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Visiting Exchange Students

Program Overview

Virginia Tech accepts undergraduate students and, in special circumstances, master’s students. Exchanges can be either one or two semesters. All exchanges start in either August or January.

Fall Semester & Academic Year: March 1

Spring Semester: September 1

Fall Semester & Academic Year: April 1

Spring Semester: October 1

Fall Semester 2026: 
August 17 - December 16

Spring Semester 2027:
January 11 - May 12

(Inclusive of required orientation and final exams.)

Our Office Provides:

 
  • Pre-Departure & Visa Support
  • Academic Advising
  • Week-Long Orientation
  • Organized Cultural Events
 
  • End-of-Semester Program
  • One-on-One Check-Ins
  • Workshops, Gatherings, & More

Virginia Tech Provides:

Our Medical/Health Center
Mental Health Counseling
Well-Being Resources
Recreational Sports
Disability Services

Academics

  • Students are admitted as full-time students only.
  • Undergraduates must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits with at least 9 credits taken in-person.
  • Students must be enrolled in a majority of courses within or pertaining to their VT major to maintain visa eligibility.
  • Once accepted, student transcripts are reviewed by a VT Academic Advisor who will connect with students to assess requested courses and enroll for classes prior to arrival.

Grade

Description

Percentage

Points
A

Excellent

90-100

4
B

Above Average

80-89

3
C

Average

70-79

2
D

Unsatisfactory

60-69

1
F

Failing Below

60

0

With more than 150 majors and 130 minors offered across 9 colleges and schools, you’ll experience a matchless education at Virginia Tech with plenty of academic guidance and support.

Application & Immigration

  • Students must be nominated by their home institution by the nomination deadline.
  • Our Inbound Exchange Team will contact nominated students directly with application instructions.
  • Only applications received by the application deadline will be considered by VT’s Office of Admissions.
  • Students will be contacted within 1 month with the Virginia Tech Office of Admissions’ decision.
  • Once accepted, VT’s Inbound Exchange Team will guide students through:
    • Applying for a US visa
    • Registering for Virginia Tech courses
    • Planning for travel to Virginia Tech
    • Preparing for their time abroad

  • Exchange Application
    • Available upon nomination
  • Copy of transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended translated into English. If applying for an undergraduate exchange as a graduate student, both undergraduate and graduate transcripts must be provided.
  • Picture or scan of passport information page
    • Passport must be valid 6 months past the last day of the program
  • Proof of English proficiency (see below)
  • List of 6-10 Virginia Tech courses in which the student proposes to enroll 
  • U.S. green card or permanent residence card (if applicable)

Students must be in good academic standing with their home institution and have no or limited failing grades and withdraws on their transcript.

Students must be proficient in English and able to demonstrate their language skills:

  • Review the complete list of accepted language proficiency tests and scores as set by Virginia Tech's Office of Admissions.
  • For exchange students only, Virginia Tech also accepts the DAAD with a minimum score of B2 in each category
  • Students who are native English speakers or enrolled at a university where English is the language of instruction are exempt from English placement exams.

Exchange students are eligible for a J-1 visa

Once accepted, Virginia Tech’s Inbound Exchange Team will guide students through the immigration process, including:

  • Providing students with their official acceptance letter and DS-2019,
  • Registering students in SEVIS,
  • Helping students apply for a J-1 visa and completing their DS-160,
  • Preparing students for their J-1 visa interview,
  • Advising on travel to the US, and
  • Readying students for engaging with Customs and Border Control.

Once in the U.S., the Inbound Exchange Team will support:

  • Updating of DS-2019s,
  • Social Security applications, for those who qualify, and Post-completion Academic Training Authorization.

Financial Matters

Students are financially responsible for:

  • Virginia Tech Program Fee - $75 (billed to student account)
  • Visa Application & Associated Fees - approx. $400
  • Immunizations (if applicable)
  • Flights & Ground Transportation to Blacksburg
  • Housing & Food - approx. $7,000 per semester for oncampus housing & standard meal plan
  • Cost of Living - varies by student
    • in addition to housing and food, consider study/educational materials, cell phone service, insurance, medications, personal spending, etc.
  • Students enrolled in 7 or more credits in Pamplin College of Business will be billed $1,275 per semester

Students are required by the federal government to submit evidence that they have enough money to support themselves while studying abroad. This can be either personal funds or private sponsor funds, such as parents, family, or friends, who will verify that the student can access these funds as needed. Providing proof of funding is a requirement to obtain a DS-2019, a document needed to apply for a J-1 visa.

Students must demonstrate access to $10,500 USD for each semester enrolled at Virginia Tech or $21,000 USD for the full academic year.

Travel Insurance
We advise investing in adequate travel insurance to cover your journey, including coverage for medical expenses and personal possessions.

Health Insurance
The Department of State mandates that all J-1 exchange visitors maintain health and accident insurance coverage throughout the duration of their program.

Exchange students must purchase insurance plans that meet the additional requirements set by Virginia Tech. There are two options for procuring insurance:

  • Aetna, offered through Virginia Tech, is available for approximately $2,000 USD per semester.
  • Non-Aetna insurance purchased independently that must be reviewed and approved by Virginia Tech to ensure comparable terms of coverage. Cost varies. However, Virginia Tech and the Global Education Office will not suggest alternate providers.

Learn more about Aetna insurance and Virginia Tech's coverage requirements or how to waive Aetna insurance at risk.vt.edu.

Students are responsible for arranging their own housing and meals while at Virginia Tech. However, we can help you decide between on-campus and off-campus housing and select a Virginia Tech meal plan, if any.

On-Campus Housing
VT cannot guarantee on-campus housing for exchange students, but students may request it during the application process.

Off-Campus Housing
Students may choose to live off campus in Blacksburg. Rent for shared housing typically ranges from $500–$1,200 per month. Virginia Tech does not arrange off-campus housing.

Meal Plan through Dining Services
Students living on campus are required to purchase a meal plan. Off-campus students may purchase one as well.

Next Steps:


Want to be an exchange student with us? Talk with your international office at your home campus!



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Other ways to study
at Virginia Tech:

If you would like to come to Virginia Tech to complete a degree, please read more about degree-seeking admissions.

If you would like to come to Virginia Tech for intensive English language study only, please read more about the Language and Culture Institute.


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