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. Prepare Required Documents
Before starting the online application, please make sure you are able to submit the required documentation. These include:
- 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.
- Official transcript from your US institution(s)
- Copy of your Passport ID Page
- F-1 I-20 Request Form
- Form I-20 showing status from current school, and all previous 1-20's issued.
- Form I-94 and entry stamp and other documents indicating visa status
- OPT EAD (if applicable)
- Evidence of Financial Support. For the first year, $25,000 USD or the equivalent is required (plus $5,000 for each F-2 dependent), as well as a funding plan for the length of your program. All funds should be shown in US dollars or a currency equivalency must be submitted. Review Estimated Expenses for International Students.
The bank account must be a personal account, not a business account. If the funding is not in your bank account, you must also submit an Affidavit of Support from your sponsor(s).
Acceptable forms of evidence are:- Bank statement dated within 6 months of submission; or
- Letter from bank dated within 6 months of submission
- 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.
- 3. Complete Online Application
Complete an Online Application to the College.
View information about enrollment due dates.
- 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.
Account Activation Instructions
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. 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.
- 6. Complete Placement Testing
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.