International Students Studying Abroad
As an international student, there are a few steps you must take in order to maintain your F-1 visa status while studying outside of the United States:
- Notify Duke Visa Services of your plans well in advance of your actual time abroad.
- Make sure your visa documents (I-20 form, visa stamp, and passport) are current and in order for traveling and re-entering the United States after your program.
- Update your local/residential address in Duke Hub to the address below:
114 S. BUCHANAN BLVD. # 6
C/O Duke University, Global Education Office
DURHAM, NC 27701-2804
Note: After you return to the United States, update your local/residential address in DukeHub to reflect your current U.S. address.
Visas
Please see the Visa section for important information regarding applying for a visa for your destination country.
Financial Aid
If you are an international student on financial aid, please speak to your financial aid counselor regarding whether Duke can provide any financial support in obtaining the visa for your program or other incidental costs that you may incur beyond what is included in the official program budget sheet.
Contact the GEO program manager if you have questions or concerns about this process.
International Students on U.S.-Based Programs
CPT Requirements for Programs with Internships
If you are an F-1 visa holder and participating in a U.S.-based Duke-In program that includes an internship, you must complete a Curricular Practical Training (CPT) application with Duke Visa Services. CPT is a work authorization benefit for F-1 visa holders.
In order to file for CPT, you must first complete the following:
- Secure your internship placement.
- Receive an official offer letter, complete with a detailed job description, from your employer.
- Declare your major at Duke. Your internship description must reflect a relationship to your major. If you have not yet declared your major, you must do so before the end of the semester prior to the start of your program.
- Have an accurate I-94 admissions record on file with the United States Customs Office that shows you currently reside in the United States. You cannot file for CPT if you are not physically in the United States.
- Complete all paperwork for your CPT application (some of which requires signatures from University officials) and submit it to Duke Visa Services. Details and instructions on how start an application can be located at https://visaservices.duke.edu/categories/f1/cpt/application-process.
- Once you submit all documentation to Duke Visa Services, it may take up to two weeks for your request to be processed. You are not authorized to begin your internship placement until you have the CPT approval.
For more information regarding off-campus employment, visit https://visaservices.duke.edu/employment.
