of the required documents?
We will be able to determine your eligibility for admission after we review your completed application, which includes your admission materials, application, and application fee. We appreciate your interest in UALR; we strive to review each applicant’s qualifications in the most fair, objective way possible.
Immigration
In order to travel to the U.S. you need to receive a visa from the American Embassy or Consulate in your country. Currently, there are two types of visas which allow for you to come to study in the United States: the F-1 Student Visa and the J-1 Exchange Visitor (student/scholar) visa.
The F-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for International Students who are qualified to attend a full course of study at colleges, Universities, conservatories, academic high schools (subject to strict regulations) and institutions with language-training programs in the U.S.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a U.S. government database developed to maintain information about international students and exchange visitors and their dependents. U.S. schools and Universities are required to use this system to report certain information about students and exchange visitors coming to their institutions. Thus, SEVIS maintains information about F and J visa holders from the time they receive their documents (I-20, DS-2019, visa, etc.) until they complete their programs in the U.S. This information can be accessed by the home University, U.S. embassies and consulates, U.S. ports of entry, U.S. immigration agencies, the Department of State, and exchange visitor programs.
I am an F-1 student. How does SEVIS affect me?
SEVIS maintains the same information that appears on your printed I-20. In addition, Office of International Services (OIS) is required to report the following types of information about you into SEVIS:
* Start date of your next academic term (i.e. the required date for full-time enrollment), and whether or not you are enrolled full-time by that date.
* Withdrawals below a full-time course load without prior approval from OIS.
* Address and name changes. You are required to update all address changes to UALR-OIS within 10 days of moving.
* Actions that affect your study program, such as change of major, I-20 extensions, graduation, etc.
* Off-campus employment authorizations.
If you do not enroll full-time, or you withdraw to less than full-time without advance approval from your academic advisor AND OIS, your SEVIS record will be terminated. This means that you will have lost your legal status and accompanying benefits (such as eligibility to work on-campus). In this case, you would need to either apply to U.S. Immigration for reinstatement or travel outside the U.S. and request re-admission as a student. Either option carries risks, and there is no guarantee that you would be able to regain legal status. Please review the Staying in Status page to make sure you fully understand the requirements of your student visa.
I am a student on a J-1 visa. How does SEVIS affect me?
SEVIS has fewer effects on J-1 students than on F-1 students because the enrollment reporting regulations for J-1 students are less stringent. However, you are still required to maintain full-time enrollment. Dropping to less than full-time without a valid academic or medical reason would require that this be reported to SEVIS and your SEVIS record terminated. You can ensure that you maintain your J-1 legal status by following all of the guidelines at Staying in Status.
I am a visiting research scholar/professor on a J-1 visa. How does SEVIS affect me?
SEVIS has fewer effects on scholars than on students. However, the scholar MUST confirm their arrival at UALR by visiting OIS for check-in and validating their DS-2019 within the 30 days from start day limit. If this is not done, your record will be terminated in SEVIS. Also, if there is a need to delay travel to the U.S., this can create serious problems. Please avoid problems by following these guidelines:
* Notify the Office of International Services (OIS) and your Department of any delays in your arrival date.
* Report to OIS within the first week of your arrival in the U.S.
To ensure that your current U.S. address information is properly maintained in SEVIS, be sure to report all address changes to OIS within 10 days.
What is an I-94 Admission Card?
This is the Form I-94 Arrival Departure Card that is issued by officers of the Customs and Border Protection Bureau (CBP) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It is the CBP officers who check passports and other documents at airports and land-crossings into the U.S.
Your visa status determines what you can do while staying in the U.S. – for example, whether you are a Student (J-1 or F-1), a Trainee (J-1), or a Research Scholar (J-1).
You must hand in your Admission Card when you leave the U.S., as the Department of Homeland Security tracks these Cards to confirm that you did not stay in the U.S. past the permitted time. It is extremely important for you to keep the I-94 card along with your passport during your entire stay in the U.S.
An I-94 Card looks like this: 
What are the benefits of the F-1 visa?
What are the requirements for the F-1 visa?
To be eligible for an F-1 visa, you must prove that:
The J-1 exchange visitor program is designed to promote the interchange of persons, knowledge, and skills in the fields of education, arts, and sciences. Participants include:
What are the benefits of the J-1 visa?
What are the requirements for the J-1 visa?
To qualify for a J-1 exchange visitor visa, you must prove that:
How do I stay in status? What documents do I need to keep valid?
In order to stay in status, students must maintain the required amount of hours for their respective education level. They also must make sure that their I-20, passport, and I-94 are valid. The student visa can expire during the student’s can stay in the U.S. However, when the student leaves the country they will have to renew their visa before returning to the U.S.
How do I renew my I-20, visa, or passport while in the U.S.?
Your I-20 should be valid for the entire duration of your program of study. If graduating early, or needing a longer time to complete your program, please schedule an appointment with with OIS to make the appropriate changes to your I-20.
Your visa cannot be renewed while in the U.S., however you are allowed to stay in the U.S. if your visa expires.
Your passport can be renewed while in the U.S. You will need to contact your embassy for information regarding renewing your passport.
What am I required to do when traveling outside of the U.S.?
Students who are planning on traveling outside of the U.S. should come to the Office of International Services before they leave to get their I-20 signed. Signatures from the OIS Advisor, Coordinator, or Assistant Director are valid for one year. It is recommended to inform OIS of your plans to travel outside of the U.S.
Students who decide to travel outside of the country during the semester should schedule an appointment with OIS before traveling for proper documentation to assist with re-entry into the U.S. without any problems.
I have an H1-B visa, do I have any restrictions as far as studying at UALR is concerned?
H1-B students may study full or part-time while on this visa. They are not subject to the restrictions that are set in place for F-1 visa holders. However, for students on H1-B visas, there is the restriction to limit their study at the University as a secondary focus. Meaning, they should not make their study at the University their primary focus for staying in the U.S.
I have an F-2 visa, do I have any restrictions as far as studying at UALR is concerned?
F-2 dependents may not engage in full-time study, and the type of study can only be “avocational” or “recreational”. If the F-2 dependent would like to pursue a course of study, they should apply for a change of status of the F-1 visa before the program of study is started.
I’m on another visa, and I want to change my status to F-1. What do I need to do in order to get the F-1 visa status?
In order to change your status to a F-1 student visa status, applicants must first apply to UALR and be accepted. When creating the I-20 for admission, it is important to inform OIS that you will be applying for a change of status.
Schedule an appointment with OIS to be informed of the requirements for changing your status. Create a time line that will be followed in order to get the change of status completed in a timely matter. It generally takes 3-6 months to get a change of status approved, sometimes even longer.
If I have a green card, do I qualify for in-state tuition?
Yes, green card holders are eligible for in-state tuition after 6 months of residency in Arkansas from the date of receiving the green card.
Academics, Scholarships & Tuition
Are there any scholarships that I can apply for as an international student?
UALR offers a pilot program that awards international students in-state tuition if they meet the criteria that is set forth for the program. Please see our scholarships section for more information.
Students may also apply for private scholarships through their respective departments. Scholarship applications are generally due on March 1 of every year and apply to the next year of study.
I want to change my major, and I need to change it on my I-20. What do I need to do?
If you have already declared your major, you will need to contact your desired programs’ department and request a “change of major” form from them. Signatures from the student, Academic Advisor (not OIS), and the chair of the Department are required. This process can take up to six weeks.
If you have not declared your major, you can contact OIS for further assistance in this process.
After these procedures have been completed and the change has been approved and applied to your student record, OIS will issue your new I-20 with the new major.
I am a F-1 student, can I qualify for in-state tuition?
F-1 students are not allowed to qualify for in-state tuition as long as they have F-1 visa status. No exceptions are allowed.
I am a H1-B student, can I qualify for in-state tuition?
H1-B students, because of their visa status, must contact Chelsea Bishop Ward in Admissions and Financial Aid when inquiring about in-state tuition.
Social Security Numbers
How do I get a social security number?
In order to receive a social security number, students must have a job on-campus. Once you have received an on-campus position, please bring your letter of employment to the Office of International Services. We will fill out the appropriate paperwork for Human Resources and will supply you with a social security letter from our office. Take the following to the nearest social security office for processing:
- Employment Letter.
- Social security letter from the Office of International Services.
- Current I-20.
- Passport, visa, and I-94 card.
I don’t want a job, but I need a social security number to get an apartment, car, etc. What else can I do as an alternative to the social security number?
After verifying your information, OIS will be more than happy to write a letter which verifies your student status, classes you are registered in, as well as good academic standing at UALR. We will explain your international status and why you do not have a social security number.
Arkansas Driver License and/or ID Card
Where do I get an Arkansas Driver License and/or ID Card?
Arkansas driver’s licenses or ID Cards can be obtained from your local revenue office. Click to find your local Revenue Office.
What do I need to bring to proof my legal presence in Arkansas?
All new applicants for an Arkansas driver’s license or identification card are required to provide proof of legal presence in the United States as well as proof of identity.
To prove legal presence in the United States, one of the following documents must be shown:
* U.S. Passport/U.S. Passport Card.
* U.S. Birth Certificate.
* U.S. Visa.
* Photo Document from DHS - (Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration) -
(No Border Crosser).
* Photo Military/Military Dependent ID.
* Armed Forces Discharge Papers.
* Naturalization Certificate.
If your name is different from what is on the Birth Certificate, you will need to bring the document which changes name, (Marriage License, Divorce Decree, etc.) specifically stating that you may change your name, or a court order for name change.
For proof-of-identity to obtain driver’s license or ID card, each applicant must show either:
* Two (2) primary documents, or
* One (1) primary document and one (1) secondary document.
All first-time driver’s license applicants OR out-of-state transfers who have lost their license or whose license is expired over 31 days are required to test with the Arkansas State Police prior to applying for an Arkansas driver’s license:
* Pass Vision Exam.
For applicants under 18 years of age:
* Proof of School Enrollment.
* Proof of Grade Point Average of at least 2.0.
* Parent or Legal Guardian to the Testing Site.
Primary Documents
* Photo Driver License (cannot be expired more than thirty-one (31) days).
* Certificate of Birth (U.S. only).
Must be original or certified copy, have a raised seal and be issued by the Bureau of Vital Statistics or State Board of Health.
* INS Documents, as follows:
Certificate of Naturalization (N-550, N-570, or N-578).
Certificate of Citizenship (N-560, N-561, or N-645).
Resident Alien Card (I-151, I-551, AR-3, AR-3A, or AR-103).
* Court Order:
Must contain full name, date of birth, and court seal.
Examples include adoption document, name change document, or gender change document. Does not include abstract of criminal or civil conviction.
* Military ID with photograph.
* Military Dependent ID with photograph.
* Valid Passport. If foreign, appropriate INS document is also required.
* Armed Forces Discharge Papers.
Secondary Documents
* Photo Work/School ID.
* Vehicle Registration/Title.
* Bureau of Indian Affairs Card/Indian Treaty Card
(Tribal ID Card is NOT acceptable).
* Court Order (date of birth not present).
* Health Insurance Card
(Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Kaiser, HMO, etc. which has been in effect at least five (5) years).
* IRS/State Tax Forms (W-2 NOT acceptable).
* Marriage Certificate/License.
* Medical Records (from Doctor/Hospital).
* Parent/Guardian Affidavit
Parent/guardian must appear in person, prove his/her identity and submit a certified/notarized affidavit regarding the child’s identity. Applies only to minors.
* Concealed Handgun License.
* Pilot’s License.
* Certified School Record/Transcript.
* Prison Release Document.
* Court Records.
* Photo Work/School ID.
A “Valid Without Photo” driver’s license may only be obtained from the Driver’s License Issuance Office in Little Rock, Ragland Building, Room 2120. For additional information call 501-682-7059.
Health Insurance
Why am I required to have health insurance while attending UALR?
While most international students will remain healthy, medical emergencies are frequent and can be catastrophic, especially for those living on a tight budget. Medical insurance can minimize the financial burden and reduce anxiety for students and their parents in the event of emergencies, accidents or illnesses. More importantly, having medical insurance is the law in the United States. The J-1 visitor program requires proof of medical insurance for those from others countries coming to the United States and other non-immigrant students and dependents are required to carry medical insurance as a condition of their legal status in the United States. Non-immigrants are prohibited from accepting public assistance, including assistance for medical emergencies.
Am I still required to purchase UALR’s medical insurance plan even though health care in my home-country is nationalized or subsidized by my government, or I have purchased an insurance plan in my home country?
Yes, you must purchase the health care plan offered through UALR to insure that your medical expenses are covered.
Am I required to have medical insurance during the summer even if I am not enrolled in classes at UALR?
Yes. International students at UALR are required to maintain “continuous” coverage during the duration of the student staus at UALR, and have not officially withdrawn. In return, the student covered by the policy on-campus or off-campus, in the U.S. or outside the U.S., and while traveling to or vacationing in another country. Coverage is NOT provided while in your own home-country.
How do I pay for my medical insurance?
International students pay the premium for 12-months coverage twice a year at the beginning of Fall and Spring semesters at the Cashier’s Office in Administration North on campus at UALR.
How can I qualify for a health insurance waiver?
Insurance waivers are only given in the following situations:
- Students who are covered under their spouses’ work insurance.
- Students who are ministry sponsored, and have their insurance paid through the ministry.
- Students who are government funded, and have their insurance paid through the government.
These are the only situations where an insurance waiver may be granted. Proof of insurance is required for the waiver to be processed.
OPT & CPT
What is OPT? How do I know if I qualify for it?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a way for students to gain knowledge in their field of study and to use the skills obtained through their studies at the University in the work field. OPT is only allowed for students who are in their last semester of study and will be graduating, or students who want to work for a year after graduation.
Students who apply for OPT before they have completed their program of study are only allowed to work 20 hours per week until their graduation date is reached. After this date they are allowed to resume full-time, 40 hour a week positions.
Students who graduate are allowed to begin OPT as soon as they graduate, or have the option to start anytime during the 60 day grace period allowed by USCIS. Students who participate in OPT after graduation are allowed to work 40 hours a week.
It is strongly encouraged that students apply for OPT early within the same semester of graduation to ensure that they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) by the time that they have requested to begin employment. Students do not have to have a job offer when applying for OPT. It is strongly encouraged that the student graduate the semester they apply for OPT. It is difficult to change OPT dates, and if OPT is canceled, the processing fee will be charged again upon graduation.
Can I travel outside of the US during OPT?
Post-Completion OPT is Pending:
If you travel outside of the U.S. and your request for OPT is “FILED” with the service center and is “PENDING,” you may re-enter the U.S. to search for employment.
Please present the following documents to CBP:
Post-Completion OPT is Approved