Undergraduate Catalog / International Students

For purposes of admission, an international student is defined as "a student who is, or will be, in the United States on a nonimmigrant student visa." This specifically refers to the Student (F) and Exchange Visitor (J) Visas. International student admission requirements apply but are not limited to international students on F or J visas.

To comply with federal laws and immigration requirements international students must be degree seeking students in order to enroll at U.T. Permian Basin.

Foreign born students who are naturalized U.S. citizens or who have immigrant status in the United States should note the following:

Please allow ample time for receipt, verification and evaluation of any foreign credentials. Regulations for foreign credentials are the same as listed under international student requirements.

TOEFL scores or other evidence of communication skills sufficient for classroom work may be requested if the student's first language is not English or if academic preparation was not in English.

Financial arrangements required of international students do not apply to resident or naturalized U.S. citizens.

Applicants should apply for admission at least six months before the anticipated enrollment date and should arrange to have test scores and academic records in the Office of Admission no later than 60 days before the enrollment date. Verification of credentials may also be required.

U. T. Permian Basin will issue immigration papers (I-20 or DS2019) for student visas after all admission credentials have been received and approved. For more information contact the International Student Adviser at (432) 552-2605. There is no application fee (subject to change). All international students are considered nonresident students for tuition and other purposes.

In addition to the general admission requirements previously listed, the following regulations apply to all international students:

Yearly secondary school records and national examination results must be submitted.

Certified transcripts of student's academic record (mark sheets) from universities previously attended in the home country must be submitted. Both a copy of the official foreign academic record and an official English translation must be included. Moreover, where university level studies are to be considered for possible undergraduate transfer credit, a syllabus, catalog or similar bulletin must be submitted which describes the courses in sufficient detail for proper evaluation.

Signed statements guaranteeing the student's ability to pay expenses while at U. T. Permian Basin must be accompanied by documentation supporting the statement in the form of a current letter from a bank or other reliable institution or from the sponsor's employer. (Photostatic copies of support statements furnished to meet another university's requirements are not acceptable.) The University has no financial aid available for international students.

In addition to the sponsor's letter guaranteeing support, a $13,000 deposit, which demonstrates ability to pay for tuition, fees, and mandatory insurance for one academic year, is required for students from certain countries and must be placed on deposit at the University. Contact the Admissions Office for a specific information.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores must be submitted before admission will be granted. Minimum score for admission consideration is 550 (paper based) or 213 (computer based). Information concerning the TOEFL may be obtained by writing to: TOEFL, Box 899, Princeton, NJ 08540 (The University of Texas of the Permian Basin institution number: 6914.)

It is compulsory for international students on F-1 visas to have medical hospitalization and repatriation insurance for themselves. Insurance for dependents is optional. Students on J-1 visas are required to carry medical, hospitalization and repatriation insurance for themselves and their dependents.

Students on F-1 visas do not normally have employment privileges. Government regulations require international students to certify that they have finances deemed sufficient by the University while pursuing their degree without employment.. Thus, international students should not expect to support themselves through employment while attending the University. International students may request permission to seek employment while attending the University after they have completed one academic year of study. See the International Student Advisor.

Holders of F-1 student visas and J-1 sponsored Student Visas must enroll for a full load of study.
a.Undergraduate students - Twelve (12) semester hours is the minimum load. If the student does not plan to enroll during the summer sessions, full-time enrollment should be 15 semester hours.
b.Graduate students - Nine (9) semester hours is the minimum load.

Students wishing admission to graduate programs must comply with all of the above requirements in addition to the graduate studies requirements listed in the Graduate Catalog.

Students transferring from a U. S. college or university must have the former international student advisor (or equivalent) complete Form FS2-73. This form is available at the UTPB Admissions Office.

TRANSFER ADMISSIONS - FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS. Transfer admissions from universities within the United States will be processed only for those students that have completed one full year (24 semester hours) or more of studies. The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) must be notified when an international student transfers from one U. S. institution to another. With recent changes in BCIS regulations, a transferring international student must process the transfer with the institution to which the student is transferring, not with the previous institution. However, if a student is out of status with BCIS, that student should reinstate him/herself with BCIS prior to enrolling at UT Permian Basin. Questions regarding a student's immediate immigration status must be directed to the international student adviser.

It is the student's responsibility to obtain the correct visa and to maintain the appropriate immigration status while in the United States. International students should refer to, carefully read, and make sure the conditions of the visa, noted on the back of Form I-20 or DS2019, are understood before signing the form.