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 Seeking Change of Status to F-1 Visa Status
If you are currently in the US with a valid visa status such as F2, J1, J2, B2, H1, etc. and are interested in requesting change of status to F1 visa status, please follow the enrollment steps below.
- 1. Meet with an International Student Advisor
Students are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment with Amelia Tokarsky to get help with the enrollment process.
- 2. Choose an F-1 Eligible Program
Students seeking 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.
- 3. 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).
- 4. Receive Durham Tech ID Number and Activate Student Accounts
After your application is submitted and processed, wait to receive your Durham Tech ID number and account activation details via email. Then, follow the instructions to Activate your Self-Service Account and Login to Student Email.
Activate your Self-Service Account and Login to Student 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.
- 5. 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.
- 6. 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.
View Estimated Expenses for an International Student for more information on cost of living while attending Durham Tech.
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 Checklist for Change of Status (COS)
Complete the Checklist for Change of Status (COS) and submit it to the Center for the Global Learner.
Complete Checklist for Change of Status (COS)
Submit Other Required Documents
- Copy of Visa
- I-94 or Immigration status approval from USCIS
- DS-2019 (for J visas holders only)
- If you have dependents that require F-2 visa status, submit a Passport copy for F-1 applicant and a passport copy for each dependent
- 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. Meet with an Academic Advisor
If you took the Accuplacer ESL test, after your test you will meet with an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advisor in the CGL (Building 1, Room 148). They will talk to you about your English placement and register you for EFL classes if needed.
Learn About EAP Testing and Course Placement
If you tested out of taking EFL classes, you may need additional testing before you meet with an academic advisor.
- 10. 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. Submit I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status to USCIS
If you have an attorney, please work with them to complete this step.
If you do not have an attorney, follow the instructions for filing an I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.
Go to I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
After the I-539 is Filed
USCIS will send you a receipt.
- Once you or your attorney receive the receipt, you must submit a copy to ISS
- The receipt is proof that you can remain in the U.S. legally to wait for a decision.
- Visit the USCIS website to check your application status using your receipt number.
Note: I-20s are automatically cancelled 60 days after the I-20 program start date if no action is taken in SEVIS. We will contact you before the date of your 1-20 cancellation to defer your program start date to avoid auto-cancellation.
USCIS will then send one or two of three of the following:
- Request for evidence (RFE) - USCIS may request more information from you in order to make a final decision. If you receive an RFE, you must send the documents that USCIS requests by the deadline listed.
- Approval Notice - If you receive an approval, congratulations! Just come to see us to finalize steps in the registration process. You must be full time enrolled at Durham Tech for the next available semester/term.
- Denial - if so, please contact ISS or your attorney if any.
You must let us know if you receive any of the above. Information from Durham Tech may be required for the RFE.
Notify Durham Tech International Student Services immediately of the following:
- Any changes in your address, name, or major/program of study.
- Your decision to leave the US or change your immigration status.
If you have any questions, please contact international@durhamtech.edu.