International Student Orientation

As a newly admitted international student, you have a lot to learn to succeed here at UNC Charlotte. In this mandatory, online Canvas course consisting of six learning modules designed to prepare new international students to understand the important terms of their visa status, know U.S. cultural and classroom adjustment stages and resources, and how to interact with the ISSO and other useful campus offices, you will gain the tools you need to succeed.

• Saturday, July 19th, 2025: Online International Student Orientation is available (course will be viewable only after 7/18)
  • Only students INSIDE the U.S. should complete online orientation
  • Students should expect to spend 2.5 hours to complete the self paced orientation

Click Here to Access the Online Orientation for Fall 2025 starting July 19th

New Fall 2025 international students are also strongly encouraged to attend an in-person welcome event on August 13th in McKnight Hall from 8:30 AM to approximately 11:30 AM (though lunch is included in the program, so feel free to plan to be with us until 12:30 or so).

Module 6 of the Online Orientation course (see above), contains a link to submit your Visa Check In Form through another electronic ISSO system, called the ISSO Portal. You will need electronic copies of your I-94, F-1/J-1 visa stamp, I-20/DS-2019, and passport to complete this mandatory step. It goes without saying that you must have arrived in the U.S. and completed the first 5 modules of Online Orientation before you can begin this step, as the link to the submission form is only found embedded within the Canvas course.

After you have arrived in the U.S., you must report where you live (called a Mailing Address) to our office via Banner Self-Service, which is found on My charlotte.edu. This step is mandatory. If you have entered your address correctly, our office will then report this information to the U.S. government on your behalf. To learn how to enter your address correctly per U.S. address conventions, see below:

After you have completed the Online Orientation, successfully submitted your International Student Check-In documents, and updated your address, our office — the ISSO — will report your attendance to the U.S. government automatically. It’s important to know a few things about this: 1) the ISSO has up to 30 days after the first day of class to report your arrival to the government and 2) you will NOT be notified when this action has been completed. You do not need to know exactly when this step occurs within the 30 day period, nor do you need to take any action for this step to occur, beyond enrolling in classes and completing the three previous steps.

New students can meet other new students and senior students by joining optional social, student-planned and led meet ups held at the beginning of the semester. From excursions to Uptown Charlotte on the light rail, to indoor volleyball games, yoga and more, attending one (or all) of these optional activities will help you build a network of friends and acquaintances in no time. See “Important Dates”in the page overview of orientation at the top to learn more about the social activities planned for the start of the upcoming semester.

All new international students will need to comply with the State of North Carolina’s Immunization requirements. This is mandatory. Students who fail to comply will have their courses dropped approximately three weeks into the semester (forcing to you have to go home early). Whether you get your shots done before arrival or after, get your immunizations done. Period. Bring a copy of your immunization record with you, in English if possible. Have you been offered a TA position your first semester as an international student? International TAs must register for the English Language Assessment, held on various dates. (If you won’t be a TA, you don’t need to do this.) If you’ve been offered an on-campus job (including TA-ships or other opportunities), you will need to complete the I-9 process. You can learn more about this here, though most of the process is completed with the campus Human Resources office.

• Pay your SEVIS fee and schedule a visa interview.
• Make housing arrangements either on-campus or off-campus.
• Get your immunizations done. Bring a copy with you, in English if possible.
• Think about your required Health Insurance plan & either bring your own plan or purchase from UNC Charlotte.
• Plan for your finances and payment of tuition and fees.
  • Check our Frequently Asked Questions for information on wire transfer.
• Prepare for academic advising and registration upon arrival at UNC Charlotte. Bring transcripts from your home institution if necessary.
• Consider purchasing a Meal plan
• Make your travel arrangements to arrive to the U.S. NO earlier than 30 days from the start date on your I-20.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.

Orientation Resources

• International Student Handbook
• Printable Academic Calendar
• Payment Policy
• Important Immunization Instructions for International Students
• Health Insurance
• Enhancing Your English Language Proficiency
• Enhancing Your Academic Writing in English
• Overview of U.S. health care system
• UNC Charlotte Interactive Campus Map
• On-campus housing
• Off-Campus housing
• On Campus Dining
• On and Off Campus Transportation Guide
• Auxiliary Services Guide​
• Near by Hotels
• What to Pack
• PPT: On-Campus Employment: Tips and Suggestions for International Students
• PPT: Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
• PPT: Scam Resilience Workshop
• PPT: Exchange Student Session