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.
Steps for F-1 Students Transferring to Durham Tech
Students currently in the US planning to transfer to Durham Tech should follow the enrollment steps below.
Please feel free to email the International Student Advisors with any questions regarding your F-1 status and beyond, or feel free to schedule a virtual appointment with Amelia Tokarsky.
Note: To transfer to Durham Tech, your current school must verify that are in valid F-1 visa status and eligible for transfer. Durham Tech does not assist current out-of-status F-1 students who need reinstatement.
If you are currently on post-completion OPT you must be transferred before the end of your 60-day grace period (after OPT ends). If you want to transfer prior to your OPT end date, your OPT will automatically terminate early.
- 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 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.
- 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. 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.
- 5. Submit 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.
View Estimated Expenses for an International Student for more information on cost of living while attending Durham Tech.
Submit Other Required Documents
- I-20 showing status from current school, and all previous 1-20's issued.
- Current valid passport and VISA stamp and/or approval notice
- I-94 and entry stamp and other documents indicating visa status
- OPT EAD (if applicable)
- 6. Take Placement Tests
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.
- 7. Review Health Insurance Options
Durham Tech strongly recommends all students who require F-1 and F-2 visa status to have health insurance coverage.
After Completing the Enrollment Steps
Durham Tech will give you a Transfer Eligibility Form. Submit the form signed by you and a “Designated School Official” at your current school. If your school requires proof of admission to Durham Tech or other paperwork before releasing your record, Durham Tech will provide an admission letter.
After Durham Tech receives the signed Transfer Eligibility Form, we will contact your school to have them “release” your record in SEVIS.
After your record is released to Durham Tech, we will prepare a pending transfer I-20 for you. Our office will email you once it is ready.
- 1. Register and Pay for Classes
If you do not pay by your registration deadline, your classes will be dropped.
- Durham Tech offers a payment plan.
- If you qualify for Non-profit Sponsorship, the required documentation is due one week before the payment deadline. Tuition fees can be found on the Tuition and Fees Chart.
- 2. Attend the Mandatory International Student Orientation
You will learn all about Durham Tech and know the next steps before you begin classes.. Ask International Student Services for details.
Allow 1-2 weeks after you have completed all requirements (and after your transfer release date) for your I-20 to be prepared.
After classes begin we will prepare a Transfer Completed I-20, Durham Tech will contact you to come pick it up. You will be able to obtain/renew your NC Driver’s License one week after the date this I-20 was issued.