Students

In this section, newly admitted international students will find resources to help them navigate the process to request an immigration documentation, apply for a student visa, and prepare to come to Atlanta to begin their academic program.

When an international student makes changes to their academic program (i.e. adding/dropping/switching a major/minor, changing funding sources, graduating early, or taking a leave of absence, etc.) there are often additional immigration-related procedures the student needs to follow.

ISSS encourages students to discuss any academic changes with their ISSS advisor, who can advise them about how those changes might affect their immigration status.

• Maintenance of International Student Status
• Enrollment Requirements and Reduced Course Loads
• Change Program Length (Extend and Shorten)
• Academic Program Changes (Major, Minor, Program and Level)
• Leave of Absence and Withdrawal
• End of Program Options (including Grace Periods and Transferring Out)
• Out of Status Options (including Reinstatement)

F-1 Students

• On-Campus Employment
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Optional Practical Training (OPT)
  • OPT: Overview and Application Process
  • OPT: While Pending with USCIS, During OPT and Beyond
  • STEM OPT Extension
• Cap-Gap Extension
• Other Employment (severe economic hardship and international orgs.)

J-1 Students

• On-Campus Employment
• Academic Training (AT)
• Other Employment (severe economic hardship)

• Apply for a US Visa
• Bringing Family
• Change of Status
• Driver’s Licenses
• Find Your Student Advisor
• Get Involved (programs and events)
• Immigration Documents
• ISSS Link (e-form requests)
• Life in the US (housing, banking, healthcare and more)
• Social Security Numbers (SSNs)
• Travel
• Updating Contact Information
• US Tax Filing Requirements