1. Future Students
  2. New International Student Orientation

New International Student Orientation

Congratulations on your admission to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte! The staff at the ISSO are looking forward to seeing you here soon.

As a newly admitted student for the upcoming semester, use this page to understand what you will need to do to complete International Student Orientation, which has been designed to help you be successful in multiple areas here at the university. Click on the drop down menus below to learn about specific action items that you will need or want to complete after your arrival to Charlotte.

For an overview of what International Student Orientation is like, feel free to watch this video. Note: since this video was published, a number of changes to orientation format have been implemented. 

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. 

  • December 11, 2021 - January 24, 2022: Online International Student Orientation is available (see link below)
    • 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 Begin the Spring 2022 Online International Student Orientation [Currently Closed -- Opens December 11th, 2021]

An overview of the full International Student Orientation is found below:

  • December 11th, 2021 - January 24th, 2022: Online Orientation open and available
  • Various dates: International TA Testing begins.  International TA's must register for the English Language Assessment.
  • January (exact date TBD):  Exchange Student Virtual Meeting (link sent via email), ask questions about your UNC Charlotte exchange and hear from current students about "What it's really like" to be a UNC Charlotte student.
  • January (exact date TBD): ISSO Virtual Welcome (Register and access the event here.)
  • January 10th, 2021: First day of class for Spring 2022 semester
  • January (exact dates TBD): view and sign up to attend one or several in-person orientation events, led by continuing student organizers. With activities ranging from hiking campus trails to a trip on the light rail to Uptown Charlotte, you are sure to meet others and have fun no matter what you do! 
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 ISSOconnect. 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. Remember to click "Submit" on the International Student Check-In application to officially complete and submit your application.
After you have arrived in the U.S., you must report where you live to our office via Banner Self-Service, which is found on My UNCC.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, click here.
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.
Every semester, the ISSO hosts at least one optional Welcome Event for the purpose of meeting new students, introducing the ISSO and its services, and providing a basic overview. For the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ISSO will also offer an optional virtual Welcome Event each semester too, in order to meet the needs of unvaccinated or immunocompromised (or just nervous) students. Norm the Niner has even been known to attend our in-person Welcome Events to greet and provide a perfect photo opportunity for new students as well! Upcoming semester dates will be posted under "Important Dates".
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 pick up soccer 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" 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.
  • 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