The information on this page reflects F-1 / J-1 visa status-related policies and guidance from the UNCP Office of Global Engagement and does not necessarily reflect the policies or requirements of other units on campus.

International students in F-1 or J-1 status are required to maintain full-time enrollment throughout their program, uphold good academic standing and make normal academic progress toward their degree objective.

Full-time enrollment is defined as 12 or more credit hours for undergraduate students and 9 or more 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 education. Please note: Requirements for full-time enrollment vary each semester based on remaining program requirements, pending completion of the academic program, and/or thesis/dissertation research requirements.

All F-1 / J-1 students are required to uphold good academic standing throughout their degree program in order to keep their visa status. The definition of good academic standing is determined by UNCP, not by Global Engagement. 

Audit courses do not carry any credit and therefore do not count towards full-time enrollment. Any students who audit courses should not include such courses when calculating full-time enrollment. Courses taken as \"Pass/Fail\" do carry credit and therefore do count towards full-time enrollment for immigration purposes. Students should always consult with their academic advisor's and/or immigration advisor in the Office of Global Engagement concerning changes to enrollment prior to taking any action that would enroll them in multiple online courses, or drop them below full-time enrollment.

There are certain exceptions to these course-loads and a few circumstances when part-time enrollment can be authorized in SEVIS. (For more information about these exceptions, please click on the Reduced Course Loads link in the left side-bar.) 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, so any deviation, question, or problem regarding full-time enrollment should be discussed beforehand with an immigration advisor in the Office of Global Engagement.

Students are not required by immigration regulations to enroll in the summer session if they were full-time students in the spring and will continue their enrollment in the fall. Students may choose to study, return home, or work on campus (or off-campus if eligible and if authorized in advance) in the summer. Students authorized for full-time CPT may also be exempted from enrolling in classes without jeopardizing their nonimmigrant status, but should check with an immigration advisor in the Office of Global Engagement first.  Please note that all students not enrolled in summer sessions who are remaining in the United States at an address other than their previous spring and upcoming fall University Housing or off-campus address, should complete the Global Engagement Address and Physical Contact Form before moving/departing campus in the summer.

International students who complete all academic program requirement are considered to have completed their program for visa purposes and are neither required, nor permitted, to enroll for an additional semester.