International Student Services is open Monday to Friday, 8am – 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, excluding observed holidays. We are located in the HUB, Suite 170. Our team is available via Virtual Office Hours on Zoom, email through the UFIC ISS Contact Us form, appointments, and phone.
The University of Florida International Center (UFIC) is always excited that students and scholars from around the globe have chosen UF as the place where they will enhance their academic and professional backgrounds. Our international students and scholars serve as representatives from 154 countries, essentially bringing the world to our campus! In turn, the International Center aims to assist students and scholars as they make the transition from their homeland to the United States, and adjust to life at the University of Florida. Oftentimes students and scholars are accompanied on their journey by their families and we are committed to welcoming them not only into our center, but also into the Gainesville community.
The primary services provided by the International Student Services unit is to process the documentation for new and current international students to remain compliant with their student visas. Our unit is responsible for processing the Form I-20 for students seeking or maintaining an F-1 student visa.
International Student Services works with the following student groups:
F-1 Categories
Degree Seeking Student: A student admitted to pursue a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral degree program, on a full-time basis.
Certificate Student: A student accepted by an academic department to enroll in a full-time program, approved for F-1 student enrollment, which will lead to the attainment of a specific educational or professional objective, and culminating in a certificate with the seal of the University of Florida. The student is accepted on a non-degree-seeking basis.
Other Visa Categories
Students who study at the University of Florida in another non-immigrant visa category may be required to change to an F-1 or J-1 student visa category. This is particularly true for dependent children when approaching the age of 21. A change of status application for a dependent child would need to be filed prior to the 21st birthday. In some cases, dependent spouses may also need to seek a change in their visa category. The UFIC will be able to advise that individual on the options available for a visa category change if one is needed.
J-1 Categories: The Exchange Visitor Services Unit within the International Center works with J-1 and J-2 visa holders.
Employment-Based Categories: The UF Immigration Compliance Services located at the main UF Human Resources Building works with University of Florida employees seeking or maintaining employment-based visas (H, TN, O, and E-3) or employment-based permanent residency.
Upcoming Events
Contact Us
If you cannot attend your specific F-1 advisor’s Virtual Office Hours, you may send your questions by email using the Contact Us form. Your F-1 advisor will reply to your email.