Admissions

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International Student FAQs

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The Application Process

How do I apply for admission to the University of Houston as an international undergraduate student?
First, submit the application for admission. Next, submit all the required documents and transcripts. Questions along the way? Contact the Office of Admissions anytime.
How much does it cost to apply to the University of Houston as an international student?
The application fee for international students (non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents) is $75 (non-refundable).
I have lived in Texas for five years, and I have documents from a school in a foreign country. How do I apply?
First, submit the application for admission. Next, submit all the required documents and transcripts. Your foreign academic transcripts will be evaluated by the Office of International Admissions to determine your admissibility to the University of Houston.

How do I find out the status of my application?
You can monitor the status of your application here. You will also receive regular updates by mail.

Are there deadlines for applying to the University of Houston?
Application deadlines vary from year to year, and some colleges and departments have different deadlines too. You can check this year’s deadlines here.

How do I pay the application fee?
You have three choices in paying the application fee:
  1. Pay the fee with a valid credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover) when you apply online.
  2. Pay by credit card by logging into myUH (PeopleSoft) and clicking on Admissions Status, then “pay.”
  3. Send a check or money order directly to:

Office of Admissions
University of Houston
Room 122 E. Cullen Building
Houston, TX 77204-2023

May I translate my documents and have them notarized?
No, all documents must be translated by either the school issuing the document or by a licensed translator. The University reserves the right to accept or deny translations.

Requirements

I am from an English speaking country. Why do I need to take the TOEFL?
TOEFL requirements are based on your native country’s official language. For more information, please see Admissions Criteria.
What score do you require on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)?
A score of 550 on the paper-based exam and 213 on the computer exam.
Who is exempt from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)?
International students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and who have an associate's degree from an accredited institution are exempt from TOEFL requirements. All applicants for special majors, however, must score a 550 or above on the TOEFL.

Transferring Credit

Does the University of Houston accept credit for International Baccalaureate work?
The University of Houston recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) higher-level examination scores of 5 or better. Students are granted credit on an individual course-by-course basis. To receive credit, ask the International Baccalaureate office in New York (for work done in U.S.) or Geneva, Switzerland (for work done abroad) to submit your transcripts to the Office of International Admissions, 122 Ezekiel Cullen Bldg., University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-2023. For more information, please see International Baccalaureate (PDF).

Texas Residency

Which visas are eligible to domicile in the state of Texas?

A complete list of visas and information concerning whether they can domicile in Texas is located on the Coordinating Board of Texas website. Students who hold one of these valid visas and who meet our general requirements may be considered for in-state tuition. For consideration, please verify eligibility on the Coordinating Board of Texas website and submit a residency questionnaire (PDF) along with supporting documentation to the University of Houston. Residency questionnaires are usually processed within 10 working days.

An example of sufficient documentation for an H-4 student is: A valid H-4 visa, the valid H1B visa for the spouse/parent on which the student is basing his/her claim, and a letter of employment which shows full-time employment for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the student's anticipated enrollment. Residency questionnaires are not processed for applicants who have not yet applied to the university.

Foreign students who have filed for permanent resident status (I-130, I-485) can be considered for in-state tuition if general requirements have also been met.

What are the requirements for paying in-state tuition in Texas in regard to International Students?

Generally, students holding F-1 visas are not eligible to be considered Texas residents for tuition purposes. Due to the nature of the F-1 visa, F-1 visa holders are not eligible to domicile (see list below) and do not qualify for a resident classification.  However, if a student with an F-1 visa ALSO has an application for permanent residence (1-485 application) pending with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) the student may be eligible to qualify for in state residency. The general requirements for establishing residency will apply. Please email residency@uh.edu if you feel you meet these qualifications and would like more information about receiving in state tuition.

What is Senate Bill 1528, who qualifies for it and if eligible what needs to be done to apply for it?

Senate Bill 1528 grants residency for tuition purposes to noncitizens, nonpermanent residents, and visa holders. If a student attends a Texas high school for 36 months prior to graduation or resides in Texas for 36 months prior to the receipt of a GED, the student will qualify for resident tuition (see affidavit below for requirements). If you believe you are eligible for Senate Bill 1528, you must submit a signed and notarized affidavit and an official high school transcript/GED certificate with date and scores.

What is a tuition waiver and where do I get more information about it?

Nonresidents and Foreign Nationals on F-1 visas may be eligible for reduced tuition rates by qualifying for tuition waivers. Waiver examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • -students awarded competitive scholarships in the amount of $1,000+ for one academic year
  • -graduate/teaching/research assistants from state-supported institutions who are seeking employment waivers for themselves or their dependents
  • -military waivers for personnel and their dependents whose state of home record is not Texas

Go to the Office of Student Financial Services (Bursar) in the Welcome Center (corner of Calhoun Road and University Drive), for tuition waiver information.

Who may I contact with further questions about residency?

New students who have questions about residency should contact the Office of Admissions in the Welcome Center or they may submit questions to residency@uh.edu.
Former and current students who have completed their first semester should contact the Office of Registration and Academic Records (Registrar) in the Welcome Center or call (713) 743-1010, option 4.

Where can I go to find all the details about Texas Residency?

Residency is an important topic for many students and their families.  Please visit the Residency Requirements pages for more information.

 
See more Texas Residency FAQs