Purpose: The main aim of this study is to gauge international offshore students' perceptions of virtual office hours (VOH) to consult with their offshore unit coordinators in Australia. Design/methodology/approach: This paper employs a quantitative and qualitative approach where data was sourced from three offshore campuses over a 12-month period using a survey instrument. SPSS v20 was used to perform basic descriptive analysis, cross tabulations and chi-square statistics. Findings: The study revealed that 81 per cent of respondents indicated a willingness to use VOH. A number of perceived benefits of VOH were also identified, including support my learning, instant feedback, feeling valued and convenience. Research limitations/implications: Participants may have inaccurate perceptions which can manifest in misguided data being presented. The willingness by the majority of undergraduate offshore students to use computer-mediated communication to conduct VOH provides a platform to explore new ways to promote out-of-classroom communication. Students may become more engaged in the teaching and learning process and ultimately provide a more enriched and quality experience. Originality/value: This study addresses a distinctive gap in the existing literature relating to gauging international offshore students' perceptions of VOH. Furthermore, the study adds richness to a relatively new trend amongst educators in exploring students' perceptions of VOH. (Contains 2 tables.)