Important Tax Information for International Students.
International tax specialist, Janet Kunz, provides information about the mailing of W-2 forms, claiming tax treaty benefits, and tax treaty countries.
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Fact Sheet for Chinese Students

Suolong, a
doctoral student
in Chemistry,
offers insights about the international graduate student experience at Virginia Tech. Suolong is from China, and his interview is offered in both English and Mandarin Chinese.

Watch video interview >>

View all student & faculty interviews >>

How do I apply for admission?

Please visit the Graduate School website for specific information about the application process, testing requirements, and deadlines. Applications have to be complete before they will be forwarded to the academic department for review.

What do you mean by "financial requirements" for international students?

International students who are or will be in F1 or J1 student status are required to show proof of adequate funding before an immigration form can be issued. The period of funding has to cover at least one year. You can read about the requirements and download the required Immigration Information Form and instructions here. No immigration forms can be issued until we have ALL required documents.

I am a new student. When will I receive my I-20?

If you are a new student, your I-20/DS-2019 will be issued and mailed to you after the Graduate School approves your acceptance and your file is complete, including the verification of sufficient funds. More information >>

Will you mail my immigration form by express mail?

It depends on the time of year. We only have DHL express mail available from April 1 to July 31, and October 1 to December 15. This is our peak processing period for immigration forms. You must pay for express mail before we can mail the document package. Instructions and the web link are found here. You will receive an email with a tracking number.
During other times, immigration packages will be sent by bulk DHL, which can take up to a month to reach you, and there is no tracking number available.

What do I need to know before I arrive at Virginia Tech?

We have pre-arrival planning information on our website. We also will mail a pre-arrival brochure and other information in your immigration package. Be sure to read ALL of the information very carefully, since it is your responsibility to act upon the information in a timely manner.

I am attending another school in the U.S., but I want to attend Virginia Tech. What do I have to do?

First you have to go through the admission process, like any other student. If you are admitted and decide to attend Virginia Tech, then in addition to the other required immigration documents, you must ask for your current SEVIS record to be transferred from your school to Virginia Tech. This cannot be done until you are admitted, and have finished requirements at your current school. Please visit our website to learn more about this process, and download the required form.

How do I maintain my legal student status?

It is your responsibility to maintain legal student status during your course of study and to communicate all changes in your academic or employment plans to International Graduate Student Services (IGSS). More >>

How do I request a new immigration form, or apply for immigration benefits? Do I need to change my address with you?

There is a form for ALL immigration processes. All of our immigration forms are found on our website. Each form has a brief description so you easily can find what you need. You should become familiar with all of our forms and what they are used for.

I'm interested in employment. What do I need to know?

International students may pursue several types of employment while in F1 or J1 status. Please visit our website for more information, and for the required forms. Be aware that a work violation is a very serious immigration matter, so you need to follow regulations very carefully.

What if I want to know more about immigration in general?

We have links to several U.S. agencies which work with aspects of immigration processing. You can find links to their websites here.

Who do I contact with questions about immigration matters?

You can find this information on our website.