Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

To log in to the ISSS Portal students will need to do the following: 

1. 1. 1. Create and activate your Onyen and password.  For questions about creating an Onyen and password, please refer to the Onyen and Password FAQ or reach out to IT Services. 
      2. Set up the two-step authentication. 
      3. Log into ConnectCarolina using the Onyen and Duo authentication. 
      4. Wait 24-hours after logging into ConnectCarolina to try logging into the ISSS portal.

If you are still having issues logging into the ISSS Portal, please reach out to ISSS at isss@unc.edu

To initiate the processing of your request with ISSS (International Student and Scholar Services), you must submit a complete request, including the New Student Questionnaire, along with all other required forms as part of the Admitted/New Student Intake Process. These forms are: 

• • • Personal Information
    • Dependent Information
    • Financial Information
    • Current Immigration Status
    • Attestations and Final Submission

Please note that your submission will not enter the ISSS queue for processing until all required forms are completed. Once you have filled out all forms, you will receive an email confirmation. The standard processing time for issuing a Form I-20 or DS-2019 is three (3) weeks from the date ISSS receives a complete request.

Requests for a Form I-20 or DS-2019 are processed in the order in which complete requests are received. ISSS is unable to expedite requests. We advise beginning the process as early as possible and allowing ample time for processing.

International students requesting a Form I-20 or DS-2019 must provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition, fees, living expenses, and health insurance for the first academic year. For incoming exchange students, funds should cover the duration of your program.

Students can use a variety of sources to provide proof of financial support. Below is a chart of the most common sources:

Documents submitted must be written in English and contain an issuance date within the last 6 months.  Bank statements must list the account holder’s full name, account type and currency.  All funds must be liquid and immediately available for withdrawal, such as a checking or savings account.

Documents uploaded to the ISSS Portal must be in PDF, JPEG, or PNG format and cannot be uploaded as Word documents.

You can submit a bank statement in a foreign currency, as long as the type of currency is listed on the bank statement. We will do the conversion to US Dollars when issuing the Form I-20 or DS-2019.

Degree-seeking students can find all the detailed expenses listed here. For non-degree/exchange students, please find the detailed expenses listed here.

Students must submit financial support documentation covering (at minimum) the amount listed under “TOTAL.”

Students have four (4) spaces to enter financial sources and provide supporting evidence in the “Financial Information” section of the Admitted/New Student Intake. Students may select “Personal Funds,” “Sponsor/Family Funds,” “University Graduate Assistantship,” “University Scholarship/Fellowship,” or “Other” from the drop-down menu. Please be sure that the total of your funding sources equals or exceeds your cost of attendance and any dependents joining you, if applicable.

If you have fewer than four (4) funding sources, please select “Not applicable” for the remaining funding sources.

First make sure that you are uploading documents in the acceptable formats: PDF, JPEG, or PNG. Word documents are not allowed.

Otherwise, you may need to cancel the Financial Documents form and resubmit. If the error continues, please contact ISSS at isss@unc.edu.

Once you submit all of the required information and documents, you will see your Admitted / New Student Intake in “Pending Office Approval” status. You will also receive an email confirmation.  Your submission will then go under review by an ISSS advisor, which may take up to three (3) weeks. If any additional information is needed, an ISSS advisor will contact you via email.

If your request is complete, an ISSS Advisor will issue your Form I-20 or DS-2019 and send it to your UNC email address. 

Forms I-20 and DS-2019 are now sent to students electronically; therefore, students receive their documents shortly after they are produced. The SEVIS ID is not generated until the Form I-20 or DS-2019 is created.

The I-901 SEVIS Fee is paid to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program which manages SEVIS. This fee is required and must be paid at least three (3) business days prior to applying for a visa stamp at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy. Once the payment is made, students should save or print the receipt.  ISSS must verify that your SEVIS Fee has been paid before they can register your SEVIS record at UNC.

Students should check Step 6: Obtain the F-1/J-1 Visa Stamp on the ISSS website, as well as the website of their local U.S. Embassy or Consulate for detailed instructions on the visa application process. ISSS provides students with a Form I-20 or DS-2019 which will assist students in obtaining the appropriate visa stamp.  However, we are unable to provide any additional written documentation for the visa appointment.

Students who obtain a Form I-20 or DS-2019 may enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the Program Start Date listed on the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019. For students with a Form I-20, the “Earliest Admission Date” located in the “Program of Study” box indicates the first day you may enter the U.S. in F-1 status.

Students should have a valid passport (with validity at least 6 months beyond the date of entry to the U.S.), a valid F-1 or J-1 visa (if applicable), a confirmation of SEVIS fee payment, and Form I-20 (for F-1 students) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1 students). Dependents (spouse and/or children) require separate Forms I-20 or DS-2019 for entry in F-2 or J-2 dependent status.
Students may also want to have the following supporting documents with them: a letter of admission to UNC-CH, financial documents, school transcripts, marriage certificate and birth certificates, if bringing a dependent.

Upon entry to the U.S. all F-1 and J-1 students are required to complete the ISSS Student Check-In in the ISSS Portal. Students will be asked to upload copies of their immigration documents and the record of their most recent admission to the U.S. (a Form I-94) as well as a local address.  Please do not complete your ISSS Check-In prior to entering the United States, or you will be asked to resubmit.

No. Students must make sure they are able to arrive to the U.S. prior to the start of classes.

All Undergraduate students should attend the ISSS session as part of their required First Year New Student Orientation or Transfer Student Orientation; students should refer to the orientation schedule for details. 

All Graduate and Professional students should attend the International Student Orientation hosted by ISSS, which is separate from the orientation hosted by their academic department.  The International Student Orientation covers crucial immigration information and campus resources international students can benefit from, so we strongly encourage you to make plans to attend. You can find ISSS orientation dates here. 

In addition to your attendance at International Student Orientation, you are expected to join the UNC International Students course on Canvas, the University’s learning management system.    You will find essential information on this Canvas site related to pre-arrival details and immediate next steps upon arrival, as well as topics you will want to refer to throughout your time as an F-1 student at Carolina.

When completing the Admitted/New Student Intake process, please be sure to indicate that you are already in F-1 status at another institution in the “Current Immigration Status” section. You will be asked to enter your current institution’s information as well as the SEVIS release date in this section.

Students should work with their current institution to arrange the transfer of their SEVIS record.

Please instruct your current P/DSO to transfer your SEVIS record to F-1 School Code ATL214F10290000.

Before transferring a record in completed or terminated status, please contact our office.

The Transfer Release date is the date that the student’s SEVIS record will be electronically transferred from their current institution to UNC-CH. On the Transfer Release date, the student’s SEVIS record will be accessible to UNC-CH.

Students may select a Transfer Release date that falls between finishing their program (or term) at their current institution and before starting their first semester at UNC-CH. A timely SEVIS transfer release date helps ensure that UNC-CH can begin processing the Form I-20 as soon as possible.

• • • Students must begin study at UNC-CH at the next available term after finishing their current program of study, or within five (5) months of their last date of enrollment at their previous institution, whichever is sooner.
    • Students currently on Post-Completion OPT must begin study at UNC-CH at the next available term, or within five (5) months of their last date of OPT authorization, whichever is sooner. Students whose SEVIS record is released to UNC-CH before the end date listed on their EAD forfeit any remaining time of OPT.

After a student has submitted all of the required information and documents for their Form I-20 request and their SEVIS record has been successfully transferred in, the ISSS office at UNC-CH will issue a new “Transfer Pending” Form I-20 (normally within (3) weeks of the release date).   ISSS cannot issue a Form I-20 until the SEVIS record has been released from the prior institution.

Yes.  Upon admission, any student requesting a Form I-20 must submit financial documentation showing available funds for their first year of study. Students should refer to the Financial Documentation Requirements page on the ISSS website for details.

Yes, students may remain in the U.S. while waiting for their first semester at UNC-CH to begin, as long as they have started and/or completed their SEVIS record transfer.

If the student’s current visa is still valid, they may continue to use that visa along with the UNC-CH Form I-20, even though the visa stamp has the previous institution listed.

Students with an expired visa who are travelling outside the U.S. in between programs are required to apply for a new visa before re-entering the U.S.

Students with an expired visa who are not travelling outside the U.S. may remain in the U.S. as long as they properly complete all SEVIS transfer procedures.

Yes.  All F-1 transfer students are required to complete the ISSS Student Check-In forms in the ISSS Portal no later than 15 days from the program start date listed on their Form I-20 from UNC-CH.  Once the student is enrolled in classes, has reported his/her current address and otherwise completed the check-in process, ISSS staff will register the student in SEVIS and the student’s record will become active at UNC-CH.  ISSS will issue a new Form I-20 indicating that the SEVIS transfer is complete.

All Undergraduate students should attend one of the two ISSS sessions offered as part of their required First Year New Student Orientation or Transfer Student Orientation; students should refer to the orientation schedule for details.

All Graduate and Professional students should attend the International Student Orientation hosted by ISSS, which is separate from the orientation hosted by their academic department.
The International Student Orientation covers crucial immigration information and campus resources international students can benefit from, so we strongly encourage you to make plans to attend. You can find ISSS orientation dates here. 

In addition to your attendance at International Student Orientation, you are expected to join the UNC International Students course on Canvas, the University’s learning management system.    You will find essential information on this Canvas site related to pre-arrival details and immediate next steps upon arrival, as well as topics you will want to refer to throughout your time as an F-1 student at Carolina.

Carolina Housing can accept items at package centers delivered on or after August 12th. Any packages that arrive before August 12th will be returned to sender. Click here to find your on-campus address.

If you have any necessities you may need for your first night on campus, please email housing@unc.edu prior to your arrival on campus and they will work to identify items they may be able to provide. 

If you are not living on campus, please contact your apartment complex or landlord to identify if you are able to ship items early.

Carolina Housing staff are available 24/7 by phone. If you arrive after normal business hours (9:00am-5:00pm) on your approved move-in date, you will need to call the service desk of the residence hall you are moving into and a staff member will be able to assist you in getting keys. Click here to view all the residence halls and contact information.

If you are looking for a place to live off campus, we encourage you to visit the Off Campus and Student Life website, they have several resources to assist you in your search process.
You are also encouraged to re-watch the “Securing a Place to Live” pre-arrival information session that was hosted in April 2023. You can access the recording on the “UNC International Students” Canvas page. Having trouble accessing the Canvas site? Email our office with your PID at isss@unc.edu.

Most residence halls on campus close during Winter Break. Winter Break Housing is available, by request only for those with an approved hardship. Carolina Housing encourages you to request accommodation early. Do not wait until November as space is limited.  Questions? Email housing@unc.edu.

There are multiple transportation options available from the RDU airport to Chapel Hill.
GoTriangle bus routes service terminals at the RDU airport, click here to review bus route options, fares, and operating hours.
Taxi Taxi is another service offered at the RDU airport, including walk-up and advanced scheduling services.
Various rideshare services are also available including Uber and Lyft.  

Yes. Chapel Hill is committed to being a community where bicycling and walking are safe and convenient. The Town of Chapel Hill has created resources for the community including maps.
To ensure bicycle security it is recommended to utilize a “U-Lock” to securely lock your bicycle on bike racks.
UNC also has a web page containing additional details about bikes, including an option to register your bicycle. 

Chapel Hill Transit buses (light blue buses or art wrapped buses) are free to ride, no I.D required.
GoTriangle buses reinstated fares on July 1, 2024. The Commuter Alternative Program (CAP) offers free Go Passes for UNC-Chapel Hill riders. Registration is required to obtain a free pass. 

                     Click here to view details about ISSS orientation.

The Graduate School will host a Graduate Student Orientation on Wednesday, August 14th, click here for additional details
ISSS will be hosting an orientation session for incoming international degree-seeking graduate students on Thursday, August 15th from 4:00-7:00pm, dinner will be provided.
Individual departments or programs may also host an orientation, check your UNC email for additional details.

New Student Family Programs host orientation sessions throughout the Summer. You have likely already signed up to attend a session the week of August 12th-16th. Click here for additional details. NSFP staff members will email you before your orientation with additional details.
ISSS will be presenting during interest sessions the week of August 12th-16th, we highly encourage you to attend the interest session to learn more about maintaining your immigration status.

Non-degree exchange students do not participate in the NSFP orientation. There will be an in-person orientation on Sunday, August 18 at 10:30 am in the Atrium of the Global FedEx building.

This varies by financial institution, in most cases you cannot open a bank account prior to arrival as you will need to provide formal documentation to verify personal information.
While you may not be able to open a bank account prior to arrival, many financial institutions (banks) will allow you to schedule an appointment in advance for the week you arrive.
Visit the “UNC International Students” Canvas site to learn what documents you will need to provide to open an account and to see what banks are within walking distance of campus.

Carolina Dining Services (CDS) has created a webpage to see what dining options are available each day with menus included, click here to see today’s menus, locations, and hours. They have also provided a map to geographically see what dining options are close to wherever you are on campus.
CDS offers a variety of meal plan options if you intend to frequently eat on campus.
Franklin Street is located directly off campus and is home to many restaurants as well.  

You can find UNC’s required immunization information on the Campus Health Website.

Questions? Email: immunizations@unc.edu

Campus Health is available to answer questions about health insurance, simply email insurancerep@unc.edu.

Campus Health operates two full-service pharmacies on campus and two vending machines.
Campus Health offers a variety of medical services to students throughout the year, click here to view details on the services provided.

Degree-seeking students will register for courses during their New Student Orientation session in June, July, or August. Students will learn more about advising services during orientation. If you have questions prior to orientation, please email advising@unc.edu. Click here to learn more about what to expect during your orientation session with advising.

Non-degree exchange students can contact N. Nicole Cobb, Exchange Student Advisor, with questions.