Office of International Programs

F-1 students and J-1 Exchange Visitors who wish to obtain a North Carolina driver’s license may be able to do so.

The documents you will need to present to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) are:

All J-1 Exchange Visitors who are on Appalachian payroll will require a Social Security number. The closest Social Security Administration office is in Wilkesboro, NC. ISSSO will provide transportation to the Social Security Administration office for eligible students and scholars three times each semester. If you are unable to go at the times that the ISSSO organizes, your faculty host will provide arrangements for you to go. For information about future trips, please contact us at issso@appstate.edu.

The J-1 Exchange Visitor visa was created to provide opportunities for cultural exchange between the United States and other nations, thereby “building mutual understanding between Americans and people of other countries.” These activities are an essential component of the J-1 Exchange Visitor’s experience at Appalachian and required for Appalachian to continue to host J-1 Exchange Visitors.

Appalachian is required by federal immigration regulations to provide an orientation for all new J-1 Exchange Visitors. ISSSO will conduct one orientation session each spring and fall semester. It is your responsibility to ensure that your J-1 Exchange Visitor is present at the orientation session.

Each Exchange Visitor that is being paid by Appalachian is required to complete an I-9 form and other required paperwork with Human Resources upon arrival. Please make arrangements for your Exchange Visitor to meet with staff member at HR as early as possible. Please make sure that they bring the following documents to this meeting:

• Form DS-2019
• Passport
• Print out of I-94
• Voided check and information to set up direct deposit

All J-1 Exchange Visitors are required by federal immigration regulations to physically check in with an approved staff member of our office upon arrival. Please work with your faculty host to schedule a time as soon as possible, and bring the following documents and information to the appointment:

Airport Pickup

It is your responsibility to arrange transportation to and from a nearby airport to Boone. If you or one of your colleagues is unable to meet the J-1 Exchange Visitor in person, please contact ISSSO for information about other transportation services available. 

All J-1 Exchange Visitors and J-2 dependents are required by federal regulations to maintain health insurance for the entire duration of their J-1 Exchange Visitor Program that meets the following requirements:

Contracts for J-1 Exchange Visitors

Departments who wish to host a J-1 Exchange Visitor must fully complete and submit the appropriate request form AND all required supporting documents at least three months in advance of the Exchange Visitor’s proposed start date at Appalachian.