The International Office is a  newly established structure which includes and expands the activities of the former International Office. It forms part of Directorate for Research Development at the University of the Free State, offering services to foreign students (current and potential) at the University and the staff members in faculties, department and research centres. It provides information on a wide range of topics, including visas (work permits, travel), financial questions, social and cultural differences, and personal concerns.

The International Office has two components – activities aimed at research development, and effective support services for international students.

Activities aimed at research development include the following:

• Creating opportunities for and assistance of staff to conduct research abroad
• Creating opportunities for and facilitating international visits for staff members
• Facilitating visits of internationally acknowledged academics.
• Mobilising international funding for research
• Initiating, expanding and maintaining international research, teaching and/or community service agreements
• Establishment of exchange programmes for postgraduate students with the specific aim to promote research
• Strategic expansion of membership of national and international research and teaching bodies

Effective support services for international students are provided in the following ways:

• Providing information to prospective and current students
• Providing information to  foreign Embassies and Consulates 
• Hosting welcoming and orientation programmes
• Liaison with Faculties on behalf of international students
• Assistance with regard to visas, study permits, accommodation and procurement of funding
• Advice on and facilitating social interaction
• Assisting activities of the International Students’ Association
• Marketing actions to attract international students
• Marketing actions to place current UFS students with internationally acknowledge universities.

Other services provided by the Office include:

• Assisting exchange students
• Facilitating and managing international inter-institutional agreements and partnerships
• Facilitating academic visits
• Promoting UFS at international conferences and workshops.