OIE Check-in

As you prepare for your studies at Georgia Tech, we encourage you to consider the following when making your travel plans:

• As a new international student, you are permitted to enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days prior to the program start date. The program start date is located on your most up-to-date I-20 or DS-2019 form. 
• Students are expected to arrive in the U.S. in time for the start of classes. If you are unable to arrive by the start of classes, you will need to request support for late arrival. This can be done once the check-in e-forms are available within 30 days of the start of the term. Both your academic department and OIE must support your late arrival.
  • After submitting your Arrival Confirmation e-form, the late arrival request will be sent to your academic department for review. Late arrival approval is not guaranteed and is subject to the academic program's permission. Important Note: OIE cannot confirm the latest date you are approved for late arrival until the Arrival Confirmation e-form is completed.
• Georgia Tech Orientation: Many of the orientations will be virtual. If there are in person requirements and you will miss these components due to your late arrival, it is important you work directly with your academic department to understand the impact. For more information about OIE orientations, please visit our Welcome Series website. 
  • Undergraduate Students: FASET is an important orientation program for new undergraduate students. FASET will familiarize you with the Tech campus and traditions.
  • Graduate Students: The Office of Graduate Education will hold a new graduate student orientation session. Please review the Office of Graduate Education's Orientation website for the date and further details. In addition, your academic department may also hold their own orientation session. Please communicate directly with your department to find out more.

Who needs to complete the OIE check-in?

*You may not be able to see the full chart on your mobile phone. Please review this chart in a web browser.

Why do I have to complete the OIE Check-in?

U.S. federal law requires that all F and J visa holders complete an international student check-in with their institution and enroll full-time to comply with requirements of their student visa status. As part of the required international student check-in process, an OIE adviser will review all immigration documents and move the SEVIS record from Initial to Active Status. Once a student visa holder's SEVIS record is in Active status they become eligible for benefits including on-campus work, driver license, and social security card. 

Failure to complete the OIE Check-In will result in the termination of your immigration record. This means that you would be considered as out-of-status by the Department of Homeland Security and you would no longer be eligible for on-campus employment, practical training, travel signatures for re-entry to the U.S., or any other benefits of F-1/J-1 status. 

What are the OIE-Check in deadlines for Spring 2025? 

*You may not be able to see the full chart on your mobile phone. Please review this chart in a web browser.

How do I complete the OIE-Check In? 

1. Go to iStart.gatech.edu
2. Use your GT Username and Password (the same as for Buzzport, GT Email, etc) to log in.
3. Find the "F/J Student Arrival and Check-In" tab on the left column Select "OIE Check-in". Complete and submit the following e-forms:
   • Arrival Confirmation
     • This e-form is used for you to confirm your plans to OIE. You will select one of the following options: 
       • Arrive in Atlanta to start your program at Georgia Tech by the start of classes
       • Come to Atlanta this term to attend Georgia Tech but would like support with late arrival as you are unable to get to Atlanta by the start of classes
       • Start/continue your program at one of Georgia Tech's campuses outside the U.S. and would like to defer your immigration document to a future term
       • Not start your program this term and will defer both your admission and immigration document to a future term
       • No longer plan to come to Atlanta to attend Georgia Tech 
     • We will then follow up with you on next steps once we are sure of your plans.
   • Immigration Regulations Acknowledgement
     • This e-form is only required for those intending to attend GT
     • Here we outline general guidelines and policies on how student visa holders are expected to maintain their status. We ask that you review the guidance and save the email confirmation you receive to reference.
   • Immigration Document Upload
     • This is the last step of the OIE Check-In process for those coming to the U.S. to pursue their degree. Students cannot complete this e-form until they are inside the U.S.
     • Students should have the following documents when completing this e-form:
       • I-94 record
         • More information about the I-94 and how to retrieve it can be found on Study in the States website: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2014/08/what-form-i-94. Students issued paper I-94s by Customs and Border Protection will upload copies of the front and back of the paper I-94.
         • If you have any issues accessing your electronic I-94, please review our I-94 website.
       • F-1/J-1 visa
       • U.S. Residential Address
     • 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.

How can I get help completing my OIE-Check In? 

Join OIE during our virtual drop-in advising hours: https://isss.oie.gatech.edu/content/isss-advising or email info@oie.gatech.edu

How should I update my contact information?

Federal regulations require all F-1 and J-1 students to provide current United States contact information to OIE after arrival and within 10 days of any changes. All students must provide their U.S. residential address, email and phone number. 

In order to submit this information to OIE you will enter your U.S. contact information into iStart. This e-form is a required part of the International Student Check-In process.

Correct U.S. Address Format:

The residential address you report must be a physical address, not a P.O. Box or GT mailbox. You must use the physical address where you are living, not the general Georgia Tech or OIE address as this will delay your check-in process.

A list of on-campus residence hall addresses can be found on the Housing and Residence Life website.

U.S. Phone Number: 
If you do not have a U.S. phone number when you are completing International Student Check-In, you may use a) A friend's b) Your academic department. However, this is just for International Student Check-in. As soon as you get a U.S. phone number, you are required by federal regulations to report your new number to OIE. 

How can I get my OIE hold removed?

You may have a hold placed on your account by OIE called the “OIE Check-In Hold.” Holds are placed on student accounts to prevent them from registering for classes until the student completes the necessary steps to remove the hold. You may find that there are other department- such as Student Health Services- have placed a hold on your account. You can check to see what holds are on your account through Buzzport.

If you find an OIE hold on your account, please do the following to ensure you’ve completed all of the necessary actions for OIE:

1. You have completed your I-20/DS-2019 form request. Our records indicate you intend to begin your studies in F-1 status.  In order to be able to register for courses, you must first submit this e-form so we are able to determine your F-1 eligibility.  If you have questions about the I-20/DS-2019 Form request and are unsure what to do next, please review our Obtaining an Initial Student Georgia Tech I-20 or DS-2019 website for more information. If you intend to begin your studies in a status other than F-1 please contact the following departments based on your level of study to verify your immigration status:
   1. Undergraduate Students: admission@gatech.edu
   2. Graduate Students: lawfulpresence@grad.gatech.edu
2. Make sure you have completed your OIE Check-In e-forms confirming your plans to OIE.  If you have completed the steps above but you still have a hold on your account, please contact info@oie.gatech.edu to let us know