Current International Students Policy

University Policy

Title

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Policy on Current International Students

Introduction

Purpose

This policy explains the immigration, enrollment, travel, employment, document-keeping, and reporting requirements that UNC-Chapel Hill international students in F-1 and J-1 status must follow to maintain lawful status and continue their studies. It also describes the ISSS approval and documentation process for changes such as reduced course load, program changes, leave/withdrawal, extensions, and transfers.

Scope

This policy applies to current UNC-Chapel Hill international students in F-1 and J-1 status, including their dependents where relevant, and requires them to follow ISSS reporting and approval procedures.

Table of Contents

• Enrollment Requirements
• Reduced Course Load
• Changes to Program of Study
• Program Extension
• Leave of Absence/Withdrawal
• Dependents
• SEVIS Transfer Out
• Maintaining Your Immigration Documents and Records
• Travel
• Specific J-1 Student Requirements
• Degree Completion
• Address Reporting

Policy

It is important for international students to maintain their immigration status for the duration of their stay in the United States in order to complete their academic objectives.  It is the student’s responsibility to know reporting requirements for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), maintain full-time enrollment, obtain prior approval from the ISSS office for certain academic actions or before beginning employment, and communicate with advisors at the ISSS office throughout their academic program.

Students should review topics outlined on the left-hand side menu to learn how to maintain their immigration status.

Enrollment Requirements

Full-Time Enrollment

Students in F-1 or J-1 status must maintain full-time enrollment for the duration of their academic career at UNC-Chapel Hill.  The following constitutes full-time enrollment at UNC-Chapel Hill:

• Undergraduate Students: 12 credit hours per semester
• Graduate Students: 9 credit hour per semester.

Online Classes

• Students may count only one online course (up to 3 credits) towards full-time enrollment.
• Any course listed as “Remote Only” is considered an online course.

Summer Enrollment

International students are required to enroll in summer if they are starting a new program of study in the summer or if they are finishing their program in the summer. Students may also be required to enroll in summer if they are engaging in Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

Full-time enrollment for summer is defined as follows:

• Undergraduate students: 4 credit hours per summer session
• Graduate students: 3 credit hours per summer session

Exceptions

Graduate students who have completed their coursework are considered full-time if they register for a minimum of three (3) credit hours of 992 (master’s paper), 993 (master’s thesis), or 994 (doctoral dissertation). Enrollment in 992, 993, or 994 is required each Fall and Spring after completion of coursework in order to maintain immigration status. Summer enrollment in 992, 993, or 994 is only required if defending the dissertation during the Summer session.

Reduced Course Load: Under certain circumstances, students may be authorized to enroll in less than a full-time course load. See Reduced Course Load section for additional information.

Failure to Enroll

Students who have been suspended or are unable to enroll for any academic, medical, administrative or financial reason should discuss their situation with ISSS.  Failing to enroll will result in the termination of a student’s legal immigration status.

Students who plan to take a leave of absence or withdraw from the University should consult with ISSS to discuss how these plans will affect their current and future immigration status before withdrawing and leaving the U.S.

Concurrent Enrollment

Enrollment in a course at another SEVIS-approved University may count towards full-time enrollment in certain circumstances. Please see ISSS before registering for a course at another University. Students may not take a course at another University in their last semester of study.

Reduced Course Load

Students in F-1 status may be eligible to take a Reduced Course Load (RCL) under certain circumstances, but they must receive prior approval from an advisor at the ISSS office before dropping below full-time in the University system. 

The following chart shows the acceptable reasons for a reduced course load and the documentation needed by ISSS in order to approve this action in SEVIS:

Requesting a Reduced Course Load

F-1 students must submit a Reduced Course Load Request in the ISSS Portal under “F-1 Student Services” and are advised to not drop below full-time status until the RCL is approved.

Changes to Program of Study

Any change to the information contained on the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 must be updated in the SEVIS system.  It is the student’s responsibility to make sure the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 reflects accurate information regarding the program of study.

Students should not assume that any changes made in the University system are automatically updated in SEVIS.  Students should meet with an advisor at the ISSS office to discuss any changes to the program of study, since some changes may require additional documentation.

Change of Major

When an undergraduate international student changes their primary or secondary major at UNC-CH, the ISSS office will get an alert of this change.

ISSS will make updates in the SEVIS record and issue a new Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.

Changes to the minor will be updated in SEVIS, but a new form will not be issued.

Students will receive a new Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 through email within three (3) weeks once the change of major is effective in ConnectCarolina. If students have not been notified within this time, they should contact an academic advisor to make sure the change in major has been updated in Connect Carolina, and then notify ISSS.

Change of Degree Level

Students pursuing a change in level to another degree program must submit Students admitted to another degree program at UNC-CH must submit a request for an updated Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 by completing the Admitted/New Student Checklist under Admitted/New Student Services menu in the ISSS Portal.

Students will be asked to upload new financial documents covering the cost of attendance for their new degree program. Once the request is processed, students will be issued a Form I-20 or DS-2019 for the change of level. Students will then be required to complete the ISSS Student Check-In to activate the new record.

Students will maintain the same SEVIS ID number on the new forms (Students in J-1 status can only matriculate to a higher level of study). Requests for a change in level must be submitted to ISSS prior to the end of the previous academic program. Failure to comply with reporting deadlines will result in loss of the student’s immigration status.

Change in Program

International graduate students requesting a change in their program of study should first be admitted by the new academic program and have this information updated by the department in the Connect Carolina system. Once the program information is updated, ISSS will update the SEVIS record and issue a new Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 which will be emailed to the student.

Program Extension

Students who will not finish their program of study by the current end date on the Form I-20 or DS-2019 must request a program extension before their program end date.

An extension may be granted by an ISSS Advisor if the student has continually maintained status, and the extension is required due to compelling academic or medical reasons. Extensions can only be granted up to one year at a time, depending on how much time is needed to complete the academic program. If a student needs more than one (1) year, they will have to submit a new Student Program Extension Request.

To apply for a program extension, the student must complete the Student Program Extension Request in the ISSS Portal under “General Student Services.” This request is comprised of two forms: 

• Financial Information for Program Extension: Students will have to provide current financial documentation showing financial support for the extension period. Students should refer to the following additional information:
  • Current cost estimates for program extensions 
  • Requirements for financial support documentation 
• Student Program Extension Request: Students must list their academic advisor or academic program director.  The academic advisor/program director will receive an email from ISSS with a link to a form they must complete.

A complete request is not received by ISSS until both forms have been submitted by the student, and the academic advisor/program director has also completed their form. Processing an extension can take up to three (3) weeks; therefore, students should apply for the extension early.   

If approved, the student will receive an email with the new Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 attached. Students should keep all previously issued Forms I-20 or DS-2019. If working on campus, students should also present the new form to their HR facilitator as proof of continuing on-campus employment eligibility.  

Failure to apply for an extension prior to the completion date on the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 will result in the termination of a student’s F-1 or J-1 immigration status and suspension of all employment authorizations, whether on or off campus. To regain legal status, a student would need to apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for reinstatement (if eligible) and pay the associated fees OR travel outside of the U.S., obtain a new visa, and re-enter. 

NOTE: J-1 students who have applied for and/or received a recommendation for a waiver of the Two-Year Home Residence Requirement are not eligible for extension of J-1 immigration status. 

Leave of Absence/Withdrawal

International students requesting a leave of absence or withdrawing from the University must notify ISSS before the withdrawal or leave of absence is requested, even if the withdrawal or leave is only for one semester or part of a semester. Only ISSS can approve an authorized withdrawal in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

Students who fail to notify ISSS prior to withdrawing may have their SEVIS record terminated for “Unauthorized Early Withdrawal” or “Failure to Enroll”. Both are negative termination reasons and inform the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that the student failed to maintain the terms of their immigration status. Negative terminations on a student’s record may result in problems while traveling or applying for any future immigration benefits. Additionally, students whose records are negatively terminated do not receive a grace period and must depart the U.S. immediately.

Students who timely notify ISSS prior to withdrawing or taking a leave of absence will have their SEVIS record terminated for “Authorized Early Withdrawal”, which is a neutral termination reason. Terminations for “Authorized Early Withdrawal” inform DHS (and other relevant government agencies) that the student has taken the appropriate steps necessary to close out their SEVIS record prior to ceasing enrollment or completing the on-campus portion of their program at UNC-Chapel Hill. Students whose records are terminated for “Authorized Early Withdrawal” are allowed a 15-day grace period to depart the U.S. from the effective date of the withdrawal.

In order to be approved for an “Authorized Early Withdrawal” in SEVIS, students should submit the Notice of Withdrawal or Leave of Absence in the ISSS Portal. This form is found under the “F-1 Student Services” menu.

Students should consult their academic department regarding relevant University procedures regarding withdrawing or taking an official leave of absence from the University.

Students completing their degrees online may not remain in the U.S. and must also submit the Notice of Withdrawal or Leave of Absence to have their SEVIS record approved for an “Authorized Early Withdrawal.”

Readmission/Returning from Leave of Absence

Students who wish to return to UNC-Chapel Hill will need to apply for readmission through the Undergraduate or Graduate Admissions office (or Professional Program).  Once the readmission decision is reflected in ConnectCarolina, students will receive an email from ISSS with instructions on submitting a new request for an I-20 or DS-2019 in the ISSS Portal. Upon receiving all required documents an ISSS advisor will process a new Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 within 3 weeks.

Students applying for readmission to UNC-Chapel Hill or returning after a leave of absence should reference the New Student Page for more information on the process of entering the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 immigration status.  Though students in this situation will not be new to UNC-CH, for immigration purposes, they will be treated as new students at the beginning of a new program of study:

• Readmitted students must pay a new SEVIS fee and in some cases apply for a new visa stamp. Students are advised to plan ahead to allow enough time to receive the Form I-20 or DS-2019 and obtain a new visa stamp in order to re-enter the U.S.
• Students may enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the start date as listed on Form I-20 or DS-2019.
• In order to be eligible for practical training, F-1 students must be enrolled full-time for at least one academic year upon returning to UNC-CH.

Dependents

Dependents are defined as a spouse and/or unmarried children under the age of 21. Dependents of an F-1 student will be applying for F-2 visa/status; dependents of J-1 students will be applying for J-2 visa/status.

Dependents in F-2 or J-2 status must have their own Form I-20 or Form DS-2019. Students who wish to bring their dependents to the U.S. must apply for a certificate of eligibility (Form I-20 or DS-2019) by showing proof of financial support for the dependent’s living expenses.

Students most often request dependent documents upon initial entry to their program by providing their dependent’s information on the Financial Certificate before arrival. Students already in the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status may request dependent Forms I-20 or DS-2019 by completing an F-2 or J-2 Dependent Request Form.

Maintaining F-2 or J-2 Status

Dependents in F-2 status are not allowed to work but may study part-time in the U.S. Dependent children in F-2 status are permitted to study full-time in grades K-12. 

Dependents in J-2 immigration status are allowed to apply for employment authorization through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by completing the I-765 form available on their website. J-2 dependents must receive the Employment Authorization Document (EAD Card) before beginning employment in the U.S. which can take 3-4 months to process.  Dependents in J-2 status are permitted to study full-time while in the U.S.

Family members not eligible for dependent status

Students wishing to invite family members who are not eligible for dependent status should see information on inviting a family member to visit.  ISSS cannot issue invitation letters to assist with family members’ visa application and/or entry to the U.S.

SEVIS Transfer Out

An F-1 student who plans to attend another U.S. school (and who will either stop attending UNC-Chapel Hill or complete their UNC degree) must request that their SEVIS record be electronically “released,” or transferred, to that school, to continue to maintain status in the U.S.  

A student will be eligible for a SEVIS transfer out if the following are true:

• The student has been maintaining F-1 status.
• The student has been admitted to the transfer-in school.
• The course of study at the transfer-in school will begin within 5 months of the end of the course of study at the transfer-out school OR within 5 months of the transfer release date, whichever is earlier.
• The SEVIS transfer is requested no later than the end of the student’s 60-day grace period.

To begin the process, the student must notify the ISSS office at UNC-CH of the intent to transfer their SEVIS record to another U.S. institution. The student must submit a SEVIS Record Transfer Out Request in the ISSS Portal and upload a written confirmation of admission to another SEVIS approved school. The admission letter must include the term of admission, must be signed and dated, and issued on the official University letterhead.   

Please note that ISSS does not complete other institutions’ transfer in forms.  In lieu of this, please provide the following statement to your new institution. If they have additional questions, please have them contact isss@unc.edu.

SEVIS Transfer Release Date

The student must request a specific SEVIS transfer release date, which is the date that will be set by ISSS to make the SEVIS record available to the other U.S. school.

For enrolled students, the earliest transfer release date can be the day after the last day of exams for the final semester.

Students on a period of Post-Completion OPT should select a transfer release date that is after their last day of employment.

After the release date, UNC-Chapel Hill will no longer have access to the student’s record in the SEVIS system. Students who travel outside of the U.S. will need to receive the new Form I-20 from the other institution to re-enter the U.S.

Any on-campus or off-campus work authorizations obtained through UNC-CH (including OPT and CPT) will no longer be valid once the SEVIS record is transferred out.

SEVIS Transfer Out for J-1 Students 

J-1 students intending to have their SEVIS record transferred to a new U.S. institution to continue studies there must initiate the SEVIS transfer out process prior to the program end date on their current Form DS-2019.  ISSS will not transfer out a J-1 student SEVIS record without prior confirmation and agreement on the effective date of transfer being sent in writing from a Responsible Office or Alternate Responsible Officer in the international office at the student’s new institution.  

Maintaining Your Immigration Documents and Records

It is your responsibility while you are in F-1 or J-1 status to ensure the accuracy of your immigration documents and to collect and keep all of your immigration history and employment documentation.

Form I-20

Students should keep all Forms I-20 issued to them by UNC and other U.S. schools, even if they are from a previous degree program, as part of their complete immigration history record.

Important Steps when Receiving a New Form I-20*

• Review the document, which you will receive as an email attachment, and make sure you understand any changes and updates.
• Check the entire document to make sure all information is correct.
• Continuing students: Check page 2 for a new travel signature, as all updated I-20 forms will also have been endorsed for travel.
• If all information is correct, print out the I-20 and sign it at the bottom of page 1.
• Do not throw away any previous I-20 forms; keep all of them for your records.

*ISSS issues I-20 forms electronically and students will receive all new I-20 forms via email.   Students should print and sign the I-20 to use for any official purposes such as, but not limited to, visa renewal, re-entry to the U.S., presenting proof of employment, driver’s license and/or social security number applications.

Form DS-2019 and Other Documents Specific to J-1 Status

Students should keep all Forms DS-2019 issued to them by UNC and other U.S. schools, even if they are from a previous degree program, as part of their complete immigration history record.

Students will need the original electronic Form DS-2019.  After receiving the DS-2019 students should review the document to make sure the information is correct before printing it and signing at the bottom of page 1. If any information is incorrect, please contact your international scholar advisor immediately.

In addition to the DS-2019, J-1 students should make sure to keep all on-campus employment authorization letters to show they received proper authorization from ISSS to work on-campus.

Form I-94

The Form I-94 (DHS Arrival/Departure Record) is created by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when you enter the United States and is the official record of your entry date and immigration status.  The form is generated electronically and can be accessed on the CBP website.

• If you have traveled and made a new entry to the U.S., retrieve your electronic Form I-94 on the CBP website (click on “Get Most Recent I-94”).
• Check the I-94 to make sure it does not contain errors. NOTE: It is important to ensure the “admit until date” is D/S.
• Always print out and/or save every Form I-94 and store in an organized way.
• Keep the I-94s from previous entries to the U.S. for your records (Important: you will not have online access to the I-94 for a previous entry once you have traveled again).
• Keep other evidence of your travel history for your own records where possible (flight itineraries and tickets, etc.).
• Note that the information noted on the “travel history” section on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website is not always correct and usually cannot be corrected. However, your Form I-94 on the CBP website should always accurately reflect the details of your most recent entry. If this information is not correct, contact ISSS immediately.

Passports, U.S. visas, and EAD cards issued by USCIS

• Keep original documents safe! ISSS recommends that you obtain a NC State ID to use for identification purposes rather than carry your passport as a form of ID.
• Make sure you also have copies or photos of your passport identity page(s) and U.S. visa stamp(s); if a passport is lost or stolen, there may not be a way to recover this information later if you have not made your own copies.
• If you are issued an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), immediately make an electronic copy to store for your records.
• Keep all previous EAD cards, even if already expired, for your records.

Social Security Card

• If you have a Social Security Number (SSN) you will need to keep your Social Security card in a safe, secure place. You should not carry this card with you in your wallet, or together with your passport when traveling, etc., as it is generally unnecessary to have this document on your person.
• You should also be protective of your SSN, and never send it over email or give it out freely. As this number could be used for identity fraud, you should make every effort to protect it.
• Once you are issued a SSN, this will be your number for life, so you should keep the original Social Security card in case you are required to present this document for future employment in the U.S. or for any other legitimate purpose.

Employment History

• For any authorized period of practical training i.e. CPT or OPT (F-1 students) or academic training (J-1 students), keep a copy of your job offer letter as well as a detailed job description including information about how the employment was directly related to your degree program.
• Obtain an employment verification letter for each position held which verifies the start date and end date of employment job title, job duties and salary, as applicable.
• It may be important in some cases to keep additional records documenting the number of hours worked, especially in unpaid positions.

Where and How to Store Documents and Records

• ISSS recommends that you keep all documents in a binder or similar organizer and store them in a safe place. Also keep electronic copies of all documents, stored and managed on your computer and/or a back-up hard drive in an organized and easily accessible and protected way.
• Keep support documentation related to the maintenance of your student status (admission letters, full-time enrollment certifications, employment letters, etc.) in a similar manner, maintaining both original/hardcopy and electronic documents as applicable, and keeping them together with other immigration documents so they may be easily located.

This information is intended to provide general information only and does not constitute legal advice.  Depending on your specific situation and immigration history, additional documents may need to be collected and kept and additional considerations may apply.

Travel

Travel Signatures

When traveling outside of the U.S., students in F-1 and J-1 statuses should verify they have a travel signature from ISSS on their most recent Form I-20 or DS-2019.  The signature will be on page 2 of the Form I-20 or page 1 of the Form DS-2019.

A travel signature is valid for 12 months or until the program end date, whichever is sooner.

Students who need to request a new travel signature should submit a request as follows:

• Log in to the ISSS Portal using Onyen and password
• Select General Student Services from the menu on the left-hand side
• Select Travel Signature Request for Students under Tasks and follow form instructions

Students requesting a travel signature will receive a new Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 via email. The document will be emailed to your UNC email account as a PDF file, and you will need to print and sign the form to present when re-entering the U.S.

Travel Documents

The following documents are required for re-entry to the U.S.:

• Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 signed for travel by ISSS within 12 months (unless on a period of Optional Practical Training/OPT, then the signature must be valid within 6 months).
• Valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp (Canadian and Bermudian citizens do not require a visa stamp)
• Passport valid for at least six months into the future on the date of re-entry

ISSS recommends students travel with the following additional documents:

• Financial support information to document the funding indicated on Form I-20 or DS-2019
• Documentation verifying full-time enrollment (printed copy of current or upcoming class schedule, enrollment certification, transcript, or letter from academic department) 
• Students on OPT, should carry their EAD card and employment verification letter.

Form I-94

The Form I-94 is issued at the port of entry to nonimmigrants by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials to record arrivals and departures from the U.S. 

Students should retrieve their Form I-94 through the CBP website immediately upon arrival in to the U.S.

Students can retrieve their most recent Form I-94 by clicking “Get Most Recent I-94″ and entering their information. Students should ensure that their “Class of Admission” corresponds to their visa status – “F-1” or “J-1”, and their “Admit Until Date” is entered as D/S.

If students notice any errors, they should contact their ISSS advisor.

Every I-94 record should be saved electronically or printed and kept as part of the student’s immigration record.

Visa Renewal

Students who need to obtain a new F-1 or J-1 visa stamp must apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside of the U.S.  Please check the U.S. Embassy’s website for more information before leaving the U.S.

• On September 6, 2025 and effective immediately, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has updated its instructions for all nonimmigrant visa applicants who are scheduling visa interview appointments:
  • Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence.
  • Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate (see list here), unless their residence is elsewhere.

Students who obtain a new F-1 or J-1 visa stamp should submit the Update my Visa Information for students form in the  ISSS Portal.

Automatic Revalidation

Students in F-1 or J-1 status and their dependents who are travelling to contiguous territories of Canada or Mexico or the adjacent islands of the Caribbean, except Cuba, may be eligible to travel and return to the U.S. with an expired visa stamp as long as they are within the guidelines listed on the U.S. Department of State’s Website. 

Consult with the embassy or consulate for the country you plan to visit to determine whether a visa will be required for entry into that country.

Specific J-1 Student Requirements

Two-Year Home Residence Requirement

Certain J-1 and J-2 Exchange Visitors (EV) may be subject to the two-year home residency requirement. Exchange Visitors subject to this requirement are required to return to the home country for a period of two years upon completion of the J-1 program. Exchange Visitors may be subject to the Two-Year Home Country Residence Requirement based on U.S. or home country government funding, a Exchange Visitor “Skills List,” or participation in graduate medical education. Those subject to the two-year residence requirement are not eligible to change to another immigration status within the United States and are not eligible for H-1B temporary worker status or Permanent Resident status until the two-year rule has been fulfilled or waived.

Information regarding a waiver of the two-year home residency requirement can be found at the Department of State’s website.  ISSS cannot extend a student’s J-1 program to continue studying or for Academic Training after a waiver of the two-year home residence requirement is granted. Before applying for a waiver of the two-year home residence requirement, students should check with an ISSS advisor. Dependents in J-2 status are subject to the requirement so long as the primary J-1 is made subject.

Medical Insurance Requirement

All J-1 exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents are required to have sickness and accident insurance along with medical evacuation and repatriation insurance for the duration of their program in the U.S.  Failure to maintain medical insurance coverage is considered a violation of J-1 status.

Minimum Coverage Requirements

• Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness;
• Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000;
• Expenses associated with medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000; and
• A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.

J-1 students must enroll in the PREMIUM plan of Student Blue, the UNC Health Insurance Program.

J-1students are also required to show proof of insurance coverage for themselves and all accompanying family members in J-2 status within 14 days of check in with International Student and Scholar Services, when requesting a travel signature, or when submitting a program extension.

Any policy, plan or contract secured to fill the above requirements must, at a minimum be:

• Underwritten by an insurance corporation having an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of “A-” or above, a Standard and Poor’s Claims-paying Ability rating of “A” or above, a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above, or such other rating service as the Agency may from time to time specify; or
• Backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor’s home country; or
• Part of a health benefits program offered on a group basis to employees or enrolled students by a designated sponsor; or
• Offered through or underwritten by a federally qualified Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or eligible Competitive Medical Plan (CMP) as determined by the Health Care Financing Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

J-1 students will be required to show proof of insurance for themselves and any dependents in J-2 status at check-in, for a travel signature, or for a program extension.

On-Campus Employment

Students in J-1 status are eligible to work on-campus at UNC-Chapel Hill up to 20 hours per week during the academic year (while classes are in session).  Students may work full-time (21 hours or more per week) during official University breaks or during the summer if they intend to enroll for the subsequent semester.

Students who accept employment are responsible for making sure that the employment is considered “on-campus.”

• Jobs that qualify as On-Campus Employment:  Most positions in which students receive a UNC-CH paycheck.
• Jobs that do NOT qualify as On-Campus Employment:  Positions at UNC Hospitals, the Carolina Inn, and most businesses located on Franklin Street.  Employment with these businesses and institutions is considered “off-campus employment” and requires off-campus work authorization.
• J-1 students must receive written permission from their International Student Advisor in order to work on-campus.

To receive ISSS approval for on-campus employment, students should do the following:

• Request a letter from their on-campus employing department. A template for this letter is here. 
• Submit the J-1 Student On-Campus Employment Authorization Request form in the ISSS Portal.
• Receive the work authorization email from ISSS authorizing employment on-campus before beginning work.
• Apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) through the Social Security Administration in Durham (if applicable).

Students are not permitted to work off-campus without prior authorization. For more information on how to obtain off-campus work authorization, please see the different off-campus employment options.

Degree Completion

Completion of studies generally refers to the semester in which a student is finishing all of the degree requirements and coursework required for graduation. 

For undergraduate students, the program end date on Form I-20 or DS-2019 will correspond to the last day of exams for the final semester of enrollment, according to the University Calendar.

For graduate students completing a thesis or dissertation, the program end date will generally be the last day of exams in the semester in which they defend their thesis or dissertation. 

At the time the Form I-20 or DS-2019 is issued, ISSS estimates the program completion date, The majority of students will see May 20th or December 20th as their program end date; however, this date will be updated in the student’s final semester of study.

Students working on campus must end their employment on or before the updated program end date since the eligibility for on-campus employment ends as of the program completion date in SEVIS.

Next Steps

Upon completion of the academic program at UNC-Chapel Hill, students must take one of the following actions before the end of the grace period:

• Prepare for and depart the U.S.
• Apply for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (F-1 students) or Academic Training (J-1 students must request authorization for post-completion Academic Training BEFORE program completion).
• Transfer F-1 or J-1 status to continue their studies at another U.S. school. ISSS will need a copy of the admission letter before transferring a student’s SEVIS record to another school.
• Change to another immigration status within the U.S. (J-1 students should consult ISSS before applying for a change of status because of the two-year home residence requirement).

Grace Periods

International students are allowed a grace period to remain in the U.S. after completing their studies. F‑1 students receive up to 60 days after their program end date, while J‑1 students receive up to 30 days. Once a student departs the U.S. during the grace period, they forfeit any remaining time.

Address Reporting

All students in F-1 or J-1 status MUST update their physical address (place of residence) in the United States (no Post Office Boxes) within 10 days of any move (this includes temporary moves for the summer, if residing in the U.S.). 

Students must update their address and phone number by completing the Address and Phone Update for Students form in the ISSS Portal. See additional instructions on how to report changes in the ISSS Portal Instructions here. 

Failure to report a change in your address within 10 days of moving will be considered a violation of your immigration status. It is very important that all students in F-1 or J-1 status comply with reporting requirements. Any questions about reporting address changes should be directed to the ISSS office.

 

This information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. The information provided is subject to change. For the latest information go to https://isss.unc.edu/.

Contact Information

Primary Contact

Name: International Student and Scholar Services

Telephone: 919-962-5661

Email: ISSS@unc.edu