Continuing Education courses for Summer II and Fall 2026 are now available to view in Self-Service. Course sections listed with a begin date after July 1, 2026 will open for registration on July 1, 2026.
Enrollment Steps for Students Requiring F-1 Visa Status
For students abroad seeking an F-1 visa, currently in the U.S with an I-20 & F1 visa status or currently in the U.S. requesting change of status to F1 visa status. If you are an F-1 student transferring to Durham Tech, follow the specific Enrollment Steps for F-1 Students Transferring to Durham Tech.
International Student Advising Appointments
Schedule an appointment with Amelia Tokarsky to get help with the enrollment process..
Current F-1 Student Information
Students with F-1 student visa status are required to maintain their status according to federal immigration law.
- 1. Choose an F-1 Eligible Program
Students requiring F-1 visa status are only qualified to enroll in certain programs at Durham Tech. View the list of F-1 eligible programs.
Note: Certificate programs are NOT eligible for F-1 visa sponsorship at Durham Tech. You must choose a diploma or degree program from the list linked above.
- 2. Complete an Online Application
Complete an Online Application to the College (CFNC) using the following Instructions for Students Requiring F-1 Visa Status.
Complete Online Application Enter the exact name that is listed on your Passport
If you attended high school out of the US, follow the Instructions for Entering International Education Information on Your Application (pdf).
- 3. Receive Durham Tech ID Number via Email
After your application is processed, wait to receive your Durham Tech ID number via email.
If you do not receive this email 14 business days after submitting your application, contact international@durhamtech.edu for your Durham Tech ID number.
- 4. Submit Proof of Completion of a Degree
Submit proof of completion of a High School Diploma or Equivalent, or a College Degree. Any documents not in English must be accompanied by an official English Translation. If you are not sure what documents to provide, email international@durhamtech.edu.
Educational Documents from Outside the US
Submit official high school degree, diploma, national test scores, or official college/university degree or diploma to the Center for the Global Learner by:
- Submitting Documents Online
- Delivering Documents In-Person (White (Building 1), Room 1-148)
- Sending Documents via Mail (Center for the Global Learner, 1637 E. Lawson St, Durham, NC 27703)
To earn transfer credit for courses taken outside the US, students must submit an official course by course evaluation by an acceptable company.
The company should send the evaluation directly (electronically or by mail) to Durham Tech, or students can submit the official evaluation in a sealed, unopened envelope to the Admissions, Registration and Records office (Wynn Center (Building 10), Room 10-201).
English language or literature courses will not transfer from any country outside the US.
Educational Documents from the US
Submit sealed, official US high school or college/university transcripts by:
- Delivering Documents In-Person (Wynn Center (Building 10), Room 1-201)
- Sending Documents via Mail (Center for the Global Learner, 1637 E. Lawson St, Durham, NC 27703)
- Submitting through an approved transcript service such as College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC), Credential Solutions, DiplomaSender, National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment, Scribbles, or any other authorized electronic transcript service provider approved by the College to transcripts@durhamtech.edu.
Transfer credit will be issued for college/university courses completed that meet the Transfer Credit Award procedure. Original US diplomas (as proof of admission) can be presented only in person at the Admissions, Registration and Records office.
- 5. Submit Other Required Documents
Students can submit required documents by:
- Submitting Documents Online
- Delivering Documents In-Person (White (Building 1), Room 1-148)
- Sending Documents via Mail (Center for the Global Learner, 1637 E. Lawson St, Durham, NC 27703)
Submit the F-1 Student I-20 Request Form
Complete the F-1 Student I-20 Request Form and submit it to the Center for the Global Learner.
Complete F-1 Student I-20 Request Form
Submit Evidence of Financial Support
Students requiring F-1 visa status must submit evidence of financial support to be eligible for enrollment.
For the first year, $25,000 USD or the equivalent is required, plus a funding plan for the length of your program. For each F-2 dependent $5,000 is required.
All funds should be shown in US dollars or a currency equivalency must be submitted. Acceptable forms of evidence are:
Bank statement dated within 6 months of submission
Letter from bank dated within 6 months of submission
The bank account must be a personal account and not a business account. If the funding is not in your bank account, you must submit sponsorship documents—Affidavit of Support from the sponsor(s) along with the financial documents.
Submit Copy of Passport Information Page (for dependents applying for F-2 visa status)
For each dependent that is applying for F-2 status, submit a copy of their current Passport.
- 6. Setup Durham Tech Accounts
After you have received an email indicating you have been admitted to Durham Tech, follow the instructions to Activate your Self-Service Account and Login to Student Email.
Activate your Self-Service Account and Login to Student Email
- 7. Pay the International Student Application Fee
Log in to Self-Service and pay the $50 International Student Application Fee, then submit a receipt of payment to the Center for the Global Learner.
If you do not see the fee, contact international@durhamtech.edu.
- 8. Take Placement Tests
All students applying from outside the US are required to take Placement Tests, unless they meet one of the exceptions listed below. To sign up:
- Visit the Placement Testing page
- Read the information and proceed to the Signup Form. You have the option of taking them online or on Main Campus
- Fill out the information and check “Accuplacer ESL” for the placement test
- Choose a date and start time for Accuplacer ESL. Note the dates and times are in US Eastern Time (the same time zone as New York). Use the Time Zone Converter to make sure you know the correct date and time for your location.
- Students will be emailed a confirmation for their chosen appointment.
- Note: Test dates are only listed one or two weeks in advance. Visit the webpage at another time for future dates.
- After completing the English Placement Test, students will be referred to an English Instructor to discuss their placement scores. After meeting with the English instructor or if you are waived from taking the English test (see below), email international@durhamtech.edu to let us know you completed all the above steps.
Test exceptions: US Bachelor’s Degree, sufficient SAT or ACT scores, or a transcript of US College-level English classes.
Admission to the college does not constitute admission to certain programs. Some programs have additional requirements and may have competitive admissions requirements.
- 9. Receive I-20 and Admission Packet
Once all required documents are received, an I-20 (student visa document needed to apply for an F-1 student visa) will be issued within 2 to 4 weeks.
Note: Durham Tech is not currently authorized to issue I-20s for English language study only.
After Receiving I-20 and Admission Packet
- 1. Pay SEVIS Fee
Visit FMJfee.com to pay the SEVIS I-901 by credit or debit card. Western Union is also an option and may be required for students from certain countries (Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, and Cameroon). Read instructions on the website carefully.
To pay the fee you will need the following information from your I-20
SEVIS number (number on front of I-20 that starts with an N)
Durham Tech’s school code on I-20 page 1, under School information, school code and approval date. (The school code begins with ATL etc.)
Print a copy of the receipt after making the payment. This receipt will be shown as proof of payment to the visa-issuing officer at the US Embassy or Consulate.
- 2. Research the Embassy or Consulate Where the Visa Application Will Be
You may need to make an appointment
Pay attention to the visa fee and the form of payment accepted. Visa processing times can vary
Make sure you allow enough time to get the visa in order to enter the US prior and attend the mandatory orientation
Use the following resources to prepare for your interview.
- 3. Suggested Items to Bring to Visa Application Interview
Current valid Passport
I-20 documents signed by school official and printed and signed by student
SEVIS I-901 receipt of payment
Acceptance letter from Durham Tech
Any other documentation listed on the Consulate/Embassy’s website such as:
Visa application
Photos
Visa fee payment or proof of payment
Proof of ties to home country
After Receiving F-1 Visa stamp
- 1. Research and Book Flight to the US (if you haven’t already)
You must arrive in time to take mandatory placement test, and attend the mandatory international student orientation.
You can arrive in the US 30 days prior to the I-20 start date. See the date listed under “Earliest Admission Date” on your I-20.
- 2. Mandatory International Student Orientation
Please let the International Student Services staff at Durham Tech know if you received your visa stamp or if you have any issues with your visa process. If you will be unable to arrive at Durham Tech for the mandatory orientation, you may need a new I-20 for a later start date.
Review Health Insurance Options.
Durham Tech does not provide airport pick up, transportation or housing for students. Please utilize your local contacts to assist you in housing and transportation issues. Feel free to consult the resources web page for information that may be helpful to you about the Durham area.
You must check-in with the International Student Services at Durham Tech for a document check within 1 week after your arrival to Durham Tech or at the scheduled mandatory international student orientation session (whichever is first). Bring all immigration documents with you to the meeting or orientation.
Attend the mandatory F-1 orientation session where you will learn all about Durham Tech and know the next steps before you begin classes. The next steps may include:
Additional Placement Testing
Meeting with an Advisor about which courses you should take in your first semester. Your visa requires that you enroll in 12 credits. If you choose to take any online courses, you can only take one course per semester.
Creating a class schedule and actually registering/enrolling in your courses
Paying for your courses the same day you register or submitting non-profit sponsorship information the same day you register
Getting your student identification (ID) card, parking pass, or bus pass
Purchasing your books for courses
- 3. Attend Your Classes
Pay attention to the attendance policy on the syllabus for each of your classes. The policies may be different for each class. If you withdraw from a course or if you do not attend class or complete verifiable work in Canvas by the census date, you will be considered a no show and removed from the course which makes you enrolled for less than 12 credits. You will immediately become out of F-1 visa status and you may have to depart the US. This has happened to students in the past. View more information about student withdrawals, faculty withdrawals, and class absences.
Current F-1 Students
All students holding the F-1 student visa are required to maintain their status according to federal immigration law. Please review the documents listed below:
F-1 Students and SEVIS
The Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a US government database that monitors international students attending schools in the US.
Current F-1 students must complete and sign the Student Responsibility Checklist Under SEVIS and submit it to the Center for the Global Learner in White (Building 1), Room 148. Please retain a photocopy to show your academic advisor and keep for your records.
Durham Tech is required by law to regularly update all F-1 student records in SEVIS. Only Center for the Global Learner staff are Designated School Officials (DSOs) for SEVIS.