Document Processing Times

For any paperwork that requires our approval, please remember to allow for 7-10 days processing time.

How to contact an advisor?

Email us at NDSU.iss@ndsu.edu.  Before contacting us, please review our advising request procedures here. 

Cost & Deadlines

It's important that you are familiar with the health insurance deadlines and premium cost, so that you are prepared to pay your insurance in full, before the posted deadline: https://www.ndsu.edu/international/iss/insurance/cost.  

Remember that insurance is charged twice a year.  Once in the Fall, and once in the Spring (for Spring/Summer coverage, combined). For students who graduate in May, no refunds are offered and you must pay the full amount posted to your Spring account. The insurance plan is considered non-refundable. If you are eligible to purchase it at the start of the semester, you remain eligible for the insurance throughout the remainder of the plan year (through August 15 of each year) even if you are not enrolled in summer classes or plan to graduate.

Our insurance page has a number of important sections for your review:

• Information about the ND University System Health Insurance Requirement for International Students
• Insurance Enrollment
• Cost & Payments
• Adding Family Members
• Get Medical Care
• UHCSR Customer Service & Your Online Account
• FAQ

As you enroll and finalize your new semester's registration schedule, all international undergraduate and graduate students should see this page for Credit Minimums and reminders about limitations on online courses. We also have information on this page about how an online class is categorized, to help you when reviewing your schedule. Students who are in too few credits, or too many online credits, will jeopardize their immigration status. If you ever have any doubts about whether you are enrolled in enough credits, always contact us at NDSU.iss@ndsu.edu immediately so we can review your situation.

Familiarize yourself with this reminder about how many hours are allowed during the official work week for F-1 and J-1 students, so that you can avoid any unintended violations of status. 

Work Week Reminder

A work week is considered to begin at 12:00 a.m. on Sunday and end at 11:59 p.m. the following Saturday.  

If you have any questions about your work schedule as it relates to how your work week is calculated, please contact your supervisor and NDSU Payroll. Please note that any violations of this regulation addressing employment will result in negative immigration consequences which include required departure from the United States to pursue reinstatement to F-1 or J-1 status by travel (exit and re-entry to the United States).  For more information in general about on- or off-campus employment and other immigration processes, visit: https://www.ndsu.edu/international/immigration. 

J-1 Students

Due to pre-authorization required for J-1 students, please always be in contact with Melissia Law at Melissia.Law@ndsu.edu prior to engaging in ANY on-campus employment if you are a J-1 student.

Last eligible day for on-campus employment

• The end date on your SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 document is the last day you are eligible for on-campus employment.  
• Working past your program end date is a violation of your immigration status.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

• Click here to view the important dates by semester on our On-Campus Employment page. Scroll to the "Dates to Watch" header.

All questions about off campus employment opportunities should be directed to your international student advisor as eligibility and authorization is strictly regulated.  

OPT

If you are an F-1 student planning to graduate, please remember to file for Optional Practical Training (OPT) if you plan to work in a position directly related to your major field of study following graduation.  Also, please note that it can take approximately 3 months for an OPT application to be processed, so you will need to apply as soon as possible if you are graduating.  For more information, please visit our OPT page.

You are required to update us with any physical address change within 10 days of moving to a new address. Updating our office within 10 days is critical to maintain your F-1 or J-1 immigration status. Please visit our Forms page, and complete the Address Update survey, so that we can update your SEVIS record.  

Note:  This applies for ANY address change.  For example, if you are living in a room in Niskanen Residence Hall on the 1st floor and move to a room on the 3rd floor, that is considered an address change that we need to update that in SEVIS.  You must also be sure to update your address in Campus Connection as well.