International Student & Scholar Services Advising

The Office of International Education (OIE) is open during normal institute business hours, Monday- Friday 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. EDT and is closed on Institute holidays and during inclement weather events. Starting in the spring 2021 semester, the Office of International Education is offering services in a hybrid fashion with in-person services offered by appointment only. 

Advising Hours

International Student and Scholar Advising is the opportunity to discuss questions about your visa status directly with an international services expert. If you need advising services outside of these hours, you are encouraged to contact info@oie.gatech.edu. Some example topics you can learn more about in advising include: 

• Travel or visa related questions
• CPT/OPT timeline questions
• Academic reduced course load

If you are unable to join us during drop-in advising, you are encouraged to review our appointment availability. We are limited in the number of appointments we can provide each week. If you review the calendar and find that no times are listed, this means that all appointments have been booked for the week and we encourage you to either join us during drop-in advising or email your inquiry to info@oie.gatech.edu. 

As we implement virtual advising appointments, we ask for your patience and support with the following parameters:

• Students will be able to dial-in to a meeting or use a microphone on their computer to meet with an advisor virtually.
• Each advising slot will be up to 15 minutes in length. In the event the advisor cannot get to all your questions during the 15 minute slot, the advisor will collect your information and schedule a follow up appointment.
• Students and exchange visitors may use this link to choose an advising slot: https://georgia-tech-international-student-scholar-services.appointlet.com
• Students and exchange visitors may book a virtual appointment up to one business day in advance.

Choosing Your Appointment

Once you choose an appointment, you will receive an e-mail that OIE received your appointment request. An advisor will confirm the virtual advising appointment within one business day. A second e-mail will both confirm the appointment and provide the link to the virtual appointment.  

Are you a NEW student with question about your immigration document?
Undergraduate Contact: undergradi20@oie.gatech.edu
Graduate Contact: gradi20@oie.gatech.edu

Are you a department that sponsors J-1 Scholars?
Contact: Jscholars@oie.gatech.edu

Working with Advisors

Advisors in our office are highly knowledgeable in the interpretation and application of federal regulations governing student and scholar immigration statuses. We recommend visiting our website to review information regarding your situation and if you still have questions we encourage you speak to an advisor regarding your status or your eligibility for a particular immigration benefit. Advisors are also trained in a variety of social and cultural areas, including intercultural communication and cultural adjustment.

  Advising Limits

Advisors can discuss a number of issues with students and scholars, including immigration regulations, Institute policies, and resources to assist with cultural adjustment and academic success. Be aware advisors will provide referrals for the following matters:

• Legal issues, including criminal and civil court cases
• H1-B employment information and visa types beyond F-1 and J-1
• Change of Status
• Preparation of USCIS Forms
• U.S. tax law
• Mental health and personal counseling needs

Advisors may provide some basic guidance or support and a referral to another office on campus or recommend you seek assistance from outside professionals when your needs extend beyond our professional limits, as outlined above.

 Confidentiality

Advising sessions are confidential. Records of meetings with advisors are only available to staff members in our office and other Institute personnel who have a professional need to know about your visit. Advisors may discuss complex cases with each other when there is a question of interpretation of immigration regulations.