Mission & Goals

The Office of Visa and Immigration Services (OVIS) assists Dartmouth College in developing and maintaining a dynamic, diverse, and intercultural environment by facilitating the presence of international students, scholars, faculty and staff on campus through immigration sponsorship of non-U.S. citizens admitted, appointed, or hired by Dartmouth College.

OVIS advises Dartmouth-sponsored internationals on the maintenance of legal immigration status, and provides U.S. immigration information to College offices and departments that admit, host, sponsor, or work with non-U.S. citizens.

OVIS is responsible for institutional compliance with government regulations relating to the admission or hiring of international students, scholars and staff, including management of the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) for data tracking, reporting and overall compliance. In these roles OVIS acts as liaison for the institution to the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, State, and Labor.

• Issue appropriate U.S. immigration documents in a timely manner to students, faculty, scholars and staff to facilitate visa applications and entry to the U.S., or change of status applications.
   
• Provide information, orientation and immigration outreach programs to help students, faculty, scholars and staff maintain legal immigration status during their tenure at Dartmouth, and to provide accurate and timely advice on immigration status, studying, employment and travel.
   
• Serve as a resource to all College departments and offices on regulations and requirements pertaining to U.S. visa and immigration sponsorship of students, faculty, scholars and staff.
   
• Assess international population needs, and be a resource for international students, faculty, scholars, staff and their families by referring them to appropriate programming and workshops on various topics that will aid in the initial and ongoing transition and adjustment to life at Dartmouth and in the United States.
   
• Assist the College in its efforts to globalize the campus and promote international education and diversity through our work in sponsoring non-U.S. citizens for U.S. visas and facilitating their arrival and integration with the larger community.