ISSS Walk-in Advising
The Office of International Education (OIE) is open during normal institute business hours, Monday- Friday 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. EDT and is closed on Institute holidays and during inclement weather events.
*Walk-in Advising hours are subject to change.*
November Modified Walk-In Advising Schedule
This change is being made to accommodate student needs and to allow the ISSS team to finalize SEVIS processing prior to the Institute’s holiday break.
Wednesday, November 27: 9:00 am – 11:30 am
Thursday, November 28: Institute Closed
Friday, November 29: Institute Closed
DecemberModified Walk-In Advising Schedule
This change is is being made as all OIE staff will participate in an OIE division-wide staff meeting
Tuesday, December 3: no walk-in advising
Walk-In Advising is the opportunity to discuss questions about your visa status directly with an international services expert. Our advisers are available at the times advertised above to provide in-person advising. If you need advising services outside of these hours, you are encouraged to make an appointment. Some example topics suitable for walk-in advising include:
- Travel or visa related questions
- CPT/OPT timeline questions
- Academic reduced course load
- Change of level, change of major, transferring
- Obtain travel signature after e-form approval
If you need to meet with an advisor to discuss change of status, termination of SEVIS record, possible violation of student visa status, economic or academic hardship, or other complex topics requiring more than 10 minutes, you will need to make an appointment to ensure adequate time to discuss your important matter in detail.
Appointments
ISSS appointments are available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-11am. Appointments for international students are available by completing the ISSS Appointment System (see below) and selecting a day and time you'd like to meet with an ISSS advisor.
- Appointments are available as an alternative to Walk-in Advising for students and scholars who are not available for the afternoon Walk-in Advising hours.
- Appointments are available in 15 minute increments.
- Same-day appointments are not available due to scheduling constraints.
- You will be asked to indicate the reason for the visit and if the appointment is going to be in-person or via phone.
Email Inquiries
The ISSS Email System allows for ISSS advisors to review and respond to an email in the most efficient and organized way. Please allow up to 48 hours for a response to an email message - emailing/calling the office multiple times will slow down response times. Please email info@oie.gatech.edu and always include your GT ID number in your text.
Are you a NEW student with question about your immigration document?
Undergraduate Contact: undergradi20@oie.gatech.edu
Graduate Contact: gradi20@oie.gatech.edu
Are you a department that sponsors J-1 Scholars?
Contact: Jscholars@oie.gatech.edu
Are you a visiting J-1 Student Intern?
Contact: J1Intern@oie.gatech.edu
iStart E-form Requests
The Office of International Education utilizes an online portal called iStart to manage student and scholar requests. An E-Form is an electronic application accessed through iStart to request a benefit, such as an I-20 or DS-2019 update, work authorization, travel authorization, etc. The E-forms in iStart will provide you with all the information necessary. You will log into iStart and use your regular GT user name. Once all steps are completed in the application or request process, including the academic department authorization (if required), OIE-ISSS will conduct its review and approve or deny your request.
If APPROVED, you will receive an e-mail to pick up the final document, such as a letter or an I-20/DS-2019.
If DENIED, you will receive an e-mail explaining the reason for the denial OR a request for additional information for further consideration.
Phone Calls
The Office of International Education can be reached daily for general questions. Please note: international student and scholar advisors are available for advising questions during walk-in advising hours or by appointment. If you call during walk-in advising hours and an advisor is with a student or scholar, please be prepared to leave a message including your GT ID and a convenient call back number. An advisor will return your call at their earliest availability. If you are calling from an international number please use the ISSS email system to send a detailed email and we will return your email at our earliest opportunity or schedule an appointment time for you to phone our office.
In case of an emergency (death, severe illness, or arrest) while the office is closed, please contact GT Campus Police, 404-894-2500, a member of our 24 hour emergency response team will assist you.
If you have questions regarding:
- Undergraduate Admissions: (404) 894-4154
- Graduate Admissions: (404) 894-1610
- Registrar’s Office: (404) 894-4150
- Bursar’s Office: (404) 894-4618
- GT Language Institute: (404) 894-2425
- Student Health Insurance: (404) 894-1420
- Center for Career Discovery and Development: (404) 894-2550
- Student Center Information Desk: (404) 894-2788
Visiting OIE
Picking up a Document:
Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
Visit the office during OIE office hours to pick-up documents (I-20's, letters, etc.)
Obtaining a Travel Signature:
If you received approval for a travel signature via iStart you will need to bring your I-20/DS-2019 to the office during Walk-in Advising Hours or make an appointment if you are only available in the morning hours.
