International Student and Scholar Services Update

OIE Guidance on Immigration Updates - July 24th 2018

Currently, International Student and Scholar Services is in the process of filling open staff positions on our team. While we are working with fewer staff members than usual, we are here to serve Tech's international student and scholar community and will respond to requests as soon as possible.  Email requests will receive priority: info@oie.gatech.edu. Thank you for your patience, and we look forward to serving you.  

ISSS Walk-in Advising

Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri: 1:00pm-4:30pm

*No walk-ins on Wednesdays until further notice. 

Students and Scholars may visit an advisor without an appointment during our daily Walk-in Advising hours. Advisors try to keep the conversation to approximately 10 minutes. Some example topics would be:

  • 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

Please note OIE Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm and are NOT the same as ISSS Walk-in Advising hours.

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, 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.

We cannot requests for expedited processing, so please plan accordingly.

Phone Calls

Advisors are available via phone during OIE office hours. Due to the high volume of emails, phone calls and appointments please be prepared to leave a message including your GT ID and a convenient call back number. Please allow 24-48 hours for a response to voicemail. Calling the office multiple times will slow down response times. If you are calling from an international number please use the ISSS email system to send a detailed email as returning an international call is not efficient in most situations.

In case of an immigration emergency while the office is closed, please contact GT Campus Police, 404-894-2500 

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 have received approval for a travel signature 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.

General Advising Information

Working with Advisors

Advisors in our office are highly knowledgeable in the interpretation and application of federal regulations governing student and scholar immigration statuses. We recommend visiting our website to review information regarding your situation and if you still have questions we encourage you speak to an advisor regarding your status or your eligibility for a particular immigration benefit. Advisors are also trained in a variety of social and cultural areas, including intercultural communication and cultural adjustment.

When You Arrive

When you visit our office, please check-in with the front desk receptionist. The receptionist will ask you to sign in for Walk-in Hours or for your scheduled appointment on the tablet. During Walk-in Advising an advisor will generally be available to see you within 5 - 15 minutes, depending on the number of students waiting before you.

Students arriving more than 10 minutes after their scheduled appointment time may be asked to reschedule or only be able to meet for the time remaining for their appointment, in respect for other scheduled appointments. Due to the time limitations of these appointments, you may be asked to schedule a follow-up meeting or an hour-long appointment.

Advising Limits

Advisors can discuss a number of issues with students and scholars, including immigration regulations, Institute policies, and resources to assist with cultural adjustment and academic success. Be aware advisors will provide referrals for the following matters:

  • Legal issues, including criminal and civil court cases
  • H1-B employment information and visa types beyond F-1 and J-1
  • U.S. tax law
  • Mental health and personal counseling needs

Advisors may provide some basic guidance or support and a referral to another office on campus or recommend you seek assistance from outside professionals when your needs extend beyond our professional limits, as outlined above.

Confidentiality

Advising sessions are confidential. Records of meetings with advisors are only available to staff members in our office and other Institute personnel who have a professional need to know about your visit. Advisors may discuss complex cases with each other when there is a question of interpretation of immigration regulations.