International Graduate Student Services
General Immigration Information

International Graduate Student Services (IGSS) provides immigration assistance and counseling to over 1600 international graduate students each year. Our two full-time advisors have years of experience working with students and immigration issues. You can find contact information for them by clicking on the Contact Persons link. Follow us on Facebook by searching for Virginia Tech International Graduate Student Services.

IGSS hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, and Wednesday from 9:30 am to 5 pm. We are located in the Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown, 155 Otey St., Rooms 112 & 115.

Please review all of the pages on the IGSS site by navigating to International Graduate Student Services in the left toolbar, and then navigating to the links that pop up to the right. The information is provided so that you can review it at any time, even when our offices are closed.

The General Information page is a starting point for basic immigration-related information.

NOTE: Please be aware that your personal and immigration related information is considered private under US Federal privacy laws (FERPA). We cannot discuss your admission application or immigration paperwork or status with anyone UNLESS you give us written permission to talk with someone.

If you are a prospective student, please click on the Application and Pre-Arrival link. This section provides information about the admission application process.

• The Financial Requirements link and the Transferring to Virginia Tech link provide information about the forms that must be submitted by students in order to request an immigration form with which to apply for a student visa.

• During peak processing of immigration documents, there are different options available for you to have your immigration packet mailed to you. Please refer to the Mailing of Immigration Documents link for details.

• The other links on the Application and Pre-Arrival page provide information that can be used when planning for your arrival at Virginia Tech. Please be aware that you are responsible for reading ALL of the information on the International Graduate Student Services website.

Once you arrive in Blacksburg, you will need to review the information under the link called Maintaining Your Student Status.  You are responsible for all of this information.

As you progress toward your degree, you will need to check the link called Academic Issues for things international students need to be aware of.

All of our immigration forms are online for your convenience under the section called Forms.

If you plan to travel outside of the U.S., please read the section called Travel.

If you are interested in working on or off campus, please review the section on Employment. It is critical that you understand employment options and restrictions, because a work violation is extremely serious. You also can review requirements for applying for a Social Security number.

We thank you for your interest in Virginia Tech, and we hope that this information is helpful to you.

About SEVIS
Learn about SEVIS, an Internet-based system that maintains current academic and immigration information on non-immigrant students and their dependents.

SEVIS I 901 Fee
Details about the fee required by non-immigrant students who are seeking an F1 or J1 visa.

SEVIS II Information
Information about changes coming to immigration processing.

Immigration Terms
Glossary of words frequently used in immigration processes.

Understanding Visa and Visa Status
Learn the important distinction between a visa and your visa status.

Comparison of F1 and J1 Visa
An outline of the major differences between F1 and J1 student visas.

Frequently Asked Questions
Commonly asked questions about immigration.

Contact Persons
Immigration advisors from the Graduate School are available to assist you.