Resources for Online International Students

Visa Requirements

If you are located outside the U.S. and will join the program from abroad, you will not need a U.S. visa status to enroll in courses offered remotely (online or via other distance education methods).

If you are currently in the U.S. and hold a non-immigrant visa status, you will need to confirm with your visa sponsor, or a U.S. immigration lawyer, as to whether your current status allows enrollment in an online program. Please also verify with your visa sponsor whether you can pursue online courses part time and/or full time under your current U.S. visa status.

If you choose to enter the U.S. while enrolled in your online program, you must ensure that you enter the U.S. in a status that would allow you to participate in part time and/or full time study during the period in which you intend to be in the U.S. This is for your protection so as not to violate your U.S. visa status.

If you are pursuing a hybrid program at the Middlebury Institute, i.e., a program that has both online and on-site components, you will receive instructions from your program upon admission about acquiring the appropriate visa or waiving a visa for the on-site component.

Technology

For some international students living in other countries, technology issues may make it difficult or impossible to complete online degrees through Middlebury.

For instance, Canvas, Middlebury’s online learning system, does not work in certain countries due to export control restrictions (more information can be found here). Additionally, some online resources, such as Google Docs, Google Drive, YouTube, etc., are not accessible in all countries. Because your ability to successfully complete courses remotely depends on access to these resources, you must ensure that you can meet your program’s minimum computing requirements from your location before you register for online classes.

Payments

Payment policies for international online students are the same as for other Middlebury programs. For more information, see Make a Payment and Tuition Payment Policy.

Privacy

Middlebury is committed to protecting all students’ online privacy and data; for our international students, this means we follow international regulations governing the handling of online data. For example, we are currently working to ensure that our privacy policies comply with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

For more information, please visit our privacy policy.

Incoming Students

If you are admitted to one of our online programs, you will find these resources for all online students helpful.

Degree Recognition in Your Country

Prospective students residing or employed outside the United States are urged to verify with the relevant certification bodies or government authorities whether completing a Middlebury Institute Online degree program will fulfill the credentialing requirements of their country of residence and/or intended employment. We strongly advise all prospective students to complete this verification process before enrolling in any degree program. Additionally, we recommend that students reconfirm annually that these credentialing requirements continue to be satisfied throughout their course of study.

Please note that Middlebury cannot guarantee the recognition or acceptance of our degrees in all countries. It is the student’s responsibility to research and understand the implications of pursuing an online degree from a U.S.-based institution.