Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a government database created to keep track of students in F-1, J-1 and M-1 status. (Note: Georgia State is not certified to accept M-1 status students.) Before you can apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa, a DSO/ARO (designated school official, alternate responsible officer) from Georgia State will need to issue an I-20 or DS2019 for you. This document is generated from SEVIS and has personal information, such as your name, your program of study and your finances. SEVIS is used to communicate information from your school to government entities. This information is used by the government for different reasons, such as visa issuance, driver's license issuance, to track down immigration status violators, for criminal investigations, etc. Full implementation of SEVIS was mandated after September 11, 2001.
Who has access to SEVIS?
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The school that issued your I-20 or DS-2019
How does SEVIS work?
Once your I-20 or DS-2019 is issued, SEVIS starts collecting data about you, so events like class registration, changes in the program of study, changes in major, work authorizations, etc..., are saved in this database. The school database communicates with SEVIS to ensure the transfer of relevant information. This is why it is very important that you update your address in PAWS and that you request a new I-20 or DS-2019 every time there is a significant change, such as a change in your name or your program of study. See Maintaining F-1 Status & Maintaining J-1 Status.
Contact Us
Location:
Sparks Hall - Room 252
ISSS, Georgia State University
33 Gilmer St. SE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Telephone: 404-413-2070
Fax: 404-413-2072
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address (please use our physical address above for express mail):
International Student and Scholar Services
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 3987
Atlanta, GA 30302-3987
USA
Georgia State-sponsored H-1B, TN, O-1, J-1 Scholar and Permanent Residency Petitions
Any advising for employment-based visas, green cards or hosting a J-1 Scholar (Research Scholar, Professor, Short-Term Scholar, Student Intern, Specialist) which are sponsored by Georgia State needs to be set up by appointment after the hiring department has requested the immigration process they wish to sponsor.
Office Hours:
8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday
Advising Hours (F-1 & J-1 Students) are as follow:
Monday: 1-4 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m.-noon
Wednesday: 1-4 p.m.
Thursday: No Advising Hours.
Friday: 1-4 p.m.
ISSS is committed to serving you in the safest and most efficient way possible.
QLESS: F-1 and J-1 students wishing to speak with an ISSS advisor at the Atlanta Campus over the phone or in-person must access the QLESS system during advising hours in order to get into our virtual queue. Once in the virtual queue you will receive instructions regarding a call back from one of our available advisors or instructions on when to come into the ISSS lobby to meet an advisor.
If you wish to speak with an ISSS advisor, please click the QLESS link below during advising hours and get into the virtual queue.
Clarkston Campus
Location & Mailing Address:
Building CN 2230 (Student Center)
ISSS, Perimeter College, Clarkston Campus
555 N. Indian Creek Dr.
Clarkson, GA 30021
Telephone: 678-891-3235
Fax: 678-891-3068
Email: [email protected]
Dunwoody Campus
Location & Mailing Address:
Building NB
Room 1200
ISSS, Perimeter College, Dunwoody Campus
2101 Womack Rd.
Dunwoody, GA 30338
Telephone: 770-274-5570
Fax: 770-274-5253
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours:
8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday
Walk-in Advising Hours (F-1 & J-1 Students):
9-11:30 a.m., Monday and Wednesday
1:30-4 p.m., Monday through Friday
Occasionally it may be necessary to make emergency cancellations of advising times last minute. We apologize for any inconvenience.