Welcome to Georgia Tech!
OIE Immigration Check-In
All J-1 visitors must complete the OIE J-1 Scholar or Student Intern check-in online via iStart. Completing the Office of International Education (OIE) electronic scholar or student intern check-in notifies OIE that you arrived to the U.S. to begin your J-1 program. Completing the electronic scholar or student intern check-in and attending OIE orientation ensures your DS-2019 record can be validated in SEVIS.
Newly arriving J scholars and student interns must provide a copy of the I-94 record which should be available on the Customs and Border Protection website, evidence of health insurance meeting the U.S. Department of State Standards as well as a U.S. address where the scholar or student intern resides is required to complete the electronic check in using iStart.
Access to Georgia Tech Campus Systems
To access Georgia Tech’s campus systems, you first must complete the onboarding process with the Administrative Services Center (ASC). Scholars and Student Interns should coordinate with their hosting department's HR administrator to complete this process.
Once onboarding is completed, you will have your GT credentials. These credentials will grant you access to essential campus systems and services. Below is an example of your credentials:
- GT username: Usually is a combination of your name and number (e.g. Abc56)
- GT email: Your username followed by “gatech.edu" at the end. (e.g. Abc567@gatech.edu)
- GTID: A unique nine-digit number that starts with "90" (e.g. 90xxxxxxx)
Activating your Georgia Tech Credentials
After completing onboarding, you may still need to activate your GT credentials to access campus systems. To do this, visit GT Passport page https://passport.gatech.edu/.
On the Passport page, you can:
- Activate your GT account
- Find your GT username and email
- Rest or retrieve your password if you’re unsure of your login credentials.
Accessing iStart:
You do not need to request an account to use iStart. After completing onboarding, it may take a few days for your iStart profile to update automatically. If you’re unable to log in using your GT credentials, you can submit a request to OIE to update your iStart profile. Submit your request here
You will need the following for the request.
- Your GTID (e.g., 90xxxxxxx)
- Your GT username (Combination of your name and number e.g. Abc56)
Providing this information allows OIE to update your profile and grant full access to iStart.
Limited Access to iStart:
If you are an exchange visitor who has arrived in the U.S. but has not yet completed onboarding with ASC, you can still complete your immigration check-in using limited access. You’ll Need: Your Georgia Tech ID Number (starting with 90…) or your temporary ID (e.g. TEMP123456).
How to Log In with Limited Access:
To log into iStart as a limited access user, follow the instructions below:
Go to http://istart.gatech.edu and click on “New Student and /Login”
Click on "Email me my Limited Access PIN"
Enter your Georgia Tech ID number (90……) or your temporary number (TEMP123456) and hit submit.
A PIN number will be sent to your email address on file.
Once you receive your PIN number, return to http://istart.gatech.edu and click on "New Student and /Login" enter:
- Your Georgia Tech ID or TEMPID
- Your Date of Birth
- PIN number
- Hit login
You should now have access to iStart.
Complete OIE Immigration Check-In:
Go to iStart.gatech.edu
Navigate to the “J Scholar and Student Intern Check-in section.
Choose the form based on your J-1 category.
- J Scholar Check-in - For Research or Short-Term Scholar
- J Student Intern - For J Student Intern Check-in.
You can determine your J category by reviewing the exchange visitor category list in box #4 on your DS-2019
Required Documents for OIE Immigration Check-in
When completing check-in, be prepared to upload the following documents: IMPORTANT: All documents must be in PDF format and under 1MB in size.
Evidence of health insurance. Your coverage must meet the minimum requirements set by the U.S. Department of State and the University System of Georgia. See the OIE website for more details.
Supplemental medical evacuation and repatriation coverage can be obtained from one of the insurance providers listed:
- Global Travel Plus: https://www.acsa-travelsolutions.com/
- International Student Insurance: https://www.isoa.org/j1_plans
- IMG: https://www.imglobal.com/international-student-health-insurance
- International Student Protection (ISP) https://intlstudentprotection.com/
- World Trips: https://www.worldtrips.com/student-secure-insurance#/ssq
I-94 record. You can retrieve this document from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s website at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home
Signed DS-2019 This is a copy of your DS-2019 you received back from the consular office with their approval and your signature at the bottom.
Signed DS-7002. This is a copy that includes your signature on page 1. (for Student Interns Only)
Visa stamp. (if applicable).
If you have J-2 dependents, submit the J-2 Dependent Arrival/Check-in to upload arrival documents & evidence of insurance for all J-2 dependents upon their arrival.
If you have any problems or issues uploading your documents to iStart, please see OIE's Troubleshooting iStart tips. If you are still unable to resolve the issue, contact us.
J-1 Exchange Visitor (Scholar) Orientation & Schedule
The Office of International Education offers a J-1 Exchange Visitor orientation once per month. This orientation serves to welcome scholars and student interns to the Georgia Tech community, provide important and valuable information about how to comply with J Exchange Program rules, and introduce scholars and student interns to the Georgia Tech campus. OIE highly recommends that all J Scholars and Student Interns attend this orientation.
After completing the electronic check-in using iStart, an advisor will review the immigration documents used to enter the U.S. and notify the Exchange Visitor directly by e-mail regarding the scheduled orientation date. You must submit your check-in e-forms via iStart within 30 days of your arrival. If you miss the orientation scheduled during your month of arrival, you will be invited to attend the next month's session. NOTE: This orientation is separate from the new employee orientation that some exchange visitors will be required to attend that is offered by the Office of Human Resources to new Georgia Tech employees.
Please click here to access the orientation presentation. OIE suggests reviewing this information before the orientation meeting.
You are required to register for the virtual orientation sessions. Please expand the accordions below for more information.
- July 25, 2025 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://gatech.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZKuSTM02RmaDTRl31zOMsgAfter registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
- August 29, 2025 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
August orientation will be held in person!
We will present the orientation from 9AM – 11AM, following the orientation presentation we will have time to mingle and get to know each other from 11AM – 12PM.
Orientation will be held in the Savant Building, Room 308 - 631 Cherry Street NW Atlanta, GA 30332
Light breakfast will be available
- September 26, 2025 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://gatech.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bLgbLEzcSyWvBzsxmTwEOwAfter registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
- October 24, 2025 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://gatech.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rBZVKKkwS9-71MiGMZh1HQAfter registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
- November 21, 2025 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
November orientation will be held in person!
We will present the orientation from 9AM – 11AM, following the orientation presentation we will have time to mingle and get to know each other from 11AM – 12PM.
Orientation will be held in the Savant Building, Room 308 - 631 Cherry Street NW Atlanta, GA 30332
Light breakfast will be available
- December 19, 2025 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://gatech.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_f8V_c_y3Rpic0RpeeEj9zwAfter registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.