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Getting to Emory

When making your travel plans, note that J-1 scholars cannot enter the United States more than 30 days before the start date on their DS-2019. Your start date is the latest day that you can arrive. 

H-1B, O-1, and TN scholars should arrive in the US no earlier than 10 days before their start date. You can arrive after your start date, but you should have a letter from Emory stating that it's OK for you to arrive late.

If you are unable to enter the US by your start date, please notify ISSS as soon as possible.

At the airport

Follow the signs for Immigration, and have these documents ready to show the immigration officer:

If you are a J-1 scholar, when the immigration officer returns your documents to you, your passport may contain an arrival stamp with the notation of  "J-1" and "D/S," meaning you have been admitted for the duration of your status. Please check that the stamp was annotated correctly before you leave the officer's desk. 

If you are in H-1B, O-1, or TN status, the immigration officer will mark a specific end date on your passport, which indicates how long you can stay in the US in that visa status. It should be the same as the end date on your I-797 approval notice or your TN employment letter.

If you are not issued an entry stamp, do not worry, as some US ports of entry have transitionned away from stamping the passport upon entry.

Go through US customs inspection, then get on the shuttle for Baggage Claim and Ground Transportation to pick up your baggage. Shuttles arrive every 60-90 seconds.

This entire procedure can take up to 2 hours.

Getting to campus

By rideshare: The two most popular rideshare apps in Atlanta are Uber and Lyft. Follow the airport signs for "Rideshare" and wait in the designated area after ordering a car through the app. For more information on using rideshares at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport, visit the "Rideshare/Transportation Network Companies" section on their Ground Transportation webpage. Safety tip: Do not enter a car unless the car, license plate and driver match the details given in the app. Have the driver say your name rather than saying their name to confirm the pick-up.

By taxi: The fee for a taxi from Atlanta's airport depends on if you are traveling to an Atlanta Business District (Downtown, Buckhead or Midtown) or to a location outside of one of these districts. For fee structures and information on getting a taxi at the airport, visit the "Limousines and Taxis" section of the airport's Ground Transportation webpage.

By shuttle: Shuttle services provide transportation to and from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, but you may need to make a reservation. For more information, visit the "Shared Ride Shuttles" section of the airport's Ground Transportation website.

By subway/train or bus (MARTA): There is a MARTA station inside the airport, and you can purchase a ticket at the machines by the MARTA entrance. 

For more information about using MARTA: