Welcome to iStart
iStart is a comprehensive data system for case management and compliance with SEVIS issues. It is the portal for F and J visa holders at Georgia Tech to make requests for updates to the I-20/DS-2019 as well as view basic SEVIS status information. Requests such as Program Extensions, Academic Reduced Course Loads, Change of Degree Level, are processed based on e-form requests available in iStart.
Student / Scholar Access to iStart
You should receive your Georgia Tech username and temporary password with your admission letter if you are a GT student and from the HR administrator in your host unit if you are a scholar or student intern. To access iStart visit istart.gatech.edu. Click the blue log in button and use your Georgia Tech username & related password to log in. This is the same username and password you use to log into your Georgia Tech e-mail account and Buzzport.
If you do not have the Georgia Tech username or password for iStart, Buzzport and your Georgia Tech e-mail address you will need to contact the Office of Information Technology to get your username or reset your password.
Access to iStart via link in email
Occasionally an e-form will be started by a Department or OIE staff (an example is the creation of your I-20/DS-2019). In this case you will be sent an email with a link to complete your portion of the e-form. When you/isss/istart-access-block click o/isss/istart-access-blockn the link, your username and password should automatically populate. Login using the pre-populated information.
If you have been sent an e-mail with a link to access iStart and are having issues:
STEP#1. Cut and paste the the url into another browser
STEP#2. Use another computer to access the link
STEP#3. Access the link in a private or incognito browser
iStart Troubleshooting
Department & HR Access
If you are a Graduate Coordinator and require iStart access to initiate the Graduate Initial I-20/DS-2019 form requests, send an email to info@oie.gatech.edu with the subject line "iStart Access for Departmental User."
If you are an HR coordinator needing to submit e-forms related to hiring foreign nationals, please please submit the iStart Access Request & Departmental User Update form.
E-Forms
OIE provides important e-form services to more than 10,000 F and J visa holders sponsored by the institution utilizing Sunapsis software. Visa holders and academic departments submit e-form service requests through the Sunapsis iStart portal. OIE prioritizes e-form service requests based on timing of submission and order of processing priority for the office.
Processing times are updated as needed based on the volume of requests. Please find current estimated processing times measured in business days for OIE e-forms below. Please note the 1st business day is the first full day immediately following the submission of the e-form. Business days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and do not include Georgia Tech holidays.
From February 3-March 1 OIE will be experiencing a higher than normal volume of processing due to COVID related deferrals and OPT filing season. The team will also be involved in upgrading to the new Sunapsis 4.0 system. We appreciate your patience with adjusted processing times as we work diligently to balance student and recent graduate needs with the high quality of care required to ensure accuracy in SEVIS reporting.