New Students
I've been accepted. Now what?
Congratulations on being accepted to UTC!
Now that you have received your I-20, make sure to complete all of the following before the New International Student Orientation.
- 1. Pay your SEVIS Fee & Obtain a Visa
New international students are subject to the SEVIS I-901 fee.
Once you receive your I-20, visit the SEVIS I-901 fee payment website to make this payment.
Questions? Learn more →
After you receive your I-20, you will need to apply for a visa.
Visa application procedures vary somewhat among embassies and consulates.
The U.S. Visas website will help you through the process of obtaining the visa to come to the United States.
Once you are on that site, select the appropriate visa type (e.g. F, J, etc.), then read and follow the instructions.
- 2. Immunization Form
The state of Tennessee requires that all students enrolling full-time in public universities provide proof of immunizations.
For more information about UTC's immunization requirements and steps on how to submit your immunization form, please see the UTC University Health Services website.
- 3. First-Time Password Setup
Please click here to set up your password.
- 4. Apply for Housing
Apply for housing here.
Students who decide to live on campus must pay a $25 housing application fee and a $400 pre-payment fee.
Please click here for instructions on how to apply for student housing.
UTC now offers Off-Campus Student Services to provide education and support for students to widen their housing options beyond campus. This department's services can be found here.
- 5. Meal Plans
You will automatically be enrolled in a meal plan when you apply for housing. There are many meal plans to choose from, so make sure to look at your options here.
For more information about UTC dining facilities, click here.
- 6. Airport pick-up
If you want to be picked up from the airport, make sure to fill out the airport pick-up form before Thursday, December 18, 2025.
***Airport pick-up is only available to students who arrive at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) on Thursday January 8th 2025 (preferred pick-up day) and Friday January 9th, 2026 (alternate pick-up day).***
Students who live off campus and sign up for airport pick-up will be dropped off at UTC. These students must find their own transportation to their off-campus housing.
- 7. Health Insurance
All international students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga must obtain health insurance to be protected against any potential health care costs while studying at UTC.
- All international students are automatically enrolled in the UTC Student Health Insurance program.
- Insurance program enrollment occurs on a per semester basis.
- Complete information about UTC Student Health Insurance is available here.
- Health insurance cards can be printed here. (Click "Create Account" and register with your first name, last name, date of birth, and UTC email.)
- The health insurance fee is subject to change at the beginning of each academic year.
- The health insurance fee is lower in summer than in fall and spring, as the summer semester is slightly shorter.
- Students may request a refund if they must leave the country early.
Students may request to waive the cost of UTC student health insurance if they have obtained other insurance coverage before the waiver request deadline. The purchased insurance must meet the university-mandated health coverage criteria:
- The plan must include unlimited (preventative AND emergency) medical coverage.
- Pregnancy coverage may not be excluded.
- The insurance deductible must not exceed $500 per accident/illness.
- The plan must include repatriation coverage of at least $20,000 and medical evacuation coverage of at least $50,000.
- The plan must require a waiting period for pre-existing conditions of less than 13 months.
- The plan must require the student to pay less than 25% per accident/illness.
- The plan must have an M. Best rating of “A-" or better or a Standard & Poor's rating of “A+†or better.
- All information must be provided in English. Monetary amounts must be listed in U.S. dollars.
- The coverage period must be dated as required.
If you elect to purchase alternative health insurance, you must submit a completed online waiver request form, proof of insurance (e.g. a copy of your insurance card), and a copy of your insurance policy or brochure.
Please click below to fill out the online waiver request form.
International Student Insurance Waiver Form
Fall 2025
Coverage: August 1 to December 31, 2025
Cost: $ 1,220
Waiver Due Date: Monday, August 18 at 8 a.m. EST
Spring 2026
Coverage: January 1 to May 5, 2025
Cost: $1036
Waiver Due Date: Monday, January 12th 8 a.m. EST
Summer 2026
Coverage: May 6 to August 11, 2024
Cost: $787
Waiver Due Date: Wednesday, May 20th 8 a.m. EST
- 8. Register for Classes
Registration occurs during orientation
- 9. Attend the MANDATORY New International Student Orientation
The New International Student Orientation is mandatory for all incoming international students.
Spring 2026 date:
Friday, January 9th, 2026
COST: $100
Sign up here.
- 10. Pay your fees
Make sure to pay off the charges in your university student account (for tuition, housing, meal plan, etc.) before the payment deadline.
You may pay online, in person, or via Flywire.
To learn more, please visit the Bursar's Office website.
Important things to consider when booking your travel:
- The nearest airport to Chattanooga is the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA).
- You will need to contact [email protected] about early move-in to on-campus housing.
- If you arrive before Thursday, January 8, 2026, you will need to pay to stay at a hotel and travel to UTC on your own.
- Preferred arrival date Thursday, January 8, 2026.
- Classes start on Monday, January 12, 2026.
How to get from the airport to UTC
1. Sign up for airport pick-up here. (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)***
OR
2. Take ground transportation from the airport. For more information, click here.
***Airport pick-up is only available to students who arrive at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) on Thursday January 8th, 2026 (preferred pick-up day) and Friday January 9th, 2025 (alternate pick-up day).****
Students who live off campus and sign up for airport pick-up will be dropped off at UTC. These students must find their own transportation to their off-campus housing.
The deadline to sign up for airport pick-up is Thursday, December 18, 2025.
For a list of nearby hotels and attractions, visit the Chattanooga Fun website.