Supporting our International Students

Dear International Students and All Members of the NC State Community,

International students are an essential and valued part of our NC State community. As a university, we are dedicated to doing all we can to ensure your educational pathway at NC State is not interrupted. 

As many of you are aware, earlier this week the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that international students who are enrolled at universities operating in a completely online status for fall 2020 will not be granted visas to enter or remain in the United States. Under the new DHS direction, international students can obtain or retain F-1 visa status for hybrid programs that combine in-person and online instruction.

NC State is planning to operate in a hybrid status in the fall, which meets DHS requirements. In addition, our Office of International Services (OIS), Graduate School and Enrollment Management teams are working hard to make certain international students have the opportunity to participate in the necessary in-person classwork to maintain their visa status and remain at NC State.

University leadership and staff are also working in collaboration with our Congressional delegation, higher education organizations and partners, and other federal contacts to advocate on the behalf of our international students for the short and long term.

While we continue to engage the federal government for a policy that is more supportive of international students throughout this continuing pandemic, the next best step international students can take at this time is to register for at least one in-person or hybrid course. Graduate student enrollment opens at 8 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, and undergraduate enrollment begins next week. As additional courses are added to assist international students in meeting this requirement, those will be announced. 

In the coming days, staff from OIS will contact each international student to either confirm that their schedules are currently compliant with DHS regulations, or if not, to assist in finding alternative courses to meet the new federal requirements. International students should look for additional communications and specifics from OIS. 

We are closely monitoring this fluid situation and will continue to provide impacted students additional information as we learn more. In the meantime, please know we stand with you and are here to support you.

As we’ve repeated many times, NC State’s strength comes from all of its amazing people and their diversity of thought and experience. International students form a critical piece of the institution’s fabric. Each and every one of you are a welcomed, respected and very important part of our Wolfpack.

Randy Woodson, Chancellor

Warwick Arden, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor