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Contact Us

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Main Contact Information

Physical and Mailing Address:

7000 Fannin Street, Suite 165
Houston, Texas 77030

Contact Numbers:

  • +1 (713) 500-3176 (Main Office Phone Number)
  • +1 (713) 500-3189 (Fax)
  • +1 (713) 500-3085 (After hours emergency number) 

Email

[email protected]

Hours of Operation

The Office of International Affairs hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 4pm. OIA is closed on Wednesdays to the public. 

Appointments

Appointments are highly encouraged to ensure that an International Visitor Advisor is available to assist you with any questions or concerns that you have. To schedule an appointment please send the Office of International Affairs an email at [email protected] or call +1 (713) 500-3176.

Holidays and OIA Closures

The Office of International Affairs will be closed for the following 2023-2024 University Holidays:

  • Labor Day on Monday, September 04, 2023
  • Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 23, 2023 and Friday, November 24, 2023
  • Winter Holiday on Monday, December 25, 2023 and Tuesday, December 26, 2023
  • New Year's Day on Monday January 1, 2024
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 15, 2024
  • Memorial Day on Monday, May 27, 2024
  • Juneteenth on Wednesday, June 19, 2024
  • Independence Day on Thursday, July 04, 2024

For more information on University Holidays, please see Human Resources' Holiday Vacation Schedule Page

Administrative Staff

Cherish Green-Norris - Administrative Assistant 

  • [email protected] 
  • Main OIA Phone Number: +1 (713) 500-3176
  • Direct Line: +1 (713) 500-3001

Who Is My Advisor?

To assist you, our office has divided our staff in two teams. 

Student Team, includes:

  • Rose Mary Valencia – Executive Director

Employment Team, includes:

H-1B, TN, and O-1 Visas

  • Family name beginning with A - G
  • Family name beginning with H-P, W-Z (no O-1 visa)
    • Ellen (Ellie) Ratcliffe - International Visitor Advisor
    • [email protected]
    • +1 (713) 500-4037
  • Family name beginning with Q-V (O-1 Visa: H-Z)
    • Erin Giannantonio - Assistant Director, International Affairs
    • [email protected] 
    • +1 (713) 500-3298

All J-1 Visas, including those sponsored by UTHealth Houston, ECFMG, Fulbright, etc. 

  •  Family name beginning with A - K
  •  Family name beginning with L - Z

Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and all other employment authorizations not sponsored by UTHealth Houston

  •  Family name beginning with A - J and M - Z 
    • Lucille (Lucy) Carter Washington – International Visitor Advisor
    • [email protected]  
    • +1 (713) 500-4090
  •  Family name beginning with K, L 
    • Sofia Perugini – Coordinator, International Affairs 
    • [email protected]
    • +1 (713) 500-3350

J-1 Waivers and Permanent Visas 

  • Rose Mary Valencia – Executive Director
  • Erin Giannantonio – Assistant Director, International Affairs 

Visit Us

  • The University Center Tower was built in 1975 and commands a highly visible position close to the Texas Medical Center. The twenty-five stories of the facility house a variety of University academic and administrative functions while also providing lease space to a variety of tenants.
  • Public Transportation: UCT is directly across the street from the METRO Texas Medical Center Transit Center at 6910 Fannin Street, serving METRO bus and rail passengers. For more information, please see: METRO routes and schedules
  • Parking: Garage parking is available at UCT from the Fannin Street (southbound) entrance, just south of Pressler Street. The garage is open Monday – Friday, 7:00am - 7:30pm.