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Express Mail Delivery

The International Center uses UEMS e-Ship Global express mail delivery service for all domestic and international express mail requests. (See more details about the International Center's mailing policy at the bottom of this page.) This service allows you to select and pre-pay for express mail shipment using a shipping service (e.g., Federal Express, UPS, DHL). Once you submit your request using UEMS e-Ship Global, the International Center will receive a voucher allowing us to send your documents to you by express mail.

To get started with UEMS:

  1. Go to the UEMS site and register to create an account
  2. IMPORTANT: Follow instructions for selecting "Tufts University" as your school and "International Center" as the department
  3. Select your preferred shipping service (e.g., Federal Express, DHL, UPS) and enter your address and contact information
  4. Pay the required shipping fee
  5. Log out

Download e-Ship Global Delivery instructions

Fall 2021 Update for F-1 Students and F-2 Dependents Only: Please note that the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has authorized schools to deliver Form I-20 to F-1 students and F-2 dependents electronically, on an indefinite basis. As a result, it is no longer necessary to ship paper versions of Form I-20. Upon receiving an electronic PDF copy of their I-20, however, students should still print out a paper version when applying for visas or traveling to the US.

Alternative Delivery Methods

Pick-Up. You can pick up your documents at the International Center office location responsible for providing service to you. In general, International Center locations are open 9am - 5pm from Monday - Friday. Please bring your University ID card or other official identification when picking up documents. See our Guide to Getting Things Done with the International Center for walk-in hours.

Domestic First-Class Mail. The International Center will mail documents to you free of charge using regular first-class mail through the US Postal Service. This is available only for domestic US addresses. First class mail does not come with tracking or delivery confirmation. You can request domestic first class mail by sending an email to internationalcenter@tufts.edu or by informing the International Center advisor responsible for your case. Be sure to include your full name, Tufts ID number, and a complete US mailing address. Available in limited situations and on a delayed delivery schedule due to COVID-19 related service interruptions.

Note: Due to US government restrictions, we cannot send your Form I-20 or DS-2019 travel documents to you by email, fax, or other electronic means. Electronic delivery of Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 is not permitted except directly to a US government office such as a US consulate or border crossing, and at the request of a visa officer or border officer. Electronic (e-mailed) delivery of Form I-20 is now allowed indefinitely for visa issuance and travel purposes. DS-2019 forms for J-1 students and scholars cannot be sent by electronic means.

International Center Document Mailing Policy

The International Center requires express mail when asked to ship any US government travel documents (e.g., Form I-20, DS-2019, etc.) to an international destination, including Canadian addresses. This is to ensure that delivery tracking is available and documents arrive in a timely manner.

Students and scholars are required to submit an express mail request through UEMS e-Ship Global and assume the cost of the express mail shipment. The International Center will assume the cost only in specific situations:

  • For undergraduate students who have received international financial aid, the International Center will send their first Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 by express mail free of charge. For subsequent express mail shipments, the student is responsible for the full cost of express mail shipments.
  • In exceptional circumstances, the International Center will send documents on at its own expense to accommodate unanticipated processing delays beyond the normal two-week period needed to process documents following receipt of a complete application or request from a student, scholar, or employee.

You may request either regular first class US Postal Service mail or express mail for documents being delivered to a domestic address within the US. Please let your International Center advisor know if you would like your documents mailed to you by regular mail or domestic express mail.

First class mail will be sent free of charge. However, it does not provide delivery tracking or guaranteed delivery times.

If you would like to request express mail must submit a request using UEMS e-ship Global delivery service. You are responsible for paying the cost of the express mail shipment. The International Center will assume the cost of express mail delivery only in exceptional circumstances, to accommodate unanticipated processing delays beyond the normal two-week period processing time for most applications and requests.