Student immigration status generally requires full-time enrollment. Full-time enrollment at NC State University is normally defined as 12 or more credit hours for undergraduate students and a minimum of 9 hours per semester for graduate students. One (3 credit) on-line or distance education course may be used each semester to help satisfy full-time enrollment requirements. Students who will take only one course in a semester are not permitted to take that course through on-line or distance education.

• Reduced Course Load: There are certain exceptions to the full time enrollment requirement when reduced course loads can be authorized in SEVIS. Unauthorized drop in course-load, withdrawal, or part-time enrollment is a reportable visa violation and OIS is required by law to terminate the SEVIS record of students who fail to maintain full-time enrollment.

• Leave of Absence or Withdrawal: In some cases, it may be necessary for an international student to withdraw or take a leave of absence from their studies. Because there can be academic, immigration, financial and more implications, international students considering a withdrawal or temporary leave must consult both their academic advisor (or DGP) and an OIS advisor.

In order to maintain eligibility to enroll at NC State, students must be in good academic standing, or be in approved remediation (Academic Warning or Academic Probation), working to regain good academic standing. Undergraduate academic standing and graduate student academic standing each have different requirements that are determined by NC State University policy, not by OIS. Note that these requirements relate to both performance (GPA of 3.0 or above for graduate students, 2.0 or above for undergraduate students) and progress (number of credits earned), and making normal progress towards degree completion is a requirement for maintaining immigration status.

F-1 and J-1 students are only allowed to engage in employment for which they are eligible according to their immigration status, which is authorized in writing in advance if required, and which does not interfere with one’s studies or delay one’s program completion.  There are various types of employment which students may be eligible for, such as on-campus employment, curricular practical training, optional practical training, etc. For each type of employment, there are different eligibility rules and requirements and procedures for obtaining authorization:

• On-Campus Employment
• Off-Campus Research Assistantship
• Curricular Practical Training (F-1 Students only)
• Optional Practical Training (F-1 Students only)
• Academic Training (J-1 Students only)

Unpaid work opportunities may also require students to ensure eligibility or obtain work authorization.

Beginning with the Fall 2026 semester, the UNC System will allow F-1 and J-1 students the option to either enroll in the university health insurance or waive (opt out) with a qualifying alternate health insurance plan.  You can view the summary document from the UNC system.

F-1 students will be automatically billed for Student Blue health insurance alongside their tuition and fee bills and will need to take action to either enroll in Student Blue or waive with acceptable alternate health insurance (details below).  The deadline to enroll in or waive the Student Blue insurance is September 10, 2026.

J-1 students will be automatically billed for Global Solutions health insurance which satisfies both the UNC System requirement and the J-1 health insurance requirement mandated by the U.S. Department of State.  J-1 students will need to take action to either enroll in Global Solutions or purchase acceptable alternate health insurance that will satisfy the waiver requirement (details below). 

• Fall 2026 Steps to enroll in Global Solutions:
  • 1. Enroll in Global Solutions via the unique NC State link and pay for the health insurance via the portal.  The total for Fall 2027 is $773.18 and payment will be made electronically.
  • 2. Use proof of Global Solutions purchase (receipt or health insurance card) to then waive Student Blue via the Student Blue portal.  
  • 3. Once approved, this will remove the mandatory health insurance fee students still see on their student account.  Note that this might take a few days as the waiver requires human approval and then updates need to be sent back to the university befores fees can be removed.
• Fall 2026 Steps to waive Global Solutions with alternate insurance:
  • 1. Use proof of alternate insurance (health insurance card or benefits statement page that includes student name) to waive Student Blue via the Student Blue portal.  
  • 2. Once approved, this will remove the mandatory health insurance fee students still see on their student account.   Note that this might take a few days as the waiver requires human approval and then updates need to be sent back to the university befores fees can be removed.

The following groups of students will not need to take any action related to Student Blue or Global Solutions health insurance:

• Graduate students who have health insurance provided by the RA/TA health insurance plan. Students on this plan do not need to take action as the Graduate School submits a list as part of an administrative waiver.
• Students who have their education sponsored by an agency, government, institution, or program where the sponsor also provides U.S. health insurance coverage. Students in this category will also be administratively waived. 

The UNC System has provided a document that specifies what is required of an alternate health insurance plan to successfully waive out of Student Blue or Global Solutions.  OIS encourages you to consider your known health care needs when selecting your health insurance plan for Fall 2026 to ensure you have adequate coverage to meet your needs.

Questions? If you have any inquiries about the waiver process, please contact Student Blue directly at 1-888-351-8283 or via email at [email protected]. OIS cannot answer specific questions about the policy, plan, or waiver process.

All international students must update their local, US address within 10 days of a change in GlobalHome via the OIS US Address Reporting form. The SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) database is updated from the address reported in GlobalHome. The SEVIS Local and SEVIS Foreign addresses in MyPack are updated from addresses reported in GlobalHome and cannot be edited in MyPack.

Current US and Foreign Address information can be checked in GlobalHome using the OIS Address Dashboard.

If you are a student in F-1 OPT or OPT STEM status, you must report the following updates to OIS:

1. Change in address (within 10 days of the change occurring). Your Unity ID and GlobalHome account remain active while on OPT, even after graduating from NC State University. You will need to update your personal address in GlobalHome, via the OIS US Address Reporting form.
2. Change in employment situation. Once you receive your EAD card from USCIS, submit a scanned copy of the EAD to OIS. If you are in the first 12 months of OPT, update your employment information using GlobalHome when you start employment or have a change in employment situation, address or name. Note that there are additional and more extensive STEM OPT reporting requirements.
3. Change in visa status. Please submit a copy of proof of your new status (e.g. I-797 Approval Notice), so we can close your F-1 record. You can upload this in GlobalHome.
4. Transfer to another school to start a new degree program. Visit the Student forms page and fill out the transfer out form to request OIS transfer your SEVIS record to a different school and end your OPT/STEM OPT.
5. Change to a new degree program at NC State University. Visit the Student forms page and fill out the change degree form to request OIS update the academic program on your I-20 from OPT or STEM OPT to full-time student in a new program.
6. Departure from the US. Visit the Student forms page and fill out the departure form to request OIS close your SEVIS record.

Immigration regulations require all noncitizens 18 years of age and over to “carry with him and have in his personal possession” their “evidence of registration document” (such as Form I-94 or valid EAD card) “at all times,” including when traveling domestically or just going about daily life. 

OIS recommends making physical copies of the documents listed below to carry in your wallet or purse, as well as having digital copies on your phone. When traveling outside of the Raleigh area or when flying domestically, it is recommended that you carry your original documents.

For International students and scholars with F-1 or J-1 status, the following documents work together to provide proof of legal status:

• I-94 Arrival-Departure Record: This is your primary evidence of status in the U.S. Those in F-1 and J-1 status (and their F-2 or J-2 dependents) can print this evidence of status from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection I-94 Website. You should always make sure that you are using the official website of the U.S. government. Your I-94 should list your correct status (next to ‘class of admission’) and for the expiration date, you should see a “D/S” which stands for Duration of Status.
• Most recent I-20 or DS-2019 
• Employment Authorization Document (EAD) if on OPT or STEM OPT
• Passport