International Student Orientation
Georgia State Main Campus
What is Required?
- Start@State: All newly admitted students must complete Start@State. First Year undergraduate F-1 students must also attend a virtual new student academic advising session.
- International Student Orientation: This is a series of info sessions to help you understand and protect your immigration status and to adjust to life at Georgia State!
- Immigration Check-in/Arrival Confirmation: Incoming F-1 and J-1 students are required to document arrival and report required information to the U.S. Government. Failure to check-in puts your immigration status at risk.
Who Attends International Student Orientation?
- All new F-1 / J-1 and Transfer F-1 International Students (including those transferring from U.S. high schools)
When is International Student Orientation?
International Student Orientation (ISO) for Spring 2023 will be held during the first week of January 2023. There will be various optional in-person events to attend throughout the week.
The Spring 2023 International Student Orientation Schedule will be published in late November 2022. Check back on this page or check your GSU student email for more information at that time!
Below are details for the required orientation and eForm submissions:
- Required Virtual International Student Orientation: Register for International Student Orientation in iStart to receive a link to complete ISO.
- Arrival Confirmation eForm Submission: Submit your Arrival Confirmation eForm in iStart by January 13, 2023. This eForm is required to complete immigration check-in and register your SEVIS record.
Thursday, January 5, 2023
*All events are optional and will be held in person*
10 a.m.: Coffee Hour with ISSS
Location: Sparks Hall 248
Stop by the ISSS Office for coffee and breakfast, meet the VISA Leaders, ISSS staff, and fellow incoming students! RSVP on PIN: https://pin.gsu.edu/event/8561947
11 a.m.: Campus Tour with the VISA Leaders
Location: Departing from Sparks Hall 248
Join our VISA Leaders (current international students) on a tour of the downtown Atlanta campus to learn all about Georgia State's important buildings and traditions. RSVP on PIN: https://pin.gsu.edu/event/8564983
12 p.m. (noon): Lunch with Baptist Collegiate Ministry
Location: Baptist Student Union, 125 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta
Join our community partner BCM for lunch and meet other new students and members of our Atlanta community! RSVP on PIN: https://pin.gsu.edu/event/8562131
1:30 - 3 p.m.: Arrival Confirmation Assistance
Location: Sparks Hall 248
Need assistance completing your Arrival Confirmation on iStart? Stop by the ISSS Office for help from the ISSS staff and VISA Leaders.
6:30 p.m.: International Student Night @ the Women's Basketball Game
Location: GSU Convocation Center
The Women's basketball team will be kicking off the semester with an International Student Night at Georgia State's brand new Convocation Center!
Georgia State Perimeter College
What is Required?
- Start@State: All newly admitted students must complete Start@State. First Year undergraduate F-1 students must also attend a virtual new student academic advising session.
- International Orientation & Immigration Check-in: Information sessions to help you understand and protect your immigration status, to adjust to life at Georgia State and to document your arrival to report required information to the U.S. Government.
Who Attends International Student Orientation?
- All new F-1 and transfer F-1 International Students (including those transferring from U.S. high schools)
- All: International Orientation & Check-in are required. Failure to check in puts your immigration status at risk.
When is International Student Orientation?
All Perimeter College Campuses
The Spring 2023 ISO schedule will available soon.
Below are the details for the required International Student Orientation and eForm submissions:
- Required Virtual International Student Orientation: Register for International Student Orientation in iStart to receive a link to complete ISO by January 2, 2023.
- Arrival Confirmation eForm Submission: Submit your Arrival Confirmation eForm in iStart by January 2, 2023. This eForm is required to complete immigration check-in and register your SEVIS record.
Arrival Checklist
International Check-in and Orientation FAQ
To provide information about:
- federal immigration regulations and individual responsibilities as an F or J student
- how to navigate the campus & administration of Georgia State
- basic needs such as housing, transportation, food and money
- cultural adjustment to life in the United States and in Atlanta
- unique characteristics of the U.S. classroom
To complete administrative processes:
- confirm immigration documents (passport, visa, I-20 or DS-2019, I-94)
- SEVIS Reporting
- GSTEP and other English placement testing
- Math Placement Exam (for freshmen only)
- academic advising
- course registration
To create connections with:
- other new students to form initial friendships
- continuing students for advice and support
- students’ academic departments
- relevant campus services, programs and facilities
To welcome you to Georgia State in a positive, friendly and helpful manner.
You will also attend international student orientation and check-in, not regular university new student orientation.
New international students can enter up to 30 days prior to the start date of their I-20.
Notify ISSS and attend Non-transfer check-in and orientation.
Check-in is required. ISSS will have to terminate your status if you do not check-in.
If you do not attend orientation, you will not be able to complete check-in. You are required to attend. You will learn how to protect your status and be prepared for life at Georgia State.
For downtown students - No, that program is for U.S. domestic students and requires a fee. International orientation is provided by ISSS and is free. For perimeter students - yes, you are required to attend.
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: isss@gsu.edu
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: issspc@gsu.edu
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: issspc@gsu.edu
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.