Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment is a globally renowned program that attracts top-quality students worldwide to its professional Master of Environmental Management, Master of Forestry, and Environmental Leadership degree programs. We prioritize providing a smooth and enjoyable transition for our international students.
When to Arrive.
We recommend that international students arrive two weeks before the start of the fall semester. The Duke International Student Center typically hosts orientation events before the Nicholas School’s orientation. Arriving early will give you time to check in with the university’s Visa Services office, attend the Duke International Student Center’s orientation, settle into your housing, and get to know the campus and Durham before the Nicholas School’s orientation.
I-20 Requirements.
Step 1: DETERMINE YOUR STATUS
Who is required to apply for an I-20/F-1 visa?
If you are a non-United States passport holder living outside of the US, you are required to apply for the F-1 student visa. Incoming students must complete the I-20 application in Terra Dotta.
Step 2: TERRA DOTTA FORM & SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
- Complete and submit each Questionnaire in Terra Dotta
- Read and acknowledge the Learning Content in Terra Dotta
- Read and submit Signature Documents in Terra Dotta
- Upload supporting documents to Student Services
- Send an email to nsoe-registrar@duke.edu once you submit the application in Terra Dotta and upload supporting documents
IMPORTANT! Students will see a section in Terra Dotta to upload documents. Although students are welcome to upload documents in Terra Dotta, please keep in mind, your I-20 application will not be processed by the department until your documents are also uploaded to the Student Services office (see link above).
The Visa Services Office recommends obtaining two (2) original copies of your financial documentation (send only one original to the Student Services Office) because you will most likely need an additional set when you apply for your visa at the U.S. Consulate in your home country.
Once you have completed the required online forms in Terra Dotta and supplied the necessary supporting documents, we will initiate the I-20 process. The I-20 is a required document that is used when applying for your student visa at the US Consulate in your home country.
The Student Services Office cannot request an I-20 for you until all required supporting documents have been uploaded and the online application in Terra Dotta has been submitted. Do not mail documents to the Nicholas School.
Once the student submits the online application and uploads the supporting document, the Student Services office must review and submit to Duke Visa Services for processing.
Step 3: OBTAIN THE I-20
Once all of your materials are received by the Nicholas School’s Student Services office, please allow 2-3 weeks for your I-20 application to be processed by Duke Visa Services. The Duke Visa Services office will send your I-20 to you electronically via email. During this time, please visit the website for the US consulate in your home country to determine what additional materials you will need to apply for the F-1 visa. In addition, consulate regulations vary from country to country – some may require you to make an appointment to apply while others may have specific walk-in hours during the week.
IMPORTANT: The Visa Services Office at Duke University strongly recommends that you do not schedule an appointment with the US consulate until you have received your I-20. While we will do everything possible to assist you in this process, please understand that it is your responsibility to obtain the student visa prior to your arrival in Durham, North Carolina. You may begin the visa application process within 120 days of your scheduled arrival in the United States.
The Visa Services Office recommends obtaining two (2) original copies of your financial documentation (send only one original to the Student Services Office) because you will most likely need an additional set when you apply for your visa at the U.S. Consulate in your home country. Visa Services will not return the financial documentation that you provide to obtain your I-20.
RESOURCES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
- Checklist/Supporting Documents: New and Transfer MEM and MF Students
- Duke Environmental Leadership Program Place-Based Session
- Duke Environmental Leadership Program New and Transfer Students
- Duke International Student Center
- FAQs provided by Duke Visa Services
- Flow Chart F1 and J1 Visa Process
- Funding Guidelines
- I-20 Requirements: Instructions & Checklist
- Living Essentials
- SEVIS Fee
- Tips and Resources
- Working in the U.S.
- Upload supporting documents to Student Services
- Visa Application and Entry to U.S.
- Visa Services Office at Duke
QUESTIONS
Send an email to the Nicholas School’s registration team at nsoe-registrar@duke.edu.
Who does NOT need to apply for an F-1 visa?
Non-U.S. passport holders living in the United States with a work visa (H-1B or L-1). H-1B and L-1 visa holders still need to complete the I-20 application in Terra Dotta but do not need to apply for an F-1 visa.
Legal Permanent Residents or ‘green card holders’ do not need to apply for a visa, but must show their green card to the Visa Services Office upon arrival to the program (this is required each time you arrive on campus)
Employment Authorization Card (EAC) holders (those in the process of applying for a green card) do not need to apply for a visa but must complete the application in Terra Dotta and submit copy of their EAC. EAC holders must show their card to the Visa Services Office upon arrival to the program.