Step 2: Pre-Arrival
New to Georgia State’s main campus? Take a virtual tour before you arrive!
You began using “iStart” during Step 1: Admission. Now, you will continue using “iStart” in Step 2: Pre-Arrival. The Pre-Arrival Checklist will guide you through several e-forms and videos. We look forward to meeting you at International Student Check-in and Orientation.
Next Steps for All Students
- Start @ State - Visit start.gsu.edu to view the online modules that provide a broad overview of Georgia State and share helpful information for all incoming students. (First Year undergraduate F-1 students should not register for New Student Orientation at the end of Start @ State).
- Academic Advising & Course Registration
- Undergraduate First-Year Students: Once you have received your I-20, you will be invited to attend a virtual academic advising session where you can register for classes from your home country. The week before classes, you are required to attend International Student Orientation and check in with ISSS.
- Undergraduate transfer and transition (from PC to Atlanta) students: Once you have received your I-20 from ISSS, schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to discuss the appropriate classes you need to take at Georgia State. After speaking with your advisor, you may register for classes on your own once your registration appointment opens.
- Graduate students: Once you have received your I-20 from ISSS, speak with your academic department for information about which courses you need to take your first semester at Georgia State. Once you have received information from your department, you may register for classes on your own once your registration appointment opens.
Before You Begin
- You may start, stop, and resume this process at your own pace.
- 45 minutes – 1 hour is suggested to complete all the e-forms in this process.
- Please prepare PDF-only files of your: passport photo page, Visa and I-94 document to upload during this process. *Your I-94 document will only be available after arrival in the U.S.
- Failure to complete this process before Check-in and Orientation will create delays in starting class at Georgia State and settling in Atlanta.
Topics Covered
- Confirming Enrollment & Applying for Your Visa
- Uploading Your Immigration Documents
- Check-in, Orientation and Arriving in Atlanta
- Housing Info: short-term and long-term options
- Reporting Transportation & Requesting Airport Pick-up
- Requesting Special Assistance for a Disability
Start: Pre-Arrival Checklist
Problems or Concerns?
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.