The Office of International Services (OIS) is charged with meeting the immigration advising and cross-cultural programming needs for the university's more than 4000 international students and 700 J-1 Exchange Visitor scholars who come from more than 120 different countries. Services provided by OIS include advising students and scholars on immigration regulations and university policies; authorizing certain types of on or off-campus employment authorization for F-1 and J-1 visa holders; and providing cultural programs designed to enrich the cultural and academic experience of the campus community.  OIS programs include: New International Student Orientation, Culture Corps, ISSERV service learning program, English Conversation Club, and many others. New international students are required to participate in New International Student Orientation. OIS also provides opportunities for U.S. students to get involved in the international community at NC State by inviting participation in various cross-cultural programs such as volunteering at the International Student Orientation and English Conversation Club.

International applicants must apply to the Admissions Office by the stated deadlines and must meet all the necessary requirements for admission. In addition, international applicants must meet certain language and financial criteria (see the TOEFL and Financial Information sections under Freshman Admission).

The North Carolina Global Training Initiative (GTI) sponsors several short-term certificate, internship, and research programs that international students may be interested in. These full-time non-degree study programs allow international students to study at NC State for one semester in order to learn about U.S. culture and education, improve their conversational English, take undergraduate courses in their field of study back home or in preparation for admission to a degree program here in the U.S., and experience life in the U.S. These programs have a later application deadline and are great for students to take before enrolling in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in the US or for siblings and friends of current degree-seeking students who want to study in the US together.

International students may be interested in joining the GTI’s Cultural Exchange Network (CENet). CENet connects NC State’s domestic and international students through joint participation in social, academic, and service learning events and workshops. Visit the CENet website for more details about the program and how you can apply.

Anyone interested in the GTI’s programs can visit us on the website for more information.

Outline of minimum immigration requirements for F-1 and J-1 students:

• Keep passport and I-20 or DS-2019 current
• Maintain full-time enrollment every semester (12 hours/semester for undergraduates)
• Make good academic progress toward your degree
• Do not work or intern off campus without prior written approval from OIS
• Do not work on campus more than 20 hours in any one week during the semester
• Update any address change in MyPack Portal within ten days of moving
• Update OIS immediately of any changes in name, funding, or visa status
• Consult with an OIS advisor before changing curriculum/majors, withdrawing, dropping below full-time, transferring to another school/program, etc.
• Purchase and maintain the NC State University approved Health and Accident Insurance or other insurance plan that meets the published minimum coverage requirements.
• Keep your valid passport and recently signed visa certificate (I-20 or DS-2019) with you when you travel abroad. Consult with an OIS advisor about visa and travel questions

Further information about immigration requirements, employment and travel questions, cultural opportunities, and other critical information designed to assist international students are detailed on the OIS website. For individual advising, please call (919) 515-2961 to make an appointment with an advisor or stop by during our walk-in hours of 10:00am-11:45am and 1:00pm-2:45pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (no walk-ins on Wednesdays).

Office of International Services (OIS)
111 Lampe Drive
Campus Box 7222
NC State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7222
919.515.2961
ois@ncsu.edu
Website