Body
University Procedure
Title
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Procedure for New International Students
Introduction
Purpose
This procedure explains the required steps for admitted international students to provide immigration information, request the appropriate immigration documents (Form I-20 or DS-2019), complete pre-arrival requirements, enter the U.S., and finish check-in and employment-related steps at UNC-Chapel Hill. It also outlines financial documentation and transfer/change-of-status processes.
Scope
This procedure applies to all admitted international students at UNC-Chapel Hill who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents.
Procedure
All admitted international students (students who are not U.S. Citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents) should review the steps outlined below for detailed instructions on providing information to ISSS about their current immigration status and/or initiating the process to request a Form I-20 or DS-2019, as well as preparing for arrival to the U.S. and North Carolina.
Step 1: Access the ISSS Portal
The ISSS Portal is the system used by the ISSS office which allows you to submit requests and update your information electronically. As an international student, you will use the ISSS Portal throughout your time at UNC.
Only students who are formally admitted to the University will be able to access the ISSS Portal.
To log in to the ISSS Portal students will need to do the following:
- Create and activate their Onyen and password. For questions about creating an Onyen and password, please refer to the Onyen and Password FAQ or reach out to IT Services.
- Set up the two-step authentication.
- Log into ConnectCarolina using the Onyen and Duo authentication.
- Wait 24-hours after logging into ConnectCarolina to log into the ISSS portal.
Once you have logged in, you will navigate to Admitted/New Student Services and select the Admitted/New Student Checklist.
All admitted international students must review instructions and submit the New Student Questionnaire.
For additional details about how to complete these tasks in the ISSS Portal, please see the New Student Checklist Guide.
Step 2: Submit the New Student Questionnaire
All admitted students who are not U.S. Citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents should complete the New Student Questionnaire to report their immigration status and/or to indicate their intent to request Form I-20/DS-2019. You can access the New Student Questionnaire in the Admitted/New Student Checklist.
A Form I-20 or DS-2019 is required to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa to enter the U.S. or to change the non-immigrant status within the U.S.
Students who are NOT requesting a Form I-20 to apply for F-1 status or Form DS-2019 to apply for J-1 status will only need to complete the New Student Questionnaire. The data collected in the form assists UNC in maintaining records of admitted and enrolled students and ISSS in advising students on immigration options for study at UNC Chapel Hill.
Students who are requesting a Form I-20/ Form DS-2019 need to complete the New Student Questionnaire and then proceed to the next section of the Admitted/New Student Checklist, Request a Form I-20/DS-2019. Review Step 3 for detailed instructions on completing the forms in the Request a Form I-20/DS-2019 section.
Please note: UNC-Chapel Hill issues a Form I-20 for F-1 status to all incoming degree-seeking international students unless a J-1 student visa is specifically required by an external scholarship.
Step 3: Request a Form I-20/DS-2019
Request I-20 or DS-2019
Students requesting F-1 or J-1 sponsorship from UNC Chapel Hill, must complete and submit all of the e-forms under Request a Form I-20/DS-2019 in the Admitted/New Student Checklist, including:
- Personal Information
- Current Immigration Status
- Dependent Information
- Financial Information
Once all forms have been submitted, students will receive an email confirmation.
Processing of the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 takes approximately three weeks from the date all forms (as listed above) have been submitted. Once the Form I-20 or DS-2019 has been issued, it will be sent to the student as a PDF file via email. These documents will be sent to the student’s preferred email address as listed in their Student Center in ConnectCarolina because that will be the address indicated in SEVIS. Students will need to make sure they are checking their UNC email address for this form along with any other updates from ISSS.
Students should contact the ISSS office for assistance at isss@unc.edu, if needed.
Upon receiving the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, students should print out the form and sign in ink at the bottom of page 1 in order to use the documents for the visa appointment and entry into the U.S.
NOTE: Students who have been admitted to UNC for the fall semester should upload all documents to the ISSS Portal by July 1st. For the spring semester, students should upload all required documents by November 1st.
Cost Estimates
International students requesting F-1 or J-1 visa sponsorship from the UNC-Chapel Hill must provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition, fees, living expenses, and health insurance to be issued a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019. For estimated costs of attendance for your program, please see below:
Financial Requirements
Students may show funding from multiple sources and may submit as many documents as necessary to document adequate funds from all sources of support.
Important to note: Bank documents may show funds in any currency (USD not required) as long as the currency used is clearly indicated on the document. Financial statements from family members or other personal sponsors must be accompanied by the Affidavit of Financial Support form.
Students must submit electronic copies of official financial documents. Screenshots and unofficial electronic printouts are not valid for the purpose of Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 issuance. Financial documents must meet all of the requirements listed below:
- Be an official bank document (signed and stamped, or an official monthly electronic statement)
- Be written in English
- Contain an issuance date within the last 6 months
- List the account holder’s full name
- List the account type
- Indicate the current balance and currency
- All funds must be liquid and immediately available for withdrawal (most commonly: checking, savings, or current accounts)
- All documents must be uploaded in PDF, JPEG, or PNG format. Microsoft word documents are not an acceptable document type.
Below are acceptable funding sources and the corresponding documents required:
| Funding Source |
Documents Required |
| Personal Funds |
Copy of an official bank certification with student’s name listed as the account holder
|
| Parents or Other Personal Sponsors |
Completed Affidavit of Financial Support
Copy of an original bank certification in the sponsor’s name
|
| University Funding |
Copy of your award letter with details of your scholarship. The letter must be on university letterhead and must be signed; copies of email correspondence will not be accepted as proof of the award.
|
| External Scholarship(s) |
Copy of award letter, scholarship letter, or other certification of sponsorship with English translation (if applicable) from an authorized person to certify accuracy.
|
| Education Loan(s) |
Loan approval/loan sanction letter confirming the loan amount approved and the date(s) the funds will be distributed to the recipient.
|
SEVIS Transfer
Students currently studying in F-1 or J-1 status at an SEVP-Approved School in the U.S., or currently in a valid period of post-completion OPT, may transfer their SEVIS record to UNC-Chapel Hill.
F-1 Transfer Student Eligibility and Timeline
Students must be in valid F-1 status to be eligible for the transfer of their SEVIS record. Additionally, students must begin study at UNC-Chapel Hill within the following timeframe:
- Student Currently Enrolled at Another SEVP-Approved School: Students must begin study at UNC-CH at the next available term, or within 5 months of their last date of enrollment at their previous institution, whichever is sooner.
- Student Currently in a Period of Approved Post-Completion OPT: Students must begin study at UNC-CH at the next available term, or within 5 months of their last date of OPT authorization, whichever is sooner. Students whose SEVIS record is released to UNC-CH before the end date listed on their EAD forfeit any remaining time of OPT and must begin study at the next available term, or within 5 months of their SEVIS transfer release date, whichever is sooner.
Students currently in their 60-day grace period may still be eligible for a SEVIS transfer, but should check with their current institution to confirm.
Students should not be transferred to UNC-Chapel Hill in a terminated status.
Requesting a Form I-20/DS-2019 from UNC-Chapel Hill
Students should follow the steps outlined below to request a transfer pending Form I-20/DS-2019:
- Work with their current institution to arrange the transfer of their SEVIS record.
- Submit all required e-forms in the Request a Form I-20/DS-2019 section of the Admitted/New Student Checklist. The Form I-20/DS-2019 will be created after submission of all required forms and only AFTER the transfer release date in SEVIS.
Visa Stamp
Students transferring their SEVIS record to UNC-CH are not required to obtain a new student visa unless they will be traveling outside the U.S. and their current visa is expired. If the student’s current visa is still valid, he or she may continue to use the visa along with the UNC-CH Form I-20 or Form DS-2019. Students with expired visas not traveling outside the U.S. may remain in the U.S. and continue to maintain F-1 or J-1 status as long as they properly complete all SEVIS transfer procedures as noted in this section.
F-1 Transfer Employment
On the SEVIS release date, the student no longer has work authorization on or off-campus from the previous school. This includes any periods of Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). Because authorization for CPT or OPT ends on the transfer release date, students should consider carefully the dates on which they plan to discontinue work and initiate the transfer.Before the student is allowed to begin any employment on-campus at UNC-CH, the student must complete ISSS Student Check-In and must receive a SEVIS Registration Confirmation email from ISSS along with a new Form I-20 showing the transfer is completed.
J-1 Student Transfers
An exchange visitor may transfer from another program sponsor to UNC-Chapel Hill sponsorship, if the purpose of the transfer is to complete the original program objective and if the exchange visitor is currently residing in the U.S. in the J-1 student category. All students should first discuss the possibility of transfer with their sponsoring organization prior to requesting a transfer.
The effective date of the transfer from the current program sponsor to UNC-CH should be discussed with both the Responsible Officer of the current program and ISSS at UNC-CH. On the effective date of transfer, the student’s SEVIS record will become the responsibility of UNC-CH.
Change of Status
Admitted students currently in the United States in an immigration status other than F-1 or J-1 who wish to change to F-1 or J-1 status should indicate their intent to request a Form I-20 or DS-2019 on the New Student Questionnaire and proceed to complete and submit all of the e-forms under Request a Form I-20/DS-2019 in the Admitted/New Student Checklist.
Change Status by travelling outside the U.S.
A student may choose to depart the United States, apply for a student visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad and re-enter the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status. This will require a Form I-20 for F-1 status or Form DS-2019 for J-1 status from UNC-Chapel Hill. To apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa please follow the instructions on the U.S. Department of State Web site and be aware of the visa wait times at the embassy/consulate where you plan to apply.
Some students are not eligible for a change of status within the U.S. and therefore are required to travel outside the U.S. to apply for a student visa. Individuals currently in a visitor visa status (WB, WT, B-1 or B-2), or subject to the two-year home residence requirement based on a stay in J-1 status may not be eligible to change their status in the U.S. Individuals who have obtained a B-2 visitor visa which indicates “prospective student” or “prospective exchange visitor” may be eligible for change of status within the U.S. and should consult with an immigration attorney. If you have questions about your eligibility to apply for a change of status within the U.S., please seek qualified immigration advice.
Change of status within the U.S.
Approval for change of status within the U.S. from one non-immigrant category to another is processed through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Students who choose this option will NOT depart the U.S. Instead, they submit a Form I-539 to USCIS to request a change of immigration status within the U.S. We recommend students check the current processing times in order to appropriately time the submission of their change of status application and avoid possible delay in studies and/or employment. It is the student's responsibility to file the change of status application to USCIS.
There may be restrictions on continuing to study or work in your current immigration status until the change of status application is approved by USCIS. Students should consult an immigration attorney to discuss these restrictions.
Step 4: Complete your Pre-Arrival Steps
Paying the SEVIS I-901 Fee
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-901 fee is a paid to the U.S government to support the Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program which manages SEVIS. The SEVIS I-901 fee must be paid at least 3 business days prior to applying for a visa stamp at a U.S. consulate of embassy. Those exempt from the visa requirements (Citizens of Canada and Bermuda) must pay the SEVIS fee at least 3 business days prior to applying for admission at a U.S. port of entry.
ISSS recommends applicants apply and pay the fee online by credit or debit card; however, applicants can use alternative payment options such as Western Union. More information can be found on the SEVIS I-901 fee processing website. If you apply and pay online, print the confirmation receipt to present first at your visa appointment, and later at the U.S. port of entry.
NOTE: If paying by Western Union, please complete Form I-901 and receive a coupon before going to Western Union. Students will need the coupon to pay the fee at the Western Union office.
NOTE for students from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and The Gambia: Please be aware that the system is currently unable to accept SEVIS I-901 fee payments by credit card on behalf of students from the above listed countries. Citizens of these countries who attempt to make a credit card payment will receive an error message. Students and Scholars from these countries will be required to use alternative payment options.
Complete the I-901 form and pay the fee*:
- F-1 Students: $350.00
- J-1 Students: $220.00 (fee may be less for a student whose J-1 program is sponsored by the U.S. government)
*Fees may be subject to change.
Once you have paid the SEVIS I-901 fee, log in to the ISSS Portal to upload a copy of your fee payment receipt. Navigate to the Admitted/New Student Checklist and complete the Upload a Copy of your SEVIS Fee Receipt form under Complete your Pre-Arrival Steps.
Obtaining the F-1 or J-1 Visa
All students requesting admission to the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status are required to have a visa stamp in their passport, except for Canadian and Bermudian citizens who are exempt from this requirement. Applicants for F and J visas may require an appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The visa cannot be issued more than 120 days prior to the program start date as listed on the Form I-20 or DS-2019. Note: Some students may be eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview requirement, which is up to the discretion of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Check the U.S. Department of State website for a list of U.S. Embassies. Visit the website of the embassy or consulate where you plan to apply for your visa (or contact them directly via phone or email) if you have questions about current procedures, required documents, how to make an appointment, and operating hours. Based on conditions at each U.S. consular post, some embassies/consulates may have limited non-immigrant visa services, or could at times be closed.
Visa wait times for an appointment interview may be several weeks. Security clearances may be necessary for some applicants and those procedures have recently been adding 6-8 weeks to normal processing times. Please plan to apply early. For tips on applying for a U.S. visa, see the information on the NAFSA webpae.
Please review to ensure the accuracy and completeness of your documents before presenting them to a consular officer. Thorough scrutiny of documentation can be expected, including social media accounts which should be made public for review.
Visa Approval
Once your F-1 or J-1 visa has been approved and you have received your visa in your passport, log in to the ISSS Portal to upload a copy of this document. Students should complete the Upload a copy of your Visa Stamp e-form in the Admitted/New Student Checklist.
Visa Denials
If denied a visa, students should receive the reason for denial in writing from the consular officer and should provide this documentation to ISSS.
Entering the U.S.
Once a student has obtained an F-1 or J-1 visa stamp in the passport, he or she may apply for admission to the U.S. at a port of entry up to 30 days prior to the Program Start Date on the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019. For students with a Form I-20, the “Earliest Admission Date” located in the “Program of Study” box indicates the first day you may enter the U.S. in F-1 status. Students should not try to enter the U.S. after the program start date.
When traveling to the U.S., students should have the following documents available and with them in their carry-on luggage:
- Printed and signed Form I-20 (for F-1 students) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1 students). Dependents (spouse and/or children) require separate forms I-20 or DS-2019 for entry in F-2 or J-2 dependent status.
- SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
- Passport valid at least 6 months beyond date of entry to the U.S.
- Other Supporting Documentation:
- letter of admission to UNC-CH
- financial documents including departmental award letter, scholarship notification, bank statements and letters of financial support
- school transcripts
- marriage certificate and birth certificates (for children) if applicable
Please review to ensure the accuracy and completeness of your documents before presenting them to an immigration inspector. Thorough scrutiny of documentation can be expected.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may require additional information before admitting non-immigrants to the U.S. Typically, additional questioning happens in “secondary inspections.” Once the officer is satisfied that the applicant meets the requirements for entry into the U.S. in the requested immigration status, the individual may be admitted to the U.S. Please allow sufficient time for clearing customs when arranging connecting flights to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) from the U.S. port of entry. If sufficient documentation is not provided, a student may be denied entry and have to travel back home, or may be granted temporary entry and given 30 days to supply required additional documentation. In those cases Form I-515A “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor” will be issued by CBP upon entry. Students issued Form I-515A should contact ISSS immediately for assistance.
Form I-94
At the port of entry, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will enter the student’s information into a database to electronically record his or her arrival to the U.S. This entry will create the student’s Form I-94 (arrival record). Individuals who arrive by air or sea will need to access their Form I-94 online on the CBP website and print the I-94 to keep with their other important immigration documents. Those who arrive through land ports may receive a paper Form I-94A, which may be stapled into the passport. The I-94 (or I-94A) includes biographical information, date and class of admission, and the expiration date of the authorized stay in the U.S. The I-94 is an essential document used in the verification of employment authorization, application for a social security number, and application for a North Carolina driver’s license, in addition to other purposes. The Form I-94 will be required to complete ISSS Student Check-In.
Step 5: Complete the ISSS Student Check-In
ISSS Student Check-In
After arrival in the U.S. all F-1 and J-1 students are required to complete an immigration check-in procedure. Students already in the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status who are transferring their SEVIS record from a previous U.S. school to UNC-Chapel Hill must also complete this process. Students must complete ISSS Student Check-In in the Admitted/New Student Checklist in the ISSS Portal. Once a student completes their check-in, ISSS will register their information in SEVIS. Failure to complete the ISSS Student Check-in in a timely manner could result in the termination of a student’s SEVIS record.
Students should not initiate this process if they are not yet present in the U.S.
Form I-94
You will need to retrieve your Form I-94 (Arrival Record) after arriving in the U.S.
To retrieve your Form I-94, please follow these steps:
- Navigate to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
- Click on “Get Most Recent I-94”, read the terms and click on “Consent & Continue.”
- Enter your passport details and click on “Next”.
- Save this document as a pdf so you can upload it when you complete ISSS Student Check-In.
- NOTE: Make sure the file name does not have any dashes, hyphens or other special characters or it will not upload in the system.
- Print a copy of the Form I-94 for your records and to use for other official purposes.
Do NOT submit your “Travel History” when completing ISSS Student Check-In. This information will not be relevant. You must submit your “Most Recent I-94 record” that shows your entry date as well as your immigration status at the time of entry to the U.S.
Employment and SSN
On-Campus Employment
F-1 and J-1 students are permitted to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year. Incoming students in F-1 status can begin working once they complete ISSS Student Check-In and once ISSS verifies enrollment status and completes the registration process in SEVIS. Students will receive an email confirmation from ISSS indicating they are active in SEVIS which they should present to their on-campus hiring department prior to beginning work.
Students in J-1 status cannot begin working prior to their program start date as indicated on the Form DS-2019. J-1 students must also receive written approval from ISSS to prior to beginning on campus work by submitting the J-1 Student On-Campus Employment Authorization Request form in the ISSS Portal under J-1 Student Services.
Social Security Number (SSN)
Students employed on-campus at UNC-Chapel Hill who do not yet have a Social Security Number (SSN) must apply for this number and are required to report it to HR within 90 days.
F-1 students must request a letter from ISSS that will be needed in order to apply for the number at a Social Security Administration (SSA) office. Students should submit requests for this letter through the ISSS Portal. The Social Security Number (SSN) Letter request form is located under “F-1 Student Services”.
As part of the process students will also need to upload a letter prepared by the hiring unit/department which includes all information required by the SSA (please refer to the template for this letter).
*Do NOT submit this form unless you have a current job offer for on-campus employment.
Students can refer to additional information about the SSN application process here.
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