A Division of the International Studies Office
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CPT NOTICE
Effective immediately, UVA is suspending the authorization of non-required, course-credit CPT requests. This includes opportunities tied to academic credit, which are integral to the program of study but not required for degree completion. Visit CPT Update | International Students & Scholars Program for the latest information.
Duration of Status & Academic Mobility
On September 14, 2026, a nationwide preliminary injunction was issued, which blocks the Elimination of Duration of Status rule from taking effect and prohibits DHS and USCIS from implementing it. The government is expected to appeal the injunction. Please continue to monitor our FAQ page, which we will continue to update with any developments as the case continues.
The Department of Homeland Security's rule introduces significant changes to regulations governing F and J visa holders, including:
- The elimination of Duration of Status
- Restrictions on academic mobility
For more information visit FAQ: Elimination of Duration of Status & Academic Mobility | International Students & Scholars Program
Global Greeters at UVA
Apply to be a Global Greeter for August 2026!
Love meeting new people? Want to learn about new cultures? Most importantly, want to help international students transition to UVA during international student orientation? Become a Global Greeter! The application deadline is April 19, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Apply here
Learn more and Hear from Current GG
Time: 7 pm on Thursday, April 9
Location: Room 34 on the Lawn (next to Pavilion VIII)
Free pizza provided!
Curious about what it's like to be a Global Greeter? Come find out! Hear from past Greeters about their experiences welcoming international students to Grounds — the friendships they made, the stories they had, and why they'd do it again.
Whether you have questions about the application, the time commitment, or just want to see if it's the right fit for you, this is your chance to get the inside scoop straight from the team.
Requirements
Be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at UVA for the 2026-2027 school year.
Complete an application and attend 1 training session on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
Facilitate or help lead 2-3 Global Greeters events during international students' orientation week, from Monday, August 17 to Sunday, August 23 (estimated time commitment: 8-15 hours, dependent on availability).
Events may include: campus tours, grocery store outings, picnics on the Lawn, Corner dinners
Must plan to be present in Charlottesville starting Sunday, August 16.
Please see our FAQ presentation before filling out the application: https://bit.ly/UVAGG-FAQ
Who are the Global Greeters?
Each fall, over 700 international undergraduate and graduate students arrive at the University of Virginia. Not only do these students face the challenges of entering a new university, they also face the challenges of dealing with a new culture that is often extremely different from their own.
Through the Global Greeters program, UVA students work with the International Studies Office to assist and welcome incoming international undergraduate and graduate students during the summer before their arrival and in their first weeks at UVA. Global Greeters come together to welcome international students arriving to UVA via Student Council's AirBus Service and can be identified by their name tags and light blue Global Greeters T-Shirts. Many of the activities Global Greeters offer are organized by themselves and are meant to provide support and be a resource to new students. Global Greeters events are intended for incoming international students and exchange students, but all are welcome.
Global Greeters are NOT responsible for and should NOT feel obligated to:
- Offer housing to students, either during the academic year or during vacations.
- Provide transportation to and from the airport or within the city.
- Spend any money on, or loan any money to the student for food, clothes, entertainment, etc.
- Give advice on or intervene in academic, legal, or employment matters.
Links and Resources
Official 2026 ISO Global Greeters Events (Make sure you're logged in to your UVA email to view the document)
Resource Guide for Undergraduate Students
Resource Guide for Graduate Students
Airbus Information
UVA Student Council's Airbus service is a coach bus service that runs between Charlottesville, VA, Washington Dulles Airport (IAD), and Richmond International Airport (RIC). Notably, the Airbus provides transportation from Dulles to UVA during the week of international student orientation, supported by Global Greeter volunteers. Incoming students who are looking for transportation from Dulles to Charlottesville are encouraged to consider Airbus! Learn more on the Student Council website.
For any questions, please contact [email protected].
Airbus is NOT an ISO-sponsored program, and therefore ISO and Global Greeters cannot answer questions about Airbus scheduling and logistics.
Global Greeters Contacts
Global Greeters Executive Team:
- Irene Wang, [email protected]
- Taline Makkar, [email protected]
- Joseph Maliakkal, [email protected]
International Studies Office Staff Advisors:
- Justin Sleppy, [email protected]
- Lora Steiner, [email protected]